Bull Bashing

[ElizabethH]

Junior was in obedience class (for a while) with a pit bull. Before we started the trainer informed us that a bull would be there and if I chose another class he understood. The owners insisted that the pitbull was a sweetheart and was great around other dogs but the trainer was still wary. I thought we would try and see what happens. Well, the pitbull went CRAZY at the site of Junior. Literally crazy- (I was so proud because Junior just sat next to me and basically ignored the dog) The owner was embarassed and the trainer was frustrated because he spent the whole class trying to calm down the pitbull. (meanwhile, this is all occurring in the aisle at the Petsmart where the classes are held!) The owner kept insisting that the dog had never acted that way before but the trainer said most pitbulls have that instinct. We tried one more group class with the pitbull but they ended up taking him out. The trainer was so nice and offerred to do one on one with the pitbull but the owner declined. I felt sad for the dog :(

 

[Mike & Nala]

Lisa M

What I meant was that, after we sorted out the injuries from the mayhem. I looked up and saw Nala frolicking with the young pitbull. Realizing that Nala saw him as no threat, which means she won't be aggressive with him, it was okay for me to not rush over and grab her. However we went on our walk rather soon after this episode, making me feel more comfortable. What I was trying to point out was the ability of the pitbull to turn on and off. When Nala gets in a tiff with another dog, she is upset for several minutes afterward.

As far as riling people up. I wouldn't want to do that. But I needed to vent on what I saw and I suspected it would. But it needn't do that. Like I said I actually love all dogs, and contemplated getting a pitbull, but after checking into them and meeting a few, I instead opted for boxers.

Mike & Nala

 

[Kim Y]

Amy,
You brought up a few points regarding the HS that I didn't take time to consider (re most being volunteers, etc). Given that fact, however, I strongly feel that if you are going to be placing animals, you should possess some knowledge regarding them. Granted, being a nonprofit organization it isn't likely to happen. Sad sad sad. However, in this circumstance, it was the Humane Society's VET that placed the pup with my folks---not one of the volunteers. She knew better and she knew that with my folks age, they would have been better off with an older and calmer pet. I also put some blame with my folks for not waiting and making an educated decision BUT HS should have told them they didn't have any pets that they qualified for at the time. You are right and thanks for making me stop and think (I was coming from an emotional level). I appreciate your views. PS--I apologize to anyone working/volunteering for a humane society--I applaude your services and do not, by any means, wish to belittle your efforts.

 

[Badassboxer]

Can I ask a question

This may sound stupid, but I'm really not into genetics and stuff like that, but this has caught my interest: if they breed pits for destruction or fighting- can't responsible breeders, pit bull lovers, etc. (people like us, but for pits) get together to change how they are bred.

For example, some guy told me that Boxers were bred for protection, but through "selective" breeding, they are now family pets - (this is a quote from that dog training guy who was a real jerk - it may or may not be true - but just for an example) - can't they do this with the pit - are they? I mean, it seems only a loser would train their dog that way, and I'm sure there are many educated people who love pits as much as we love our Boxers that are breeding their dogs for family pets or just not so mean.

Does that make any sense? Is that possible? Is it happening? I'll look on the internet later - if I find anything, I'll post it.

 

[Jessica]

I have to agree, I think pits have somewhat been bred to have a more aggressive nature, although upbringing and training plays a HUGE part. My neighbor has two pit puppies. Originally, about two years ago, they brought home one puppy (pitbull). He was absolutely adorable and so sweet. He was a chocolate color with bright green eyes. We met him as a puppy and would occasionally go play with him through the fence next door and if he got out (which was usually 1-2 per week) and came into our yard, I never had any fear of him. He would usually play with Jake and then go home or we would just put him back in his backyard fence. Unfortunately, he had NO training and very little human interaction. One day he got out and was killed out in the street (by a car, the person didn't even stop, we all saw it and they just kept driving!).

Well, these people right away went and got not one, but TWO puppies this time! My husband and I don't understand, they don't pay any attention to them, do no training, we don't even ever notice them take the puppies to the vet for regular shots or anything! They just throw them in the backyard and we can enjoy hearing them wail at all hours of the night, especially if it's raining, snowing, cold, etc. Well, even though we met these two as puppies, too, they are VERY aggressive. I wouldn't pet them with a ten foot pole. They charge the fence growling and barking if we even walk on our side of the yard near theirs. Every time we go out they growl and bark at us, jumping on the fence trying to get at us! We're both terrified of them and won't leave our dogs out now if we're not home (I'm pretty sure they would kill Jake and Zoe if they had the chance.) I just keep praying that the neighbor has "fixed" the place his previous dog used to get out of and that these two NEVER come our way. My husband has said if they ever do, he's not afraid to get out his rifle or hand gun and shoot them. They are definitely not at all friendly or remotely similar to the previous pitbull they had. It's very said, but I think with socialization and training these two could have had a much better start in life. Now, they're going on a year old and I would be afraid for any people or animals they come in contact with. Again, I'm no pitbull expert and I don't "hate" all pits, I just think more responsible breeders and owners need to take charge of the breed. Jessica
-----------------------------------
Zoe-1/16/00, plain fawn, cropped, spayed, docked
Jake-2/3/98, yellow lab

 

[Sarah R]

Re: Can I ask a question

Originally posted by Badassboxer
This may sound stupid, but I'm really not into genetics and stuff like that, but this has caught my interest: if they breed pits for destruction or fighting- can't responsible breeders, pit bull lovers, etc. (people like us, but for pits) get together to change how they are bred.

