Childminder is getting an American bulldog - should I be worried?

[glitterndirt]

Just that really. My dd is 3 & goes 2 days a week to her childminder who is a family friend of ours. She hasn't said anything to me personally but has announced on fb today they are getting an American bulldog puppy.

They have never owned a dog before so their inexperience & the breed has me worrying.

Should I be worried about this type of breed around my daughter? Are their any owners or people that know this breed well that can tell me their own experiences with them?

Er no, I would not be ok with this. Its just not worth the risk.

It’s very weird she didn’t tell you, her clients, first, rather than announcing on Facebook.

Wrong dog and especially with a novice owner- why people buys bloody dogs like this I’ll never know

I wouldn’t be bothered about the breed specifically, but puppies are hard work.
Training them well is hard work.
I don’t believe you can adequately care for a puppy while also caring for 6, 7, 8 children including babies and toddlers.
Something has to be a bit neglected.

I wouldn't send my child to any childminder who had a dog. Even the nicest dogs can be caught off guard with strange young children around. It's not worth the risk.

Nope nope nope

Oh hell no! They’re bloody massive and even if friendly could easily knock a child over. Puppies bite and if you get one for your own family you have to accept that but you haven’t made that choice and even a little nibble really hurts! We have a Labrador puppy who is 13 weeks old and I barely get chance to pee let alone look after a number of children that aren’t mine!

I have a larger dog than your child minder is getting and he’s a softie. But there’s no way I’d allow my kids round an inexperienced dog owner

I wouldn't send my child to a new puppy owner, regardless of breed.

There's a bit risk of course (and puppies love to nibble, which could get playful). My first thought was just about her dealing the with puppy while she's looking after your child. It's a lot of hard work and I wouldn't want her to be distracted.

No way in hell would I leave my child in that house.

I wouldn't be happy but presumably she is a registered CM and will be Ofsteded. I would not expect the dog to be anywhere near the children, to be honest.

If she has a dog, kept in the rest of the house, will it impact on her CM duties at all? My old CM had a labrador, which never went near the children. She had a kitchen/diner/playroom where she spent the day with the children. The labrador was with her DH in the living room or out for walks with DH.

Is this likely to be the case with this dog?

Is it the breed or the fact she is getting a dog in general?

The American bulldog as a family pet
They are gentle and kind in temperament and renowned for being good with children of all ages, often bonding strongly with kids and acting the protector role around them outside of the home.

No. You need a new child minder. My childminder had a dog and I saw this as a plus that DD would get used to dogs around in a calm environment- it was brilliant with the original dog- an older spaniel with a fantastic temperament- but when the old dog died they got a new puppy. It was a nightmare and my then toddler DS ended up with a really bad bang on the head when the almost grown puppy barged into him pushed him over a concrete patio. She wasn’t at all nasty but she was really bouncy ( and bitey). DS moved to a nursery after that

I'd be reporting it to the RSPCA straight away and to OFSTED. She cannot be trusted!

Please find another childminder for your child.

So many childminders - most don't do mad things like this, so I would definitely be getting another one. She sounds like she hasn't a clue or a care.

It's really not worth taking the chance with your child. All it takes is one off day for a dog and they turn on the child, that breed can do a LOT of damage.

Nope not a chance. Why take the risk?

I have a large dog and my childrens childminder has a dog. And even i wouldn't be happy with this. I can't post details about it on here as its too outing but basically I have witnessed 2 horrific situations with 2 separate dogs of this breed.

@queenofthenite there's no need to go around reporting people. If she's unhappy with it (as I would be too) just remove her child and get different childcare

Puppies of any breed need a lot of time and attention. They are teething for a few months and search out opportunities to bite/chew to relieve the pain but also to investigate (a bit like babies mouthing).

So who will be looking after the puppy whilst she is working? What sort of arrangements does she have to keep children and puppy separate?

I'd ask this first and then if I didn't like the answers I'd move CM.

No way would I continue to use her. No way.

Absolutely not & I'm a dog lover and own 3 dogs but nope wouldn't be happy at all

no chance. new childminder time!

I would not want my children around any childminder with a dog, especially a first time dog owner with a big strong breed such as this.
disclaimer, i have dogs

I love dogs and unless the CM already had a dog that was used to children I would absolutely not be happy with them getting a puppy, regardless of breed. How is she possibly going to have time to train it properly while looking after numerous children? Nope, no, no way.

@30degreesandmeltinghere

Surely if you trust her to mind your dc you should trust she can have a ddog suitably trained to be around dc? We had a Rottweiler.. She never savaged any of my dc .. Or anyone at all. My dil was happy her dc was here 2 nights a week. Never questioned it.

Do you want to hear about the 94 year old who smoked a pack a day since she was 17? Nope, me neither.

Find a new cm before the dog gets big. The next few years will be the worst as young dogs are typically bit more skittish.