I have 2 shelter rescue dogs. Takoda is 2 & 1/2 and Marley is 3 or 4 years old. We have had them for 2 years now.
My problem is that my youngest son Jonathan is being mean to them & even other friend's dogs. He swipes at them, he has kicked & hit our dogs. He is bullying them around. I fear for both the dogs & him. I don't wanna have him grow up to be mean to others. He might meet up with someone who will kick his smart ass. I am feeling sorta helpless in this area. Don't know why.
I have tried to explain to him that this is not what you do to animals. I told him that they might bite him or worse bite someone else. I also said that if he keeps this up he will not get another pet as long as he lives in our home. That means no kitties, bunnies, ferrets, or even fish!
Yes my boys & husband want a ferret. I'm not thrilled.
Any suggestions on what I can do? I don't wanna keep spanking him for being me cause I think that shows that since he is smaller than me I can dominate him like he is with the dogs. I might be over thinking that. Disciplining is not one of my stronger points because of my childhood. I don't wanna do it out of anger so I don't but then it looks like I am not caring about what is happening. I'm a stay home mom & don't wanna be one of those moms that say " Wait till your daddy gets home!" to discipline him... Does that make sense?