[SharkAttack]

Parents raised us with two rottweilers in the family. Quite often left alone with our pets at age 8 and on. Granted, nothing ever happened, as I walked the dogs at that age(or they walked me,) but there was respect there. Should add in that we had one and then another 7 years later(Kurt and Murphy, respectively), not both at the same time. Still, I need to have a talk with my parents about that.

Quick answer: No, I would not leave pets with teeth, or claws, or beaks, alone with children.

[Vicky.]

See my head says no..but I was left alone with my dogs and I knew they would never harm me. Mind you I was about 10 or so at the time, so my parents had had a LOT of time to watch the dogs to make sure they never showed any signs of agression, they were both the most placid dogs you could ever meet..except once when our labrador thought a man who was helping my mum lift my pram over something was trying to take me away/harm me..gave everyone a shock that day. The dogs were so protective of me and my sister. They used to take so much **** too..things like us sitting on their backs to ride on them, pulling their tails to get them to play with us..etc (parents did used to tell us off for this and stop it, but the dogs never growled or anything when we tried). That said, I would never ever leave a baby or very young child alone with a dog..its just too much risk. Even if you know the dog is fine, there is always a very small chance that they could turn. They are wild animals after all.

[Niamh.]

Depends on the dog really, but tbh I'm never going to leave a young child alone anyway, either with or without a dog. And obviously it would depend on the size and breed of the dog.

[Amy Jade]

No, the child may hurt my dog.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by StupidHoe

No, the child may hurt my dog.

In fairness that's probably more likely to happen

It's an interesting question. I don't think all dogs have it in them at all. We used to have little cross collies when I was growing up, and they were the softest, and most loving dogs ever (doesn't everyone say that about their own pets though?). We had lots of land at my parents house, and I was about 5/6. They used to just follow me around apparently, and if the cats tried to approach me, they'd step in. Squirrels, other dogs or anything remotely dangerous, they'd put themselves in front of me. That's family love.

As humans we bred dogs based on their characteristics, so working and protection dogs I would be weary about, and also those little yappy things with small dog complex. But most people that own dogs leave their children with them at some point, and you never read headlines like "Dog cuddles child, and doesn't rip his/her face off".

You can't tell me that this Doberman could ever harm that child.

Youtube video

[Kazanne]

I have a King Charles Cavelier and a Pomeranian cross,both are gentle ,soft and good natured,I also have small children and although I trust the dogs,I would never take that risk of leaving them alone with them,anyway the dogs would probably come off worst

[lostalex]

I agree with you. For the safety of both the dog and the child it's not a good idea.

I never had a dog growing up, but my cousins did and they were AWFUL to their dog. They'd pull on it's ears, kick it if it was in their way. I'm still amazed that dog never fought back.

[Ammi]

..No, I would never leave a child alone with a dog..no matter how well you know the dog or how good natured it is..you can never be sure if some small thing could trigger something inside it's head and it could react to that..the child doesn't even have to be annoying it or anything...animals probably have 'association memories' like we do..and no one knows what they are...

[thesheriff443]

its a no from me.

[Vanessa]

No, the child could upset the dog by accident.

[mizzy25]

no i would not and more becasue of how the kid would behave towards the dog. as imo the dog wouldnt suddenly go for a child unless the child is provoking it. Obviosuly i know this isnt always the case as weve all seen in the news but most of the time a dog wont bother, but no i wudnt leave any of mine with a child unsupervised.

[Nedusa]

Depends on the size of the Dog. The dog should not be able to physically harm the child in any meaningful way. If in doubt then enforce a no dog rule...!!!