I was given a homeless puppy that appears to be about 8 weeks old. It looks like a pit bull puppy from pictures online. How could I tell? Is it too dangerous to risk with a child that is now 3?
2006-09-14 09:44:00 · 16 answers · asked by camalien 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
My husband and I adopted a dog from the animal shelter and it was a Pit bull also. The dog is awesome with other people and children!!!! Its other dog's he has the problem with. I don't like the dogs aggression with other dogs but in all fairness we were walking our dog one evening and another dog off of his freaking leash came and bit our dog on the neck. Other dogs are a problem now but NEVER NEVER have we had any aggression problems with him and children. We have a child and not had any problems. Winston is one of the smartest dogs ive ever encountered. Although im not a big fan of Pit Bulls.
2006-09-14 09:57:48 · answer #1 · answered by soniaatcalifornia 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Not all pit bulls are mean, just the ones that are made that way by their owners. My next door neighbors have a pit bull that they keep outside all the time. I played with her from the time they brought her home and we are best friends now. I didn't know she was a pit bull until she grew up and I compared her with dog pics on the net. She is sweet and lovable and they have two very young children (4 & 2). Actually, she's a better neighbor than the people who live there. Ask your vet what kind of a dog she is, he will most likely be able to tell you.
Any breed of dog can bite or be mean if annoyed by small children. Please don't let the child alone with this or any other puppy/dog. Kids don't understand that pulling at ears & tails & hair is painful for a pet or that teasing the dog isn't good and sometimes the pets fight back the only way they know how. It is up to the parents to make sure that the child is taught to respect the animal and to always touch it nicely and not to rough house with it.
Make sure your dog gets obedience training.
2006-09-14 16:58:36 · answer #2 · answered by Lola 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Do you have any pictures of the puppy? Pit bulls are not dangerous if raised correctly. My brother had a Pit bull/ lab that he had before his 3 kids were born and the dog was so gentle and patient with the kids (even when they were babies). They sadly had to put him down last year at the age of 14 due to health issues (he could no longer walk). The children as well as my brother and his wife, were devastated. They now adopted a black lab pup from the shelter.
2006-09-14 16:58:06 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you raise a dog properly, the breed should not matter. If the dog is raised with children, it will be fine. The only thing to worry about with even the most wonderfully trained pits and kids is they are not always aware of their size.
Here is a wonderful pit page with pics of kids and their pits: http://pitbulls.iwarp.com/photo.html
There are alot of breed combinations that can make a dog look like pit, without actually being one. Have your vet access the puppy and see what s/he thinks. If you do not want the puppy PLEASE bring it to a pit rescue, so someone can adopt him who is adequately prepared for a pit.
2006-09-14 18:07:45 · answer #4 · answered by Nikki T 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even if it is you should not have any problems...Pits are very smart and friendly dogs if raised in a good home...the have a very bad reputation but that is not because the dog is is because of bad owners....if they are loved and well trained they will love back. Just remember any breed can turn agressive if the owners are bad. Love the dog, socialize and train the puppy and you will have a loving dog....nipping while playing is common among all young puppies....training to not do this is a must for any breed....
2006-09-14 16:51:55 · answer #5 · answered by yetti 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If it turns out to be a pit, dont worry because you are getting it at such a youg age your child and the pup will grow up together. If you said it was 6 years or even 6 months I would have saidsomethig else, but pits are what they are trained to do. So if it was older than you have no idea who triained it and what it was trained for. Good lick, pits are fun but need constant attention...kind a like another 3 year old, youre about to have twins...lol. Have fun!
2006-09-14 16:56:28 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Maybe? but it is a very could dog to have since a puppy and will be a great friend to a small child. They are protective of the young ones. Congratulations on a good dog.
2006-09-14 16:52:49 · answer #7 · answered by hmmm... 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if you even think its a pit you need to find it a new home.i may be very loving the first 2 years. but 98% of all pits are put down by its own owners by the time the pit is 5 years old. you can never , never ,ever trust a pit with your child.not even if your right there.it will go after the smallest first. i think your 3 year old needs a dog think all children should have a pet.but please dont keep this dog i cant stress this enough.better safe then sorry.........
2006-09-14 17:43:45 · answer #8 · answered by BLOODHOUND 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it probably is a pit bull. take it to a trainer, b/c training early can help it learn more. when the child is playing with the puppy, watch them play. if he nips the child, walk over, tap it on the nose and say 'no' with a lot of forcefulness in your voice. the dog will soon understand that biting is not right, and may soon lose the aggression completely.
2006-09-14 16:54:32 · answer #9 · answered by f00fle 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Pitbulls are not dangerous unless you abuse them and train them to no like people. Pitbulls are one of the most loyal breeds in world and are exploited because of this fact to do bad things. If you got the dog as a puppy you and you treat it well you will never ever have a problem with it in regards to safety.
Here are some breed profile pages for you to read for more info...
http://pbrc.net/index.html
http://www.canismajor.com/dog/amerpit.html
http://www.hugabull.com/profile.html
http://www.pitbullregistry.com
2006-09-14 17:09:07 · answer #10 · answered by Sara F 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