need some honest answers from those who know what they are talking about...we recently got our first dog, she?

Am Staffs, as well as *all* terriers, are very hyperactive dogs, so of course your child/ren will occasionally be knocked over by a quickly wagging butt or a slipping foot on linoleum.

I've had roughly 30 Am Staffs come through my home this year ranging from 8 weeks to 6 years and I have a one year old niece who I babysit three times a week or more.

She's a hardy little kid-- meaning she's ran into her fair share of tables, fallen off couches, bumped into chairs and walls, and been knocked over by 200 pound Newfoundlands in her time-- never cries or whines, very rarely even stops to think "ow! better not do that twice."

Am Staffs are particularly aware of small children because they're very family motivated and love to be around people. That's not to say that you will never have a bump or push happen in your home- dogs will be dogs.

My niece was here a few weeks back and we had a six month old Am Staff who was what I call a medium-energy puppy, she got rambunctious on occasion, but typically she was a laid back dog. Well, one morning Gwendolyn was here, walking to the kitchen and Nelah [Am Staff] came barreling around the side of the table like she was on fire and ran head long into her-- the SECOND Gwendolyn hit the floor Nelah stopped and started licking her face. Ever since then Nelah takes her time when Gwendolyn is here, she'll be rowdy and rambunctious one moment and when Gwendolyn walks through the door she's immediately reserved and relaxed. Just shows you the sensitivity and intelligence of this particular breed.

Exercise is key- keep your dog on her feet with walks, runs, fetch and bike rides. Whenever the pooch wakes up from a nap, have her go outside and play fetch for a bit to work off some of that energy she's built up. Teach her to be careful around your daughter- don't promote rough play with people because she will carry it onto play with your daughter- even tug of war can get rough [unintentional] quickly, and with a four year old it may end with a bruise or cut from being knocked over. These dogs are strong- your daughter needs to understand and respect that. Your child is a precious member of the family- ALL children are to be treated like glass-- your dog needs to understand that.

Whenever I have an Am Staff or APBT come through my program they're socialized with children and the MOMENT they start to get the butt wiggles [meaning the over-excited tail wag that ends with a sprinting dog] they're corrected and led away until they're calm. Eventually, they understand that in order to greet and play with these precious little people, they need to be CALM.

We have had many breeds of dogs in 40 yrs. Have not had any Bully breeds. In my opinion they are not the best breed around small children. More suited to an older child...like a 10-12 yr old...

We recently had a litter of Austalian Shepherds....the people who bought my favorite puppy was so generous as to send us a video of our puppy around their 11 mos old grdghtr is not quite walking yet. The puppy and the baby were sharing the same blanket...baby started playing w/something...puppy saw it and wanted it... so got up and calmly walked over to the baby..who when sitting was as high off the ground as the puppy....puppy tried to take the toy from the baby....baby held on...but puppy won...and went to lie down next to the baby, making sure her back was to the baby so the baby could not reach for the toy again. It was such a gentle sight. I think that is what you should be looking for in a dog right now....gentleness...not the rough and rowdy actions of the Bulldog. Your dghtr is going to be knocked down many times....hopefully not in a dangerouse spot( on concrete or curb, step etc) I just would opt for the calmer more gentle breed right now. The Staffordshire is a fine breed....just not for small children. Just my opinion.

American Staffordshire Terriers are a very energetic and hyper dog, especially as puppies. Train them to be calm in the house and to not jump on people. They will always be energetic, but they will calm down a lot when they grow up.

Training is very important, though. They are strong, powerful dogs. If their energy is not controlled, they can hurt someone just by playing. And they're only going to get larger and stronger. So train your dog now while it's still a puppy.

Patient Paws has the best advice here.

However, I want to add, and this is important.

From the very beginning, teach the puppy that it is NOT OK to play-mouth-bite any human.

Stop the puppy hand-finger-chewing and bite playing from the very beginning.

31 years ago, I wasn't aware of how important this is for a bully breed, and the 8 month old pup dragged my 3 year old daughter by the arm, injuring her shoulder.

If he had been taught good manners and respect for humans of all sizes, this wouldn't have happened.

Wow, it is disgusting and intensely unhappy. while you at the instant are not getting as many shoppers, being a working lady and all, then why can no longer you bypass to the laundromat? according to hazard you will desire to get off yahoo solutions and bypass to the laundromat. i'm a unmarried mom as properly, and money is likewise tight. yet you may wager my daughter is my first priority. i've got not got plenty time, yet my toddler consistently has sparkling clothing, even until now I do if prefer be. It sickens me that undesirable babies have you ever for a "mom".

i really dont know about that certain breed, but my experience with other puppys is they are real,real, real hyper until about 1 or 11/2 year old. and thats from other people from all breed. i hope that helps you or atleast eases your mind a little

They are an energetic dog but that's no excuse. 90% of people in this country don't house train their dogs...not house break, house train. Your dog needs to be trained how to act in your home. In my home there's no running, there's no barking (unless somebody's at the door), there's no getting on the furniture, there's no hyperactive play, there's no chewing of anything other than toys or food! If you teach a dog how to behave in your home, and how to behave around your children, all should be well.