Don't leave dogs alone with babies

Dear Uncle Matty: Although my dog is not on any insurance company's dangerous breed list, I had to write in about this issue. A friend of the family owns a Yorkshire terrier, one of the smallest breeds around, which surely is not on any insurance company's dangerous breed list. Yorkies are so small, cute and lovable — most people assume there is no way they could be dangerous. But as you have pointed out time and again, there is no guarantee of safety or danger with a particular breed. By now, you know where this letter is going.

The family friend has adult children who are now having children of their own. The new grandparents (owners of the Yorkie) do a lot of baby-sitting these days. The dog, who grew up in a child-free home all his life, is not happy to be playing second fiddle to the grandchildren he sees as recent interlopers into his territory. Because the Yorkie is so small, these owners, like any number of small dog owners before them, saw no reason to properly train the dog, beyond potty training.

While the grandchild (still a baby at the time) was in the care of her grandparents, the Yorkie suddenly leaped at the child and bit her lip. Fortunately, because the grandparents were in the same room, they were able to keep the dog from doing any significant, permanent damage. Unfortunately, because the dog didn't do any such damage (he drew blood, but there is no scar), they still have not seen the error of their ways. They continue to allow the dog to be near their grandchild when she is in their care. (Clearly, if I were the adult child in this situation, I would no longer allow my parents to baby-sit my child, and when visiting, I would insist the dog not be allowed in the same room as the child.)

There ARE breeds that TEND to be more dangerous than others, but there are far more dangerous dog owners than there are "dangerous breeds." Certain breeds DO require special owners who understand the need for proper training and care — but at the end of the day, EVERY dog owner must recognize the responsibility of not only choosing a suitable dog but also doing right by that dog. Well-trained dogs aren't just safer dogs — they are happier dogs, and happier dogs make happier dog owners. It's such a simple concept, really, but sadly, too many humans just don't get it. —Lisa, West Palm Beach, Fla.