Am I over-reacting?

[Princess10]

My one cousin & I are very close. She has an 8y.o. & 2y.o. We hang out often, but her son is usually with his father.

Well they came over Saturday (all 3) & my bff was here with her baby. Me & my cousin were in the kitchen cooking us all dinner when Princess screamed. I thought maybe she got stepped on or something, but my friend in the living room said the 2y.o. went up to hurt & fully kicked her, prob under & into her abdomen. I just ran after Princess as she flew to my room & tried to check & comfort her. She didn't seem to have any pain with my poking & prodding, but she was skittish & almost nippy for most of the night. I just held her or left her in my room when I couldn't. She happily stayed there as she felt safe. When my bff was sitting next to me on the couch w/her baby. When he touched Princess & she did like a half snarl. Those that have seen the videos & pics know that Princess really loves this baby. She loves all kids, her tail wags a mile a minute when she hears or sees any kids any where. I don't let them hold her or anything but they'll love on her & play with her gently, etc.

My dilemma is I'm so mad at my cousin for how she treated the situation. Basically she told him to be nice to dogs & don't hit them, but she said this in the same tone of voice you'd offer a kid ice cream with. I know everyone is different with their kids & that's fine, but I just feel like something more should've been done, had him sit on the couch or whatever. It's not like it was an accident-for which I wouldn't expect any discipline, he went across the room toward her & obviously had kicking her on my agenda.

We usually hang out 1-2 times a week & now I don't want him here at all & I almost resent her for not really addressing it. But I don't want to hurt her feelings either & I just don't know how to fix it. Partitioning Princess off when they're here is not an option, she's done nothing wrong & I definitely wont hurt her feelings.

Any advice? Do you think I'm over-reacting?

[yorkiemini]

Ohhh no!. Princess needs to be the focus now -- she needs to be held and loved and comforted. She is probably devastated as are you.

Clearly, the 2 year old child does not have the maturity and temperament to be around Princess and cannot/does not appreciate the dog.

Princess will need your help and love to trust again! What a shock.

[rhondah]

I don't think you are over reacting at all. There should have been some sort of punishment as you said , especially when it was done intentionally. And I totally agree as not putting her up when they are there....this is her HOUSE!! I used to put Phoebe in a gated area when we had company and I hated it , but felt like it needed to be done ,not sure if they wanted a little one jumping around and giving kisses . But she is only like that for a short time until she does her greetings and then she's on about her business , so I told hubby I was no longer going to do that if they didn't like dogs then they could stay home this was her home and they were the visitors After some cooling down time maybe you two could get together and talk.

[susan lynn]

I would worry about Princess first, that is her home and she is your baby. If this happened at my house with anyone I would have talked to the child myself no matter who they belong to. I would probably have overeacted and regretted it later but my dogs come first. If someone doesn't like my dogs they don't need to visit my house because if they know me well enough they know how much I love my dogs.

[Rhetts_mama]

Nope. Princess is your responsibility to protect. If your cousin can not control her children around her, then they don't need to be there. If you are going to continue to have them over, then you will need to put Princess somewhere else for her safety.

I would talk to your cousin and tell her that you were upset with the way she handled the situation.

[IsabelleOllie]

I don't think that you're over-reacting at all. Princess could have been seriously injured. I would talk to your cousin and explain how you feel.

She's a little dog and can easily be hurt by a 2 year old. The child needs to be taught how to treat animals. If you do decide to have them back over at some point in the future, I think you and your cousin should sit him down and talk about the right way to treat Princess!

Poor Puppy, I'm glad she's ok. I hope this incident didn't doing any permanent damage to her feelings about children.

[jltwigg10]

I am a mother to dogs, cats and kids and I will say very strongly that you did not over react!! I have 2 young ones (4yo and 7yo) plus an 18yo. My kids were raised around dogs and were taught how to "love" them from the beginning. As they have grown they are allowed to do more but I use time out and the old fashioned hand pop on the butt when they cross that line.

As I have explained to my girls, something could happen and then they would feel really bad if the dogs got hurt because they did something they were not suppose to do.

They know that I use that same protective attitude regarding them to make sure they are safe.

Kids have to be taught how to react in the world and how to show respect to other living things.

I truly pray that this all works out and that she can realize that he son needs a little more guidance and You and Princess deserve an apology.

