My dsis is leaving 11mo unattended with a Rottweiler

[HeffalumpsDaughter]

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.

Not only could it turn. Its also the licking that bothers me.
Let's be blunt its licking itsballs and arse then licking your niece's face. Imagine the germs its carrying.

I grew up with dogs, we rescued a very relaxed and friendly dog but one day she reacted badly to me leaving the house. When I said bye she ran at me and bit down on my arm. She broke skin and left me scarred. We couldn't say bye for the first few years. Apart from that she was a good dog, with rescues they can have triggers and when I was bit I could defend myself and learn from her triggers, I was 14 but a baby or young child can't. My family is a dog family but we would never trust a dog with a baby. I would of said something as well.

You have to say something. Phrase it carefully so as not to damage your already precarious relationship. Comment on what a lovely dog it is, express sympathy with the way they are portrayed in the papers etc, comment on how your dn looks happy with the dog and how it’s goid to get kids used to dogs then after all that comment on the fact that since it’s a rescue it’s probably not a good idea to leave her on her own with the dog. I know this might still cause tension but dogs do kill babies. Imagine the guilt you’d have if you said nothing and god forbid the dog attacks. Good luck op.

I'm a dog owner and would never leave any dog alone with a baby but I also thinks it's very cruel to let a baby sit on a dogs back. I'm not sure what the best way to handle it is but you are completely right to be concerned

@kirsty poodles can be vicious.

I suppose if you were to contact your sister's local children's centre and ask to be put through to the health visitor team? I bet they would have time for it. Round my way, they have time for people weaning early, so I imagine they'd want to know this. They could at least pop round and have a chat. The 11 month old should still be registered with one.

Lock jaw does not exist in dogs -however, out of all the bites a Rottweiler -will be about 300 pounds of pressure, I think a Pitbull is first -but I'd put German Shepherds, Pitbulls, Doberman, Mastiff and Rottweiler all up there is terms of pounds per square inch.
That's why traditionally they are looked on as 'guard dogs' -
An animal will attack if it needs to, if warnings are ignored -or even if no warnings are given.

I was once bitten by a (mine)Terrier -as a young girl -aged 11 or so -flipping heck it was one of the most dangerous horrific experiences of my life, that was over its food, I was teasing it. I deserved it but bloody hell did I learn.

Likewise I was bitten by a smallish collie at 13 (not mine) I was just walking down the road and this collie slipped its collar ignoring all calls from its terrified owner and jumped up at me -it then bit me on the waist -he (owner) hauled it off and I thought I was fine -just it shock and I had thick jeans on so thought there wouldn't be a problem.. Massive apology from dog owner -never had happened to him before. Checked I was ok -he then took his dog rapidly and left. I felt winded and sat down, then felt very faint -someone else stopped and by then I didn't feel too good and explained what had happened to this guy. No sign of any problem. Then blood started oozing through my jeans -at the top at the waist-this lovely guy, who had stopped, said he was going to have a look -I remember seeing the most horrendous bite -deep with multiple puncture wounds as he gently undid the top of my jeans. No mobile phones in those days. He flagged down a car and we sped round the corner to the GP centre. With him applying serious pressure on the wound. GP saw me straight away and I had stitches and the GP surgery notified my parents. I STILL have the scar. I did nothing absolutely nothing to this dog, I had no stick, ball, food, no teasing-completely unprovoked. I never ever trust a dog 100% -ever, but then I don't trust my children when they were little and around dogs -they are equally as unpredictable and stupid (eg blowing in a dog's face and ignoring them moving and growling etc -not my children or my dog -but one of my friend's children did this -before say child was removed and punished)

kirtsy
Just take a minute to look at a few of the many vicious attacks from labradors

www.google.com/amp/s/www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4809438/amp/Two-month-old-baby-boy-mauled-death-dogs.html

m.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/boy-4-killed-by-family-labrador-in-horror-attack-20160817

www.google.com/amp/s/www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2003849/amp/Boy-3-left-horrific-facial-injuries-Labrador-savages-Poole-Harbour.html

What point is your dsis trying to prove ? That she is thick? Because that’s what her post I said doing? You are handling this the right way, someone needs to have a word. The baby was very lucky that was such a patient dog, and I hope the dogs has a better home now, animals are nòt toys.

I am referring to the video that was posted when mentioning the dog.

Well, I’ve just had a look on FB and she’s taken the post down. Hopefully she got the message from my mum friend or maybe someone else commented on it too. I’ll very gently bring it up with her when I see her later.

Thanks everyone for advice.

