Daycare Provider Purchased Pit Bull Mix

Yes! Yes! Yes! And AMEN!!!

Offended!!

I would be so offended if one of my daycare parents had an issue and tried to rile up the other parents to get me to hear them!!! Obviously you noticed the dog- I'm sure other families have too! If they have an issue hopefully they will be adult enough to bring it up on their own! If the provider hears separately from numerous families then maybe she will re-think her position.
If you love her as much as you say- trust her- talk to her about your concerns- one on one and see if you can come to an understanding... If not then move on-
I personally have 5! Dogs and not one of them is w daycare kids- rarely they will go for a walk with us but otherwise there is no interaction- it is for my dogs protection- not my daycare kids!! It is very possible she has the same thought! People don't teach their children to be respectful of animals and I cannot supervise 100% therefore kids and dogs are kept separate.
I would suggest you take a breath and think if you want this to work out... If you do talk to her one on one with an open mind. If not give your two weeks and move on...
And to whom ever said he shouldn't pay two weeks notice: she clearly stated the dog is not with the daycare kids- so no threat!!

If I don't want keep my child with a provider's dog i have to look for other provider. I can't put my rules in her home.

[DaisyMamma]

I personally think you should come out of your bubble and stop being so ignorant. First off this is her home and her family. What she chooses to do on her off time is not your concern. She does not need to ask YOUR permission to get a family pet. Especially if the pet is being kept separate. I would NEVER get rid of a member of MY family over an ignorant daycare parent. You would go before my pet.

[DaisyMamma]

Hi there - first post. We have our toddler daughter, and soon will have a 3 month old girl placed in daycare run out of a woman's home in Illinois. Recently, my wife noticed as she was leaving a puppy in the back yard that seemed to be pit bull-like in appearance. Anyway, I happened upon the woman who runs the daycare while she was walking said puppy. I used to raise dogs & know a fair amount about them so I asked her first if it was her puppy - she said yes. I then asked what kind it was to which she squeemishly replied 'it's a weimaraner mix'. Well, it indeed had weimaraner, but was unmistakabley mixed with a pit bull - and I'm guessing it was a rescue. She went on to say how she sort of 'introduced' the dog so it knew there were kids around.... but that it was kept separate the entire time, etc... I didn't bring up the fact that it was clearly half pit bull - figured I'd wait to discuss with my wife first.

Before getting to my concerns (if they're not apparent already) - let me just say that I am not interested in debating issues related to this 'misunderstood' breed. I don't want to hear any anectotal stories about specific pit bulls that you have or know that are just the sweetest little cup of warm butter that wouldn't hurt a fly. I don't want to hear about the deadly Pomeranian back in '93 or the vast media conspiracy stereotyping this breed or how it's the 'owners not the dogs' - besides, I don't want to have to trust her or her two tweener boys to be responsible pit mix owners - and over time, there is NO WAY she'd be able to guarantee the dog would remain separated from the kids at all times... at SOME point, it'll squeak by her - jump or push a gate - something - anyone who has owned so much as a Maltese can tell you that - and 'new' encounters with toddlers and babies at face level can go very wrong. Again, I know plenty about dogs... and I know differnet breeds have different tendencies relative to behavior that have been re-inforced thru selective manipulation over time. Pits are not the only breed that would concern me - but they are at the top of my list based in part on the overwhelming statistical data, their historical 'function' which preceded their current 'form', and perhaps most critically - their sheer physical makeup in terms of capacity to inflict severe damage should the unlikely ever occur. Bottom line - I'm not going to be influenced by any anthropromorphic evaluation of this breed relative to some generalized aversion to bigotry - my daughters' safety trumps all.

SO - what do I do? We LOVE the daycare - the other kids/parents - the provider is great. It's convenient - not too expensive - etc... and now THIS. If I voice concerns and they get rid of the dog - well great, now WE'RE the jerks who made them get rid of their precious puppy - probably sending her OWN two kids to tears... I certainly wouldn't want the person watching my kids to hate their parents. I tried to look around to see if there were any laws in IL against this, or insurance issues that I could reference so as to 'help advise' her... I know in California, they'll deny insurance for any injuries caused by certain breeds of dogs... but that's it - and nothing in IL. I'm thinking my only option is to find somewhere else to go - which is going to be challenging & disappointing on many levels. Frankly, I'm ticked that she would even MAKE such a decision without so much as consulting any of her clients - it's a bad business move seeing as I am NOT the only person who would have this concern. Any advice on other options I may not be seeing would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

That's cute. You think she would keep you over the dog. Haha. She will send you packing. ::

BTW. Pitbulls are bred to fight other dogs, not kids. They are TAUGHT to attack humans. So a puppy is probably fine.

