Yet another pit bull story

That makes me just want to cry. As a pit bull owner I have no problem saying that those dogs should have been taken away from that owner and tried to be rehabilitized or (god forbid) put down if need be so they don't do this again.
 

This story really upsets me. I am an owner of a pitt/lab mix and when we lived in the city we were constantly approached about breeding him. Thank God he was fixed but we knew they wanted to breed to fight. It breaks my heart. One of our neighors bought a pure breed blue nose pitt bull who grandfather was a championship fighter. He was PROUD. I was DISGUSTED. They think it is cool to own these dogs and to fight them. I agree it is the humans not the animal. I was once told by a kennel that my dog was a liability and not an assesst. I was furious. My dog is one of the sweetest dogs you will ever meet. Yes he looks scary to others because he has a big pitt head and is black but he is not the one to worry about. I would be afraid that one of my other dogs would do something before he would. I wish the reporters would have reported both sides. It makes the pittbulls look like the enemy.
    My mom thought the samething about pittbulls and so did her boyfriend. They were scared and told me I was stupid for having one. But know they both love him and they tell others how nice and sweet he is. They now agree it is in how you rasie them.
 

Well, that's only partly true.  It is about how you raise them, but that isn't the only story - some of them will become dog aggressive when they mature, no matter how hard you try to train and socialize them.  It's just in them.  But, that doesn't mean that they can't be good pets - they just shouldn't be trusted at the dog park, or off lead.  They need to be managed appropriately.  But, that's true of other breeds, too.  If I hadn't managed my Aussie pup, no doubt she would be chasing kids and nipping them - Aussies (like many other herding breeds) have an inherent desire to stop motion.  But, because I am aware of her breed characteristics, I train her to "leave it", and "that'll do".  Plus, I do not put her into situations that endanger her, or anyone else.  Wish all the Pit owners would do the same.  I fear that if they don't, BSL will be unstoppable:-((
 

ORIGINAL: spiritdogs

Well, that's only partly true.  It is about how you raise them, but that isn't the only story - some of them will become dog aggressive when they mature, no matter how hard you try to train and socialize them.  It's just in them.  But, that doesn't mean that they can't be good pets - they just shouldn't be trusted at the dog park, or off lead. 

I would RESPECTIVELY like to say that the above statement is pure opinion and not based on any facts. I am not saying this as a invitation to a arguement, nor do I disagree with the facts that some specific breeds of dogs have certian drives that instill aggerssive temperments.
I do disagree with the fact that they are not able to EVER play with other dogs and that it is "just in them no matter how much you socialize and train them"
If that were the case then the aussie's would not be able to be trained to stop nipping. Same as with the aussie's, they can be trained out of it. I do not have a false idea about the breed because I favor them, but with a topic wrapped up in so much controversy I suggest leaving those comments to yourself so as not to influence somebody else and leave them to form their own opinion of the dogs by way of intteraction without your pre-warned, opinionated suggestion that these dogs can never be healthy loving dogs. I'm disgusted that you would try to pass your uneducated opinion as fact and pretend that you are a advocate for the breed.
I also understand that not everyone is going to appreciate my above statement and some of you may outright argue me on it, thats fine I'll live with it. I just hope that all of the uneducated people who read this post will try to see the obvious, that this is one of god's creatures and any influential characteristics it has, was imposed by humans and as humans its our job to correct the problem, not throw up our hands and say ohwell, "its just in them"
I would really love to hear from the source that you got these supposed findings, please be so kind as to direct me towards the source so I may have a better understanding of your opinion.
This is where I get my information. A organization recognized by most national kennel clubs.
[linkhttp://ncrf2004.tripod.com/id12.html]http://ncrf2004.tripod.com/id12.html[/link]

Also try visiting [linkhttp://www.atts.org]www.atts.org[/link]
They give statistics on dog temperment by breed, you may be surprised!
 
 [linkhttp://ncrf2004.tripod.com/id5.html]http://ncrf2004.tripod.com/id5.html[/link]

You make a great point.   If any breed of dog is allowed to be aggressive, he/she will.  Unfortunately, its the owners who have either ignored or encouraged aggressive behavior in these dogs that have given this breed a terrible name.  I own a German Shepherd and an Aussie. Both have the potential to be aggressive.  I, as their owner and their lead alpha, do not allow that.  I don't know that a natural instinct, like herding, can be trained "out" of the breed.  But it can be controlled in a breed.  Beagles are natural searchers.  It can drive you nuts when they are on a scent and howling.  But we can train a beagle when and when not to search.  Understanding that about the dog, helps to understand the dog. 
Non-educated owners are detrimental to any breed.
 
Knowing your breed and breed characteristics is vital to a dog's safety. 
 

