I know it's just nature....

but how do you explain THIS to a small kid?

Yesterday the temperature was wonderful so I took baby girl outside for a while. I pulled her around in her wagon for a bit. Handed her a pine cone to look at; etc. I stooped down to take a pic and just as I hit the button I notice my neighbor's 2 dogs in the background... Yeah...doing THAT! Fortunately you cannot see them in the pic!! But they do that ALL THE TIME!!

I know they are showing dominance (not even sure who is what gender and if any are males, they are neutered) but how do I explain that one once my kid is old enough to ask?

She was sooo cute! The whole time we were outside she kept looking over at them saying "Daugh! Daugh!" Which translates to "dog" of course. And pointing at them.

Heh, that is cute.

IMO, just tell em straight up about the simplified mechanics of it, and as long as you act like its not a big deal, neither will they. You can even do it on a schedule too, just bring em to any zoo for a day, hah! W/ the dominance thing, will still probably be confusing no matter how you try to explain it though, so a "trust me honey" will probably have to suffice.

My daughter answered her own question by saying, "Look, they're doing a piggy back ride!" That worked for many years!

Don't sweat it. Just deal with things simply and honestly and you'll never go wrong!

C

A piggy back ride! That's perfect!!!

I was talking about this with my friend who has a little one about 6 months older than mine. My biggest fear is just remembering how when I was a kid we would pretend play that we were animals and things. I don't recall ever seeing that side of "nature" when I was a kid. But what if my kid decides to play "the doggies next door" with some unsuspecting kid? It might be a 90% irrational fear; but I'm a parent...doesn't that come with the territory?