Ds and his new favorite phrase : ( ...

[GreenGranolaMama]

Ok so first and foremost we almost never have to scold our dog- but he chewed DHs new jacket so DH called him a 'bad dog' in a stern voice and sent him to his pillow for a doggie time out.. Well, DS was in the next room when all this was going down, so guess what Ds's (19 months) new favorite phrase is?

I feel so bad for our dog (who is very well behaved and is totally in love with Ds) because all day long it's 'bad dog' this and 'bad dog' that. And he doesn't just say it, he shouts it. It also doesn't help that we're having trouble with Ds being gentle with the dog when playing, so I'm constantly reminding Ds not to hit/squeeze the dog AND he's constantly shouting 'bad dog'  : ( 

So when he says 'bad dog' Dh and I have been correcting him by saying "Burton is a GOOD DOG! (said in a very expressive way) we love Burton, can you give Burton loveies/ pet him gently? " We say something similar when he starts to play too rough/hit/squeeze him. 

Are we doing the right thing by constantly correcting him (about the 'bad dog' talk) or are we just drawing more attention to it? Should we just ignore it when he says it? 

[physmom]

DD went through a phase where she kept telling our cat to leave (our cat is not allowed on the bed because DH has allergies so there's a constant stream of us telling her to leave the bed...).  I told her a few times that we like our cat and don't want her to leave and otherwise ignored it and it eventually went away.  Now DD seems to like saying "I'm in trouble" and we have no clue where she got that from, sigh, why do they pick this stuff up???

[stephck]

My 2 year old said "stupid".  With arms crossed, a scowling face and attitude.  I was so surprised I didn't know what to say.  Then she repeated it.  Now I'm wondering, do I make a big deal out of it or let it go?  I feel like most developmental challenges I've been ready for, but this one took me by surprise :(  I'm going with correct it and move on.   ie That's not a nice thing to call someone.  Done.  Interested in others thoughts.

[Super~Single~Mama]

I completely ignore all talk that I don't like.  So, if I slip and ds says "$h!t" or "Stupid" or some other "bad" word, I ignore it completely.  I act like he's not even talking.  Then, as SOON as he says something else (anything else - doesn't matter what) I respond VERY positively.  if he goes back the other, I just go about life as though he isn't talking.  So far, it works great.

I don't know about the "bad dog" talk though, if he's just saying it I would ignore it, and as soon as he says something else respond positively.  BUT, any rough touches would be immediately addressed - and continued rough touching would mean that he didn't get to be near the dog.  If they are happening at the same time, it would be hard to address one and not the other.

Also, I would focus alot on when YOU and your dh talk to the dog, saying REALLY sweet things to the dog.  So, if you're petting him, saying things like, "You're such a good doggy, I love you sweetie, blah blah blah" and hope ds mimics that too.

Redirecting language is tricky though!

[GreenGranolaMama]

Originally Posted by Super~Single~Mama 

Also, I would focus a lot on when YOU and your dh talk to the dog, saying REALLY sweet things to the dog.  So, if you're petting him, saying things like, "You're such a good doggy, I love you sweetie, blah blah blah" and hope ds mimics that too.

Redirecting language is tricky though!

This is where we are at- it's the combination of the 'bad dog' talk AND the rough playing that's getting me down. We had a play date at our house and I had to explain to the other mother (after reminding Ds for the 1,000th time that day that we need to be gentle with the dog) that Ds is in no way mimicking us hitting our dog while we are scolding him, we would never lay a hand on our animal or our child, Ds came up with the combination on his own... but it was still pretty embarrassing. (sigh) I hope this passes soon.