Preparing to be around a Dingo/pitbull - Page 3

[Labbemama]

It sounded to me like the Uncle and Dogs Owner wanted to keep the dog kenneled up. I would say go along with the owners wishes they know their pet's tendencies best.


If you want your child to get to know how to act around animals you can find AKC Good Neighbor dogs who might be more tried and true with kids. There are some awesome Therapy dogs who come to a special needs school where I work. Introduce your young one to a very kid friendly dog first.

I just took my dog to the vet and found out that a dog can bite even with a muzzle on. (Yeah thought I was being really smart and getting a muzzle on her for her shots.) Last time she was there she snapped at them after they tried to remove her from her kennel after her spay coming out of anethesia. Any dog will snap if it is in enough pain.

I do work with several families with pitbulls in their homes and I make sure that the owner introduces me to the dog. They are very protective by nature and their owners tend to me more conscience of dog laws because their dogs can be taken away for practically any infraction. I tell you what there is a Boston Terrier pup that scares me half to death! LOL

[GirlBoyGirlBoy]

I totally understand that one must be 100% vigilant around the little ones with dogs, but an oven won't follow you into the next room and an electrical outlet can be covered or easily avoided--a living, breathing doggie not as easily.

We have a marvelous labrador who is practically mauled by the younger ones and I have to constantly work on their instincts so that they won't do it to strange dogs. I always tell them to be gentle with her, etc., but she kind of likes it too

So while I think your point is valid, I also think that it doesn't hurt the dog to be put away for a visit. Our dog spends hours in the dog run if we have to leave for awhile and need to be sure she's safe. She has toys and water and doesn't do much but sleep anyway out there.

[vbactivist]

Originally Posted by Catubodua

for those who are saying that it's not possible for you to control your toddler's impulses - turn it around in your head in a different dangerous situation.

what if your toddler's impulse was to put his hands on a hot oven door? would you think the same way? "how dare the owner of the house run the oven when my child is there!? don't they know he can't control himself to not touch the oven door?"

what if his impulse was to run into the street? sticking forks into electrical outlets?

if you knew that your child was putting himself in danger, you would stop it - no matter how hard it was or how many times you'd have to teach them. and, you wouldn't throw up your hands and give up - and that's what i'm reading into your posts.

the rules i posted are for mom to follow 100% of the time - she is the adult, she can remember all of them and follow all of them and correct her child each time.

i actually wish the OP hadn't posted that the dog had any pitbull in it - the breed of dog really doesn't matter.

an oven door and a fork and an electrical outlet can't come up to a child. and you can cover outlets, close the door to the kitchen, put the forks up high. the same as putting a dog in another part of the house.

[vbactivist]

Originally Posted by GirlBoyGirlBoy

I totally understand that one must be 100% vigilant around the little ones with dogs, but an oven won't follow you into the next room and an electrical outlet can be covered or easily avoided--a living, breathing doggie not as easily.

We have a marvelous labrador who is practically mauled by the younger ones and I have to constantly work on their instincts so that they won't do it to strange dogs. I always tell them to be gentle with her, etc., but she kind of likes it too

So while I think your point is valid, I also think that it doesn't hurt the dog to be put away for a visit. Our dog spends hours in the dog run if we have to leave for awhile and need to be sure she's safe. She has toys and water and doesn't do much but sleep anyway out there.

oops, should have read ahead

[mytwogirls]

Originally Posted by vbactivist

an oven door and a fork and an electrical outlet can't come up to a child. and you can cover outlets, close the door to the kitchen, put the forks up high. the same as putting a dog in another part of the house.

Exactly!!!!!! There is a HUGE difference between my girl sticking her head into an oven and petting a dog. It is comparing apples to oranges I am sorry to say. I would never say to someone to stop baking or cooking because my child is over, that would be stupid, I can remove my child from that room if I think she is endangering herself. We are talking about YOUNG children here. Yes I know I am the mommy and I know I have to follow rules, geez, but come on now. And breeds have nothing to do with it, I am just as leery about a damn poodle as I am a pit bull trust me on that.

