My daughter doesn’t like our new puppy! 😣

[ohwhattodo96]

We got a puppy a few days ago so it’s all very new and still settling down, but my autistic 6 year old daughter hates him! 😔

She has been a bit rough with him a few times which has led to her being disciplined and put on time out, and she has started saying that she doesn’t want a dog and wants him to be sent away, she literally spends all day shouting this.

I think part of it could be jealously because she is no longer getting sole attention, especially because he has been unwell, and I have tried getting her involved in playing with him and helping to do things for him, but she just refuses.

How do I fix this?! X

But your dd does not want to be with the puppy so this is a big problem. It's not just one incident- your daughter screams all day for the puppy to get taken away. It's likely to escalate at some point. Even if it doesn't the noise and atmosphere will be terrifying to the dog

@ohwhattodo96 I think @lborgia Is making some very good and sound points, unfortunately I think you got bogged down in 2 words that you too offence to. @lborgia clearly sounds like they have experience with SEN children. Surely any advice that could improve your relationship with your child is good advice? I don't agree with time outs full stop, let alone with a SEN child. Child jealous of attention of pup so lashes out, gets sent to be on their own as punishment, therefore reinforcing the narrative in their own head. It's the equivalent of smacking a child for smacking another kid....completely counterintuitive

*took offence to

It will get worse as puppies bite young children (playfully but it hurts) and many young children then spend time afraid of the dog. Up to you whether you continue and hope she changes her mind but absolutely do not leave her alone and allow her to hurt the poor puppy

Have you even prepared your daughter for the dog!?

Autistic people hate sudden changes. They need to know everything thats going to happen ten steps ahead. So you coming home with a new dog out of the blue will of course distress her! Why didn't you do the social stories?

I hated dogs as a child. Still don't like them. I don't think it's fair to impose a dog on a child who doesnt want one.