Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Child Behavior (Expert Forum)
toddler drowning pet dog
Answered by
Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D. - Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, Family Therapy, Crisis Intervention
Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates
This forum is for questions and support regarding child behavior issues such: Child Discipline (behavior management), Normal Child Development, Parent-Child Communications, Social Development
toddler drowning pet dog
by rsahlp, Sep 01, 2008 03:15PM
Today my 4 year old daughter went outside at her sisters (22 yrs old) house to play with their small dog. When we went out a short time later to check on her, she was holding the dog under water in the kiddy pool. The dog is going to be fine, but I think that she would have killed him had we not checked on her. Is this normal, and how should a parent deal with this behavior?
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D., Sep 02, 2008 06:51AM
, Sep 02, 2008 06:51AM
No, it cannot be regarded as normal. It has to be viewed in the context of her overall development and, without additional information, I really can't offer you much perspective. On the behavior management front, it goes without saying that you have to set a clear, firm, unambiguous limit on behavior that is hurtful or aggressive in any fashion. She should apologize to your sister's family and then do something nice for the dog (e.g., go to a pet store and have her buy a little treat to give to the dog).
