Are pitbulls good with kids? What do you think about this finding?

Question

this is the answer i found on www.pitbulllovers.com

Can pit bulls be safe
with kids?
In a word, yes.

Pit Bulls can be safe with kids.

As an owner of two female pit bulls I am aware that having them around kids is a big responsibility. And not for the reasons you may be thinking.

I am not worried my dogs will attack a child. Not in the least, what I am worried about is the situation itself can lead to many problems. Let me explain...

Say for example a young kid, we'll say 8 years old is playing with one of my dogs. My dogs being active pit bulls that love to play can get quite excited. What happens when one of my dogs knocks the child over or trips them and they scrape their arm?

Odds are their parents are not going to be happy, even when I asked for okay to let their kid play with my dog. They might understand it was an accident, but that doesn't' change the fact that a pit bull hurt a kid.

How do I know they haven't recently read some articles of pit bull attacks?

I don't. And neither do you.

Pit Bulls can be safe with kids under the correct conditions. Here's a few tips to keep in mind when having your dog around children.

Five Tips to keep your Pit Bull and children safe while playing together
1) Always supervise interaction pit bulls and kids

NEVER leave a child alone with a dog. This goes for any dog. Even if it's a puppy. This is for both the child's and the dogs safety.

If you read through articles of pit bull attacks online where children were hurt, maimed or worse, killed by a Pit Bull you will notice that in 99% of the cases they were left alone with the dog or dogs involved.

This should be a rule rather than a tip. Use common sense and care. Small children especially should never be unsupervised around dogs.

2) Watch the child's behaviour

Watch the children's behaviour. This tip is more for the dogs safety than the child's. Children can be brutal and even in the face of such harsh treatment, well bred, responsibly owned Pit Bulls are not prone to biting or "attacking" in defense.

Make sure every child that plays with your dog understands how to behave around them. They should know to respect your dog and it's space and other things like toys, food, water, or their special bed.

3) Make sure all your dogs prized items are put away

Ah, nothing like a kid running around with a dried bully stick in their hands. lol. Not only is this nasty, your dog will want their bully stick back and attempt to get it. And in the process they could nip a finger or two.

Put all your dogs favorite toys and treats away and where children can't get a hold of them to be on the safe side.

To clarify, it wouldn't' be out of malice or viciousness the dog would get a finger or two. It would be by accident, an accident that can easily be avoided by putting such things away.

4) Start taking Obedience classes

If you're not already training your dog in basic obedience. Start as soon as possible.

Having an obedient Pit Bull will help when kids are around. Not to mention adults as well.

Teaching your dog to sit so they can be pet, laying down when things get a bit to rowdy, or to do a silly trick to lighten the tension of an over cautious parent is always a great idea. :o)

5) Never Force your dog into a situation that makes them uncomfortable

Some dogs simply get weird around certain people. Don't force the issue and make your dog say "hello" or play with someone they are showing signs of apprehension around.

However, I have seen very few Pit Bulls get weird around people. Almost none now that I think about it. Since they are extremely people oriented it is quite rare to see them become skittish.

However it does happen, so be aware of how your dog is reacting to people and if they do get weird, take them somewhere quiet they can hang out or continue on with your walk.

In Conclusion
Pit Bulls can be safe with kids despite what all the articles of pit bull attacks suggest.

Using common sense, watching your dogs behaviour, and keeping an eye on all interactions between kids and your pit bull will go a long way to preventing any possible accidents or problems.

And finally, Pit Bulls love kids and the two make a perfect combination. High energy wired up kid + high energy wired up Pit Bull = loads of fun and laughter for all involved. :o)

Hehe, I posted this to put this info out there and see what people say.

Well, I guess its impossible to get people to change their minds even with infomation like this.

any dog shouldn't be left alone with a kid. if that dog isn't trained or reliable. I woulndn't let my lab mix alone because he will jump on the kid and knock them down. my chihuahua would actually be the one growling and biting!

and actually my first bite was not from one of the pits i have interacted with, but from a chihuahua mix! it actually held on! That hurt i have the scars to prove it.

anyways, yes i would trust a pit that was trained with my future kids. because from my experience, I have known some street pit mixes in Mexico who i treated with kindness and they repaid me with loyalty and protection. they actually escorted me to my destinations. I trust those pits with my life so of course i would trust them to protect my family.

pitbulls are the most protective dog breed. Who wouldn't want that

Also, I have seen a golden retriever get aggressive. Who would expect that?? But Its the truth. I definately would trust that Golden Retriever with a kid just because it is aggressive as a result of irresponsible owners who didn't take the time to give it love and proper care.
Does that mean all Goldens are like that? of course not. It seems that this logic is easier to take in about Goldens than it is to take in about Pits even though its the same infomation.