[AllDogBoots]

Originally Posted by Rhetts_mama

Nope. Princess is your responsibility to protect. If your cousin can not control her children around her, then they don't need to be there. If you are going to continue to have them over, then you will need to put Princess somewhere else for her safety.

I would talk to your cousin and tell her that you were upset with the way she handled the situation.

I agree. Princess is your responsibility.

[mscat]

I Understand how you feel and you are not over reacting. A 2 year old child is still in the baby stage and does not fully understand right from wrong. It is the adult's responsibility to supervise and make sure no harm will come to the child or any other pets that are there. Yes it was wrong for the child to do this , and it is even more wrong for the parent to allow it to happen. 2 year olds are impulsive and don't have the necessary skills to comprehend their own behavior. Full responsibility falls upon the adult.
Liittle Princess is now very fearful and may react in a aggressive manner only to protect herself. All this is very upsetting and sad. Little dogs like yorkie's are fragile and can be hurt easily . This is why it is reccomended that yorkie's in homes where young children are are not a good match.
I would advise that the child not come back to your home . It is Princess home and she was hurt. Even though it was a toddler who hurt her that little boy should not be allowed to be near your dog until he can fully understand how to behave correctly around small dogs. The parent did not supervise her child well enough , therefore in my opinion should be held liable. I hope little Princess is ok physically , but now she is scared with good reason. Give her lots of loving and hugs right now. I would take her to the vet to make sure she is ok. The parent should pay the vet costs. I taught preschool over 20 years and have a degree in early childhood development. I will say a prayer for little Princess.

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by Rhetts_mama

Nope. Princess is your responsibility to protect. If your cousin can not control her children around her, then they don't need to be there. If you are going to continue to have them over, then you will need to put Princess somewhere else for her safety.

I would talk to your cousin and tell her that you were upset with the way she handled the situation.

Agreed! Partitioning her into another room, or keeping her in a pen is not punishing her. You will be protecting her.

[Britster]

I am so sorry. You are not over-reacting. And I feel the same way you do... I don't like to block Jackson off from the family, he's PART of the family, and if he's in HIS home, I will not lock him up somewhere for the sake of someone else.

I live with my much-younger-than-me sister. She is 3 1/2 now but her terrible 2's were difficult. Jackson and her really love each other and have a great bond but I still didn't trust her. If she got angry at something else, and Jackson happened to be sitting next to her, she'd swing at him or something and I'd have to be right there to tell her 'no!' or get Jackson out of the way. He's always been very understanding of her meltdowns and would put up from a lot with her but I still don't want him to have to, it's my job to protect him first and foremost. Whenever she wants to play with Jackson, I still supervise even though she's older now.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Your family comes first and then bff. Your baby is at risk around the children of a person who cannot seriously teach this children not to hurt small animals. I would have a very serious talk with bff and she really really is your friend, she will get it. If not, and your bff is that important to you, just keep Princess far away from that child! Next kick could take out an eye!

[spr377]

Not overreacting at all! Another careless kick from an unsupervised 2 year old could be the end of your baby, or at the very least a lifetime of fear and hurt.......your house, your dog, your rules!

[yorkietalkjilly]

Oops, I think I said bff when meant cousin.

[BabyGirl Rosie]

Originally Posted by rhondah

I don't think you are over reacting at all. There should have been some sort of punishment as you said , especially when it was done intentionally. And I totally agree as not putting her up when they are there....this is her HOUSE!! I used to put Phoebe in a gated area when we had company and I hated it , but felt like it needed to be done ,not sure if they wanted a little one jumping around and giving kisses . But she is only like that for a short time until she does her greetings and then she's on about her business , so I told hubby I was no longer going to do that if they didn't like dogs then they could stay home this was her home and they were the visitors After some cooling down time maybe you two could get together and talk.

I agree with you. My friends and family know how I am about my girls. And if they don't like them then I can't help that. I will not punish my girls when they have done nothing wrong by locking them away. But I must add, how could they not love Miss Phoebe?!

OP you are not over reacting at all and I am so sorry you had to deal with this. As a matter of fact, I think you handle the situation very nicely. The 2 year old has to be taught not to do this because at that age they don't know any better. I would have a talk with your cousin and let her know how you feel. Explain to her that Princess is your family. Hopefully the situation will never present itself again.