[Catubodua]

i don't see the difference. in all the situations the toddler is putting himself in danger but how you gals are chosing to read the situation changes - it's still a basic of controlling your child in dangerous situations.

and, in the original post the dog was not following the child, the child pestered the dog so the analogy of the oven can't follow the kid won't work. nevermind the fact that not all kitchens have doors, etc, etc.

bottom line, the OP asked for advice on how to handle the situation. you can make any derogatory comments about the uncle you like, but he's told her what the situation will be if she decides to visit. the dog will not be put away.

i'm trying to give her advice that will actually keep both child and dog safe. if mom decides to go to uncle's house knowing that her child pesters the dog and the dog has snapped, it's 100% her responsibility to control the situation and control all interactions between the child and the dog.

[mytwogirls]

Yes but she does not own the dog, so therefore I don't think the responsibility should rest 100 percent on her. That is not fair at all. I guess it just boils down to what your opinion is of the situation I guess. I think personally the dog should be put away for both the safety of the dog and child. But, that is just me, and I know how 2.5 year old children can be, I live with one 24/7, and it is just not possible for some children to control their impulses.

[Catubodua]

i feel like my post on how i'd handle this as the dog owner is getting ignored / overlooked and people are focusing one thing someone quoted. i am not arguing that the dog shouldn't get put in a separate room for some of the visit.

however - the uncle/brother has told her he will not do this. so, in my eyes, if OP still choses to go knowing that the dog has snapped at her child and her child pesters the dog, she is 100% responsible for the safety of her child.

[mytwogirls]

Originally Posted by Catubodua

i feel like my post on how i'd handle this as the dog owner is getting ignored / overlooked and people are focusing one thing someone quoted. i am not arguing that the dog shouldn't get put in a separate room for some of the visit.

however - the uncle/brother has told her he will not do this. so, in my eyes, if OP still choses to go knowing that the dog has snapped at her child and her child pesters the dog, she is 100% responsible for the safety of her child.

Ok I get you now I think. I personally think the mom should not take the kid at all and then everyone is safe But, where I disagree is that the dog owner SHOULD be partly responsible for the dog's actions, just as the mom is responsible for the child's actions. It is a two way street here.

[Catubodua]

again, i don't disagree that that dog owner should be responsible or concerned about the child.

however, he said the dog won't be put away - no matter what anyone's personal feelings are about that, there it is, you know? saying the brother is this or that or should do this or that doesn't change the facts of the situation.

OP knows that's how uncle feels and must make her decisions based on that. i believe what happens while there is on her.

[mytwogirls]

Originally Posted by Catubodua

again, i don't disagree that that dog owner should be responsible or concerned about the child.

however, he said the dog won't be put away - no matter what anyone's personal feelings are about that, there it is, you know? saying the brother is this or that or should do this or that doesn't change the facts of the situation.

OP knows that's how uncle feels and must make her decisions based on that. i believe what happens while there is on her.

I see where you are coming from (light bulb moment) Yes the facts are the dog won't be put away so what way can the mom protect the child? By keeping that child within reach AT ALL TIMES and watching that dog. I just don't think a child can control impulses like "don't touch the dog" for an extended period of time, therefore the mom HAS to remain on alert, see what I mean? It would be more IDEAL if she could talk with the brother to get him to understand where she is coming from that she has a small child who doesn't understand the danger of that dog and he needs to understand the situation. I hope it all works out for the best.

[Catubodua]

if you would be so kind to re-read the rules i had for mom after your "light bulb moment" you'll see that has been my point the whole time. mom needs to have the rule for child - "don't touch the dog" and make sure he follows it. and mom needs to follow the rest of them 100% of the time she is there.

[mytwogirls]

Originally Posted by Catubodua

if you would be so kind to re-read the rules i had for mom after your "light bulb moment" you'll see that has been my point the whole time. mom needs to have the rule for child - "don't touch the dog" and make sure he follows it. and mom needs to follow the rest of them 100% of the time she is there.

:

[pandora665]

I would not visit for an extended amount of time if your brother is unwilling to put the dog away.

There is no way you can go to your brother's house and not be "ON GUARD" if he will not put the dog in a separate room with a gate. The dog has snapped at him already - regardless of your toddler's behavior, that is not a good sign. Children of 2.5 yrs may be able to understand the rule "leave the dog alone", but they will need constant reminders. You will need to be within 1 step of them at all times - that is not very feasible for an extended visit.


A child learns about an oven or outlets for years (b/c the oven and outlets are ALWAYS in their house) while the outlets and oven are protected and covered (and stationary). By 2 and 1/2, most children know not to touch the stove. Some of them (my DD included) are still known to say "Don't touch" AS they are touching the stove. If the stove is on, I am standing RIGHT there. If the oven is on, I am typically in a different room with my child.

