Is this manipulative? - Page 2

[PuppyFluffer]

Just an disclaimer, if it comes to a cat being euthanized or being declawed, I'd go for the declaw...but never unless the situation was that dire.

[Moya]

I suppose I agree that your dh could have said it a little better but overall I don't think there's anything terribly wrong with what he did say. All behavior modification is manipulative. IMO the key ingredient is that the child is given a choice and your dh did that. Your little one is still the one who decides whether scaring and chasing the cat is more fun than having the cat come near to be petted. She'll eventually make the decision to want the cat come closer to be petted and she'll now know what she needs to do to have that happen.

Yeah, he could have said it better but as long as his "don't you want the kitty to like you" line doesn't elicit guilt then it's not so bad to point out.