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Original poster

My dsis is leaving 11mo unattended with a Rottweiler

103 replies

HeffalumpsDaughter · 17/12/2018 19:37

Dsis and I have a fairly fraught relationship but have actually got on really well for the last few years since she’s become a parent. I absolutely adore my niece and nephew and it’s been really lovely to finally have what feels like a ‘real’ relationship with my sister at last.

Today she put a post on FB of her with her 11mo sat on a sofa with an enormous Rottweiler beside her. There were several photos of the baby with the dog licking her face and one with baby sitting astride the dog and holding onto its ears. Accompanied by a post by dsis saying along the lines of ‘these dogs get a bad name but it’s down to bad training and bad owners, not bad dogs. My friend rescued this Rottweiler 4 months ago and has not had to raise her voice to her once in this time. She’s the best behaved dog I’ve ever met. I’ve only had to meet her 3 times and I have no problem leaving dd to play with her while I had a cuppa in the kitchen. No such thing as bad dogs, only bad owners!’

Before I add anything else I will confess I don’t know anything about dogs. I have never had one, never spent a significant amount of time with a dog or taken a dog for a walk on my own. So I admit I could be getting this completely wrong (and I really hope I am). But just looking at the photos makes me feel sick with worry. Surely it doesn’t matter how well trained a dog is, if an 11mo pokes it in the eyes while a grown up isn’t within grabbing distance, it could bite? And if a Rottweiler bit a baby it could be horrific?

Personally I think dsis is being incredibly reckless, but as I say I may just be reacting like this as I don’t know a thing about dogs. If it is reckless though I just don’t know how to speak to her about it. Any form of criticism will result in a massive fallout. She’s pretty much cut off the rest of my family, despite them doing nothing wrong (from my POV obviously). I feel like I’ve only really just got my dsis back and I don’t want to lose her again because I’m worrying about a dog that I’ll never meet.

There are several comments on her fb after the pictures saying how cute they are and about how Staffies/Rottweilers always get bad press. Nothing that mentions safety at all.

Wwyd? I’ve been telling myself all day that I’m worrying about nothing but then I look at the photos and feel physically sick with worry.

OP posts:
Snowwontbelong · 17/12/2018 19:40

Rottweiler owner here. Multiple dc.
NEVER LEFT ALONE TOGETHER.
Neither are my dc +Lurchers.
Your dsis is being bloody reckless even letting a rescue ddog of such a short time near her baby.

NewFreshStarts · 17/12/2018 19:41

I've got a small lap dog and a larger dog. Both fairly relaxed animals. I would never leave them alone with a baby.
Like you say, the dog could turn very easily without warning and if there isn't someone to protect the baby they're going to get hurt.
I feel worried sick just reading your post 😣😣

SexNotJenga · 17/12/2018 19:42

I honestly think you should report that to social care. Your sister might listen if it's a social worker telling her not to leave the dog and baby alone together. You can report anonymously.

Snowwontbelong · 17/12/2018 19:45

Maybe send her some links of dc killed by rescue ddog in particular.
Bull mastiff not that long ago killed a baby. They had owned the ddog a matter of days.
Report her tomorrow op.

Original poster
HeffalumpsDaughter · 17/12/2018 19:45

I hadn’t considered that sexnot. Would they take it seriously do you think? It would certainly solve the problem of her getting pissed with me - she has most of the county as FB friends so anyone could have reported based on that post.

OP posts:
Snowwontbelong · 17/12/2018 19:47

Your dsis is risking the lives of her dc.
I would suggest it would be taken seriously.

Snowwontbelong · 17/12/2018 19:48

Do you know where she got it from? Unlikely they know she has a baby.

SexNotJenga · 17/12/2018 19:48

Yeah, I think they'd take it seriously enough to pop round and have a chat. Unfortunately there have been several tragic cases in the recent past, so a lot of people's minds are quite focused on it.

Wolfiefan · 17/12/2018 19:49

My dog is a sweetheart. But she’s a dog. I would never leave her alone with a young child. No child should be climbing on a dog or pulling its ears. What happens if the dog is sore or asleep when it’s grabbed next time?
She’s an idiot.

Sexnotgender · 17/12/2018 19:50

Your sister is an absolute idiot!

I have a super soft and gentle greyhound and wouldn’t trust him with a baby.

Yes dogs can be lovely and often they do get a bad reputation and some of that will be down to bad owners. However even a soft gentle dog can get a fright for whatever reason and hurt a child. It’s not a risk I’d take.

