Getting a child to like animals?
Discussion
JuniorD said:
Cats easy and self cleaning?
Fur everywhere. Cat odour. Their arse holes sat on work tops and pillows. Licking their genetalia and their paws. Scratching things.
I really don't mind them but I wouldn't desire to share a home with one.
As for dogs, I like them but I find it oddly fascinating that humans would wish to share a home with a different species
Because we don't live in a home infested with vermin I've never seen the point of a cat. I can only assume that a large number of people still live in rat infested holes? Fur everywhere. Cat odour. Their arse holes sat on work tops and pillows. Licking their genetalia and their paws. Scratching things.
I really don't mind them but I wouldn't desire to share a home with one.
As for dogs, I like them but I find it oddly fascinating that humans would wish to share a home with a different species
The most annoying thing about cats is having to post their pooh back through the owner's letterbox.
Been there done that.
Our oldest daughter was terrified of animals. Even when she was about 4 she would leap into our arms if a dog was in a yard across the street.
To cure this we started with a guinea pig. We had a playpen size wire enclosure, & the daughter could sit in there with it, clad from top to toe, including gloves. She was soon carrying the thing around with her.
6 months later we got a puppy. That went well, & a couple of years later we got a couple of filly foals, & some months later, by accident a colt.
A couple of years later she was riding one of the grown fillies at pony club, & a little later show jumping the young stallion, very successfully.
The whole story has now been repeated with her own kids. The cure has included in her case, a kitten, a Great Dane, & last week she bought a pony.
It would have saved a lot of money for everyone if we had left her scared of animals. I could have built the very best garage ever seen on Piston heads, with what I have spent on hay alone.
Our oldest daughter was terrified of animals. Even when she was about 4 she would leap into our arms if a dog was in a yard across the street.
To cure this we started with a guinea pig. We had a playpen size wire enclosure, & the daughter could sit in there with it, clad from top to toe, including gloves. She was soon carrying the thing around with her.
6 months later we got a puppy. That went well, & a couple of years later we got a couple of filly foals, & some months later, by accident a colt.
A couple of years later she was riding one of the grown fillies at pony club, & a little later show jumping the young stallion, very successfully.
The whole story has now been repeated with her own kids. The cure has included in her case, a kitten, a Great Dane, & last week she bought a pony.
It would have saved a lot of money for everyone if we had left her scared of animals. I could have built the very best garage ever seen on Piston heads, with what I have spent on hay alone.
Some kids are odd with animals. One of my daughter's friends comes over. We have a soppy Golden Retriever who loves fuss. This girl arrives and calls the dog over for fuss. Then decides she's scared, squeals and recoils. So I call the dog back. She then decides she wants to pet the dog again and calls it back. Rinse and repeat (or it would be but I just take the dog away after the second iteration).
Try rationalising it. Our daughter (now 6) has been terrified of dogs for a couple of years since a big dog bounded across the park to her making her fall off her scooter in fright. The dog was just trying to be friendly I'll add, and didn't touch her, but it was bigger than she was and she clearly didn't know. So since then when she sees any sort or size of dog she clings to us for safety.
However it's improving with time and some rational questioning; "is the dog hurting its owner?" ("No daddy"). "Is the dog hurting mummy?" ("No daddy") etc. And also seeing some of our friends who own dogs enjoying their company.
You don't need your kids to love animals, and a bit of caution isn't a bad thing when they're small, but at the same time it's nice for them to play outside in the park / garden without being terrified from time to time. Good luck with it.
However it's improving with time and some rational questioning; "is the dog hurting its owner?" ("No daddy"). "Is the dog hurting mummy?" ("No daddy") etc. And also seeing some of our friends who own dogs enjoying their company.
You don't need your kids to love animals, and a bit of caution isn't a bad thing when they're small, but at the same time it's nice for them to play outside in the park / garden without being terrified from time to time. Good luck with it.
AstonZagato said:
Some kids are odd with animals. One of my daughter's friends comes over. We have a soppy Golden Retriever who loves fuss. This girl arrives and calls the dog over for fuss. Then decides she's scared, squeals and recoils. So I call the dog back. She then decides she wants to pet the dog again and calls it back. Rinse and repeat (or it would be but I just take the dog away after the second iteration).
Obvious shes curious but wary/unfamiliar. That's where you help the kid out with the experience no?DoubleSix said:
AstonZagato said:
Some kids are odd with animals. One of my daughter's friends comes over. We have a soppy Golden Retriever who loves fuss. This girl arrives and calls the dog over for fuss. Then decides she's scared, squeals and recoils. So I call the dog back. She then decides she wants to pet the dog again and calls it back. Rinse and repeat (or it would be but I just take the dog away after the second iteration).
