Appropriate consequence for chasing the dog

[Anonymous]

My kids, 4 and 5.5, occasionally chase the dog with the broom and a bouncy ball. For fun. Obviously this isn't acceptable. When I see them doing it, I bring the dog in, I tell that this is unacceptable, and I make them do a chore as a consequence. I usually use logical consequences, but I can't think of one here. We also talk about how to be kind to animals. What else can I do?

[Anonymous]

Take away the broom and ball? Don't let them play outside with dog unsupervised?

[Anonymous]

You tell them it's unacceptable and you make them do chores, are you kidding me?

You stoop in their face, you yell "STOP CHASING THE DOG" in your best fog horn voice, and they'll never do it again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
You tell them it's unacceptable and you make them do chores, are you kidding me?

You stoop in their face, you yell "STOP CHASING THE DOG" in your best fog horn voice, and they'll never do it again.

Yes, I also take away the broom and ball. Forgot about that.
and I tell them the consequences if I catch them doing it.

[Anonymous]

Well, I’d be inclined to not let them play with the dog at all.

Without trying to sound hysterical...No matter how bomb proof your dog is, this is how dogs end up biting children and then get the “dangerous dog” label.

This is not just unacceptable, this is dangerous. this is dangerous, for both dog and children. What would you do if your children kept running in the street?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
You tell them it's unacceptable and you make them do chores, are you kidding me?

You stoop in their face, you yell "STOP CHASING THE DOG" in your best fog horn voice, and they'll never do it again.

Yes, I also take away the broom and ball. Forgot about that.
and I tell them the consequences if I catch them doing it.

Clearly the reward is outweighing the consequence, or you are inconsistent with follow through. You should re-evaluate based on what your kids value.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, I’d be inclined to not let them play with the dog at all.

Without trying to sound hysterical...No matter how bomb proof your dog is, this is how dogs end up biting children and then get the “dangerous dog” label.

This is not just unacceptable, this is dangerous. this is dangerous, for both dog and children. What would you do if your children kept running in the street?

+1. I have dogs and kids. You are ASKING for a bite, OP. Enough with the talk about consequences and abstract punishment, you get harsh enough that your big kids (4 and 5, NOT 1 and 2 year olds!) understand that they are torturing the animal and provoking it. This is cruelty and it has to stop.

[Anonymous]

Agree, OP. You are asking for a bite. Your punishment needs to have more "teeth" (pun intended) in order to serve as enough of a deterrent. They must realize they can NEVER again hit, chase, etc. the dog.

I have a 6yo and a german shepherd. We've taught 6yo basically from birth to never do ANYTHING to antagonize the dog; that is unacceptable. And, we never leave them unattended together.

I've mentioned this before, but spouse works in an ER and has seen really, really bad dog bites on young kids.

It may seem like overkill, but you should take this more seriously and make a bigger deal out of it--because right now they don't think chasing the dog is a big deal, so they keep doing it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree, OP. You are asking for a bite. Your punishment needs to have more "teeth" (pun intended) in order to serve as enough of a deterrent. They must realize they can NEVER again hit, chase, etc. the dog.

I have a 6yo and a german shepherd. We've taught 6yo basically from birth to never do ANYTHING to antagonize the dog; that is unacceptable. And, we never leave them unattended together.

I've mentioned this before, but spouse works in an ER and has seen really, really bad dog bites on young kids.

It may seem like overkill, but you should take this more seriously and make a bigger deal out of it--because right now they don't think chasing the dog is a big deal, so they keep doing it.

Meant to add, they should also never corner an animal. You or spouse may need to accompany kids and dog if they're outside together, until they learn to never ever engage in this sort of behavior.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, I’d be inclined to not let them play with the dog at all.

Without trying to sound hysterical...No matter how bomb proof your dog is, this is how dogs end up biting children and then get the “dangerous dog” label.

This is not just unacceptable, this is dangerous. this is dangerous, for both dog and children. What would you do if your children kept running in the street?

Agree with this. If the dog is outside, they are not, and vice versa, with appropriate accommodations for the dog getting enough time in the yard. If everyone is in the house, keep them separated when there is not direct supervision (ie, keep dog with you or other parent). As for consequence, I'd ask them to tell you why chasing the dog is not kind/wrong and then tell you what are kind things to do for the dog, etc.

[Anonymous]

They are not allowed in the back yard if dog is there and you are not. New rule, starting today. If they do it in front of you, they go inside immediately and have to sit in time out until they can calm down. Then they play inside. Outside time is done for the time being.

[Anonymous]

The natural consequence for abusing the dog is to be separated from the dog. Since it wouldn't be fair to lock up the dog away from the family when the dog is the victim, the kids have to be removed from the family space until they're ready to behave appropriately. Into their rooms for a bit of time-out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are not allowed in the back yard if dog is there and you are not. New rule, starting today. If they do it in front of you, they go inside immediately and have to sit in time out until they can calm down. Then they play inside. Outside time is done for the time being.

This! They are not responsible enough to be out with the dog unless closely supervised.

[Anonymous]

The only time I’ve ever done a prison-style timeout in DD’s room was when she hit the dog. She had an epic tantrum but hasn’t done it since.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The only time I’ve ever done a prison-style timeout in DD’s room was when she hit the dog. She had an epic tantrum but hasn’t done it since.

Same. It needed to have been dealt with swiftly and significantly the first time it happened.