https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 26 May 2026 22:07:15 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-key-to-parenting-treating-your-child-like-a-dog#post-29336 Wed, 07 Dec 2011 15:05:15 +0000 runsyellowlites 29336@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: Sounds pretty reasonable to me! And in that order. I've noticed that when DS has more say in how our day/errands are going to go, the more issues I have later with him. Not usually that day per say but it does start a pattern where he can easily think he has a say in things that he clearly wouldn't... and that usually just causes him to be frustrated.</p> <p>@mommacommaphd: totally agree about the 8lb to 80lb thing... makes me think about when you see a 2 year old saying something that some see as "cute" but clearly won't be cute in 5, 10, or 20 years... ie. No, Mine, that's gangsta, and other offensive things. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-key-to-parenting-treating-your-child-like-a-dog#post-29284 Wed, 07 Dec 2011 14:25:24 +0000 mommacommaphd 29284@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Haha! Absolutely. I raised several dogs for an organization called Guiding Eyes for the Blind. I raised them until 18 months, then they went in for training to be seeing eye dogs.</p> <p>One of the puppy raising principles that they taught was, "Don't let a 8lb puppy do what you don't want an 80 lb dog doing!" So, don't let them play bite you, jump on you, sit on the furniture, etc.</p> <p>I think of that often with my daughter. With allowances for her being almost 2, I don't let her do things like bite, hit, etc.</p> <p>I also fully agree with letting your children know you're in charge. It drives me crazy to see parents acting on the whims of their kids. You don't let the inmates run the prison- you don't take direction from a toddler! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-key-to-parenting-treating-your-child-like-a-dog#post-29253 Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:29:25 +0000 Maysprout 29253@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We used to foster very young pups and I think it did help us become better parents. Each pup had a different personality so we did adapt our rules and expectations a bit to fit each pup. We did expect the pups to learn the 'rules' like sitting, staying, peeing outside but they did learn in their own way and we adapted. We've joked about as our daughter gets older taking her for a run before we take a long car ride. We'll definitively try to get her energy out.</p> <p>I would put affection as #1 though and not #3. My dad put discipline over affection and it took me a long time to respect him. It's not that he never showed affection but he made discipline and obedience more of a priority and honestly it hurt to know obedience was in a way valued more and I shut off from him. I didn't share feelings or thoughts with him until I was independent of him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-key-to-parenting-treating-your-child-like-a-dog#post-29244 Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:16:51 +0000 mrbee 29244@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaMoose: Sure, choices are OK in moderation! I think the danger is when the child is given so many choices that they are effectively in charge. Then the balance of power can shift... just something to look out for, perhaps. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-key-to-parenting-treating-your-child-like-a-dog#post-29241 Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:14:32 +0000 MamaMoose 29241@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I do agree with a lot of these rules being applicable to a child. The only thing I wouldn't agree with is the no choices. I think when possible it's important to teach children about making choices and taking responsibility for those choices. Limit the choices so the child doesn't have too much power, but still give optons. Even something as simple as "do you want grilled cheese or peanut butter and jelly for lunch". The important thing is to teach them that once they've made a choice they have to stick with it. And you won't give in to their every demand if they change their mind. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-key-to-parenting-treating-your-child-like-a-dog#post-29240 Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:13:17 +0000 ecogirl 29240@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Maisymay Liam has that backpack too. He loves it and calls it his bag haha :) When we go to the zoo or out walking in the city it comes in very handy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-key-to-parenting-treating-your-child-like-a-dog#post-29238 Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:10:21 +0000 cyneswith 29238@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband points out that there was a South Park episode on that very concept - Cartman's mom gets fed up, tries all the reality TV show nannies who all go insane. Cesar Milan, however, succeeds... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-key-to-parenting-treating-your-child-like-a-dog#post-29232 Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:02:12 +0000 Rescuemom10 29232@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ahh I Love Cesar! Never thought about applying this to children. Hmmm good point! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-key-to-parenting-treating-your-child-like-a-dog#post-29225 Wed, 07 Dec 2011 12:52:20 +0000 Red 29225@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So funny, my friend and I were talking about the last week. She has a pup and when I come over with my LO, we use the same commands/phrases to talk to our respective babies. In fact, I tell my friend, who is TTC, that she'll be a great mom cause she's already got practice training her pup.