Obvious shes curious but wary/unfamiliar. That's where you help the kid out with the experience no?ruaricoles said:
Try rationalising it. Our daughter (now 6) has been terrified of dogs for a couple of years since a big dog bounded across the park to her making her fall off her scooter in fright. The dog was just trying to be friendly I'll add, and didn't touch her, but it was bigger than she was and she clearly didn't know. So since then when she sees any sort or size of dog she clings to us for safety.
However it's improving with time and some rational questioning; "is the dog hurting its owner?" ("No daddy"). "Is the dog hurting mummy?" ("No daddy") etc. And also seeing some of our friends who own dogs enjoying their company.
You don't need your kids to love animals, and a bit of caution isn't a bad thing when they're small, but at the same time it's nice for them to play outside in the park / garden without being terrified from time to time. Good luck with it.
We can't actually take our children out in our part of London without an owner letting by their dog charge and bound at them. It's always accompanied by the thick bint shouting 'he's fine with children'. In the past I have run at the owner and scared the crap out of them before stopping and politely saying 'it's ok, I'm perfectly safe' but they simply don't get it. They genuinely believe that their 'child' has a god given risk guy to 'play' with mine. A sharp smack on the dog's bottom is the only way to send them off. It's depressing. However it's improving with time and some rational questioning; "is the dog hurting its owner?" ("No daddy"). "Is the dog hurting mummy?" ("No daddy") etc. And also seeing some of our friends who own dogs enjoying their company.
You don't need your kids to love animals, and a bit of caution isn't a bad thing when they're small, but at the same time it's nice for them to play outside in the park / garden without being terrified from time to time. Good luck with it.
Interestingly our son at that age loved our dog too bits yet was extremely wary of any other dogs when out and about, had no reason to be. Everyone would tell us be careful your son doesn't assume all dogs are as friendly as yours etc, yet we never had to worry that he'd approach strange dogs.
Even now at 6 he is cautious but watches what others are doing. Our 2 year old daughter is fascinated by all dogs so we do have to watch her more.
The we are slaves to cats is not always the case btw!
I think a small pets corner in a petting zoo may be a good idea. You can't force her to like animals but it would be good for her to be ok around them as she gets older (going to friends houses etc)
Even now at 6 he is cautious but watches what others are doing. Our 2 year old daughter is fascinated by all dogs so we do have to watch her more.
The we are slaves to cats is not always the case btw!
I think a small pets corner in a petting zoo may be a good idea. You can't force her to like animals but it would be good for her to be ok around them as she gets older (going to friends houses etc)
It seems furry pets are the only ones the PH massive tend to promote or deal with. My 3 year old niece who has been pretty 'off' in terms of animal interaction came round at Christmas and I introduced her to my various bugs and fish - and to my astonishment she went into a handling frenzy! Was really lovely to see her being gentle with them, almost instinctively, for such a young human.
Not saying you need to fill your house with exotica, but given that cats / dogs / horses have their particular (and often expensive) needs, you could find yourself a way into making your daughter an animal lover by thinking outside the box, or pen as the case may be.
Not saying you need to fill your house with exotica, but given that cats / dogs / horses have their particular (and often expensive) needs, you could find yourself a way into making your daughter an animal lover by thinking outside the box, or pen as the case may be.
OP, it's interesting that you say your wife doesn't like dogs as this may be something she's picking up on. I visit a Primary School every week with my PAT dog - it is the 'read to dogs' scheme.
Some (not many) of the children come in and announce 'I'm scared of dogs' and do a little face, so they are asked if they want to sit away from him leave the room and not read. Without exception, they say 'no, I want to sit next to him, I'm not scared of that one'.... I often wonder if it is just repeated behaviour or that they know it's going to solicit some attention from the adults? Either way it's been a huge success for the school and they all adore him. It would be sad if she developed a real phobia - Perhaps you can find a group like 'From Fear To Friend' who run courses specifically aimed at children with a fear of dogs?
Some (not many) of the children come in and announce 'I'm scared of dogs' and do a little face, so they are asked if they want to sit away from him leave the room and not read. Without exception, they say 'no, I want to sit next to him, I'm not scared of that one'.... I often wonder if it is just repeated behaviour or that they know it's going to solicit some attention from the adults? Either way it's been a huge success for the school and they all adore him. It would be sad if she developed a real phobia - Perhaps you can find a group like 'From Fear To Friend' who run courses specifically aimed at children with a fear of dogs?
parakitaMol. said:
OP, it's interesting that you say your wife doesn't like dogs as this may be something she's picking up on. I visit a Primary School every week with my PAT dog - it is the 'read to dogs' scheme.
