How to Stop Throwing Things at Pets

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My non-verbal 19 month old does not have a dx yet, but I am positive that he is just like me, but anyways...How do I make him understand that he can't throw things at the dogs?? He loves to throw their toys and play with them, but how do I make the distinction between acceptable throwing (fetch, etc.) and hurting? He's so bright, but I'm still so frustrated with him a lot and throwing everything is his worst 'habit'. It's times like these that I feel like such a sh***y parent because I don't know what to do.

Just a couple ideas off the top of my head. First, draw him a cartoon - stick figures are fine. Show a picture of a child throwing something at a dog, then the dog being hit, and the dog going to a corner and crying. Alternately (because he may not be able to understand the picture of the dog crying) make the last picture one of YOU crying.

Then do a cartoon of throwing something in the opposite direction of the dog and the dog bringing it back, and you smiling.

You may also need to model the game "fetch" differently (this may take some re-training of your dog, too.) Your child may not be able to distinguish that you're throwing to the dog and not at the dog; he's probably just copying you to the best of his ability - the difference is subtle. When you model playing fetch, throw the ball away from the dog, in the opposite direction, so that there's no chance the dog will get hit, and hopefully the dog will figure it out and go running past you to get whatever it is and bring it back.

Thanks momsparky. Those are great ideas that I will definitely try. It can be so difficult sometimes trying to keep everyone safe from everyone else!