How do you handle-DC hitting things, not people

When Claire hits me, DH or any person, I address it immediately. However, she has now started to hit things and I'm not sure if how to handle.

For example, yesterday she was upset because I took something away from her (I can't for the life of me remember what). A tantrum ensued. I told her I would be by the dishwasher when she's done and I walked away from her. As I'm emptying the dishwasher, she come over, still upset, and hits the dishwasher and then looks at me for a reaction.

My gut says that as long as it is not a person or a living creature, that it's okay to let it go-but I'm not sure if I should be teaching her to never hit.

I know it's silly, but I want to nip issues in now and I'm not sure if this is an issue or not. She's 21 months, if that matter.

Re: How do you handle-DC hitting things, not people

My DS is 14 mths and I am dealing with a similar issue. He used to hit but we stopped that. Not he throws or hits things which drives me insane. We stell his a stern no and give him a time out. I am hoping it will stop in a few months (I am trying to be realistic)

Re: How do you handle-DC hitting things, not people

DS will hit something else or throw something when he's mad too. I treat it like he hit a person (cause he may just turn around and hit another person if he doesn't understand hitting at all is bad, or cause he may throw something at someone). He gets a firm, "No hitting! or No throwing! THat's not nice." Then we we touch hands gently and say, "Be nice." He usually follows my lead and touches me or whatever it was gently and sayd, "Nice," after that. If he's really in a mood and doesn't listen to me or does it again, he gets a time out for hitting or throwing.