Pitbulls and Children

Alma - posted on 02/13/2009

I think that you have to raice your like if he is always a puppy, no matter how old he is. Treat him very good and he will be always kind.

Sara - posted on 02/13/2009

As long as you are commited to being a responsible leader and Owner and attentive parent...Than having any family pet should be fine. Dogs need to be trained and socialized to prepare for the changes..then a dog of any breed they should start working on exposing it to new situations (strollers, children of all ages and colors, kids noises, toys) and setting firm boundries and expectation (what toys are who's, appropriate places to eat such as kennels, staying off floor blankets, basic commands, loose leash walking, playing with out nipping) and other similar concepts. Until the children are of an age that they can truely understand dog respect basics they should not be left alone with any dog (do not stick your face in a dogs face even your own dog, do not take their toys, do not play in their food or water, do not wake them up). Also keeping up on the dogs general health as a sick dog will act out when disturbed. Children should not be left alone with dogs. And dogs should have their own spot such as a kennel where they can get some quite time and eat etc. The owner has to be able to put the time and commitment into not just the baby/children but the dog as well. But it really depends on the commitment from the owner to have a well trained and socialized dog.

Sharon - posted on 02/13/2009

hi

my sister has 2 pitbulls and no kids i wouldnt have one with kids if it was given to me as a pup....but i do feel it depends on how u bring it up any dog can turn but resently in london 3a 3 month old baby was maulded by a pit bull and in the summer so was a 4 yr old girl was to and the owner went to jail.   but as i say any dog can turn i have 2 german shepards and my grankids love they are really good but still wud not leave them with grankids alone u never know

sharon

london

Lisa - posted on 02/13/2009

Pittbulls, along with any dog or breed, can be agressive if raised that way. I have had a lot of friends with pittbulls and children and they are wonderful with them. I don't think I would get one that you don't know the background on without a lot of training and time though because they are the breed that horrible people tend to raise in a negative manner. My lab mix was abused before I got him and had difficulty with children. I was scared to have my baby come home. He ended up being the protector and she can sit on him and ride him. My other dog, who I wasn't worried about at all, mix, was very jealous. You just never know. Love and compassion go far with any dog, to bring him back to the wonderful creatures they are born as, before humans destroyed them with abuse. Any dog raised right can be good with children.

Natasha - posted on 02/13/2009

Hello Kelly,



Very good question!!! However please take all advice as personal opinion, as well as mine! I have been training dogs for years and working with many different breeds. I currently have 11 mo twin boys and 2 english bulldogs. I trust my dogs completly!!! But that does not mean that I will leave them unattended with my sons. No matter what breed of dog you have, something may happen! "Pitbulls" are no better or worse than any other breed, but they can do more damage with 1600 lb of pressure in their bite. I thank Malinda for bringing up the Pom, as small dogs seems to be more quick to bite(they dont have many other forms of protection) but they normally wont do as much damage.



My advice to you is if you want a family dog..... get one! Be sure to find a reputabule breeder or check out your local shelter, make sure training is a part of your dogs life, and never leave your child alone with an animal.



I think most of this comes down to good parenting and common sense. Any dog can bite, but you could also get hit by a car crossing the street.



I hope you the most sucess in your decision, and hope you do not let the "Pitbull" image stop you from bringing a dog of any breed into your family!!!



Good luck on your search!!!

Tasha

Vickie - posted on 02/13/2009

My pit bull mix  is the one ( I have 3 dogs ), I trust the most with kids. As with all dogs they need to be socialized and taught the rules of the alpha dog. No matter what the breed YOU are the alpha dog.

