Aggressive Pit Bull lives in our neighborhood

dyan

Your right Jackie..any encounter with that dog could be disaster...for both dogs. Thats why I thought I would bring it here...trying to gather lots of different thoughts.  I know there is nothing I can do except keep my dog away from this big guy....but accidents happen all the time...and I sure don't want any.   I know these people are trying to keep the dog away from others and I hope they manage it.

 

Dyan, I have carefully read all of your posts in this thread and you have stated more than once that you understand and acknowledge that you have to be the person ultimately responsible for keeping Gibby safe.  You are very right about accidents happening.  Leashes break, people can lose their grip on the leash at the worst possible moment, etc.  There isn't anyone who has owned dogs for any length of time who hasn't been in a situation that quickly got out of control despite their best efforts.  I do believe that you fully appreciate what the issue is with this PB in the neighborhood.  As I said, I've had to deal with it for years and as careful as I am with my dogs, I know that I can be in a bad situation in a heartbeat.  All any of us can do, is our best effort. 

I do know you would never knowingly put Gibby at risk.  Only a few of the people on this thread chose to use language that would get most of us upset due to the accusatory tone.  Maybe they didn't read all of your responses or chose to be that way for their own reasons.  It is frustrating sometimes when we have to discuss things using a keyboard instead of having a normal conversation.  And some people choose to take a certain tone but I generally consider the source and take it from there.  I know I've posted in some threads and regretted my tone.  Maybe I was ticked off about something else and let that spill over into a post.  I hope you don't choose to leave the forum because of this thread. 

Dyan, I am reading your first post. I am going to assume you already are reconsidering letting your dog run off lead since he appears to have  a limited recall. A dog his size regardless of temperament running around leadless, is going to worry a certain segment of the population. That's just life with a Giant breed dog. Cleo is uber friendly to dogs and people alike. I cannot even imagine doing the leadless thing BECAUSE of that, and because her recall is not reliable.

Like others said what can you do to control another dog owned by another person who is right now at least, obeying EVERY RULE? You can be sure you are doing the same...and not make excuses for things that you can ultimately control. With a Giant dog there are Giant responsibilities...not the least of which is controlling them, either physically or with a ironclad training programme, every time they are in public or have access to the public.

CoBuHe

Kim, this is not the case.  Its not right to say that because folks aren't posting here, they don't want to help.  I care.  I simply don't have any more to offer than whats already been advised.

Ack, lol, I thought I typed it all out so that it made sense. Sorry! That was not what I meant!  Been a little tired with all the *dog stuff* lately...you'll need to forgive me just a wee bit.  Pweeeasse?? LOL.

What I mean was, I don't think that people are here to just cause trouble and make people feel bad.  The people who "don't care" about what happens, will not generally take the time to post. The people who are posting - are those who do care and who are trying to help the situation - not trying to judge. Does that make more sense?

Kim_MacMillan

Does that make more sense?

Yes...LOL 

DougB

If the PB and GD were to fight, there is a strong chance the GD would do serious harm to the PB.  Not promoting a fight, but the GDs were originally bred for a purpose.

Doug...I'm not sure that this is true.   I believe I COULD pry my dogs jaws open to get him to let go of something...I know we can't with the Pit Bull.  The Dane were bred for hunting and guarding.

But thanks for that information...I will have to read Ohio laws.  Muzzles....I never thought of them. I was always surprised when dog parents would make an appt at my clinic that I worked at and say " and please tell them that my dog needs a muzzzle!"  Or come in with one on.  It always shocked me..but I had so much respect for those people that cared enough about other people and dogs...and their own dogs to protect them from themselves.

Gina, Gibby is never running around in public. As I said the most we do is take him for a quick " pee " at the side of my house... with one of us..never letting him out by himself...and of course if people were out there we would not ever do that because he is way too friendly and thinks he is supposed to be petted by everyone.  That said..once not long ago while we were out there the little Pom next door ran over barking her fool head off at Gibby..he started to chase after her when she ran ( he goes to day care and is used to being by other dogs )  her and I yelled to him to stop and he did...and came back to me. I just would not trust him to do that all the time though...

Tina...your right, no I sure don't want anything to happen to Gibby. Thats why I opened this thread.

Jackie.......thank you for going back and reading what I really said.

dyan

I never thought of them. I was always surprised when dog parents would make an appt at my clinic that I worked at and say " and please tell them that my dog needs a muzzzle!"  Or come in with one on.  It always shocked me..

I always muzzle Willow in her own muzzle before she goes into her vet appointments.  Its way less stressful than having them bring me a muzzle that doesn't fit her that I have to mess around trying to adjust fast enough to get it on before the vet walks in, LOL.  But, I do not walk her with one daily. 

willowchow

Its way less stressful than having them bring me a muzzle that doesn't fit her that I have to mess around trying to adjust fast enough to get it on before the vet walks in,

Yep Lori...that happened quite often when I worked at the clinic too.

Kindredspirits

I think in your situation I would just leash your dog and keep the door locked so he can't go out when he wants.

Hi and thank you...I agree...my dog would also not like a dog running to him and getting in his face as I have stated about the little dog on my street that does it to him when we are walking by.   Gibby would run past your dog to get to you I'm afraid...he doesn't really care one way or another about dogs...I'm sure he thinks he is human.  LOL!  

But also... Gibby does not go out anytime he wants...not sure if I made it seem that way, but he certainly does not.   We take Gibby out when he has to go out...he really only goes out a few times a day... he goes out in the morning before 7AM leashed, and at night before bed.  I walk him usually twice a day, leashed of course. Most of the time we run him out for a pee at supper so he doesnt' ask then.  He doesn't need a bell...believe me he has learned how to get our attention when he wants to go out by taking his BIG FRONT FOOT and scraping his front claws on the heat register by the front door.  He has never gotten out, and never tried....my statement was that I guess he really could if he jumped and hit the handle the right way....and of course with this Pitty who the owner stated  hates dogs...I sure do'nt want him trying to get past him to his owner, which is what he would probably do if he were to go by them at all.  One of the accidents that I am worried about with the big pitty that hates dogs.   Thank you for your input.

dyan

he has learned how to get our attention when he wants to go out by taking his BIG FRONT FOOT and scraping his front claws on the heat register by the front door.

Yep...that works just fine.  LOL