We don't have a cat or dog, and the only way my child would learn to stay away from them would be to have TONS of exposure and reminders. She has an impulse to love the doggie, and toddler impulses are STRONG. Dogs have INNATE impulses to bite when threatened, especially if showing prior snapping behavior. This is a recipe for disaster.

My brother has dogs which are GREAT around kids - both were raised from pups with an in-home daycare. He still puts them in a separate room for the majority of the visit, b/c we want to enjoy visiting with each other, not patrolling DD. Then she gets some time with them at the end of the visit, when she and they have calmed down from the excitement of company. Then I can be on guard for a shorter amount of time.

Good luck - family stuff is hard.

[Sotevenn]

If the dog has already snapped at your child, I'd just keep them separated if that isn't possible I wouldn't visit. I wouldn't risk my child doing something unexpected to provoke the dog or the dog misinterpreting the child's actions.

[vbactivist]

Originally Posted by Catubodua

i don't see the difference. in all the situations the toddler is putting himself in danger but how you gals are chosing to read the situation changes - it's still a basic of controlling your child in dangerous situations.

and, in the original post the dog was not following the child, the child pestered the dog so the analogy of the oven can't follow the kid won't work. nevermind the fact that not all kitchens have doors, etc, etc.

bottom line, the OP asked for advice on how to handle the situation. you can make any derogatory comments about the uncle you like, but he's told her what the situation will be if she decides to visit. the dog will not be put away.

i'm trying to give her advice that will actually keep both child and dog safe. if mom decides to go to uncle's house knowing that her child pesters the dog and the dog has snapped, it's 100% her responsibility to control the situation and control all interactions between the child and the dog.

''

and the dog and his "parent" are responsible for what, exactly, in your scenario? Because a 2 yo and a dog have a lot in common.

[vbactivist]

Originally Posted by Catubodua

if you would be so kind to re-read the rules i had for mom after your "light bulb moment" you'll see that has been my point the whole time. mom needs to have the rule for child - "don't touch the dog" and make sure he follows it. and mom needs to follow the rest of them 100% of the time she is there.

and one of my points is there is no way to make sure any child follows any rule 100% of the time. especially not at 2.5 years old. also, how is that a nice environment for a child to be told no and stop the entire time??? op, i would not visit your brother if the dog will not be put away.

[vbactivist]

Originally Posted by mytwogirls

Ok I get you now I think. I personally think the mom should not take the kid at all and then everyone is safe But, where I disagree is that the dog owner SHOULD be partly responsible for the dog's actions, just as the mom is responsible for the child's actions. It is a two way street here.

a great big yeah that.

[Catubodua]

Originally Posted by vbactivist

and one of my points is there is no way to make sure any child follows any rule 100% of the time. especially not at 2.5 years old. also, how is that a nice environment for a child to be told no and stop the entire time??? op, i would not visit your brother if the dog will not be put away.

so it's fine with you when your child breaks the rule about running out into the road? getting into the car with a stranger? touching the hot stove? i mean, if you can't get a child to follow rules 100% of the time, it must be ok for them to do any of those, right?

Originally Posted by vbactivist

and the dog and his "parent" are responsible for what, exactly, in your scenario? Because a 2 yo and a dog have a lot in common.

again, i believe you haven't bothered to read my post on what my feelings are on how the dog owner should handle this. i don't believe that owner or dog have no responsiblity.

i do believe that OP knows that this is a dangerous situation and has 100% of the responsibility for the decision if she goes and if child goes with her. she's being told by owner that he's not going to be responsible and he won't contain the dog - if she still choses to go, knowing what she does, and something goes wrong, how on earth do we blame anyone but her?

[mimie]

It does not matter if your child "follows the rules" or not. These dogs can attack unprovoked - especially with a mix of dingo, which is a wild animal, not a domesticated breed.

In our area, a little girl was recently attacked by a pit bull while playing on a tire swing. She was not interacting with the dog, it attacked her unprovoked. The dog then turned on the girl's father while he tried to rescue her, and would not stop attacking until a sheriff's deputy arrived and shot it. The dog's owner says that he has been good with kids in the past.

Article is here (warning, the details are graphic):
http://www.katu.com/news/34825304.html