Jeannie - posted on 02/13/2009

I've been scanning everyone's opinions and everyone is entitled to one.  Though, it seems that some of you have based your opinions on what you see/hear in the news and may not have owned a dog or had a bad experience as a child.  There are plenty of instances of your typical "family dog" that have harmed/killed children/people/other dogs like Labs, Golden Retrievers, Poodles and Dauchsands (the hot dog dog).  They just don't make it into the news because they're supposed to be the "loving family dog".  I grew up with dogs all my life - from a Maltese to a mix breed to an Akita (another bully breed).  All of my dogs were very protective of my house and family yet were great with kids.  It really is all in the training - just like people.  You beat a dog long enough and it'll turn on anyone just like if you beat and emotionally abuse a child or person long enough, they'll turn on anyone.  And, for those who's dogs turned on them?  There are some animals that, no matter how much love and attention you give them, they may turn on you.  Just like people who grew up in a loving environment but turned out to be just plain bad/evil?  I now have a 16-month old son and a 2-yr old pit bull and it's really fun to watch them steal each other's toys. Oh, and my father-in-law was bit by a Collie (yes, Lassie) when he was little but has been warming up to our dog ever since we got her 2 years ago.

Becky - posted on 02/13/2009

No a lot of people have said they have them around there children but think of this your baby is on there play mat wiggling about a dog could think it a play toy and well need i say any more i just dont think it's worth it come on there are so many babys, Toddlers, and older children getting killed by these dogs. And you hear on the news that they where the family dogs. I was crying the other day i was watching the news and a 3mth old baby boy was being looked after by his nanna and her 2 dogs a jack russel and a pitbull had killed that poor little baby. This happend in the uk.

Rebecca - posted on 02/13/2009

it depends on their temperaments... I have 2 pitbulls and an 11 month old daughter.  Both female.  One is 8 the other is 3.  the 8 yr old is neutered the other is not.  With my daughter htey know better. she pulls on their tails and ears and runs over them w/ her lil pony walker  and they just let her.  Depending on age and all.  If you're getting a puppy that may be best.  But if you have them already ...while being pregnant it would help them being by your tummy and teach them w/ a doll how to act around ... they might not get it till he/she is there...but mine are great

Rebecca - posted on 02/13/2009

it depends on their temperaments... I have 2 pitbulls and an 11 month old daughter.  Both female.  One is 8 the other is 3.  the 8 yr old is neutered the other is not.  With my daughter htey know better. she pulls on their tails and ears and runs over them w/ her lil pony walker  and they just let her.  Depending on age and all.  If you're getting a puppy that may be best.  But if you have them already ...while being pregnant it would help them being by your tummy and teach them w/ a doll how to act around ... they might not get it till he/she is there...but mine are great

Heather - posted on 02/13/2009

A 3 mth old died this week in the uk from a German Shepard and a jack Russell, every dog is capable of biting or even killing .Also how the dog is brought up is a major factor. I have a lurcher the most dosile dog going but i bite form him and he is gone.

Malinda - posted on 02/13/2009

Quoting Gayle:

Well, besides fish and small birds...

Gayle, some birds carry diseases and bacteria like salmonella.  You say fish, but I will also mention that turtles carry salmonella, too....

I'm not trying to be inflamitory or scare you, and I'm certainly not saying that animals and children should be avoided (we have a zoo in our home).  I'm just saying that *any* pet requires research and responsibility.  Even your average gerbil. :-)

Gayle - posted on 02/13/2009

Well, besides fish and small birds...

Gayle - posted on 02/13/2009

I am nervous about any type of animal around my child.

Chrissy - posted on 02/13/2009

I have a pitbull and he is now 14 years old and he has been the greatest dog I have ever had, he has never bit or even snarled at my kids who are 11 and 7, he has never bit anyone, but ANY dog will bite if pushed or trying to defend his self but my opinion its not just the pitbulls who bite. Its any dog!!