Erienge,
Thank you for approaching this topic in a manner that appeals to everyone. I realize that my last reply was considerably heated and while I'm not apologizing I will take your example of diplomacy and try to follow suit.
I agree with what you posted but will always stand by my belief that a leopard can change its spots. As mentioned before, I don't deny the built in nature of specific breeds. I will apologize for asking her to keep her opinion to herself, that is exactly what this forum is for. If miss spirit dogs does take anything from my heartfelt rant I hope she takes away with not passing opinion as fact. I do appreciate being a part of this forum, I welcome healthy discussions and hope that everyone who reads this can see it as that instead of a personal attack which a lot do.

ORIGINAL: spiritdogs

Our local CBS affiliate in Boston ran a story of a Pit attack in Brockton (lotsa drug dealers in that town).  It seems a man tried to grab two loose Pits and take them back to their own yard.  One of them attacked him.  The guy is a dog lover, so apparently he thought he could just grab a Pitty by the collar and drag him home.  Bad idea.

 
I'd just like to comment on this statement--there is no reason why a STABLE pit would attack someone trying to grab his collar.  They are NOT supposed to be aggressive towards or particularly suspicious of strangers.
 
A stable pit would have been fine with it.

Of course you are right, sillysally, but perhaps not in the context of where this person lives.  The area is home to a lot of drug activity, so it isn't a good idea to assume that a any Pit you meet is stable, especially if it's just out wandering the streets.
 

I don't think it's a good idea to just assume any loose dog is stable, regardless of the breed. 

Me either, sillysally!  Especially, if it's wearing spikes.  To me, that says something about the owner of the dog, thus a clue to the dog's nature.

Shep,
I don't want to start an argument but what Spirit Dogs says is NOT opinion and is absolutely fact.  I am involved in Pit Bull rescue and any GOOD pit bull owner knows that the number one rule of pit bull ownership is "never trust a pit bull not to fight"
This is what they were bred for.  They fight.  Not all pits are dog aggressive.  I have 2 that are not.
Just so you know.......pits sometimes do not "turn on" until they are 18 months or older.  What this term means is that they can get along with other dogs and then all of a
sudden they don't.  This is not to be confused with "turning against"  like becoming bad or anything. This is what they do.
They absolutely do not belong in dog parks.  Another thing about pits that inexperienced owners do not understand is that alot of pit bulls will not start a fight but they
will finnish one.  Of course it's always the pit bull's fault and guess who gets the bad press or worse.
I'll get off my soap box now......if any inexperienced pit bull owners on this board really give a crap about your dogs I suggest you do some research.  Spend time on the
internet and you will be amazed at what you learn.  It worked for me 4 years ago.  I was inexperienced and my dog paid for it with his life.  I vowed this would never
happen again.
Pit bulls are not for the faint of heart.  To me they are the best dogs in the world but it takes a good owner who is willing to put up with the challenges of pit bull
ownership.  Once you go bully you never go back.[]
Please start here:  pitbullforum.com
This site is chock full of rescuers and folks dedicated to saving the breed from BSL in Canada and the US and educating anyone who is willing to listen.
I got very educated here.
 
 

Ann,
  I will admit though I do disagree with your last statement.  Judging by looks is a little off base.
I am surprised by that statement but I guess I can see where that would bother folks especially with the
reputation of the breed.
People are morons!  This macho crap has to stop and personally I am at the end of my rope with
people who use dogs to compensate for the fact that they are wussies.

I believe it all comes down to the way they are raised and trained. I have a next door neighbor that has six of them chained up and that is the way the pit's stay 24/7. And they are not to freindly either. The neighbor already warned one of my sons that the dogs will bite and to not get to close to them. My hubby went over there to check their ac unit the other day and two of them were lunging at him trying their best to get him. And those dogs worry me so there isn't a fence between the neighbor and us and all that is holding the pits back is a leather collar and chain. But I have been around some pits that are real sweethearts, I have a cousin that raises pit's and a close family freind that raised them for a long time until her and her hubby start a retirement center and the insurance and some other mumbo jumbo legal stuff made them give it up. And their pit's were fantastic dogs you couldn't ask for better dogs.

ORIGINAL: nynative

Shep,
I don't want to start an argument but what Spirit Dogs says is NOT opinion and is absolutely fact.  I am involved in Pit Bull rescue and any GOOD pit bull owner knows that the number one rule of pit bull ownership is "never trust a pit bull not to fight"
This is what they were bred for.  They fight.  Not all pits are dog aggressive.  I have 2 that are not.
Just so you know.......pits sometimes do not "turn on" until they are 18 months or older.  What this term means is that they can get along with other dogs and then all of a
sudden they don't.  This is not to be confused with "turning against"  like becoming bad or anything. This is what they do.
They absolutely do not belong in dog parks.  Another thing about pits that inexperienced owners do not understand is that alot of pit bulls will not start a fight but they
will finnish one.  Of course it's always the pit bull's fault and guess who gets the bad press or worse.
I'll get off my soap box now......if any inexperienced pit bull owners on this board really give a crap about your dogs I suggest you do some research.  Spend time on the
internet and you will be amazed at what you learn.  It worked for me 4 years ago.  I was inexperienced and my dog paid for it with his life.  I vowed this would never
happen again.
Pit bulls are not for the faint of heart.  To me they are the best dogs in the world but it takes a good owner who is willing to put up with the challenges of pit bull
ownership.  Once you go bully you never go back.[]
Please start here:  pitbullforum.com
This site is chock full of rescuers and folks dedicated to saving the breed from BSL in Canada and the US and educating anyone who is willing to listen.
I got very educated here.

