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"All About Pitbulls"
All About Pitbulls: Page 15
of 28
How to introduce a Pit Bull to your children
Another common misconception about Pit Bulls is that they are unable
to get along with children. This misconception has brought many
dedicated Pit Bull owners to get rid of their dogs when a new baby
arrives home out of fear that their dog will harm the infant. On the
other hand, there are many Pit Bull owners who excitedly bring their
baby home without a single drop of worry about the infant's safety
around their dog. Neither response is accurate or reliable. Although
it is a fact that dogs can hurt babies, it is also true that they
protect babies. How you introduce your baby to your Pit Bull makes a
huge difference on how well the dog will act around your baby.
Generally speaking, Pit bulls have always had a special connection
with children. They seem to enjoy being around kids and feel very
protective of them. In fact, the Pit Bull's close relative, the
Staffordshire Bull Terrier is nicknamed 'the nanny dog' in England
because it has been known to act as a babysitter for the family
children. Many Pit Bulls have been known to save a child's life.
Unfortunately, many Pit bulls have also been known to harm a child.
Some Pit Bulls may be suspicious of children. This is because he may
not understand what kids are or because they have had bad experiences
with them. When you introduce dogs and children, do it very
carefully. Advise your child to be gentle and offer your dog a treat.
Never allow young children to sit on the dog, pull his ears, hair,
or tail. Tell them not to run from the dog, scream sharply around
him, stare at him, or hurt him. Never allow your kids to pick on your
Pit Bull. Here are other things that you should keep in mind before
you bring a baby and a Pit Bull together:
1. Before you introduce the baby to the Pit Bull, the dog should
already be fully trained on how to 'stay,' 'sit,' and 'lie down' on
command. 2. Make sure that the Pit Bull is secured on his leash the
first time that you introduce him to the baby. You can muzzle the dog
if you are still uncomfortable with the leash. The problem with this
is that you do not want him to associate muzzling with the baby. The
dog should already be familiar with the having the muzzle on before
meeting the baby. 3. Keep the dog away from the baby during the
baby's first few days at home. Let the dog get familiar with the
smell and sound of the baby. You need to be very careful during this
time because some dogs may not comprehend that you have a new small
human in the house and not a 'prey animal'. 4. Have the dog sit and
stay before you bring the baby to the room and then reward the dog for
staying. Move the baby closer to the dog while rewarding him for his
good behavior. Once you are secure about the dog's comfort level,
allow him to sniff the baby. But remember, you should never leave the
dog and baby alone together during the baby's first few weeks at
home.
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