Should I take the baby to visit with horrible Dog.

[wiltshire]

My sister has a rescue Alsatian. It has bitten a delivery man and a male neighbour, but has been fine around my nephews kids aged 10 mths & 4. My sister lives quite a long way from me and is ill. If I don't take the baby to see her, he will not have a very good relationship and get to know her. She is my only sis. She will think I am being hysterical over the dog. It's a big dog and even I've been scared when telling it to back off and stop barking. I am not usually scared of dogs. Would you take the baby there or not or am I being OTT.

I would be scared too and my husband may be very unhappy about it but I think I'd have to go and just try to be very careful. Can you say something to her on the phone first?

Personally I couldn't go but I'm scared of dogs.

I love dogs but have great respect for their tendancy to bite! No I wouldn't take a baby of mine to a house with a dog that is a know biter (sp) but then again my dd was bitten by a dog when she was a few days old! Dog got jelous of the attention being paid to dd by owner and hey presto dog went for her. Fortunatly nothing serious just a scratch but never again would I risk a baby with a dog......

I wouldn't - but then I was bitten by an alsatian as a kid. I always understood they were particularly untrustworthy - owners of nice alsatians feel free to contradict! Could you insist it's kept elsewhere when you visit? Maybe play the allergy card if necessary?

No way! Absolutely not, stay away from that toothed fiend. Dogs are so unpredictable and they can and do kill babies. Even if it only barks, it will terrify your baby and may spark off a phobia.

Agree with everyone ... no way would I go. And your sister should understand that.
There has recently been a case in NZ where a child was bitten really badly on the face by a dog in a park. The dog had no history of biting or going for anyone before ... it was put down and its owners have been jailed.
Any dog ... however nice and friendly is unpredictable ...
Don't risk it.

Im really wary of dogs...yet we had three rescue dogs when I was 7. I always say better safe than sorry. My sister has a lovely placid dog but I am even wary of letting that anywhere near my 22 month old.

Rescue alsatians are often neurotic and bite out of fear and unpredictable things like babies can be quite scary (!). Surely the dog could be shut away in a kitchen or something or if you are staying go to a kennels. I deal with dogs every day and I would be scared of this one.

Thanks girls, you made up my mind. No way am I taking the baby in the house with the dog about. I have had a go at my sister before about my nieces being around it, but she said I was being silly and OTT. Can't play the allergy card as I have a dog and she knows I am not allergic. My dog is a Jack Russell and I am worried enough about her being jealous of the baby. Have read loads of stuff on how to introduce etc. But I have to say it, one growl and my dog whom I love and have had for 7 years is history.

Well, could you say you'll go as long as the dog is tied up outside for the duration? (Agree Alastians are v scary, your feelings should be more important to your sister than the dog's.)

Oh, not so sure now. I don't like dogs but I've always thought that I was being OTT about it so tried to compensate. I got the impression that it was important to you and your sister's relationshp that you go but, if not, definitely don't take the baby. Can't your sister come to see you when she's better?

I have a dog, a small fluffy one but whenever anyone with a small child or baby comes to visit I first keep the dog out of the room then introduce him carefully and supervised to the child.

It isn't being unreasonable to expect your sister to keep her dog out of the way while you visit.