For example, some guy told me that Boxers were bred for protection, but through "selective" breeding, they are now family pets - (this is a quote from that dog training guy who was a real jerk - it may or may not be true - but just for an example) - can't they do this with the pit - are they?]
I believe true lovers of the breed are doing this-The American Staffordshire Terrier-that is, lovers of the dog's non-fighting qualities. Unfortunatly many pit-bull breeders would be insulted if you suggested they breed for less agression, this is a good part of the reason they have these dogs in the first place.

 

[Mike & Nala]

Badass

Yes they can be bred to become better pets. But it would take people with a drive to do so. I am not a breeder nor that knowledgeable about such things. However that has never stopped me from expounding on something.

My guess is that, MAYBE, the people that are breeding them now, or at least a significant amount of them, are breeding them for aggressiveness. Which would make it somewhat dangerous for someone who wanted to breed them to change them. Because your going to get some bad ones.

Most likely I'm wrong, but the people that get them as puppies a lot of the time seem to want aggressive dogs. Most of my friends who have them, have gotten them as rescue dogs.


Again this is from someone who has no real knowledge is the area.

Mike & Nala

 

[Sarah R]

Originally posted by Sarah R

Originally posted by Badassboxer
This may sound stupid, but I'm really not into genetics and stuff like that, but this has caught my interest: if they breed pits for destruction or fighting- can't responsible breeders, pit bull lovers, etc. (people like us, but for pits) get together to change how they are bred.

For example, some guy told me that Boxers were bred for protection, but through "selective" breeding, they are now family pets - (this is a quote from that dog training guy who was a real jerk - it may or may not be true - but just for an example) - can't they do this with the pit - are they?]
I believe true lovers of the breed are doing this-The American Staffordshire Terrier-that is, lovers of the dog's non-fighting qualities. Unfortunatly many pit-bull breeders would be insulted if you suggested they breed for less agression, this is a good part of the reason they have these dogs in the first place.

To Badassboxer-
I inadvertantly added my reply to your quote. The last paragraph is my reply.
To Mike-
I believe true lovers of the breed are breeding for better qualities-the American Staffordshire Terrier. And I feel exactly the same as you Mike about the reason most people buy the non-AKC pit-bull. I guess if your dog is tough then by association so might you be? I'm not so certain that even with the best care and handling that I could ever fully trust a pit-bull and with all the other options out there I'll leave the pit-bulls alone.
You may find it interesting that in my community you cannot even own a pit-bull unless you carry a $100,000 liability policy on your dog. This tends to be a catch 22 because the policy is very expensive and hard to obtain. This may seem unfair but the law didn't get much opposition.

 

[Lee]

I'm going to have to agree with the genetics theory. My best friend in Junior High had a Pit. She was the biggest baby going! She just wanted to play with anyone or any dog she could find. There was never a moment that I felt uncomfortable around her. These people decided they would try their hand at breeding and kept one pup from the litter. This new pup was so anti-social it was scary. I would be petting her mom and she would be staring at me in the distance. I have never been scared of a dog until I met this pup. I moved a year after the new pup was born, so I have no idea if she ever acted agressively. IMHO she inherited these behaviours from the Stud.

 

[Brenda]

Having had very limited interaction with a pitbull, I will only comment on my own experience with one at the dog park two weeks ago. We took Harley in and were, immediately, met at the gate by two pitbulls (1 male, 1 female). They were very friendly and greeted Harley with much enthusiasm, tails wagging wildly. The owner inquired as to whether Harley was neutered or not. When we replied that he was and asked why he had asked us that he informed us that his intact male was aggressive with other intact male dogs. Harley ran off to play with them and everything went well until an intact male lab entered the play. The male pit started to growl and the hackles on his back went up. When the owner tried to get hold of him the pit lunged at the owner and sunk his teeth into his arm. We, immediately, leashed Harley and headed out of there and, upon returning home, phoned the volunteer organization that takes care of the park and left a complaint regarding this dog. We haven't been to the park since so don't know what else took place but I know that, in the future, if there's a pitbull in the park we won't be going in to play. While I realize that it's unfair to base my fear of pits on one experience, there is too much negative information about pits in the media so I refuse to take a chance with my life or my dogs.