children and pit bulls. help!

singingsea · November 2013

Short version:

Kieran's sitter is pregnant and due January 13th. She's taking 6-8 weeks maternity leave and plans on continuing in home child care. So I need to find someone to watch him for 6-8 weeks. The plan at the moment is my mother (who doesn't work and watched him from 2-6 months.)

The issue: They have a rescued pit bull. I love this dog and they've had her a long time. HOWEVER the last time she was constantly around my son he was not mobile. I'm a huge advocate of rescued pit bulls. Anyone who is educated about this breed knows to error on the side of caution when it comes to children and small animals. I plan on having a conversation with my mom about the need for them to be separated and supervised when they aren't. She has growled at him in the past

This is stressing me out majorly. I don't really have any other options as day cares have waiting lists and I doubt they'd take him due to it being short term.

I either quit my job or worry constantly while he's at my mom's. This sucks.

Thoughts? Advice?

Edit: I want to add that I work for my family's business so my job would be safe if I had to leave for that time. I can't afford it though.

djm31012 · November 2013

Ok I have a strong fear of pitbulls. Not for myself...but because I think they are unpredictable and even the kindest most gentle ones, I have seen snap at people. Unfortunately babies dont know the difference and tend to poke, pull etc, which could make the dog snap out of no where. I would not feel comfortable with DS in the home of someone with a pitbull unless I was there holding him the entire time...or the dog was in the garage the whole time or something. I think you need to have a serious chat with your mom and see what she is willing to do....its her dog and sounds like she would be watching LO at her house...so needs to be what she is ok with. If shes not comfortable quarantining the dog all day...then maybe can you work part time (just mornings for example and then its a compromise wtih your mom?) Not sure..thats tough...

Puck1182 · November 2013

Honestly, the same rules should apply to any situation where there are babies and dogs, regardless of the breed. Even the sweetest, most tolerant dog has its limits, and babies just don't know any better. I love my dog like he's my child, but I still don't leave him alone with DD. If he simply feels annoyed by her, I trust he'd simply grumble and walk away, but I can't be certain she wouldn't do something to make him feel threatened, and any dog that feels threatened could harm a small child.

Bottom line: talk to your mom about the rules. If she isn't comfortable keeping them separated when they aren't closely supervised, that's a problem regardless of the dog's breed, I think.

singingsea · November 2013

I forgot to add the dog has severe hip dysplasia. Meaning she can't move. So the issue is more Kieran going after the dog then the other way around.

I just got off the phone with my mom and this all might be a non issue. They're thinking she won't make it till January (she's an older dog 10+ years) Which makes me feel shi*ty and conflicted.

singingsea · November 2013

Them together when he was younger.

cal031686 · November 2013

I have 2 chihuahua's. One is an absolute sweetheart who wouldn't hurt anyone; the other is a rescued dog and she has a short temperament. I watch kiddos during the day and keep my fur babies in a separate room. I feel bad but my dogs don't seem to mind. They have heated floors, food, water, treats, and toys. Plus they get quality time with me when I have 30 seconds to use the restroom throughout the day.

I don't think it matters what breed or kind of animal you have, unless closely supervised they need to be separate until LO knows how to treat the fur baby.

Moty2013 · November 2013

So I'm a shy lurker who never had the courage to post. Plus one of you ladies will eventually ask all the questions I have anyway so I never had the need but I'm gonna come out of the wood work to defend the doggie. My Dh first born was a pitbull. I was nervous about this even before ds was born. It was one of my main concerns but Dh loves loves loves this dog and I knew him leaving wasn't going to be an option. It was basically the only family he had before us. We introduced the two very cautiously/slowly but honestly now the two are the best of friends. Ds looks for him first thing in the morning. I trust that dog more than most people. Maybe it's because Dh was away working the last 2 months of my pregnancy and all I had was that dog so we had time to bond but I know he would never hurt my ds. Ds however does pull his fur and his ears so the dog stays in a separate room unless we're there to defend him. Anyway, just wanted to say that there not all bad dogs. Not sure why the pic is upside down

Rosebean · November 2013

Just throwing this out there, but pit bulls are actually known as "the nanny dog" because they are the most protective for children. Apparently people used to get them for that reason. I agree with PP that no matter what the breed, dogs and babies should always be watched. We rescued a boxer/Shepard mix last spring. He is a great dog and seems to love DS. Now that DS is mobile though, he does get pissy with him for biting him or trying to crawl on him. He has growled a time or two and I am teaching him that when he doesn't like it, to get up and move away. And I know for a fact that if my Yorkie was alive today, he would have no issues telling DS off with a toothless bite if he hurt him. All dogs should be watched with babies, regardless of breed. While I don't believe my dog would ever bite DS, I still don't like him growling at him. That's a no-no in my house.

karah0011 · November 2013

My brother has a pit bull and she is the most gentle and loving dog. Even more so than my lab! Maybe the dog deserves a chance?

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