and I think that is funny. Sometimes it would anger me because it made me sad that people could hate pits the way they do. Without actually interacting with a stable one. But most times i think its funny that people can be soo......haha

wells, yes. I have a dobie puppy. ^_^
and I will train him the best i can with help from obidenence classes..To rub it in the face of any Doberman haters out there. I hope to in the future have my own pitbull when im older and do some threapy work with it. That will show you doubters.

yes. there are pitbull THERAPY DOGS, SEARCH AND RESCUE DOGS, DRUG SNIFFING DOGS, HEROES, SERVICE DOGS...out there!! let me find the site again and i will show you!

Now you tell me that those good RECOGNIZED dogs will tear the face of a little kid.

Answer 1

I can relate, i have 2 dobermans and many people are horrified to learn i have 2 small children as well, but i can tell you i would never leave my children alone with either of them, for the simple fact i would be more worried about my gung ho, hyper boys hurting the dogs, than the dogs hurting them. My girls are actually more patient with my kids than i am. There are no breeds that i distrust with my kids, but there are individual dogs i dont trust. I can honestly say that both my dobes are super around kids, i take them to some of the local schools to help teach kids the proper and responsible way to treat dogs and during breaks, both my girls are out on the playground with the kids and just happy to be close to the kids, even if the children arent paying attention. Now, just from knowing my 2 'dangerous dogs', i know that its not the breed, its the individual dog, and the way its raised.

No one who owns a dog that attacks and hurts a child is going to admit that it because of the way they treated it are they. Its an easy way of absolving themselves of the guilt for maybe mistreating or inappropriately raising a dog that hurts someone. I know that if i was treated the way most of the dogs that attack people were, i would want to bite someone too. I personally believe that the amount of maulings by pit bulls isnt because of the breed, its because of the popularity of the breed, because of the reputation so people who want a nasty dog get them. Think about it, if you live in a town where nearly 50% of all dogs owned in the town are pits, then statistically and logically its going to be pit bull attacks that are more prevalent, 50% more prevalent.

By the by, pits were originally know as the nanny dog, caring and protecting children, so its not the breed, but human interferance in the normal temperment of the breed. When they did start fighting pits, it was in dog fights, but the handlers needed to be able to control the dog safely to break up the fight, so any dog that bit its handler was shot, so aggression toward people was never intentionally breed into the dogs, its only recently that it has become an issue, the last 10 years where the breeds popularity exploded with ignorant people wanting a big tough looking dog to either fight or guard. The increase of attacks steadily went up with the dogs popularity and population, reinforcing my views its just numbers.

Answer 2

I agree with every bit of what you have said. I think point 2, Watch the child's behavior, is probably the most important. Children, without being trained on how to act around a dog, are probably the cause of a dogs bad behavior. The kids have to be trained just as the dog does. All this holds for any breed of dog.
As far as the Pit Bull, have you heard the term "Nanny Dog"? That was the Pit Bull. Do you know what the most popular family dog was back in the 1920's? You got it, the Pit Bull.
When my daughter brought my grandson to the house for the first time, about a month old, and sat his carrier on the floor all three of the dogs went over to take a sniff to see what do we have here. The Terrier and the Beagle then went back to bug the adults. The Pit sat right there next to the baby the whole time he was there.
Are Pits good with children? You bet they are!

Answer 3

Here in Britain the Pit Bull is banned and on our dangerous dog list along with a few others. I run a company that is an alternative to kennels, so have to work with all different breeds of dog. The one thing I can say is that people here are worried about certain breeds due to the press coverage of attacks. I would agree with you that no dog should be left unsupervised with young children. You have to protect both the child and the dog. Children do not always understand the nature of a dog, or the fact that they can hurt or disturb the balance of the animal due to the pecking order of the pack. Some of the most agressive dogs are the smallest breeds. Fortunately or unfortunately, they get away with it due to their size and the limited amount of damage they can do. If it were a larger breed they would be deemed unsafe and probably destroyed. My view is that it is down to the owner and the way that they have trained their dog, rather than a particular breed.

Answer 4

Generally speaking, it's not the dog - it's the owner. Cocker spaniels bite more than any other dog. My mother has a Papillion that would attack and bite anyone or anything and it's the size of a large chihuahua.

I've been bitten three times in my life - two German Shepherds (one chased me down on a bicycle and tore my leg to shreds!) and one hound of an unspecified variety that went on to bite several more people before doing serious harm to the neighbor's dog. I lost a little mutt dog to a German Shepherd, two bites and it was a goner. I have never met an aggressive Golden Retriever.

