Play date in XL Bully house

[Bonneylass]

School mum has invited my son over to play. They own an XL bully. Apparently it’s a lovely dog and they have 3 kids at home. I really don’t want him to go, I just don’t think it’s worth the risk. Is it best to make up an excuse or just be honest? Interested to hear from owners of XL bullies how you would react to this. She’s a lovely lady and ideally I don’t want to piss her off.

Nope, nope, nope. I could never.

Don't make up an excuse, tell her it's because of the dog.

No, never.

Nope, my child certainly would not be going to a house that owns one of those things. I’d just be honest with the mum. It may be a lovely dog but they’re unpredictable and simply not worth the risk.

Just no.

God, no way!

Absolutely not - and I would tell her why.

Even as the owner of a very large Rottweiler and mum of large dog savvy kids;not a fucking chance.

There's been far too incidents surrounding these dogs.

They should all be culled and I say that as a huge dog/animal lover.

Please dont

I have a dog - not XL bully but the kind people might be nervous of - I would never have an issue with someone telling me they don’t want him around their kids - any reasonable dog owner will get this; and if they’re an unreasonable dog owner you should not send your son round! can you arrange the play date somewhere else?

I would just tell her, honesty is the best policy in this case. Just explain you are sure nothing would happen and it’s a lovely dog - but it’s on the news all the time where the family bully xl suddenly attacks out the blue and kills someone. They’ve been identified as a dangerous breed as a reason and you can’t put your son in potential risk.

Say days out etc are all fine as long as the dog isn’t there.

No Way would I let a child in a house with one of those dogs. A gorgeous little boy not far from where I live was killed by one when he went to his friend’s home. It’s never worth the risk.

Absolutely not. I wouldn't even consider it. The dog who killed its owners 10 year old daughter the other day was described as 'lovely'

I'd tell her it's because of the dog but you're happy to meet elsewhere

I would never. And I'd say it was because of the dog. You don't need to say it in a confrontational way. Obviously they may take offense any way but that's not your fault.
But I do think people like this need a dose of reality. It's a massive gamble having these dogs round a child. Any one of them could just turn.
In Yorkshire a 10 yo child was mauled to death recently by an xl bully. And that dog was a beloved pet which was well looked after, neutered, licenced, never shown any aggression before. The breed is unstable. That's why it's classed as a dangerous breed. Absolutely under no circumstances would I allow my child round a house where one lived.
And I think these people need to see that other people understand the risk. Coz they downplay it to themselves. When they are literally gambling with their children's lives.

She is not really lovely if she cannot see the risk of a XL Bully despite all the news reports of children being killed.

This! I only have a soppy old greyhound but he's big and I always make sure I keep him away from anyone unless they obviously want to make a fuss of him. I'm sure she would understand, and if not then I wouldn't trust her judgement anyway.

I’d decline but if the kids were good friends I’d invite her child to my house or maybe offer to meet her somewhere for the kids to play together - not a park, somewhere she can’t bring the dog.

My child would never be allowed to go to their house or be in the vicinity of the dog.

To be a voice of dissent- if I know and trust the mother and family, it wouldn't be a problem for me. I would ask that the kids aren't left alone with dog, as I'd be nervous, but as I trust and like the mum and family then presumably she'd say that's a given! As no trustworthy and responsible dog owner (xl bully, Labrador or Yorkshire terrier!) would leave children alone with ANY dog.

I'm not an XL bully owner but i am a dog owner. I would not be at all offended if the parent of a visiting child said 'my child really does want to come over to yours but is really scared of dogs - any chance you could pop them in a crate when she's over?'

In fact, i would always start one of my dogs in a crate anyway if new visitors (adult or child) come just because i have one high energy dog that can be bouncy with new visitors and that's not fair on visitors or dog - i don't want a hyper over excited dog. Much better all round if she is settled and calm in her crate to start.

If the owners have no crate, look at you clueless and don't even have a secure place (could be behind a safety gate) to put the dog, i'd be wary.

I wouldn't want a free for all between kids and an xl bully. I'd want to know the dog is trained to settle (pref crate or secure space but at least on a mat in the hall) and not get wound up by kids playing.

Nothing is a given where your dcs' safety is concerned. Time and again, it is proven that people are idiotic and/or make mistakes.

The mother of the 10 year old girl who got killed by their loving XL Bully pet is probably learning this the hard way.

No chance, any dog can bite no matter how friendly. Difference being you can usually get away from a dog attacking you but an XL Bully could literally rip you apart with the first bite.

I'd simply say it would be lovely, but could your child come to mine instead or we meet up elsewhere, as (my child) is not used to dogs/larger dogs/dogs he's not used to (if you have a dog yourself that is) and whilst I'm sure the dog is fine with your children, I wouldn't want to put you in an awkward situation if my child was nervous or reactive to your dog or did not get on with your dog for whatever reason.

This happened to me lots of times as daughters best friend had an xl bully, apparently it was a lovely dog. I just wasn't comfortable with her going there so used to say I was frightened of big dogs and I just wouldn't relax her going there. Wasn't ashamed to say it to the mother and tbh she understood my concerns. Dd friend used to come to ours instead so she didn't feel like she was missing out.

I disagree with this. If a dog doesn't know someone entering their home, particularly kids who make loud noises and sudden movements, it should not be in the same room, even with supervision. If an XL bully were to go for a child, the presence of an adult will not stop it.

I’d just say unfortunately not with the type of dog you’ve got. Don’t lie there is no need to it’s a perfectly reasonable reason. I have a dog not an XL but would understand if someone didn’t want their child around a dog