Help, please, old Westies and new children don't mix!

[GingersarealwaysToms]

I have 2yo DT's, boy & girl. My parents have 11 yo Westies, who were mine for the first 3 yrs of their lives (long story) so I know/love them much.

At the moment we are visiting every day, because my dad has been ill.

My DS is fine with the dogs, likes them but not that fascinated. My DD is fascinated (asks about them all day long, etc) but keeps hitting & kicking the larger of the two Westies. Luckily he is a good-natured dog and loves children, but it's obviously dangerous and just not nice. Today I said 'No' in a very stern voice. She giggled. Am trying to use CBeebies as a reward & said she couldn't watch it this evening, which I will stick to. Do you think this will work and is there anything else I should be doing? I hate the thought of the children not being animal lovers, apart from the risks involved.

My parents just say "oh please don't do that" in a wishy-washy tone of voice, and say it's sad for Ddog.

Maybe she is doing it for attention and because she wants to do something with the dog but doesn't know what, is there anything she could do with him, get him to sit for treats, walk him, brush him, that would be pleasant for both of them ? You don't say how old she is.

If this isn't possible, put the dogs somewhere safe (another room) give them a treat and keep DD away as it is not fair on the poor dog and he can't be blamed if his good nature eventually runs out.

Am at your DD kicking and hitting the dog. This has to stop. Am also at your parents tolerating this. Deeply unfair on the dog and potentially dangerous. Suggest, like Grunzle, keeping dogs in a different room when you visit. I would suggest talking to your DC about what behaviour is acceptable when you visit - perhaps even practising gentle stroking on a toy - but using real sanctions and very firm NOs if they start doing any thing dangerous. I'd also suggest your DPs should visit you perhaps and leave the dogs at home for their own safety, or if your dad can't get out of the house, you visit alone without the DC.

Thank you Grunzle that has made me think. She's doing a lot of attention-seeking stuff at the minute .... not sure if it is the twin thing. Did say they were 2yo (in a couple of weeks). The hitting/kicking is only as harsh as a small 2yo girl can manage in the split second before we obviously stop her. That is, not very.

It's an interesting dynamic because she is a twin and the smallest of the two; she favours the smallest of the twin Westies. She never picks on him, which is just as well because he is grumpier. The children are never left on their own with the dogs for even a second.

The Westies are very well cared for. (Two good walks a day, best food, never left on their own, lots of affection.) Poor old Fido just looks bewildered and I feel awful for him.

Why give her a punishment several hours after the event? Will she remember why is isn't allowed to watch cbeebies?

Is she aware that she is hurting the dog?

I'd stick her on the naughty step immediately and ban her from interacting with the dogs until she could control herself - I don't think that is overly harsh and it minimises the risks of the dog saying enough