Kelly - posted on 02/13/2009

Hi Kelly. I agree with Malinda, I don't think this is a breed question...it's an individual dog question. If your dog (or whoever's dog) is aggressive toward children or give you a reason for concern then no matter what the breed you should not allow them to be with the child. We've got two dogs, one a Pitt-mix one a pure bred ACD and the pit is totally respectful of our 3 month old while the ACD is a little more unsure. Of course, never leave your child alone with a dog known or unknown, but concentrate on the individual dog, not the breed :)

User - posted on 02/13/2009

We got a Rotweiler puppy when my youngest was six months old so they grew up together but we kept the dog outside and he was very well trained. We now have a Pit Bull (once again trained) now the girls are bigger. I wouldnt advise u to leave the baby and dog unattended not even for a second/minute. But overall dogs and children can build a great relationship together. I must say having dogs and cats around my kids at an early age has made them loving toward animals and my oldest daughter cant wait to b old enough to volunteer at the humaine socitey....i'd just b really careful, also take into acount how long u have had the dog and if its used to see and being around small children. I hope this helps :-)

Malinda - posted on 02/13/2009

I think it's ridiculous to single out any breed. In 2005 a Pomeranian killed a baby in California.... so are Pomeranians baby killers? Obviously not. A Golden Retriever recently mauled a small child in my area. Do we villianize all Golden Retrievers now?



The reason you hear about "pit bull attacks" in the media are a) sensationalism (the Golden attack barely made the news, but if it had been a pittie..), and b) mis-identification of the breed. Check out this link and see if YOU can figure out which one is the Pittie:

http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/...



*All* dog-child relationships need to be properly prepared for and monitor. My son and my Greyhounds get along beautifully, but I'm a responsible enough pet owner to also know never to leave them alone in a room together. All dogs have teeth and claws. It takes common sense, not breed-banashing, to protect our children from harm.

Rena - posted on 02/13/2009

well I have a very strong opinion on this but for very good reason. I say absolutely not! I had a pit when I was about ten, We raised this dog from 8 weeks old. Never ever let the dog be aggressive or anything like that. This dog was treated with so much care and slept in my bed every single night. When he was 11 months old he snapped.....for absolutely no reason at all. He was sitting next to me on the floor and my face was near him and he snapped, putting 38 stitches in my face.I also had a friend of mine who the same thing happened to w? her pitt when it was 4 years old!  You may think that I am a hypocrit because I have a 100lb doberman pincher around my young children. But anyone who knows anything about dobermans or rotts actually knows that contrary to pop belief they are NOT aggressive at all. My children sit in his food bowl and can take anything away from him and never has he even growled. Ultimately it is your decision, but I know my mother regrets ever getting that dog! We have owned almost every breed dog there is and it stands as the only dog I will not ever go near again.

Rena - posted on 02/13/2009

well I have a very strong opinion on this but for very good reason. I say absolutely not! I had a pit when I was about ten, We raised this dog from 8 weeks old. Never ever let the dog be aggressive or anything like that. This dog was treated with so much care and slept in my bed every single night. When he was 11 months old he snapped.....for absolutely no reason at all. He was sitting next to me on the floor and my face was near him and he snapped, putting 38 stitches in my face.I also had a friend of mine who the same thing happened to w? her pitt when it was 4 years old!  You may think that I am a hypocrit because I have a 100lb doberman pincher around my young children. But anyone who knows anything about dobermans or rotts actually knows that contrary to pop belief they are NOT aggressive at all. My children sit in his food bowl and can take anything away from him and never has he even growled. Ultimately it is your decision, but I know my mother regrets ever getting that dog! We have owned almost every breed dog there is and it stands as the only dog I will not ever go near again.

Kelly - posted on 02/13/2009

Thanks to everyone for your views and opinions it really helped!

Stephanie - posted on 02/12/2009

I actually just brought a pitbull home from a shelter, I would strongly advise having obiendence training for the dog, and have the children present.  Never allow the children and the dog alone, because no matter how cute they look they can at times be unpredictable.  IT is not the type of dog that is going to enertain the kids, they are a lot of work, but if you are willing to put the work into as well as the family it could pay off for you.

