Vent and question

[tylnn]

My family just got a new female red nose American Pit puppy, who is just absolutely georgeous and the sweetest thing, we already have a pit mix and I have been around them my entire life. I under no circumstances would put my children in danger and know that things can happen, so they are never left unattended with any dog. My little girl goes to school and is so excited about our new little girl that she is telling everyone. Well, one of her favorite teachers (who she looks up to) has the audacity to tell her that this little dog, that she loves so much already, will get mean and could attack her when it gets older. Now I know the stereotype and all the bad publicity they get, but to say that to an 8 yr old child just peeves me! Of course, I did damage control and explained to her why her favorite teacher might believe that could happen. But for her to even think that we would put our children in jeopardy appalls me even more. I am going back and forth with myself about talking to this teacher, my husband says to leave it alone....I am looking for other opinions...Should I just leave it alone or talk to her about it?

[RealPitBull]

Personally, if this was my child's teacher, I'd have a discussion with him/her. I find it appalling that a teacher would say frightening things to a young, impressionable student. If the teacher had any concerns about the child's safety she should have talked to YOU about it. VERY wreckless behavior on the part of the teacher.

[bullymommy25]

I would talk to the teacher and her supervisor immediatly. Stay calm and polite, but be firm, and be prepared to back up your statements with facts from the American Temperment Testing Society and other professionals.
It is beyond ignorance about the dog, it was entirely wrong of the teacher to attempt to frighten your child this way. A GOOD teacher who was ignorant would have talked to YOU. A BAD teacher who was ignorant would tell the child. Your teacher needs to be reprimanded. And for your comfort, I have a pit bull, a five year old, and I am due any day with my second child. I adore my family. My dog is a mush. =)

[Amanda Joy]

If my child's teacher made a comment about our pet, I would definately speak with the teacher. If that teacher can say something like that about a dog, what is stopping that teacher from making uneducated comments about other things? Speaking up will send the message that it isnt ok to teach with opinion rather than fact!

[AmyJo27]

yea i would also speak to the superintendant! They need to know that you want some thing to change!

[pitbullcowgirl1988]

Talk to the teacher and have facts to prove that what she is saying is wrong, yes the dog could grow up mean but thats not the case provided the dog as a loving and caring and responsible owner.(which you obviously are), and to keep her comments about things she doesnt know the jack about to herself!

[kayers76]

You have a wonderful opportunity to be a breed ambassador here! I am a teacher - and a pit bull owner so I speak often to my students about my dog, have his pics on my desk, share videos I have taken,etc. Arm yourself with some of the literature that Mary has compiled on this site and have a calm discussion with her about your concerns. Please be aware, though that this is a CRAZY, HECTIC time of year for us teachers and she may not read your stuff right away - maybe mid June! She should, however, reassure your child that her parents would never put her in danger and aplogize for that. Most teachers want to learn - that's our buisness and I hope this teacher is not an exception. I, personally would NOT call the superintendent until after you have talked to her - then, based on your ideas about being heard, follow your own path. Good luck to you!

[gina123]

i do not have any kids but if i did i will talk to the teacher.

[maryc]

Absolutely I'd talk to the teacher. I love Kayers ideas about using this as a teaching opportunity, arming yourself with lots of good positive stuff. Feel free to include some of the stories we have about Leo our MV dog and his therapy work and working with kids at a school. We get a lot of positive feedback from his stories.

and now...where are the pics of this puppy!! :-)

[hammer4]

I would also second kayers idea. It just dumbfounds me as to why a person i.e. teacher would say something like that to a child, imho being misinformed is no excuse to puttin a thought like that into a childs head.