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Toddlers and pets

WinesNot WhinesWinesNot Whines
in D.C. Area Babies

How old were your kids when they understood the concept of "gentle touch" and not pulling your pet's fur? Or if your kids still haven't grasped that yet, could you let me know how old they are so I know how much longer I will be dealing with this? It's getting tiring!

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Re: Toddlers and pets

  • RomeRomance06RomeRomance06
    I don't know but I'm dreading this phase in empathy for our poor old cat! I remember being 4-5 years old and still messing with my grandparents' German Shepherd. Luckily, he was a loving, patient dog and took it like a champ. I don't think my cat will be as patient... Tongue Tied
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  • MrsPhilDunphyMrsPhilDunphy
    C was really little when we started "gentle". I wanna say we started as soon as he was mobile and generally got it. He still has his moments, but is usually pretty good. It helps that one dog avoids him altogether and the other kisses his face (which he often finds annoying) whenever he gets near.
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  • Gigs2000Gigs2000

    DS turns 3 in two months, and while he's understood the concept for about 2 years, he still antagonizes our poor old lab (not really with hair pulling anymore...just chasing him around).

    DD is 14 months old and she understands "gentle pats"...doing it is another story.

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  • LindseyJWLindseyJW member

    tomas was probably 3 before it settled in that he couldn't be rough with the cats. the dog was another story. she was 120lbs and so very kind to him (sniff, miss her big self). we started showing him how to pet her and the cats when he was about 4 months old. so, yeah, took a while!

    audrey is much more gentle wtih the cats than tomas was. maybe it's a gender thing?

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  • I_love_cupcakesI_love_cupcakes member
    DS is 2 1/2 and he's starting to understand gentle.  He LOVES our lab and always wants to hug and kiss her, and cuddle with her on the bed or sofa.  While the feeling isn't necessarily mutual, she puts up with him.
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  • mssaintmssaint

    I can tell we're in for a long wait! LO is only 7 months old, but we already say "gentle, gentle" when we let him pet the car, and we pull him away when he gets too close to her or yanks at her. She is amazingly patient with him.

    He is fascinated by her and has a special noise that he makes for her. I know when he's crawling more he will be chasing her around the house, poor kitty.

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  • membrnmembrn

    I'd say in the last 2-3 months.  We've being using "gentle" a lot and make exaggerated "gentle pats" on the cat and dog.  He was terrible with grabbing their fur at first (I mean, it must have certainly felt cool to his little fingers) so I would really flatten my hand when petting them so now he does this little pat/hit (not hard, just enthusiastic). 

    It is tiring though. Our cat usually scurries off when she's had enough but she did swat at him the other day with claw - yikes.  And our dog is just so tall that he gets knocked down frequently. 

    All I keep thinking about is if we have another child, as soon as DS is "trained" on how to deal with all these things we will be starting all over!

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