Anonymous wrote:NP here... My neighbors have a large pitbull that is not particularly well supervised. They also have a son the same age as mine and the boys are friends. I have made it a rule that my son can't play in their yard because of this dog. The boys are free to play in my yard. ( Their son is sort of free range and just shows up at our house unannounced.) I can tell the parents are angry about this because they have made comments about our son not being allowed to come over. Do I explain that it's because of their dog or would that make the situation even worse? I see how sensitive people are over their "sweetie" dogs but I'm just trying to do the right thing for my child.

I would tell them that the dog makes you nervous. If you want to smooth it over, just say you are afraid of dogs and wouldn't be able to relax if your kid is around theirs. This, IMO, is better than wondering why your kid isn't allowed at my house.

My best friend in college raised a pit bull from puppy to adult. Sweet as can be until it absolutely unprovoked bit my 18 month old DDs cheek. Luckily did not break skin. My friend-pregnant at the time-was heartbroken but immediately and responsibly sent to her parents who had rural, fenced in property. You are right to be cautious OP and the pit bull defenders are just wrong.

Anonymous wrote:OP if it were me I would put up a good fence around MY yard since you cannot control what they do with theirs. I also wouldn’t count on them always containing the dog, if it gets loose then it can enter your property at points other than the fence that borders you.
I don’t understand why people who have little kids bring this kind of dog into their house.

+1

Anonymous wrote:You need to relax.

Pit bulls can be some of the sweetest dogs out there - I know, I have a 90lb one with a 2 and 5 year old and have never even thought to be worried. Our dog's nickname is the gentle giant because she is so peaceful, tolerant, and low key. I've never even seen her bark at another dog nonetheless a person. Just because some people train their dogs to be aggressive doesn't mean all are. Talk to your neighbor about their training plan, let them know kindly that you're a little hesitant about a dog (not specifically a pit bull), but don't put out that harsh judgement before even meeting the dog or knowing the situation.

Any dog can be aggressive with the wrong training and any dog can be kind with the right training.

But pitbulls have some innate issues that are problematic. And their behavior with YOU and YOUR KIDS and everyone they've met so far doesn't necessarily predict what they will do with strangers. I hope you at least disclose owning the breed, or put the dog away, before you invite other kids or families over. It will probably be fine, but if it's isn't -- and it's more like to not be fine than if you had, say, a golden or just about any other dog -- you are going to be on the hook for A LOT of money and litigation, a lot of pain from likely having to put a dog down, and a lot of guilt for knowing this was always a possibility even if a slim one.

Anonymous wrote:Most of the tragic stories in the news about pit bulls are about dogs who were "total sweeties" until the moment they weren't.

Sorry, OP. I would be really upset as well. The broken fence doesn't exactly scream Responsible Dog Owner, either.

+1

I can't stomach reading all of this but I'm with you. I wouldn't let my kids over there. But their kids are welcome here!

Sucks. But their right to do!

OP if it were me I would put up a good fence around MY yard since you cannot control what they do with theirs. I also wouldn’t count on them always containing the dog, if it gets loose then it can enter your property at points other than the fence that borders you.
I don’t understand why people who have little kids bring this kind of dog into their house.

OP you are obviously correct.

You’re doing the right thing OP. They have no idea what the life of the dog was like before they rescued it. It’s not worth it. I wouldn’t let my kids be around it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most of the tragic stories in the news about pit bulls are about dogs who were "total sweeties" until the moment they weren't.

Sorry, OP. I would be really upset as well. The broken fence doesn't exactly scream Responsible Dog Owner, either.

Shockingly, I have a dog and NO fence. We walk our dog, and he doesn’t go out without a leash.

Jesus wept.

Uh, cool.

OP- you are going to want to get that fence fixed

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP here... My neighbors have a large pitbull that is not particularly well supervised. They also have a son the same age as mine and the boys are friends. I have made it a rule that my son can't play in their yard because of this dog. The boys are free to play in my yard. ( Their son is sort of free range and just shows up at our house unannounced.) I can tell the parents are angry about this because they have made comments about our son not being allowed to come over. Do I explain that it's because of their dog or would that make the situation even worse? I see how sensitive people are over their "sweetie" dogs but I'm just trying to do the right thing for my child.

I would be honest. "Sorry, but we are just not comfortable with our son playing in the same space as a large dog. We love your son and he is free to come over and play at any time. " and leave it at that.

+1

Anonymous wrote:NP here... My neighbors have a large pitbull that is not particularly well supervised. They also have a son the same age as mine and the boys are friends. I have made it a rule that my son can't play in their yard because of this dog. The boys are free to play in my yard. ( Their son is sort of free range and just shows up at our house unannounced.) I can tell the parents are angry about this because they have made comments about our son not being allowed to come over. Do I explain that it's because of their dog or would that make the situation even worse? I see how sensitive people are over their "sweetie" dogs but I'm just trying to do the right thing for my child.

I have 2 large dogs (lab mixes but definitely big) and I would take no personal offense to someone not wanting their kids playing with them/at my house with them. I have no concerns regarding aggression but big dogs can be scary for kids and adults and large dogs have attacked and hurt people so these fears aren’t baseless. I am not afraid my dogs will attack anyone but I’d never try to bully someone into a situation they were uncomfortable with

Anonymous wrote:Most of the tragic stories in the news about pit bulls are about dogs who were "total sweeties" until the moment they weren't.

Sorry, OP. I would be really upset as well. The broken fence doesn't exactly scream Responsible Dog Owner, either.

Shockingly, I have a dog and NO fence. We walk our dog, and he doesn’t go out without a leash.

Jesus wept.

Anonymous wrote:NP here... My neighbors have a large pitbull that is not particularly well supervised. They also have a son the same age as mine and the boys are friends. I have made it a rule that my son can't play in their yard because of this dog. The boys are free to play in my yard. ( Their son is sort of free range and just shows up at our house unannounced.) I can tell the parents are angry about this because they have made comments about our son not being allowed to come over. Do I explain that it's because of their dog or would that make the situation even worse? I see how sensitive people are over their "sweetie" dogs but I'm just trying to do the right thing for my child.

I would be honest. "Sorry, but we are just not comfortable with our son playing in the same space as a large dog. We love your son and he is free to come over and play at any time. " and leave it at that.

I'd give the neighbors an honest but unemotional response, as needed, such as: "We aren't comfortable having our kids around a rescue dog that is strong enough to do real damage. I'd never forgive myself if anything happened - it would be devastating to both our families and also to the dog. My kids love playing with yours, though, and your kids are always welcome in our home. I hope that if anything in our home made you uncomfortable, you'd tell me, and that's why I am letting you know. Thanks for understanding."

I sympathize, OP. I wouldn't like my kids around a pitbull. I'm still training my kids (toddlers) how to act around dogs and it would be unfair for both my kids and the dog to have them together. If they were in high school I'd probably feel differently -- less running around and screaming/ excitement.