mean to the dog

my granddaughter is living between two grandmas homes and in part time day care....she has been hitting our dogs (when she thinks we aren't looking)...what can we do to help her with this issue?  Both of her parents are out of the picture.

[margypops]

Remove her from the dogs make sure they arent around or near her, she sounds bored make sure she is busy and plays games, has fun. How old is she , is there a dog in her own home? It could be she is upset is her Mom around as it sounds a lot for a child to be doing ...

[margypops]

I am sorry I see you said the parents are out of the picture ,which makes it sadder can she not see her Mom at all ?

[specialmom]

This is very sad, poor girl.  

Perhaps she doesn't understand that dogs are to be nurtured and loved and part of the family.  Teach her the proper way to pet a dog and model loving action to the dog . . . and don't leave them alone together.  

She also may not have been nurtured or loved or treated like part of the family.  . . she may need to be shown this type of caring before she can feel empathy.  

Good luck and bless you for caring for her.