LO and pets question

mnewlee

My DD is fascinated by our cats. They really don't want much to do with her but the boy is willing to sit there while she pets him. (by willing, I mean he's to lazy to move)

Unfortunately her version of petting is grabbing a handful of fur and pulling. I try to keep my hand on her hand and show her how to pet them but she's a fast little bugger.

 

How do you teach your LO to pet nicely, not pull fur out.

They're good cats but I'm worried they'll nip at her. (Heck, I'd probably bite someone who randomly pulled a big handful of my hair out)

mplesset23

You can't.  All babies grab and pull.  They don't realize they are doing it, but they all seem to do it.  It took my nieces until they were almost 3 to learn to "pet nicely."   

We just take LO's hand and say "be nice to the puppy."  Eventually, they'll get it.

jaeleigh25

I agree with PP. Bu for your own piece of mind, you could help her pet them nicely.  I take my DD had and guide them down our dog's back and by her ears.  But my dig kinda likes the hard petting...  It's a little weird!

melissa0726

Agree with PPers...I don't think you can really teach that behavior until they are a little older, and can be expected to actually listen when you tell them no.

 That being said, I do think there is a lot of value in showing babies the right way to treat animals from when they are infants.  We sit right with DD and our dog or cat and show her "pet gently" and help her mimic our actions.  She is already making the connection that she needs to be relaxed when petting the animals.  LOL of course, that doesn't mean she won't go into a hair-pulling frenzy at any moment - but this is why we are always right next to her when she is interacting with our pets. 

ClickMama

DD does the same.  I just tell her nice, and try to show as much as possible.  I figure she'll pick up on it soon.  She tries to do the same when she strokes my hair.  I tell her, nice, show her how to do it and stroke her hair too. 

 Our cat is almost 14 and wouldn't hurt a fly, but not all cats are like that.  When she's had enough, the cat gets up and moves.  

mnewlee

That's kind of what I'd figured. That it'll come in time. 

 

I hold her hand and say "Pet. gentle pet" or something like that. Hopefully she'll start to get it sooner rather than later. 

babyAutumn

We have always just taken our kids hand and helped them pet the dog gently and stressing gently.  Eventually they do get it.  We are just lucky that we have a very well trained, kid oriented dog (cairn terrier).  She loves the kids and basically just sits there and takes it.  If she isn't in a good mood, she just gets up and runs to hide under the bed so she can find peace.  She's a little older now but is still really good with our new LO.

MissManda

Whenever DS is playing with the dogs, I make sure to use the same phrase -- "be gentle" -- and I take his hand and help him. I also pet the dog at the same time and praise both of them so that they have a chance to get to know each other. When the dog gets up and leaves, I say "Oh, Sammy is all done" and distract him with something else so that he doesn't go crawling after her!

MrsNole

At this age you really can't.  What I do is teach our dog that it is ok for her to grab his fur.  That way he doesn't react to it.  But really our dog just walks away when she grabs him anyway.

iammecandace

Grasping is a reflex; therefore, as much as you try your baby is still going to do it. my daughter does the same thing with my moms dog. shes getting better but also the dog is short haired which is hard to grab a hold of. i just tell her to be kind and i show her w my hand then with her own