How do I tell my friend to get rid of her pit bull? She just had a newborn baby a month ago.?

Question

The pit started peeing on the baby's belongings, like her stroller, boune seat and crib. My friend had the dog way before the baby was ever born.

Answer 1

I had a rotty (very possessive dog) when my granddaughter was born. I loved this dog so much, but you could see different little things that he would do towards her. Whenever I was out of the room he would stare at her and kinda show his teeth in anger and then soon as I would walk back in the room his whole attitude would change. (I would be around the corner watching). This happened several times. Its really the little things that you have to watch out for.

But to be on the safe side I got rid of this dog because I could not take the chance of anything happening to my granddaughter.

Tell her this is a choice of a lifetime. When something happens she can't take it back. I was on the safe side.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

The dog peeing on the baby's things means that the dog doesn't accept the baby as part of its (the dog's) leadership hierarchy. The dog does not respect the baby. And this means the baby is in danger. What the parents should have done is trained the dog to never come close to the baby or the baby's things for the baby's first year. The dog should never be allowed in the baby's room.

I just saw on TV an episode of "The Dog Whisperer" which dealt with this issue. Before the baby's birth the dog was trained to be super submissive. Then when the baby was brought home, the dog was never allowed to come within 3 -4 feet of the baby or any of the the baby's things. If the baby is in the room, the dog had to go lie down. When the family went out for a walk, the dog had to walk well behind the stroller and was on leash. The Dog Whisperer makes training your dog look so easy. It isn't always so easy, but with patience you can do it. It is mostly about the humans learning how to act around dogs.

It sounds like the parents has a lot of catching up to make their home safe for their child.

Tough love calls for you to tell the parents that you see danger when the dog disrespects the baby by peeing on the baby's stuff. Remember that humans ( including babys) are the leaders in the household, not dogs. You can't have dogs disrespecting the leaders. Maybe you can also talk this dangerous situation over with neighbors, Animal Control, and Child Welfare.

Answer 3

You can't tell her to do that; all you can do is caution her never, ever, to leave the pit bull alone with the baby. Some people apparently attribute human qualities to their animals and irrationally believe they should be treated as such; while animals absolutely deserve humane, caring owners they are not people and do not have the same sense of morality as humans; therefore to a dog, a baby can be a legitimate threat to the dog's sense of place in the "pack" and harming the baby is the natural outcome of that. Nevertheless your friend may be unable to accept this as reality; just impress on her it is not worth the risk to expose the baby to mortal harm, and encourage her to make the baby's environment utterly protected.

I appreciate your concern very much, just please don't be surprised if the mother of the baby does not comprehend it.

Best Wishes,
cryllie

Answer 4

I am not sure that telling her to get rid of the dog is the solution - she is probably attached to the dog. It is better to keep her receptive to your suggestions, but not ignoring the fact that there seems to be a problem. (Not because it is a pit bull, but a problem in general, possible with any dog.) And it seems to be a marking or territory problem, not a house training problem. I would help your friend accept the fact that something needs to be done. There are animal behavior hotlines (which are free) and behavior consultants who deal with these problems all the time. Since there doesn't see, to be any agression towards the baby, it sounds like the problem can be remedied.

Additionally, if the dog is not neutered or spayed, you may want to suggest it. Dogs who are neutered/spayed tend to be a little more calm. (Not to mention that there are millions of animals each year who are put to sleep each year since they can't find homes.) It is something that may help with peace of mind.

Answer 5

The Pitbull is marking his/her territory. BUT do not leave the baby alone with ANY dog. Make sure the dog is taken out frequently to do it's jobs outside. Keep the dog well trained. As far as a Pitbull goes, they are loving and kind to children. The child will grow up around this pet, and the pet will be so dedicated to this child. He will have a gaurd forever. But this breed of dog, is just as kind and loyal a friend as one could want. Train him in the right way and they are one of the best loyal pets a family could want. When you have a new baby in the house and up until three years old, the owner of ANY pet, need to constantly be around the child and pet. So it isn't just because this dog is a Pitbull, caution should be maintained around even cats. Good luck.

Answer 6

You don't say that this dog has any type of temperament problem - only that it's in desperate need of house training. You don't automatically need to get rid of a pit bull because there's a baby in the house - it all depends on the dog's temperament, relationship with the owner and how the baby is introduced to the dog. Is your friend going to keep a dog that's a danger to her baby?

Answer 7

You can't make or tell people do something they don't want to do. Just let her know that you are concerned and leave it at that. From experience bringing a newborn home where there is any type of animal that was there for a long period with its owner can lead to some problems like you metioned. Your friend will have to learn the hard way.

Answer 8

She doesn't need to get rid of the dog. She needs to train the dog. She needs to let the dog know where the pecking order is.

She needs to block off the baby's room from the dog. If she sees him going to mark the baby's belongings she needs to make a loud noise and put him outside. Or she could shoot him with a squirt bottle of water.

Answer 9

My sister has a pit, and had him when her baby was born. He was the best dog she ever had, and was fantastic with the baby. Her chihuhua, however, had to be gotten rid of because it bit the baby. Don't stereo-type. You have no right to tell your friend to get rid of her dog. It is none of your concern.

Answer 10

pit bulls are very friendly and good with kids. they are very protective about their people. they are not the killers they have been made to look like.