Answer:
by Konstance McCaffree: (07/12/2004)
Your daughter does sound like a bright and typical 5 year old. I think you answered it well when you suggested that since you told her to leave the dog alone to have her puppies in private, that she interpreted that to also mean she could masturbate. Just sorting out that the genital area of humans and dogs is used for many things (pleasure, urinating, having babies) is difficult for a child that age.
As she develops more ability to separate all the different functions of the genitals you can explain to her all the differences. I congratulate you for helping her realize that masturbation is something positive and that she can do in private.
I wouldn't worry about what she understands now, just keep helping her understand all the things she sees by encouraging her to ask questions and asking her what she sees and understands things to be. You might want to ask her if she has any questions about the dog having puppies.
Thanks for writing to us.Reviewed by Sexual Health Editorial Team
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