Hot Debates

Yes, of course any dog can be dangerous. Here's the choice. Do you want your six month old baby attacked by a pitbull, or a Pomeranian?

Having a pit-bull around a baby is a bad idea.

Thanks for your in depth reply. Here are answers to your questions...

Mixed with what? The dog is a female and is Pit Bull mixed with Blue Heeler supposedly, although they got it as a puppy from the humane society so who knows for sure?

Has it had obedience training? No obedience training and there's no money in the budget for this.  The dog runs in the house, pees from excitement at seeing new people, and jumps up on people and generally ignores commands to stop, down, sit, etc.

What is its temperment? Once the dog settles down, she seems complacent. Does do some gentle gnawing on owners hands during play.

Do they intend to leave the dog alone with the baby? I wouldn't say they intend to leave the dog alone with the baby, but if the dog is in the house loose and Mom or Dad turn their backs for a minute, who knows?

Thanks,

Worried Grandmother

I would say you have the right to be concerned.  I would be worried about any animal large enough to enflict serious harm on a baby.  I have know pits that appeared to be sweet as can be and others who I would not even go around.  However "you should never trust any dog."  That is a statement from my dogs trainer.  Dogs are not to be trusted.  Here is some info that he has helped me understand.  Dogs are pack animals.  Their homes are their dens, and the people who live there are their packs.  If their dog is jumping and gets really excited, does not listen to their owner, then they think they are the pack leader.  If they know that you are the boss it makes it so much easier.  But when this baby comes, the dog will not know how this child fits into the pack.  Because the dog is bigger than the child, the dog will assume that they rank higher than the child.  If the owner is not recognized as the pack leader then the dog will have trouble listening to the owner when it comes to commonds to leave the child alone.  Personally I would not have the dog and baby at the same time.  However, if they want to keep the dog I would seriously stress the need to get it under control.  I have been taking my 5 month old boxer/lab mix to obidiance training at PETSMART it was $100 for an 8 week session.  I am really starting to see the difference in my dog.  She she gets really hyper and tell her to come and sit, and she basically has to take a time out.  She is listening to me more and more every day.  I have a problem with my dog Roxy and my son Zander.  They play together great but they are both rough on each other, sometimes with the dog now winning more since she is bigger than my son.  But when the play gets to rough I have to break it up.  They both listen better now.   

My suggestion, give your daughter these classes as a baby shower gift.  It was $100, but well worth it to get your dog under control especialliy if it will help easy your mind and possibly protect the baby.

Good Luck!

 

 

I agree with the others about the training. It's the environment he's raised in that makes a dog dangerous, not the breed. Our neighbor has a pit bull mix. He's very intimidating-looking, but he's the friendliest dog I've ever met. And DH had a co-worker with a Rottweiler that he specifically trained to be kid-friendly. One of the things he did while training was periodically pull his food bowl away, talk to him, give him attention, and then give the bowl back. When the dog got used to him doing that, then he had his kids do it. As a result of this and the rest of his training, this dog grew up into a huge, scary-looking, gentle cuddly teddy bear that absolutely loves kids.

Best thing for your son and DIL to do is to find a trainer who can train the dog to not only be protective rather than jealous and resentful of the new family members, but also to be gentle with all kids, especially when the twins get older and start treating the dog like a jungle gym.