A concerned mother has sparked debate online after sharing her worries about her mother-in-law’s newly adopted rescue dog potentially posing a risk to her 14-month-old daughter.
The mother explained that her mother-in-law usually watches her daughter at their home every Tuesday. However, after adopting a new rescue dog just a few days ago, the grandmother now wants the mother to drop the child off at her house, where the baby would be introduced to the new pet.
The mother expressed her concerns, stating, “In my opinion, it’s not smart to have a 14-month-old around a dog they’re just getting to know. The dog is getting used to her new owners and their new home.”
Having had unpleasant experiences with dogs in the past, the mother admits she’s uneasy about the situation. “I can’t shake the idea of her being attacked,” she said, highlighting the potential dangers of a young child interacting with an unfamiliar animal. She pointed out that her daughter, who has only just started walking, doesn’t yet understand how to properly interact with animals.
“What happens if this brand-new dog gets poked, pulled, or doesn’t like her screaming? I just can’t get the idea of her being attacked out of my head,” she added.
When the mother brought up her concerns to her mother-in-law, she was met with offense. Despite this, the mother stressed that she isn’t opposed to her daughter eventually meeting the dog but believes more time is needed for the dog to acclimate to its new environment and for the family to understand its behavior better.
“My MIL will not respect how I feel and continues to push the matter. It would be different if my daughter could talk, be educated on how to introduce herself to a dog, how to give the dog space, and care for it properly. But she’s so little,” she explained.
Seeking advice, the mother turned to an online community, receiving a range of responses. One commenter suggested, “Give her the choice: A) she watches your child at your house like normal, without the dog, OR B) she doesn’t get grandma time at all.”
Another user agreed with the mother’s caution, advising, “Not sure how to deal with your MIL but you are 100% right not to let your kid near that dog. Honestly, arrange alternative childcare for Tuesdays—you’ve explained the situation, you’re correct, and owe nothing else.”
Others shared their personal experiences with dogs, reinforcing the mother’s fears. One user recounted, “I have two scars around my eye from when I was two and jumped on our sleeping family dog. I really can’t blame the dog, but I’m actually incredibly lucky my vision wasn’t affected.”
Another commenter criticized the grandmother’s understanding of dog behavior, saying, “She’s insane to want to introduce the new dog to a baby. What if it has a high prey drive? Just a baby squeal of excitement could be enough to kick that dog into predator mode.”
The debate underscores the broader concern many parents share about balancing the introduction of pets into a household with the safety of young children. As the discussion continues, it remains clear that this mother’s caution reflects a growing awareness of the potential risks involved.
