Dear Amy: My sister just lately misplaced her job. I let her and her 2½-year-old daughter, “Mariah,” transfer in with me whereas she will get on her toes.
I’ve a 9-year-old toy poodle, and he is light and nice with youngsters.
The issues started when Mariah began biting the dog.
My sister refuses to do something about it. She says biting is a traditional a part of toddler-hood. I do know she lets Mariah be tough with him when I’m not round to cease it.
I assumed I had a system labored out — I made certain he was at all times with me after I was at house, and I put him in his crate after I was at work.
However, the previous three days after I returned house, the dog was exterior the crate. My sister admits that she let him out.
I perceive it is a very laborious time in her life, however one thing must be executed. She refuses to cooperate or compromise. I do not need anybody to get harm. What can I do?
Worried: Biting will not be essentially a “normal part of toddler-hood.” It is, nevertheless, a quite common toddler response to emphasize.
You can assume that this little woman could be very confused and burdened. It additionally sounds as in case your sister will not be doing an excellent job together with her.
You ought to attempt your greatest to show your niece applicable conduct round pets. Teach her find out how to be light. Teach her to face nonetheless whereas the dog dances round her legs. Teach her to pet the dog on the highest of the pinnacle and encourage her that can assist you by pouring water into his bowl.
Tell her, “Always be gentle. Never put your hand near his mouth and never touch him when he is eating.” Always watch the dog and toddler when their paths intersect.
Your sister is a large number. It is as much as you to resolve how a lot of her personal toddler conduct you’ll be able to tolerate. You might have to inform her that until she will be able to respect your very cheap boundaries, she’ll have to seek out one other place to reside. (August 2012)
Dear Amy: I’m 13 and have the most effective dog ever. He often follows me round the home, and he mopes after I’m gone.
He hasn’t been following me round the home as a lot currently and has been performing form of mopey. I imagine it is because I just lately acquired a smartphone.
I’m frightened that I’ve been spending an excessive amount of time on it and never giving him sufficient consideration.
My pup is barely 5, and he’s wholesome. I like this dog with all my coronary heart and am saddened by the thought that he may really feel that I don’t love him.
How can I be sure that I’m spending sufficient time with my dog and never my smartphone? What are some methods to withstand utilizing my smartphone?
Addict: First, you and your people ought to be sure that your buddy will get a superb medical checkup straight away. Dogs are likely to act mopey once they’re not feeling nicely. You are perceptive to see that your inattention has an actual influence in your dog.
It is feasible that he’s unhappy and depressed as a result of he misses you. This is much like the way in which some children report feeling uncared for by their mother and father when their mother and father are glued to their very own smartphones, as an alternative of speaking and listening with full consideration to them.
Turkle identified that an necessary a part of adolescence is the power to be by yourself for the primary time, amusing your self and exercising some independence.
Your cellphone is your fixed companion now; it fills an area that ought to be stuffed with your individual creativeness and with interplay together with your greatest dog buddy, in addition to human family and friends.
When you come house from college, put your cellphone in a drawer for two hours. Close the drawer and depart it there (not in your pocket). You and your dog will each really feel significantly better should you play and hang around collectively with out the distraction. (November 2012)
©2022 by Amy Dickinson distributed by Tribune Content Agency