Will a staffordshire bull terrier harm a new baby?

Question

I'm really worried, my daughter is having a baby and she has a staff. that she and her husband love and have had for years. This is their first baby so the dog has been loved, spoiled and treated like their child. He (the dog) can get over excited and has nipped people once or twice. Will he see the new baby as a threat, or a toy, and harm it? I've been trying to persuade my daughter to find a good home for the dog before the baby is born, but they won't consider it.

Answer 1

ive had one in the past and it was good with my daughter when she was born but then again ya cant really trust a dog no matter how well ya think ya know it and besides any dog no matter how well behave can turn on a kid or anyone for that matter

Answer 2

I should not have thought so, Staffordshire Bull Terriers are known to be very good with children.

We have two dogs - a one year old (mad) Labrador Collie Cross and a (very placid) 10 year old Jack Russell and I'm expecting my first baby on December 8th. My mum keeps on about the same thing - she wants me to rehome the Collie as she's scared he'll be boisterous around the baby, but I can tell you that I know he would never hurt the baby or anyone, he is very gentle natured and just needs a firm hand and walks to control his energy. He would not be left alone in the room with the baby at any time.

You just have to take precautions and make sure the dogs still get their daily walks, cuddles etc so they don't become jealous. Its really very rare for dogs to harm a baby and this is usually a fear only felt by people who don't like animals or who have no experience of them.

Answer 3

Right......

Have they prepared the dog for babys arrival?
have they put up the cot - has the dog seen it
have they shown her a doll baby - how did she react
has she been around babies or children before - how did she react
they can try playing baby noises such as crying to she how she reacts

She needs to buy a stairgate as when the baby is born the dog will need to be given a chance to get used to the fact that he wont be the only one is the house getting the attention, baby in one room, dog being able to see baby through the gate in another - she is not to push the dog away though as this could cause problems.

When baby arrives home, they should let the dog smell round some things that baby has been in or around, this will give him a chance to get used to babys scent. When your daughter or her husband are changing/feeding baby the other should be giving the dog attention - this letting the dog know that he isnt being pushed away. When he comes closer to baby, stroke him, tell him he's a good boy, give him a treat - he will learn in time that being gentle and good aroung baby earns him treats : )

The dog will love the baby very much and in no time they will be the best of friends - i have been through this with my 2 english bull terriers and the absolutely adore my son now, where-ever my son goes the dogs follow.

Please dont get them to get rid of the dog, give the dog a chance, after all it is their pet and they love it very much.

Answer 4

The breed of dog has no bearing on the question. We have a pit mix that is excellent with our kids and we had a lab mix that bit my son. Any dog can be good around a baby or bad. It needs professional training before they bring the baby home. And needs to be spayed or neutered if it isn't already. Dogs can be raised with children. I have 4 kids, 1 on the way, and 2 dogs. We have never had a problem with the dogs thinking they were higher up in the pack than any of the kids. They know their place. It can work. I just need to stress that the dog needs training. And also, children and dogs should never be left unsupervised. No matter the age of the child.

Answer 5

I breed staffies and they are the best dogs to have around children,i have 3 children with another on the way,and i know deep in my heart that my kids and baby to be will be safe,although i'm a bit concerned that he has nipped in the past,you can retrain the dog with simple steps,in a pouch have doggy treats ready,ask friends and family of all ages to come to the house,if dog approaches clap your hands quite loud and say at the same time aght aght,when eventually he doesn't approach some one and stays were he is praise him and give him a treat,he will associate staying led where is with a treat and good behavoiur,good luck

Answer 6

They should make sure that the baby is always kept out of reach of the dog and make sure that the dag is never left alone with the child.

Tha dog needs to be taught that he can't bite, he must be shocked - (tapped on his nose or a big bang with a big pan lid) - everytime he nips or get over excited.

Also - if he hasn't already - he should be castrated - this calms dogs down alot.

Judgement is needed ultimately - you know whether a dog can be trusted or not.

Answer 7

I'd be cautious, personally. I'd never leave the dog alone with the baby.

However, what I think might be worth trying is for the dog and the baby to be gradually introduced (I.e. start off with the dog being able to scent the baby but being in another room, then move it closer and closer to the tot).

The parents would need to be with the dog AT ALL TIMES during this process, because, like other people have said, you can never really know for sure what the dog'll be like)

Answer 8

I have a pit bull. He's two years old. And my girlfriend's daughter recently brought home her newborn baby. Fortunately, my pit bull is extremely obedient and extremely socialized. He happily greeted the baby and gets happy and wags his tail whenever I'm holding the baby. He knows that when I'm holding the baby, he is to lay down in the other room. If your daughter has an unstable dog, it's not because of what breed he is. If he's that unstable, then keep him away, I don't care what breed of dog it is. If it were a poodle I'd offer the same advice. Dogs are dogs.

Answer 9

Yes - psychologically dogs work according to a pecking order - so for example their dog will see his owners as the boss and himself as third in command, in families with more than one dog, the dogs appear to understand that the dog who has been living in the home longest is 'top dog' - with the arrival of the new baby he will either view the baby as his inferior and try and control it or see it as a usurper to his position and be jealous of it, the attention given to it that he used to recieve will make him angry at the baby, my aunts dog is very badly behaved and very bad with children everytime her grandson stays he has to go to kennels. Give it 2 days after they've brought it home and they'll be looking themselves for a new home, they just don't realise it yet, as they love their staff but the love they'll feel for their own child will not compare - it is always better to wait until after you've had a child to get a dog for this reason, as the dog will then know it's place in relation to the children..

Answer 10

My parents had a border collie when I was born but had to give it to friends when it bit me at 6 months but I think if you keep a close eye on the dog, and give it lots and lots of love and attention just like before, then it should be ok.