Small children with large dogs worry me

Rose65 said:
I see lots of those 'reels' on Facebook and they are usually nice, funny and entertaining. I'm not technically minded so I don't even know why they appear.

Anyway, in many are small babies or toddlers playing with huge dogs. Often these dogs are German Shepherds or Staffy types, very able to do a lot of damage very quickly if they felt like it.. I can't help but feel nervous. I would never have my grandchildren or back in the day, my small children anywhere near such potentially dangerous animals.

So how can so many people be willing to risk a baby to be sitting between two huge wolf-like creatures like the latest reel I just viewed?
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I can appreciate your thoughts, but I do think there's a danger of being over-protective. Interacting with a dog has some rules attached, and those rules can be taught to a child. Then, a well trained dog will behave accordingly. I don't recall a single period in my life without a dog or dogs being around.

When it comes to obvious dangerous breeds, such as Bully X, then I simply would never have one. I have spoken with owners, and they swear they are loving animals when properly trained and socialized. I have no reason not to believe them, but I still would never own such a breed.
 
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Our big Aussie pup knocks down our toddler grandchildren as she tries to play with them. So we keep her in her enclosure for now while they visit. My wife is working on training the dog, but I think we will just have to wait it out till this excess energy grows out of her.
 

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Michael Z said:
Our big Aussie pup knocks down our toddler grandchildren as she tries to play with them. So we keep her in her enclosure for now while they visit. My wife is working on training the dog, but I think we will just have to wait it out till this excess energy grows out of her.
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I often wonder who is in most danger - the kids or the dog. Kids can be very mean to a dog. As a child I was often abused. In my household it was very dangerous to react to my abusers. I would instead take it out on the dog. Looking back, it is amazing how kindly and lovingly the dog took it. I deserved much worse for my behavior. Of all the dogs I've known I came to love that dog the most. She was a collie/shepperd mix.
 
I think common sense and of course it depends on the dog and the breed.

I worked with a woman who's ass of a dog (her words), some medium sized mixed breed, bit her son on the hand when the son was 5. The kid was bothering the dog while it was eating. She didn't get rid of the dog, really counseled her child and it never happened again. That was not their only dog.
 
Remy said:
I think common sense and of course it depends on the dog and the breed.

I worked with a woman who's ass of a dog (her words), some medium sized mixed breed, bit her son on the hand when the son was 5. The kid was bothering the dog while it was eating. She didn't get rid of the dog, really counseled her child and it never happened again. That was not their only dog.
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That is typical for a dog. My dad was a war dog trainer during WW2 here in the USA. He taught me lesson one: don't bother a dog when it is eating or has taken food in its mouth. Nearly every dog will react aggressively towards anyone doing that. For example, my dad was playing with our dog who was eating a bone by pulling on it. Yup. The dog bit him. He didn't blame the dog. He knew better.
 
I have always had large dogs, mainly Kelpies and Blue cattle, we did have an American Bullmastiff and a Bull Terrier.
They were fine, If anything The kids got a smack if they were cruel and pulled on the dog's ears and tail.

That being said, I never left my children unsupervised with the dogs.
 
Tish said:
hat being said, I never left my children unsupervised with the dogs.
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Very wise. I've read that a Bullmastiff has one of the worst personalities of any dog. It and sorts like a Doberman, Rottweiler, Bull Terrier while good watch dogs can be pretty unstable around people. I knew a neighbor who owned a Dobbie for several years until one day it almost killed him in his backyard. Only a policeman who responded to a neighbor's call and shot the dog saved him. And I read of a Bull Terrier killing a new born because it was jealous for all the attention it got. Dogs can be very unpredictable and dangerous. Wise of you to not leave your children in trust of a dog.
 
Wes said:
Very wise. I've read that a Bullmastiff has one of the worst personalities of any dog. It and sorts like a Doberman, Rottweiler, Bull Terrier while good watch dogs can be pretty unstable around people. I knew a neighbor who owned a Dobbie for several years until one day it almost killed him in his backyard. Only a policeman who responded to a neighbor's call and shot the dog saved him. And I read of a Bull Terrier killing a new born because it was jealous for all the attention it got. Dogs can be very unpredictable and dangerous. Wise of you to not leave your children in trust of a dog.
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That is horrible that poor man.
 
Wes said:
That is typical for a dog. My dad was a war dog trainer during WW2 here in the USA. He taught me lesson one: don't bother a dog when it is eating or has taken food in its mouth. Nearly every dog will react aggressively towards anyone doing that. For example, my dad was playing with our dog who was eating a bone by pulling on it. Yup. The dog bit him. He didn't blame the dog. He knew better.
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I have always taught my dogs from puppies to give up anything in their mouth when I ask, no matter what it was. You never know when they will pick up something harmful. I can take raw meat out of my dogs mouth without complaint.
 
Me too Rose. In fact I had a Siamese cat when my son was born. I didn't trust that cat one bit and asked my parents to get rid of it before I brought my baby home. I don't like it when people let their animals lick all over their babies or even sleep with them. Do they wash their dogs who have walked in filth before they do that? I doubt that most do.I became a germaphobe later in life so no animals in the bed period! Then we our kitten rescued me in 2022, she cured my germaphobia quickly (well, somewhat). :)
 

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