Midwife + Dog

[evieburkex]

Just had my first home visit I'm 36 week + 1, I told the midwife I had a dog and she was ok with that.

She came and my dog is a Staffy x American Bulldog so to some people I agree quite scary. I had no concerns at all, she's as soft as a brush, loves cuddles and kisses etc.

Then when midwife came as soon as she saw her breed she started to act funny and was sayin "I usually like dogs but her I can't be near her", my dog was bein fussy and I said sorry she will calm down your just new to her.

Anyway long story short, I then had the shock of my life when the dog then growled at her!!! I have never seen her do that before unless threatened!!!!!  The midwife then said she feels threatened and she can't do the visit said she will try n squeeze me in at clinic tomorrow.

I am now a panicky mess, can midwives report dogs?! Because that is so unlike her and I'm now so worried that she'll get taken off me or social workers involved :( does anyone know?

[RockRose]

Growling isn't a big deal in any others except the fighting breeds.  A pit mix who growls at someone who is clearly afraid of her is dangerous.

Pits don't attack aggressive people - they attack weak ones,  which is the opposite of other dog breeds.   Other dog breeds attack someone who is clearly a threat,  or is a threat to them,  such as grandma's cocker spaniel biting a preschooler who keeps bonking it with a toy.  

Pit bulls and mixes attack the weakest and make prey of them.    Old people,  pregnant women,  children,  and people having seizures or some other incapacitating condition.  You never hear of a pit bull mauling a 30 year old landscape worker.  It's always someone defenseless who is trying to get away.  

I have loved lots of pits and mixes,  and feel strongly about them,  but a pit mix who growls at your midwife who is afraid is dangerous.

[MamaofMaiMai]

My dog has growled at a few people, I don't think growling is that big of a deal, it's in my opinion a safe way of expressing themselves and their opinion on a person or situation. If she'd snapped at her then I would be concerned.

[Danielleberger1]

I think your dog was probably worried about the new person in their environment and they were trying to say they are the protector. My dog is fine with new people, she just barks for a while, so I have to put her in a kennel when people come and cover her up. But she gets over it after a while. I would probably lock your dog up if your midwife comes over again and apologize to her. But they can't have anything against the dog unless they attacked. But my dog is a chocolate lab and pit bull mix, you just have to work with the dog and make them feel comfortable when people come over. Also tell your midwife to put off different energy if she comes over again so she doesn't make your dog nervous.

[eesscott]

My parents have a Beagle that growls at my 86yr old great uncle who I have known my whole life. One of the best and sweetest men I know. My friend's dog raises its fur at every black person it passes on the street. Dogs instincts aren't always right.

[sorenr]

I always kept my 2 dogs locked away when the midwife came to visit, not because they're vicious but a little "overenthusiastic" with their greetings. Some people don't like it and they're large dogs so I always put them away when strangers come to visit until I've established whether they are prepared to deal with a BIG welcome! Speak to her at the clinic and maybe offer to lock the dog away during her visits if she is uncomfortable with it?

I love dogs and every dog should be treated well and loved, but I would personally be nervous of a bull breed simply because of the damage they can do with one bite, their teeth are made that way and that's not their fault, I'm sure your dog is lovely, but it would make me nervous as I have no experience of them and I know it would be my own fault that I would maybe provoke that response too, but not everyone understands that they can cause a dog to be nervous.  

Have to agree in a way with some of the above comments though...I trust my dogs instincts when it comes to people, if they don't like them, I probably shouldn't either.

[eesscott]

^^ Very much agree with RockRose. I don't think it's your midwife that the potential problem here...

[RockRose]

I'm an advocate for pit bulls,  and feel strongly that they get a bad rap and the shelters are full of them because people breed them so irresponsibly.  Most are big wiggle bunnies.

Having said that,  let me express this.

Pit bulls should never,  ever,  ever display human aggression.  Ever.  I am alarmed that you said she never growls except when she feels threatened.  

Your dog is a loose cannon.  It's a matter of time before someone gets mauled.  

Back in the sad olde dogmen days,  when it was acceptable to breed pit bulls  for the fighting ring for sport,  any dog that ever ever showed aggression toward humans was immediately euthanized and removed from the breeding pool.

It understood that almost all Pit bulls have a degree of dog aggression,  from wariness to outright passionate viciousness,  but it is never acceptable for a pit bull to growl at a human.  They should never be used as guard dogs,  as it results in crazed behavior from them,  unlike other breeds that are bred to be guardians.

[Miyu19]

The dog just didn't like the feeling from the midwife since the midwife didn't like her. Unless she bit the midwife, the dog can't be taken away. What am awful lady. If my midwife does that to my pitt she's gone.

[L1lRed]

I sincerely believe that dogs are excellent judges of people.  If your dog is, as you say, never like that, I would double check the midwife.

[kennysbabygurl]

I'm 16 weeks pregnant buh I don't have a nig belly yet this is my first child should I talk to my heathcare Provider about it?

[suggsbaby]

its ur dog way of say she know things are changing there is a baby coming and she will protect the baby, the midwife should of know that

[suggsbaby]

its ur dog way of say she know things are changing there is a baby coming and she will protect the baby, the midwife should of know that

[FTMaudra]

First, no she can't report you or the dog. Second, your midwife sounds really dramatic. Dogs can sense when people are afraid of them or don't like them, but they interpret it as danger. Hence, the growling. If your midwife would have been nice to the dog and not acted weird around her the dog would probably have never growled at her. I hate that people are so prejudiced against certain breeds it's ridiculous

[TaffyThumper]

I mean, she was showing fear in the dogs territory.. I would have been threatened to.. Also, dogs know you're pregnant and tend to be more defensive around the mother and child. It's their way of saying "I promise to be this child's life protector".

[desjosie]

I highly doubt it. However dogs have intuition. If your dog does not act that way normally then I think maybe you should think about the midwife you have selected.

[ChloeLeannexo]

Can't do nothing from just a growl

[maw4389]

Pretty sure they can't do much unless the dog actually tried to bite or attack her...