Well Ny Native you did a pretty good job wording your statement to as not directly judge my pit bull ownership "not good" but the insinuations are ever so evident. Especially with the reccomendation that I further investigate the breed, so here I will give you a little bit of my background as a example to not judge people you do not know a thing about! Also maybe you should look up the definitions of FACT and OPINION. Your OPINIOn is based on experiences you have had, where fact would be something that is proven beyond a doubt and believe me there are millions of individuals that would call your OPINIONS.......not any where near close to FACT.
Please note that while I respect your opinion it is not acceptable to place them as FACT where there are millions of people reading this taking your said words as FACT. Let them do their OWN investigating, have their own EXPERIENCES and let them judge for themselves.
Not once did I deny their extreme damaging capabilites or their natural instinct to be aggressive. I did however deny the fact that they are DEFINTLY going to "turn on" their owners. That is complete rubbish and it saddens me that someone as yourself whom works so closely with this breed at a shelter and has such a poor outlook of their positive capabailities, almost setting them up for failure
With that said here is my EXPERIENCE with pit bulls......
I have been raised by pit bulls and rottweilers my WHOLE life. I'd be happy to dog up pictures of me in my crib with Mickey and Sass, my two childhood pit bulls. Back in the late 80's and 90's my father, uncle, and cousins used these dogs for wild boar hunting, I dont condone or support it but I was a young child. Make note these were the meanest, most rugged animals.....they were beasts but even in their madness they still were honorable respected creatures. I was taught from day one....in diapers to respect these dogs. We had our inside dogs (pit bulls and rottweilers always) and they were as safe as a kitten. From the time I was 14 I was in charge of going to the back yard to the kennels and feeding the "hunting dogs" who were less then social. I had a respect for them and I was bringing them food, we had a silent aggreement. I'm sure your not surprised that i have been biten three times by pit bulls and still love them with my whole heart. Not one out of those three times was it the dogs fault. They were intact male hunting dogs who I thought I had made friends with, but that was my lesson groiwng up as a child, a lesson to respect the nature of the beast. They were raised a beast and I was just in their world. I have seen these dogs rip through my bunny kennel and demolish my baby bunnies, I have seen these dogs lock onto a wild boar, take slices to the mid section from a tusk and keep on fighting, I have seen these dogs do undescribable things that I was to young to stop or even have a say so in. Why where they like this? Becuase they were hunting dogs, lack of love, compassion, and socilaization. They however were never beaten, starved, or without proper housing and exersice.This no longer goes on today in my family and my uncles and father know I would turn them in myself if that were the case but it had been going on for generations and I am happy to say in my family it is now over.
It was also taught to me that this type of breed is not for everyone, they are extremely high maintance and a lot of owners can mistake their stubborness for disobediance and give up on them.
As I got older, through high school and the public negative outllook grew I chose to volunteer at many local shelters such as the SPCA, AFRP, and lastly the central Cali bully rescue chapter to help the breed and its reputation and that was the number one deciding factor for me to get a pit bull as my first very own dog. She has been attacked TWICE, once by another pitbull who she had tried to take his bone, he locked onto her lip leaving her defensless and she cried, when he let go all 69 pounds of her jumped in my lap.
The second time we were at the beach and some crazy golden retriever kept trying to steal her ball, Rory let him several times and the last time she gave him several barks adn he lunged at her, she thankfully did not fight back. That does not mean I wasnt scared to hell, I had been prepared for such incidents and am not in denial that she had the power to fatally hurt these dogs. The legacy that has been passed onto me by my family (whom yes I agree used the dogs for inccorrect purposes) was that you must train your dog to trust your command over their instincts. Its a matter of resepct with your dog that goes both ways.
PLEASE,PLEASE,PLEASE do not post your opinions as facts, we have a dog park called rip van winkle, its a dog park for big dogs, Danes, Pits, Boxers, Rotts, all of them and in the past 20 years we have never had a brutal, fatal dog attack. I understand that donst mean it cant happen and I'll be the first to say that if there was it would probably be started or ended by one of the above breeds but I guess we can both agree that is all do to ownership. Next time don't lump me in with the millions of unresponsible dog owners. There is a difference between having a healthy discussion about a opposed topic and attacking someone persoanlly while influencing otehres who have no idea of the topic.