American Pit and children?

Question

My sister's pit has growled at her two year old son a couple of times. He is in the terrible twos and has been provoking her (pulling on her ears). The dog was very protective and gentle with the kids up until now and she's afraid that she might take the growling a step further and bite. My sister wants to keep the dog because she is part of the family, but she doesn't want to take the chance that she will bite the kids. Any suggestions on what actions can be taken with the child or the dog or both?

Answer 1

I think your sister needs to teach her son not to pull on the dog. Any dog, no matter how sweet may eventually bite if it is provoked enough. The dog is warning everyone by growling, the adults in the house need to step up and correct the situation.

Answer 2

well first and foremost do u have a picture of this aleged american pitbull terrior? i only ask as i wanna see what the dog  looks like  to affirm it is really a american pitbull terrior . if u have a dog like that then i woulndt want my childeren around the dogs. so do what u got to do its ur decision. ive had my kids pulling on my american pitbull terriors ears and such and none of my dogs have and ever will show any aggression towards humans . how much does your dog weigh ? just curious.

Answer 3

First of all, dogs and children should be supervised when they are together at all times. Second, at 2 yrs old the child is at the point where he should be taught not to pull on the doggy's ears or tail.  

Answer 4

This sounds like there is more of a problem with the kids than the dog. Don't let the kids around the dog unless they are supervised and make sure they act properly, until they know how to act around the dog.

Answer 5

Time to start teaching the child that dogs have boundaries, and pulling on ears, and hitting are unacceptable.  That goes for ALL dogs, and animals.

Answer 6

just don't allow the dog and the child to interact unless they are BOTH directly supervised.

put the dog in his crate when the child is feeling rowdy.

the dog needs to enroll in a general OB class, and the kid needs to learn boundaries.

mostly though, just separate them. it's not rocket science.

Answer 7

They should never be together unsupervised even in years to come.  All dogs have the ability to turn on and bite someone so no baby should be left unattended with a dog of any breed or unattended in the first place.  To add to it the Pit has such a great bite force and is known not to let go once it has latched on.  So if provoked this combination could end very badly.  The child should also be taught the dos and don'ts of dog handling.

Answer 8

Get the point across to the kids that they cant pull on the dogs ears. Or taunt the dog in any way.

Answer 9

get the dog good training. if it bites put it down.