Kind of upset...

[LILYLARUE]

I feel the same way. But in this day and age, one has to think the worst of ANY dog. We are well aware that there are few owners who socialize their dogs properly, any breed. I happen to be a very proactive pit bull breed owner. BUT I am always more cautious of the little ankle biters than I am of a pit bull on a leash.

I always tell those who fear the pit bull breeds, that "the pit bulls you have to be concerned about are the ones you don't see out in public. Bad owners who train these breeds to be aggressive, never take them out for walks, socialize them in dog parks, or even take them to the vet. The whole idea is for them to fear people and other dogs so they are more reactive in the fight. So if you see one walking on the street, then be gracious and give them a thumbs up for raising and training their dog to be well socialized."

Last week I saw the most beautiful sight - A late 60's couple walking 4 pit bulls. I had to say hi and gave them huge kudos for portraying them in a positive light and saving the breed from a horrible fate. They were all rescues!

 

[KotasMommie]

Last week I saw the most beautiful sight - A late 60's couple walking 4 pit bulls. I had to say hi and gave them huge kudos for portraying them in a positive light and saving the breed from a horrible fate. They were all rescues!

That's awesome. I have also been around pitbulls that had very good manners. Its not the breed that bothers me.

My neighbors oldest son is the one raising them, and his little brother is even scared of the dogs. He does the whole "watch em" thing and makes the pits go crazy. The younger brother is 8 yrs old. That's why im nervous. You never see them out and the oldest son is never home. They are always caged up barking and whining. They have a covering and I know they are let inside occasionally. I haven't seen the dad lately but I'll be talking to him soon.

 

[ELubas]

Threads like this make me sad. There are so many wonderful Pitbulls. Pitbulls are simply dogs just like any other breed. Dogs are individuals. And just like we should not label or pigeon hole any certain race or ethnicity the same goes with a breed of dog. I have met some really nasty & aggressive boxers (both people aggressive and dog aggressive). I have been bit by boxers. There are aggressive dogs in every breed. The most dangerous dog is an unsocialized dog (of any breed). Pitbulls are terriers and terriers can be scrappy with other animals if not properly socialized. But just like any other breed of dog pitbulls can run the gamut from dog aggressive to exceptionally dog friendly.

Nicely said and so true!!!!!! appicon My girl still has a scar on her face and it was a labrador retriever who bit her. It is the dog first, then the breed

 

[hmdupuis]

I used to agree with you, and had the opinion that each dog is a clean slate and can be molded and formed and taught to be a balanced, happy social dog.

That changed when I learned a little about genetics. The fact is that there is and has been a very large population of pitbulls that have been reared most unfortunately to behave in disgusting ways. So you have a group of pitbulls that are wired for destruction that I AGREE is a man made behavior. Now when these off balance dogs have puppies, those puppies are absolutely PRE-WIRED with this negative deadly trait. Yes, it may lay dormant with an owner doing all the right things and bad encounters never presenting themselves, but this is only part of it. Since they are very much pre-wired with these traits, they can awaken or activate that scary dormant behavior at any time. Its subconscious, involuntary, uncontrollable, but its inherent in their genetic make up.

My aunt rescued one of the pits she has. His story was broadcast on the news. If you have a weak stomach, don't read on.
He (Tank) and his brother were breed by a man who wanted to fight them. He took the pups in his basement and pulled out a milk crate, he held Tanks head on the crate and snipped his ears himself, right there in his basement. Neighbors heard the yelping and crying and called police. The police arrived in time to stop him before he got to the other puppy. Both pups were put up for adoption and thanks to the news, that's how my aunt found out about him. There were over 1,000 people that applied to adopt the pups. My aunt got Tank. Despite his less than perfect ears, 8 years later, Tank has grown up in a house with 3 little girls and had never once acted out aggressively. He doesn't even make a good gaurd dog, he greets everyone with a wagging bum.
I feel it all comes down to the owner. The owner of the pit that Tyson was playing with the other day was one who would likely have an aggressive pit. When Ceaser attacked his pit he told Ceasers dad to smack him. He used alot of profanity while having a normal convo with us and presented himself as a stereo-typical pit owner. That's why, although the pit seemed to only want to play, I was still nervous.

 

[Dell]

A serious fight is a scary thought. I whole heartedly agree with the posts pointing out that pits are just another breed...and a terrier at that and unfortunately some of them are victims of narrow minded, ignorant people. However, due to their breeding, they have super strong jaws and it can be very hard to get one to let go. They have the ability to clamp and really hold on (actually so do boxers...that adorable underbite in action).

If you ever are in a real fight situation, try pepper. Grab a handful and toss it on both dogs faces. No harm done and the sneezing breaks them up. Another way is "wheelbarrowing". Get the more agressive dog by the back legs and lift (better handle than the tail, but same idea). And remember, even play "fights" get really noisy. Noise isn't a bad thing at all. Usually the bad fights are actually quieter.

You can also look up how to properly introduce dogs to help avoid misunderstandings. Starting in a neutral place (sidewalk?) and doing what I call the maypole dance (nose to butt and circling) will help dogs get to know each other. Sorry you had the negative experience and then the bad dream. Hopefully you'll never need to use any of this info!!

 

[KotasMommie]

Thanks everyone for the great advice. I appreciate all of it. I hope I never have to use any of this info either!!

 

[MatersMom]

Nicely said and so true!!!!!! appicon My girl still has a scar on her face and it was a labrador retriever who bit her. It is the dog first, then the breed

We had a lab/pit mix and he was the sweetest thing. The most aggressive dog we had was a mini doxie that decided she didn't like the way Mater looked at her and put a scare on his face.

 

[Independence]

Our one and only female boxer was a mean dog when it came to any other dog but her Bubby. She would try to attack anything within 20 yards of her. She loved every person she ever met but she was NOT dog friendly at all.

Great saying "punish the deed, not the breed"....

I hope you never had to break up a fight, but I know I've gotten good advise here and would feel better prepared if it ever happens to us. Thanks for all the info.

 

[KotasMommie]

It definitely is the way it was raised.. I remember being young and walking up to a damnations thinking it would be nice and it almost snapped my fingers off because it had been abused. Any dog can be mean. What worries me is I never see them interact with their dogs. They always seem to be caged up and miserable or anxious to get out and stretch.