Hello!

I want to know if I should get help for my 4 year old daughter who constantly hurts our small dogs. She purposely hurts them when we aren’t in the room, or will go to them in a seperate room and hit/kick/squeeze them. We catch her a lot, but only if we see it or the dogs make a noise. How many times has she done it when they haven’t yelped? I’m really worried she’s got some sort of psychological issue and enjoys hurting them? She gets in trouble and knows it’s wrong, she lies about hurting them too. Should I get her help?


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  • Yes i think you should. Even just for your own peace of mind if it is worrying you. She may just be crying out for more attention.


  • Firstly, if she is like this with the dogs I wouldn’t leave her alone with them at all anymore. It will only be a matter of time before they snap and could really hurt her.
    If you feel that it’s worrying you, maybe just take her to be seen by someone? It wont hurt in the long run and at least you will know what you’re dealing with and be able to get her professional help f she needs it before she or the dogs get seriously hurt


  • If it’s worrying for you and distressing for the dogs, then I suggest seeking help, starting with your gp for a referral. It might be nothing, it could be something, but you need to know one way or the other


  • If you’re concerned, it’s certainly not going to hurt to seek help. You may find it’s nothing sinister at all but at least you’ll know.


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