staffs with children

[cindymcc088]

My fiancee and I recently got a staff. She is mild, good tempered and good with people. We have not seen a vicious side, however her previous owner has informed us she is not good with other dogs. She comes from a line of show dogs. Our problem is that we are due a baby soon and have heard a lot of stories about staffs turning on kids. We would appreciate feed-back from anyone with experience.

[carmalee]

Staffs are usually really good family dogs, they were bred in the midlands by working class people who didn't have access to kennels etc therefore they were raised within the household, hence their usual good nature with people.However, they were bred as fighting dogs so often don't tolerate other dogs too well. Obviously no-one can guarantee an individual dog's temperament within the family environment. Hope this helps a bit.

[Ethel]

Never, ever leave a dog alone with a baby or child, not for a second.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-113860 8/Baby-boy-mauled-death-family-dogs.html

[ChuckFickens]

I've known several people with Staffs and they have all been more likely to hurt a child by being overly friendly and knocking it over trying to play then to actually attack one.

That said as carmalee says you can never be sure of an individual dogs temperament or what it might do, and staffs are powerful dogs!

if you have even the slightest doubt in your mind (and you obviously do as you have asked) then surely the safety of your child must come first and maybe you should think about getting the dog re-homed .

Also I do hope you didn't know you were due a baby when you got the dog, because if you knew then surely this is something you should have considered before taking the dog in.

[cindymcc088]

thanks for feedback so far. read the article in newspaper this morning which is what made us think twice. both of us grew up with dogs in the family and the only difference with this one is that a lot of people are telling us it's dangerous. really hard to know what to do thanks

[kita1]

Just because she is not good with other dogs does not mean she will not be good around the baby.

How old is the dog? Has she been spayed? Do you know the breeder that bred her in the first place? If so it may be an idea to have a chat with them.

Where does she sleep at night? If she is sleeping in your bedroom now would be a good time to get her used to sleeping in the kitchen or somewhere else away from you.

Crate training is also a good idea, then when the baby arrives you have somewhere the dog can go that is solely the dogs space - her 'den' if you like.

You could well struggle to rehome her in the present climate, to a good home anyway. Sadly the rescues are already full to breaking point with Staffies.

This is a good article to read about introducing a baby to a house with dogs:

http://tripp.fenderson.net/friends/karenoveral l/protocol.html

[echokilo]

Staffs are no more likely to attack anyone than any other dog ... they are great characters and love people, that said ANY dog can turn if it is treated poorly or encouraged to be aggressive, not just Staffs!! I have 2 .... far more likley to lick you to death than do anything else .... The older one has injured me once ... by knocking me down the stairs in his haste to get to the front door!!!! There is no reason that children and animals can't mix..... just NEVER leave children alone with MY dog and ensure the child learns to respect the animals space and never be heavy handed .... and everything will be fine.... unlike that poor child in the news today .... perhaps the irresponsible adults should have been put down instead of the dogs!!

[garner]

"Ditto " echo

[sara3]

how difficult can it be to make a decision? I can't believe you're still dithering. why take a chance?

[Velvetee]

Staffs are lovely dogs and I think a dog's behaviour is as a result of how it's treated by the owner. Unfortunately Staffies get bad press because they are now the fashion accessory of the hoodie and are often encouraged to be vicious and fight.

My Fiance's mother's two Staffies are very loveable and his 5 year old niece is ver precocious and will tease the dogs and basically behave in a very irritating way towards them, but they have never turned on her and seem to just tolerate her mithering them.

I think when you have any dog, regardless of breed, you will always need to keep an eye on them around small children and babies.

[raysparx1]

Just remember any dog is capable of doing harm to humans, we have had german shepherds, they are very gentle dogs despite the reputation, but I would never leave a dog with a baby or toddler. any dog .

[wildwood]

As gardens are becoming a rare commodity with modern housing we get more trouble with dogs, any dogs. If the dog(s) live in in a kennel or separe separate room of the house and know that they are allowed in the living area as underdog you'll seldom experience trouble.
Many (most?) dogs are confused of their place in the home which they regard as their pack. A confused dog is a dangerous dog. Staffies always get into the news because of their strong bite and tendency to hang on.
If you are not fully prepared to go through the proper training (of the dog and the humans) when a baby arrives you should sadly consider re-housing which ,as has been said, woud be very difficult now.
I am not picking on you but if people in general would consider getting a dog as a 10 - 15 year plan there would not be so many unruly dogs. Licensing dog owners instead of the animals may prevent some of these brain-dead idiots from using dogs as a weapon and/or status symbol.

[tamborine]

dogs are animals and dont think rationally......get the dog prepared to live in a kennel outside or anywhere away from a vulnerable baby or child.

[Mr Veritas]

If in doubt think of the baby,and rehome the dog!

[Eve]

Would you trust any human being to be alone with your child? Doubtful, so why any dog as you just never know.

I would never leave a child alone unsupervised with a dog as problems could be caused by normal playing or behaviour let alone anything else. A dog could smother a child or cause it serious harm by playing without any ill meaning.

I remember being very concerned when a friend of mine had a pitbull and a baby, he could knock me flying and hurt me by just being friendly and saying hello.

I have a large cat and would never leave him unsupervised with a baby as he could lie on it and smother it or cause damage with his claws just by playing with no ill intent. i couldn't blame the cat if it happened, it would be my fault for acting irresponsibly and leaving them alone together.

It's common sense really, I have a cat and a hamster and even though the hamster is in a cat proof cage they were completely separated at first, introduced gradually and are still never left alone unsupervised.

If I'm not there then they are separated by a closed door.

If in any doubt or you don't feel you can manage the proper supervision then find the dog a good home now.