I have a pitbull and im pregnant but i dont know what to do with her !?

Question

i have a beautiful loving 1 year old pitbull who is extremely loyal and affectionate and loves me and my boyfriend very much. i fell pregnant by accident and i really dont want to give her away. she is the most sweet good hearted natured dog. i dont know whether she would be jealous with a newborn baby though im really stuck on what to do ! she gets very aggressive in the park with other dogs but i dont know how she will take to babies. she barks if anyone comes near me cause she wants to protect me and has no means of hurting anyone its just her natural response but once the person starts stroking her she licks them to their dead ! lol . she is a very bouncy lively dog and we have raised her since she was a puppy. she loves people and attention and doesnt mind rough play so thats one thing good about having a baby around her . but there are no children in my family so she was only socialized with teenagers, adults and the elderly. what should i do about socializing her with children?

Answer 1

hi
my cousinhad this problem a few months ago. she has a staffie. basically you don't have to give the dog away if you know you have control over it. first off when the baby arrives never exclude the dog from things such as feeding the baby makes sure the dog can see but don't allow it too come close give the dog her dinner at the same time. we were told not to leave dogs and baby together but use baby gates for have some space between them but so they can still see each other. the main thing we were told is makes sure when the baby is sleeping have playtime with the dog so the dog knows he is still getting attention and the baby is no threat. if you are worried about introducing them get a behaviour specalist to come and help. i'm not sure if it is the same for a pitbull as they are banned in the uk but i think it should be.

hope this helps

Answer 2

The best, you have a 50/50 chance the dog will be loving toward the baby.

We got our pit when my middle daughter was 9months old, Rip was 4 months old--he was a wonderful loving dog. We did have concerns when a new baby was going to be coming home--6 years later so he hadn't been around babies/small children.
When we got home with our youngest,t eh first thing we did was let him see her, at his level and sniff her little hand--all was fine and we never had one moment for concern.

Now, our friend had a pit for several years when their baby came along, they had to put the dog down, he became very aggressive toward the baby.

My advice watch the dog closely and see how he reacts in the days following the babies arrival.

Answer 3

When my husband and I got married his only pet was a female pit. she had been the baby of the house for about a year. She was wonderful w/me and my 7 year old but had never been around babies. When I became pregnant w/ our son she stayed in the house w/me and slept in our bed almost every night. When the baby came she was only allowed in the house if he was in a playpen or aleep in his bed, somewhere she couln't get to him. She has never offered to hurt him and they get along great now that he is a bit older(15 mo.). Of course they don't play together because she is very fiesty and would knock him down. He is always wanting to go and play with her but isn't allowed without his father or I holding him. and it is an unspoken rule at our house that if she ever gets aggressive w/ anyone of us then she must go, but until then she is a very beloved pet and we have never considered getting rid of her.

Answer 4

In all honesty, pit bulls are not trustworthy. The little one will be safer if the dog is given away.
With all of the news stories that are always out regarding horrid acts that pit bulls have done to people, don't risk it. Your baby will be better off without the dog in the house.

Answer 5

I would consult a dog expert because unfortuanately most folk with pitbulls do not listen to good advise. One of the last person was a man in Dallas who adamantly opposed to anyone saying anything negative about his beloved pitbull. He was even on t.v. boasting about his dog. Two weeks later, the dog mauled his young daughter.

I hear all of your assements, but you are an owner and not an expert. I once tried to assist an elderly woman who had a dog in her car, she assured me that he loved people and was friendly. I am forever grateful to God I never got the chance to open the car door because the dog tore at me in full attack mode. It's up to you; take a chance and find out.

Listen to others and take your chances, or go to a professional who can give you accurate information. It sounds to me that you have already made enough excuses to keep the dog. If there ever are adverse circumstances, do not pretend to be guilty, for you made the choices. I have little to no respect for the man in Dallas and equally you if something befell your child. I would not put ANYTHING above the safety of my child. I certainly would not ask strangers on YA as to whether I should chance my child's life with a dog that is bred for its temperament.

Answer 6

nobody gets pregnant "by accident" body parts dont accidentally get naked and then collide...

is your dog well trained and properly socialized?? that is the only thing that matters - if your dog has never been properly trained to "LEAVE IT" and "SIT" and pay attention to what you say.. then it will be a problem
a dog who thinks its the boss of the house will be a problem.

Take her for lessons if you havent done so - and tell the instructor your concerns...

Answer 7

If she's aggressive to others she will likely also be aggressive toards the baby. If you want to keep her, try socializing her with other children, and for crying out loud watch her every second she is around the baby. Pitbulls in of themselves are not dangerous, but they can become so if they are not properly controlled and do not know who the 'alpha'(dominant) is.

Answer 8

Try socializing her with a doll. Have a doll that can simulate crying and all those sort of things that might bother her. Get her used to hearing the noises of babies and other loud noises. Talk to your local PetSmart they often have dog training classes, and perhaps a trainer can help with helping prepare your dog for baby.

Answer 9

You give your dog a chance. Let b/f bring home a blanket with baby smell on it. Let them meet. Never leave them alone together till the child is 7

Answer 10

You don't have to give her away. She will be extreamly protective towards the baby when you show her that she is know part of the family.