When I first got pregnant with ryder I was so worried how the dogs would take to him. People kept telling me pit bulls are not good to have around kids. Both dogs are older and pretty set in their ways. My dog Sadie is very protective of me. She follows me everywhere. When I first brought Ryder home Sadie would growl and pace a lot. I decided to take an approach where I made sure to only pet her when I was holding ryder or he was close to me. When I didn’t have him I pretended she wasn’t there. I wanted her to know that he was ok. So when he was close she got attention. After about 2 weeks she started to relax. By the time he was 1 month old she would actually lay next to me when I held him. As he got older and I would lay him on the floor to play or do tummy time, she would come over and lick him or just lay and watch him. Now that he’s 8 months old she follows him everywhere! She has to know where he is all the time. She gives him kisses all the time, lays her head on him and watches him play. It’s the most beautiful thing to see. 

Don’t ever listen to anyone when they say you can’t teach a dog to love and be ok with a baby. Like people, every dog is different. Sadie is a pit bull lab mix. When I tell people she’s part pit they freak out and can’t believe I let her around ryder. She’s a dog! Forget what type and ignore the stereotypes. She’s always been a sweet loving dog to me so I knew I could get her to love ryder too. Despite the bad rap they get, pit bulls can be the most loving and kind dogs if they are brought up correctly!