how to tell 3 year old about dogs death - Parenting Issues Message Board

susanb67 · 12-10-2007, 05:42 AM

how to tell 3 year old about dogs death

tigerlilyx61 · 12-10-2007, 09:51 AM

Well...how did your dog die?

jules3 · 12-10-2007, 02:15 PM

yep thats a hard one..what ever you do, dont leave it open ended. you can do the doggy heaven thing. but dont say something like he left and maybe coming back..alot depends on if the dog was sick? was it an accident?

KeltoKel · 12-10-2007, 04:07 PM

At this age children don't quite understand death. They think it may be a temporary thing. It is best to be honest and brief - and to use exact language.

Don't explain that your dog died b/c it was "sick" (if it did) - otherwise, children get confused and think that when they (or you) get sick that they could die. It is also not good to say that the pet is sleeping, for the same reasons.

Make it quick and just say something about your dog being in heaven (if you are spiritual) and leave it at that. Maybe even that all things go to live in heaven one day.

Ask your child how he feels about the dog leaving and maybe let them draw a picture or something. Make the experience as peaceful as possible.

AlexaIn2006 · 12-10-2007, 10:23 PM

It is best to tell them the truth, say your dog was sick and it died and we can plant a flower for him. Kids are able to deal with it better than we thinnk.