I have a cat that's a biter - that's why I have her. Rescue kitty no one else would take. She's bitten me to the bone. She's my best friend, but I wouldn't let the kids play with her (I am an abused animal sanctuary).

I've been on best friend basis with rotties as big as horses (has anyone ever read the "Carl" books?). It depends on the owner - and the parent of the children.

Animals are animals - no matter how big or small and dogs are territorial and protective. Train the little ones to respect a dogs behavior and train the dogs not to eat little ones. It's a two way street in which respect is the key to safe traveling.

If you're looking to gain sympathy for pit bulls in general - refer to them by name .. American Staffordshire terrier. Pit bulls are BRED for their aggressive behaviors (hence the nickname, because they're good in the fighting pit, dear. Some of them have blood lines that do NOT go well with the kids, period). I would never allow a dog that was formerly in the pit anywhere near children (or me, for that matter). Get a reputable breeder for your American Staffie and you're fine.

Dogs are like people - there's not a breed out there that's "all bad" or "all good". Knowing any dog's temperament is your best guide.

Answer 5

Yes pit bulls can be safe with children. Punish the deed NOT the breed! That statement is sooooo true, I cannot understand why people cannot get this through their heads. It is the way the pit is raised and cared for that makes it a good dog or bad dog, NOT ITS BREED!
I have owned many pit bulls and never was attacked or felt threatened by them. My pitts did amazing around children also. Good obedience training and love and care can do wonders for these dogs. Pits need lots of stimulation to their brains, lots of mental exercise, and physical exercise as well. If you are going to get a pit I would recommend checking your local city laws because many of pits are being banned, and if not banned there are certain precautions you must make even if you pitt is a sweet lovable big baby.
I also recommend getting a pup not a pitt from the shelter, this is were many new owners go wrong. You have no idea what kind of abuse that pitt bull in the shelter has been through, and it is best not to have to deal with that just in case that pit may attack. Pups are the best you can show them love and give them all the stimulation they need to become amazingly smart and very friendly dogs. Also I forgot one thing: Socialization is key for pits as soon as he has all pup shots take him to as many social gatherings as possible with people of all ages so he/she grows up to love and not be afraid of people.

Answer 6

As long as the pitbull is a pup around the child. then everything should be fine. Dont' bring an older dog in and try to teach it new tricks, because it will be so used to this ways and just as there are a variety of people, same for dogs. Some adults don't like children and some dogs don't either.

Answer 7

This is correct. We had a pitty who was wonderful with kids. It goes without saying that children should never be left alone with a dog, no matter what breed as a playful poke or pull may upset or frighten the dog and by instinct may attack through not fault of their own. The only dangerous dogs are those owned by dangerous, cruel or ignorant owners.

Answer 8

None of them are I think the closest would be the American Staffordshire at the bottom but everything else is NOT a pit-bull. I see a Presa, a Alpha Blue Blood, some others i think are mixes. OOH I thought you were testing us folks but I see how easy it would be to cheat. I tried at first to guess at them without looking but I did go back and look when i read that everyone had looked but it was a fun test. I have a Cane Corso/Pitt mix and he looks like the Presa, most people always say hes a Pit but he doesnt look pitty at all to me

Answer 9

I agree 200% what a well thought out and written response you recieved!

The tips that she gave would go for any breed of dog.

I have owned many pitbulls, and all are awesome with children. I worry about my purebred lab nipping more than my pit!

All the kids in the neighborhood love to come play with our dogs, run around and play tag, play fetch, throw the stick in the lake (the LOVE watching them swim haha). And our pit loves all the attention.

I have an 9mo neice who LOVES dogs, she has a rotti at home so she is used to large dogs, she crawls all over my pit, giggles like crazy when she gets kisses, and loves to "pet" (more like pull out large clumps of hair). he just lays there and gives her kisses. (obviously she is constantly supervised)

I have 100% faith and trust in my dog because I know he is well trained and obidient. He wouldnt hurt a fly! actually he's scared of most flying insects, haha.


EDIT:: any dog can be harmful, I recently saw a story in the news about a chihuahua puppy who chewed off a babies toes. Was it the dogs fault? No. Its the owners fault...for falling asleep on the floor with their infant and a new puppy who is teething. Children/infants/toddlers need supervision around any animal always! any dog is capable of biting or causing injury

Answer 10

I agree and this holds true with any breed. Properly trained dogs and properly taught children with proper supervision are always a great combination - an ideal situation.