Expert: Alan J Turner, SATS LL1 - 2/23/2008

Question
Hi Alan,
Two weeks ago, my family adopted an 8 week old puppy from out local SPCA.  He was presented to us a "lab mix".  In fact, the workers listed several reasons why he wasn't a pit bull.  Our vet has since confirmed that the pupy definitely is a pit bull mix, possibly with German Sheperd or Lab.  We have a 4y/o daughter who is absolutely in love with this dog.  Right now, Pretzel (the dog), is very loving, playful and full of puppy mischief--chewing anything and everything, digging, working out house training issues, etc.  He does exhibit some herding behavior and nips at our heals.  Since learning that he has some pit bull heritage, I have done some research on-line and skimmed books on pit bull terriers.  Honestly, I am FREAKING out. One site mentioned that owners of pit bulls mixed w/guard breeds, like German Sheperds, should be especially wary. The site went on to indicate that these mixes should only be adopted out to homes experienced in pit bulls as these dogs can be more diffiult than pure blood pit bulls.  Is this true?  

My biggest concern is for my daughter.  Can I take a chance with my only child?  Am I a responsible parent?  My questions are listed below:

After my dog has matured, been adequately socialized, and completed obedience training, will I ever be able to leave him alone in a room with my daughter?...with my cat? Will I always have to crate him or put him outside when other children come over to play, or guests come over? Will he accept a new baby into our home?

The thing that keeps replaying in my head are all those quotes about dogs (including pit bulls) that were gentle, loving family pets that never displayed any aggression until right before it ate the baby.  The thought of getting rid of this dog kills me.  I have always thought poorly of people that adopted dogs and then got rid of them because they were too much work, or whatever.  I grew up with Golden Retrievers, I think they are pretty much the opposite of pit bulls.  I am in unfamiliar territory here.  Please advise.  HELP!!!
Thanks,
Jill

Answer
Dear Jill,

Thanks for the questions.

"After my dog has matured, been adequately socialized, and completed obedience training, will I ever be able to leave him alone in a room with my daughter?...with my cat? Will I always have to crate him or put him outside when other children come over to play, or guests come over? Will he accept a new baby into our home?"

Your concerns are warranted, not because of you dog's background, but because it is a powerful animal. I wouldn't leave any dog alone with any young child, because kids make poor choices when interacting with dogs. As far as accepting a baby, who knows? The deciding factors of whether a dog is safe around people is not as much about the breed as it is about the individual.

Pit Bulls were bred to fight other dogs, not attack humans. Terriers were bred to hunt and bite varmints, not humans. Retrievers were bred to bring back game, scent hounds to find game, shepherds bred to round up livestock, et cetera. That being said, I work with aggressive terriers, retrievers, hounds, shepherds, etc. that have threatened or bitten children and/or adults.  

There are many dogs, including pit mixes, that live with families and are trustworthy with children. There are some "bad" individual dogs out there just like there are some bad individual humans. How you raise and train your dog and how your child interacts with the dog is more of a factor than the breed. Visit http://apdt.com and search for a trainer that can guide you. Enjoy your puppy! Thanks for writing.

Alan J Turner
http://howsbentley.com
http://animalnewsnetwork.org