[frgsonmysox]

Old thread but worth sharing. Pit bull is NOT a breed.

"”Pit bull” is NOT a breed. It's a generic term often used to describe all dogs with similar traits and characteristics known to the public as "pit bulls." When we use the term “pit bull” here, it should be understood to encompass American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and mixes of those breeds.

Remember: In most cases, we usually know little about the background of rescue dogs. Since there is no way to know for sure, we recommend following the advice offered by PBRC for any pit bull-type dog. Most of our guidelines are simply basic rules of dog ownership."

[Crazy In Mo]

I hav had a pit for 11 years and although he is never around my daycare kids I completely trust him 100 times more around kids than my shih-tzu. The whole pit bull topic really just makes me sad! People are so misinformed on the breed!

[Scout]

If you are at all uncomfortable, which I think its pretty clear you are, then I would look for other care. You need peace of mind in where you are leaving your children, not just with who you are leaving them with. I would not want to spend every day worrying about that as a parent. As a provider I would not want one of my parents to either.

[littlemissmuffet]

Hi there - first post. We have our toddler daughter, and soon will have a 3 month old girl placed in daycare run out of a woman's home in Illinois. Recently, my wife noticed as she was leaving a puppy in the back yard that seemed to be pit bull-like in appearance. Anyway, I happened upon the woman who runs the daycare while she was walking said puppy. I used to raise dogs & know a fair amount about them so I asked her first if it was her puppy - she said yes. I then asked what kind it was to which she squeemishly replied 'it's a weimaraner mix'. Well, it indeed had weimaraner, but was unmistakabley mixed with a pit bull - and I'm guessing it was a rescue. She went on to say how she sort of 'introduced' the dog so it knew there were kids around.... but that it was kept separate the entire time, etc... I didn't bring up the fact that it was clearly half pit bull - figured I'd wait to discuss with my wife first.

Before getting to my concerns (if they're not apparent already) - let me just say that I am not interested in debating issues related to this 'misunderstood' breed. I don't want to hear any anectotal stories about specific pit bulls that you have or know that are just the sweetest little cup of warm butter that wouldn't hurt a fly. I don't want to hear about the deadly Pomeranian back in '93 or the vast media conspiracy stereotyping this breed or how it's the 'owners not the dogs' - besides, I don't want to have to trust her or her two tweener boys to be responsible pit mix owners - and over time, there is NO WAY she'd be able to guarantee the dog would remain separated from the kids at all times... at SOME point, it'll squeak by her - jump or push a gate - something - anyone who has owned so much as a Maltese can tell you that - and 'new' encounters with toddlers and babies at face level can go very wrong. Again, I know plenty about dogs... and I know differnet breeds have different tendencies relative to behavior that have been re-inforced thru selective manipulation over time. Pits are not the only breed that would concern me - but they are at the top of my list based in part on the overwhelming statistical data, their historical 'function' which preceded their current 'form', and perhaps most critically - their sheer physical makeup in terms of capacity to inflict severe damage should the unlikely ever occur. Bottom line - I'm not going to be influenced by any anthropromorphic evaluation of this breed relative to some generalized aversion to bigotry - my daughters' safety trumps all.

SO - what do I do? We LOVE the daycare - the other kids/parents - the provider is great. It's convenient - not too expensive - etc... and now THIS. If I voice concerns and they get rid of the dog - well great, now WE'RE the jerks who made them get rid of their precious puppy - probably sending her OWN two kids to tears... I certainly wouldn't want the person watching my kids to hate their parents. I tried to look around to see if there were any laws in IL against this, or insurance issues that I could reference so as to 'help advise' her... I know in California, they'll deny insurance for any injuries caused by certain breeds of dogs... but that's it - and nothing in IL. I'm thinking my only option is to find somewhere else to go - which is going to be challenging & disappointing on many levels. Frankly, I'm ticked that she would even MAKE such a decision without so much as consulting any of her clients - it's a bad business move seeing as I am NOT the only person who would have this concern. Any advice on other options I may not be seeing would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Either deal with it or leave. Simple. If a parent ever came in my home and voiced their concerns about one of our pets I would reply with "I appreciate your concerns, but this is my home and we don't involve clients in decisions such as whether or not we have a pet/what kind/etc. I understand if you don't want your child around my pet, but please know, I will always choose *MY* family over a daycare family. Sorry. If you choose to leave, please remember to follow policy in regards to notice."

Find a new provider

Let me start out by letting you know I own a Pit Bull. She loves my kids and is without question the sweetest and most gentle dog I've ever been around.

That being said, they ARE a powerful breed. As with any dog, they can be dangerous if you do not know how to control them.