Some (not many) of the children come in and announce 'I'm scared of dogs' and do a little face, so they are asked if they want to sit away from him leave the room and not read. Without exception, they say 'no, I want to sit next to him, I'm not scared of that one'.... I often wonder if it is just repeated behaviour or that they know it's going to solicit some attention from the adults? Either way it's been a huge success for the school and they all adore him. It would be sad if she developed a real phobia - Perhaps you can find a group like 'From Fear To Friend' who run courses specifically aimed at children with a fear of dogs?
I'm having to be very careful with that with my young daughter. I'm terrified of dogs having been bitten by one as young child. It's rational but become very hard not to react whenever I see one - if one comes bouncing up to me in a park I have to stand still and look uncomfortable until the owner pulls it away... I'm trying to avoid her picking up the same fears.Some (not many) of the children come in and announce 'I'm scared of dogs' and do a little face, so they are asked if they want to sit away from him leave the room and not read. Without exception, they say 'no, I want to sit next to him, I'm not scared of that one'.... I often wonder if it is just repeated behaviour or that they know it's going to solicit some attention from the adults? Either way it's been a huge success for the school and they all adore him. It would be sad if she developed a real phobia - Perhaps you can find a group like 'From Fear To Friend' who run courses specifically aimed at children with a fear of dogs?
Vaud said:
parakitaMol. said:
OP, it's interesting that you say your wife doesn't like dogs as this may be something she's picking up on. I visit a Primary School every week with my PAT dog - it is the 'read to dogs' scheme.
Some (not many) of the children come in and announce 'I'm scared of dogs' and do a little face, so they are asked if they want to sit away from him leave the room and not read. Without exception, they say 'no, I want to sit next to him, I'm not scared of that one'.... I often wonder if it is just repeated behaviour or that they know it's going to solicit some attention from the adults? Either way it's been a huge success for the school and they all adore him. It would be sad if she developed a real phobia - Perhaps you can find a group like 'From Fear To Friend' who run courses specifically aimed at children with a fear of dogs?
I'm having to be very careful with that with my young daughter. I'm terrified of dogs having been bitten by one as young child. It's rational but become very hard not to react whenever I see one - if one comes bouncing up to me in a park I have to stand still and look uncomfortable until the owner pulls it away... I'm trying to avoid her picking up the same fears.Some (not many) of the children come in and announce 'I'm scared of dogs' and do a little face, so they are asked if they want to sit away from him leave the room and not read. Without exception, they say 'no, I want to sit next to him, I'm not scared of that one'.... I often wonder if it is just repeated behaviour or that they know it's going to solicit some attention from the adults? Either way it's been a huge success for the school and they all adore him. It would be sad if she developed a real phobia - Perhaps you can find a group like 'From Fear To Friend' who run courses specifically aimed at children with a fear of dogs?
I wouldn't worry too much OP - I was terrified of dogs at her age and didn't much like cats. Not helped by the kid next door having some yappy mongrel, him and my elder brother used to chase me and my twin brother with it, once locking us in a coalshed for about an hour whilst this mangy mutt yapped outside! At the time I was convinced it was going to eat me alive, but in hindsight it was a friendly thing, probably just wanted to play! It did give me a terrible childhood fear of dogs though, until I was about 11. Cats were the same - my aunt had one that was typically aloof, so I just didn't trust it, not once I'd seen those claws.
What changed was I got a mate up the road who had an entire menagerie of animals - dog/cat/rabbits/various birds - his mum was a bit of a 70's hippy and loved animals. I used to go round there and play, and found that all these animals were really friendly and just wanted to be stroked and played with. Fast forward 6 months and we were nagging my Dad to get us a dog!
So, in my experience, no substitute for a slow introduction, but don't force it on her, she'll come round in time.
What changed was I got a mate up the road who had an entire menagerie of animals - dog/cat/rabbits/various birds - his mum was a bit of a 70's hippy and loved animals. I used to go round there and play, and found that all these animals were really friendly and just wanted to be stroked and played with. Fast forward 6 months and we were nagging my Dad to get us a dog!
So, in my experience, no substitute for a slow introduction, but don't force it on her, she'll come round in time.
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