MakeAHouseAHome · 17/12/2018 19:52

Bloody hell you are being completely unreasonable... the majority of dogs are not savage rabid beats just waiting to maul a child Hmm

As for reporting to social services are you utterly NUTS. Child and dog sitting on sofa together OMG the HORROR!

italiancortado · 17/12/2018 19:52

What kind of a rescue rehomes a rottie to a house with a baby!

Original poster
HeffalumpsDaughter · 17/12/2018 19:52

snowwont it’s not my dsis’s dog, it’s one of her friends. I only know about it from what she posted but it’s a rescue dog, her friend rescued it from somewhere 4 months ago and dsis leaves her 11mo with the dog while she has a chat with her friend in the next room. I’ve no idea of the layout of this friends house though so maybe the kitchen is close enough to keep a really close eye on the baby and dog still though. Hopefully??

OP posts:
HoneysuckIejasmine · 17/12/2018 19:53

Omg, that gives me chills.

Sexnotgender · 17/12/2018 19:53

Looks like your sister has found your thread.

italiancortado · 17/12/2018 19:54

Bloody hell you are being completely unreasonable... the majority of dogs are not savage rabid beats just waiting to maul a child

You are right, most dogs are not in the least bit a threat to children. However, there is a certain responsibility and awareness that needs to be provided by the owner of dog and parent of child. It's called being fucking sensible.

Original poster
HeffalumpsDaughter · 17/12/2018 19:54

makeahouseim not saying the majority of dogs are savage beasts waiting to maul a child Confused. I’m saying an 11mo could irritate a placid dog enough to snap while the parents are out of the room. If a Rottweiler snaps at a child I imagine more damage could be done than if a chihuahua did the same.

OP posts:
Flashingbeacon · 17/12/2018 19:55

I hate picture like that. And it’s nothing to do with the breed of dogs, one of my best friends is a staffie. It only takes a second for it to go wrong and it can go so very wrong.
We have a guide dog, 50 generations of breeding and every single day of his life accounted for to make him bomb proof. I would never encourage a baby to pull a dogs ears, even though a ear rub is his favourite thing. The most he’s ever done is a loud woof (to alert to danger) but still never alone with a small child.
Even from a basic hygiene issue a dog shouldn’t be left alone with a livkable baby.

KirstyAllsoppsFatterTwin · 17/12/2018 19:56

There are several comments on her fb after the pictures saying how cute they are and about how Staffies/Rottweilers always get bad press.

Yeah, course they do. The media has it in for them, reporting all these attacks. And all the babies savaged to death by poodles and labradors never seem to make it into the papers at all. Hmm

TropicPlunder · 17/12/2018 19:57

The dog might be giving subtle signals that it's not happy, for example with its ears being pulled. If these signals are ignored it may snap next time, apparently 'with no warning' at either this child or another. I think you're very justified being worried about this

EssentialHummus · 17/12/2018 19:58

I think breed is irrelevant here, but I'd not leave any dog of any size or temperament on their own with a young child. Just no.

whatsthestory123 · 17/12/2018 19:59

maybe bring up that poor baby that was attacked recently

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-46565175

and there are more sadly

Zebedee88 · 17/12/2018 20:00

You need to talk to your sister. I wouldn't mention that you think because it's a Rotteweiler that it's bad news, most likely will get her defences up. Tell her that no dog should be left with a baby, whatever it's breed. Also , if it's a rescue dog then Sheri her friend has no idea about it's past, and what's happened to the dog.

BrylcreamBeret · 17/12/2018 20:00

makeahouseahome Where did the op say that she/he firmly believes all dogs are beasts waiting to attack? Nowhere! :) she/he is asking for advice because she doesn't know about dogs. You cannot get a full picture of a dog's mentality in a few short months, that poor rescue rottie could be from any kind of background. If there was abuse in its first home there could easily be a chance he will react badly to being yanked on by an infant. Come on now, the op doesn't have her pitchfork out for dogs.

I say all this as the owner (HA, pet human) of a 15 year old rescue mastiff.

Wolfiefan · 17/12/2018 20:05

Dogs need their own space. They need to feel safe and secure. A child sitting on them is unpleasant and could even hurt. Unfortunately many people miss the subtle signs that a dog is unhappy. Until it bites.
Children shouldn’t climb on a dog.
Leave sleeping dogs alone.
Leave eating dogs alone.
Don’t fuss a dog unless it comes to you for attention.
Don’t let a child take its toys.
Dogs can be lovely. But they’re still animals. Best to protect children and dogs both by ensuring any interaction is safe and pleasurable for both.