I've got two Labs with the most gorgeous temperaments but they are STILL animals and kids do stupid things sometimes.

They were never alone with the dogs as tinies as it doesn't matter how rock solid the dog's temperament of a child was to poke it in the eye it could snap (or worse).

Even now (three children secondary and about to go to secondary age) the dogs are crated overnight and the kids know that if they get downstairs before us they are not to open the crate.

I think you handled it really well op

@veterinari that video is really upsetting; that poor dog. Imagine how painful that must have been for it. Some people really shouldn't be allowed to own dogs; what cruel and stupid behaviour.

Brought up with big dogs (labs and Doberman’s) have had smaller dogs as an adult - all with good temperaments. I would never ever leave any of my dogs alone with a child or a baby. Dogs can turn - even well behaved ones and they are so fast a baby wouldn’t stand a chance.

Babies and children don’t know what they might do which could provoke a dog eg a poke in the eye like you say but also dogs can get jealous even if the child hasn’t done anything.

You did the right thing to ask your friend to speak to her I do hope she never leaves the baby alone with any dog. Tell her it’s not about hating dogs it’s about protecting and looking after a child

That's a great approach op. The puppy trainer is knowledgeable about dogs so hopefully she might listen, the fact that a mild acquaintance has been concerned by seeing a FB post might be a wake up too

I agree, you can never leave a baby/toddler alone with a dog no matter how calm or placid. Any dog can turn - if prodded, or if in pain, tired, any reason. You're not anti rottie at all 😀 I'd do the same with any dog from doberman to chihuahua. And I cringe when I see photos of small babies and big dogs cuddling (is never small dogs)

There's one on YouTube where the dog is sniffing baby on floor and nudging with nose then curls up next to it. No harm done, and the parents are there. But even then, it only takes a second for things to turn and I'm not keen on letting dogs be that close to small babies, regardless

Unfortunately you can’t force people, they will do what they rightly or wrongly think best.

The best you can do is explain your concerns and hope she takes it seriously.

Personally, I love Rottweilers, met many over the years.
All super tolerant, friendly dogs.

Any dog is capable of biting a child, the problem with Rottweilers I think is the sheer size of them.
A single warning snap from a dog that size could be a very nasty injury indeed.

I, perhaps naively, do trust my dog fully around my children and would have no problem at all leaving her with them while I took a toilet break or had a cup of tea BUT I have had her since 9 weeks old and my children are young but not babies.

No way would I leave a rescue dog (unknown history) alone with a child and no way would I leave ANY dog alone with a baby!

No dog should be left alone with a child, doesn't matter how placid they are, you don't know what could possibly happen inadvertently to change that .

OP, I think your approach of getting a dog expert to speak to your sis is a good one. Protects ypur neice without you being involved.

Completely agree with previous posters that this is completely irresponsible behaviour from aister and dog-owner. Do you have any idea where the dog came from? If it came from a proper rescue charity, they would probably be horrified to hear about this, and would take steps to educate the owner, possibly even removing the dog and putting it with someone more suitable. This would protect other children (and the dog).
When I looked into adopting a rescue dog the charities were very keen on aftercare.

I have a large gsd hes bomb proof never put a foot wrong in 7 years apart from not being able to figure lie down on comad daft boy, but he is never left alone with dds for his saftey and theirs a bad day, pain or a kid jabing him with a pencil anything could happen especially with dd2 who is 2 and a madam

Dsil however has jack russels who have bitten dn as well as others and killed a kitten damn things need to be pts

Dogs can have a bad day to they are also great at hiding illness anything could happen

All the dog experts in the world agree that you never leave ANY dog with a child together unattended. It's not as if it's just a matter of preference for people who want to be extra careful - it's one of the most basic rules!

I wouldn’t leave an 11 month old alone with my rabbits, let alone a Rottweiler. It’s just common sense: you do not leave babies unattended with ANY pet.

I’m a childminder with three big dogs (aged 10,9 and 4) and children of my own, we’ve had the dogs from pups and they’ve been trained and taught manners since that time.

I trust them implicitly however I would never, ever allow a child to be alone with the dogs and would also never let a child climb on or tease a dog.

However good natured an animal is they can still have an off day or be in pain and behave unpredictability.

This would be a huge worry for me too.

Owner of two Rottweilers here. I would never, ever leave any child unattended with them. Yes, I trust them. Yes, I think they're big, cuddly bears however they are dogs and big dogs at that. It's highly irresponsible to leave a child alone with a dog, and the owners who do it just serve to give all dog owners a bad name

*unpredictably, blooming autocorrect.