I actually taught my daughter not to pat when she pets before she turned one. now she pets with her wrist lol but hey I'd rather have that than her patting or hitting. all I did was every time she tried to hit or pat the dog or whatever I took her hand said no you pet and as I said that I showed her using her hand it took about two three months but she finally got it. and we don't own a dog yet or any animal she would pet other people's dogs so it wasn't a constant training but I bet since you actually have animals all the time it might be easier for you