I would have serious reservations about sending my kids to any daycare that had large dogs without getting to know the dogs and see their temperment first hand.

If you are that worried just put your kids with a different provider. Make up some other excuse. It may be more money and it may be less convenient but your childs safety is worth it.

IMO, if your provider wants to do things right, she will have the puppy around the children every day all the time in order to properly socialize the dog. She'll also need to use that opportunity to teach the dog what behavior is ans is not acceptable with children.

[clep]

I have three mini dachshunds, one pit mix, one cat, two snakes, one bearded dragon and two leopard gekos. I used to have one whole floor of reptiles ranging from chameleons to basilisks to tegus.

My day home is on a separate floor away from my pets and my pets do not roam free at all during day home hours. My dogs are behind a closed door and other pets are in their cages. Well the cat roams free. I saw a post earlier from someone that stated there is no possible way to separate the pets from the day home consistently without accidental contact, but I have done that for five years. I have NEVER had accidental contact with one of my pets ever with a day home child or parent. It is about being a responsible pet owner and day care provider.

My parents trust me completely. They trust my judgement with their precious children in all aspects. I consult with them concerning every person in my home, but not about my pets, since my pets do not come in contact.

The parents did ask at one point if I could start exposing their children to the pets in a controlled environment for the experiences, so I do from time to time. Only one dog can come into the day home space at a time and only if they are tethered to me at all times. It is easy to do.

We have done units on dogs, cats and reptiles. They have loved them all and have had parent/child interaction times so the parents can see all the awesome pets we have.

On another note, I am astonished by the black and white thinking of some, By the breed discrimination, and lack of knowledge in this area. I am saddened that pets are held responsible for the behaviors created by the poor skills of their owners.....just like I am saddened by the children that are held responsible for the behaviors created by a lack of parenting skills.

Maybe check out KIKOPUP on you tube if any of you want to see the results of positive dog teaching and the results it brings.

[daycaremom76]

I am a daycare provider with a 100lb American Bulldog (looks exactly like a pit) a yorkie and a shih-tzu. I believe that any dog can be a loving dog. That being said I am aware that my clientel is limited because of my choice to have dogs and the breed of dogs I have. Whenever I have a new parent interview the first thing they do is meet my dogs so that way we don't waste another second of each others time and I have lost new parents because of my ABD. As a responsible dog owner and provider I would never add another dog (or cat) to my home w/o giving my DCPs advance notice that one was coming. Adding another dog to the household does effect my business and I would want to give enough notice that if someone didn't want their child their with that dog that they would be able to leave w/o concern. If I was a parent I would want my provider to give advance notice before adding any type of dog to the center.

[daycarediva]

Also, as a provider, I WILL NOT get a dog. It raises my liability insurance WAY too much AND it IS breed specific. I could not be insured by my current company if I were to get a pitbull (and several other breeds)

[daycarediva]

Thanks - and don't get me wrong... I LOVE dogs - grew up with them - all I can manage is fish for the time being but would love to get our own dog one day. It's just that, IMO, this breed raises particular concerns - and I can't trust how it's going to be raised, what its individual temperment will turn out to be - where it came from - or what it will do. The fact is that in the majority of cases where a dog attack occurs, it's happened 'out of the blue' - where an otherwise saintly animal has a 'bad moment' one day... and surprise! My own parents' terrier had just such a day & snapped at my daughter... but THAT dog is a Yorkie so what's the worst that can happen? Compare that to the firepower of a pit mix & the consequences are exponentially different. Really, ANY dog is a big responsibility - bigger still if you're running a business that cares for small children/babies out of its residence. It's one thing if she had an established dog when we signed up - then we could make that decision... but to bring in an unproven pit mix rescue puppy without so much as a mention? I know it's her right to do as per the current laws - as it is our right to switch daycares - but as we all know, it's not as easy as switching brands of beer here... and if you think I'M upset by all this - boy, you should talk to my wife!

My daughter was attacked by a pit-mix rescued as a puppy. It was a neighbors dog who broke the door down to go after her. She almost lost her life (and is scared for life). I would find another daycare. Bottom line is the safety of your child, if you don't believe that she is safe, then it is up to you to ENSURE that she is.

[crazydaycarelady]

I haven't had time to read all of the responses but wanted to add my 2 cents.

First off I don't think a provider has to consult her clients prior to getting a pet. This is our home too and as long as I make arrangements for the pet so that it does not affect the dc then I think it is the providers business.

Also I think that before you give notice you should talk to the provider. I ask my dcparents to talk to me if they have any concerns and they do. Maybe you can come up with a solution and maybe not but if you like the provider, she does a good job, and your preference would be to stay with her then I think it is only fair to be honest with her about your concerns.