Sarah - posted on 02/12/2009

Quoting Samantha:

i think pit bulls are the best dogs to be around kids i have two dogs one is a husky and one is a pit the pit is so good with my daughter she can sit on the doog pull the dogs tail ears lip anything she is grate w/ her but the other ones not that nice she gets pretty tuch but it all depends on the DOG NOT THE BREED each indeviual dog not breed is diffarent

Those are the same 2 kinds of dogs that I had. They were good around my daughter but I was always worried, especially after my husky had puppies by the pit bull. She was very protective of the puppies. We ended up having to find all of them new homes because our landlord didn't want them here because other people in the neighborhood were afraid of them, which was crazy-they were both really sweet dogs.

Sarah - posted on 02/12/2009

I meant "big" dogs, not "pig" dogs. lol

Sarah - posted on 02/12/2009

My husband and I had a pit bull until recently. He was a very friendly, playful dog, but I still never let our daughter (she's 16 months old now) around him. I keep her away from all pig dogs, just because even if they're friendly, you never know when they're going to be mean. My daughter tries to play with our animals by pulling on their tails, and it's always worried me. She has a yorkie-poo that we keep in the house that she loves, but that doesn't really worry me. The dog is only a few months old and can't do anything to her. But I wouldn't recommend having a pit bull. My husband and I gave ours away a few months ago, because I couldn't stop worrying about it.

Stacy - posted on 02/12/2009

No I don't think it is safe.  Just turn on the news and listen to all the pitbull attacks.  Yeah I know any breed can attack, but pitbulls are the ones you always hear about.  You can do whatever you feel comfortable with, but I for one would NEVER even take a chance. 

Samantha - posted on 02/12/2009

i think pit bulls are the best dogs to be around kids i have two dogs one is a husky and one is a pit the pit is so good with my daughter she can sit on the doog pull the dogs tail ears lip anything she is grate w/ her but the other ones not that nice she gets pretty tuch but it all depends on the DOG NOT THE BREED each indeviual dog not breed is diffarent

Tiffany - posted on 02/12/2009

I think a pitbull around kids is perfectly fine. The dog is not a problem as long as he/she is loved and trained. Like anything else, treat it warm and well and it will be just fine.

Dawn - posted on 02/12/2009

We have a pitbull that we have had around our five kids for years. The kids were elementary age when she came to live with us and now they are all teenagers. Our dog has never once aggressed against anyone, even when the kids are rough housing and play fighting. It all depends on the dog and it's training. 

Aly - posted on 02/12/2009

I used to have a pitbull. And she was great with kids. She was very overprotective of kids. She even knew I was pregnant before I did. My theory on dogs and pitbulls is that it matters how they were raised. If they were abused or not. From my experience my dog was great with kids, and she was a pitbull. The only reason we had to get rid of her was b/c where we moved to we couldn't have dogs.

Ranetta - posted on 02/12/2009

We have a pit bull. He is the sweetest dog. The only way dogs (of any breed) get agressive is if you train them to be that way. They are very protective and loving. I have never worried one bit about having him around our son who is now 10 months old. People have a preconceived idea about these dogs which just isnt true for most of them!

Kelly - posted on 02/12/2009

Quoting Sandra:

No way, but then I wouldn't have a rotweiler, and several other breeds that have certain tendancies. Some are trained to be agressive but even a small dog can bite a child in the face. No matter what breed, any animal will respond negatively to children's often innocent bad treatment of them.

My daughter has a puggle with two small children that seems to take the toddler treatment pretty well.

Thank you for your post! That is a very good point!

Sandra - posted on 02/12/2009

No way, but then I wouldn't have a rotweiler, and several other breeds that have certain tendancies. Some are trained to be agressive but even a small dog can bite a child in the face. No matter what breed, any animal will respond negatively to children's often innocent bad treatment of them.

My daughter has a puggle with two small children that seems to take the toddler treatment pretty well.