Last night my wife came home from a play-date for our 7-yr. old with a 1 yr. old, 70 lb-ish pitt bull. The ladies who owned her really couldn't handle her and kept her on a chain in their back yard. Since we have around 90 acres for her to run and my wife has always wanted a pitt, she gladly brought her home (without discussing it with me).
The good : She is a beautiful, butterscotch pitt. HUGE neck and head, healthy, STRONG, and full of energy. She is super friendly, great with me, my wife (Veronica) and the two "big girls" (7 and 11). We haven't let the baby (19 months) get near her yet.
The bad : We also have a Sheperd mix (Max), a chow (Shadow), a beagle (skippy), 2 cats, a rabbit, and a bird. We're pretty maxed-out on pets. Max has always been the dominant one (8 years now), and rules the pack with a firm, fair paw. The Pitt (princess) goes nuts around the other dogs. She took to Skippy pretty quick, but he is verry small and about the same age. She and Max have already had a go. She is stronger than max and I am worried about him. I'm also worried about Shadow as she is much weaker and doesn't get around that well. She hasn't shown any intrest in the cats yet, but either of them or the rabbit would barely make a meal for her. I have to haul her around from the house to the kennel, and around the yard because she drags Veronica around like a rag doll.
What is the best way to introduce the animals? What do I need to look for to know that everything is OK, and feel safe with the baby around her?
I've introduced dogs before, but the stakes were never this high. I know there are a lot of PB owners on here and have seen pics of small children playing with them, but I have also seen pics of kids that have been mauled, I do not want to be in that second group. I am already getting attached to her, but if she is not safe around the other dogs or kids I will, most likely put her down. The animal shelters put down Pits after a few days, and I'd be afraid anyone who took her would fight her (vry big in Birmingham).