</p> <p>I 100% agree with the Dog Whisperer. To my LO, I'm definitely the pack leader and not my husband cause she already knows that she can get away with more with him *sigh*. And when she's older, I'm not gonna try to be my kid's best friend, I'm her parent, albeit a nice and fun one.........as long as she follows the rules, lol. Most importantly though, I think consistency is KEY in everything you do with children. </p> <p>BTW, the exercise idea reminds me of a saying, "A busy child is a happy child." </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-key-to-parenting-treating-your-child-like-a-dog#post-3496 Tue, 11 Oct 2011 11:35:53 +0000 MaisyMay 3496@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My nephew has a monkey backpack that has a leash for a tail and it has made it so much easier when my mom is taking care of him! He's a fast bugger. :) He loves his monkey backpack and wants to take it everywhere, plus he doesn't seem to mind that his mom or grandma can keep ahold of him. He's diagnosed ADHD, so he can get all over the place if somebody doesn't have him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-key-to-parenting-treating-your-child-like-a-dog#post-3465 Tue, 11 Oct 2011 08:16:12 +0000 reggie 3465@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>hahaha I think this is hilarious! My husband and I are big fans of Cesar too... we have two very well trained dogs and it's because we followed his methods! Our little baby Eli is only 8 weeks so we are not sure if we will be treating Eli like one of our pups just yet =P but honestly I think discipline and boundaries are important </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-key-to-parenting-treating-your-child-like-a-dog#post-3442 Mon, 10 Oct 2011 22:47:17 +0000 twodoghouse 3442@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If parenting is like raising dogs I might just be able to do this thing :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-key-to-parenting-treating-your-child-like-a-dog#post-3427 Mon, 10 Oct 2011 21:49:54 +0000 Honeybee 3427@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD also holds hands, but sometimes she's just so darn fast! I don't know how legs that little can move that quickly, lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-key-to-parenting-treating-your-child-like-a-dog#post-3423 Mon, 10 Oct 2011 21:37:45 +0000 mrbee 3423@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Haha we don't use a toddler leash! I hold hands with Charlie. We've trained him so that when when we say "hand", he sticks his hand up so we can hold it.</p> <p>It's pretty cute, although sometimes he just takes off running!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-key-to-parenting-treating-your-child-like-a-dog#post-3416 Mon, 10 Oct 2011 21:21:02 +0000 Honeybee 3416@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it's cute. :) Not my parenting style, but if it works for you, I think that's the most important thing. I also read somewhere that studies have shown the most important "parenting techniques" are consistency and love. If you act consistently with Charlie and show him/tell him that he is loved, the rest is just personal preference.</p> <p>Out of curiosity, do you use a toddler leash for your walks? I really want to get one for DD (she's fast!), but my husband says leashes are only for dogs. In your case, that might be a positive, lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-key-to-parenting-treating-your-child-like-a-dog#post-3406 Mon, 10 Oct 2011 20:34:54 +0000 Laneybugsmommy 3406@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In theory I'd say the way you're going about things is good. Many people say their dogs are their children so I don't see much of a difference. I'd just be careful about telling people this or someone might think you're feeding Charlie food and water from a bowl on the floor :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-key-to-parenting-treating-your-child-like-a-dog#post-3402 Mon, 10 Oct 2011 20:27:50 +0000 tequiero21 3402@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>haha we're going to have to try this at home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-key-to-parenting-treating-your-child-like-a-dog#post-3387 Mon, 10 Oct 2011 19:42:54 +0000 mrbee 3387@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am a huge fan of the Dog Whisperer, Cesar Millan:<br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_Whisperer" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_Whisperer</a></p> <p>He has outlined his amazing principles for dealing with problem dogs, which of course I immediately began applying to raising my son. Here are a few of his top principles:</p> <p>1. Cesar emphasizes that dogs want to know who the pack leader is, and that if you don't establish leadership then they will challenge you more often. I noticed this principle applies to my relationships with co-worker humans at times.</p> <p>2. Cesar also stresses the importance of exercise, discipline, and affection (in that order) with your dogs. The revelation there is that a dog will be much better behaved if you prioritize exercise and take him on a long walk every day. The dog gets tired, and the exercise ends up resolving a huge number of behavioral issues.</p> <p>3. Finally, he emphasizes that affection is important but that it's the third most important thing, after exercise and discipline. This makes a lot of sense to me, because I believe that consistent and clear discipline is hugely important.</p> <p>I've been using these principles to try and raise Charlie, and they have been hugely helpful. As the pack leader, I make it clear to Charlie that I am the boss, and I make the decisions. That has helped a lot, especially as he has gotten more verbal and aware.</p> <p>Along those lines, I used to give Charlie options: do you want to go to the market, or to get coffee? Now I just tell him where we are going. A small thing, but I read somewhere that when we were kids, our parents never gave us options. But parents today like to give their kids choices and input... and it can supposedly impact the dynamic between parent and child. Not sure on that, but I've noticed that Charlie doesn't seem to mind not having to choose between options all the time.</p> <p>I also try to make sure that I take Charlie on long walks as much as possible, to tire him out. Whenever he goes on a long walk, he seems to pass out so much better at night and also to listen to me more. In one episode, Cesar put a weighted backpack on a dog once, to really tire him out. So I put a bunch of Charlie's stuff into his Elmo backpack one day, to see if it would help. I didn't want to hurt his back or anything though, so I didn't put enough in and I don't think I truly tired him out. Still, I love to tire him out whenever I can.</p> <p>In general, I think about Charlie as my pup. Our family is the pack, and Mrs. Bee and I are the pack leaders. Is this a healthy way to raise a child? I actually have no idea! But I don't want Charlie to be spoiled, and so instead I am trying to raise him like a dog.</p> <p>Anyone else a fan of the Dog Whisperer? Also: do you think that Cesar's principles work at all on humans? </p>