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Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2012 12:21 pm Post subject: Thoughts on Pitbulls

Hey everyone!

As some of you know, I have an adorable little pitbull named Lola. She is extremely sweet and playful and has no aggression toward people or other dogs. Basically, we've had her since she was tiny and she's been spoiled and coddled ever since lol.

Despite her regular visits to the dog park down the street, she is still a pitbull. We still face prejudice everyday. People with small dogs grab them up and glare when she comes over to sniff around and say hello. She's never bitten or been rough with a little dog, but they don't know that, and so I just let that one ride. I tell them that she is still under a year and is only trying to say hello.

Well, I wanted to see what other dog-lovers have to say.

I found a site that brings up a ton of really good pitbull facts. I love that they show the tiny percentage of pitbulls that have fatally attacked people. Much lower percentage than other breeds. Although I don't believe this exonerates pits in any way, I do want to know what you guys think about it.

What do you think about breed legislation?

What have been your experiences with pitbulls? Sweethearts? Vicious? How were the owners?

Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2012 3:18 pm Post subject:

Breed-specific legislation is a BS knee-jerk reaction that has been proven to not work.
What works is enforcing existing dangerous dogs laws or strengthening those laws if needed and enforcing those.

We face the same problems with our half-German Shepherd. People have dragged their children into traffic at night to avoid being passed by her on the sidewalk. Which is sad because everyone that meets her comments on how sweet she is.

When people drag their dogs out of our path or snatch up their little dogs I always make sure to thank them.
It goes something like this:
"Thank you for picking up/moving your aggressive dog. My dog has been attacked twice by aggressive dogs while she's been out for walks. I'd hate to have to sue you for allowing your dog to attack her. You might want to consider buying a basket muzzle for your aggressive dog to wear on walks to protect yourself from potential lawsuits in case you let your attention lapse and your dog manages to get to another dog or person."

Just the look on the face of the other person is priceless and they are usually rendered speechless.

Have you considered getting a CGC?
We were going to do that with Chance but she cannot pass the supervised separation part.

Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2012 1:00 pm Post subject:

I've met pitbulls who were sweethearts and pitbulls that were anything but. Same with poodles. And ACDs. And Rottweilers. And chihuahuas.

Not a fan of BSL. My thoughts on the consequences that should apply to the owner of a dog that bites are too much to put here. So much depends on circumstances and virtually nothing depends on the breed of dog.

As for folks picking up their little dogs...I don't take my dogs to a dog park where little dogs and big dogs are together. That doesn't really seem like a good idea to me. If I am out somewhere and a big dog is allowed to approach my little (five pound) dog, yes I will pick him up (never felt the need to glare though). I don't know you, don't know your dog, and he could easily be killed with one bite and easily injured with just a clumsily placed foot (so even a friendly dog isn't necessarily a safe dog). Now if it's my 120 pound dog or the 40 pounder I will take my chances that you are a decent dog owner and wouldn't allow your dog to approach if it was aggressive or even just pushy. Sadly, too many times that isn't the case...which simply reinforces the decision to pick up the little guy. If the person was a smart---I have a Potty Mouth-- about it, I am pretty sure I would laugh and then count myself lucky that I didn't know them! Wink

Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2012 10:07 am Post subject:

I have adopted pits to famlies with children. They were solid personality dogs. To echo Swaimp, there have been other breeds that have been adopted to families that do not do as well with children. It is individual to the dog.

I do move my dogs sometimes if I see someone walking a pit near me because I don't know if the owners have any sense. Very Happy

Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2012 10:16 am Post subject:

I agree BSL is a reaction to a specific situation but most people are reactive, not proactive. I also agree that enforcing our current laws beats making new ones which won't get enforced any more that the existing ones. I'm getting ready to do anti-BSL stuff as the owner of two pit mixes. Having been in law enforcement, rescue, and worked with a humane investigator years ago, I'm tired of the garbage. That includes doing nothing to irresponsible owners or going after responsible owners who have to deal with idiots teasing a dog and then wondering why the dog was upset.

When introducing Rusty and Gretchen, I always say "Pit" first so no one can accuse me of" hiding" anything. Gretchen's on thyroid meds, so if people want to introduce their dogs, they're told she may growl. , it was only once, when the vet was trying to figure out the dosage. She always wants human attention, adult or kid.

Over time, talking to people who're afraid of Pits, I tell them it's in the training. My explanation is that a nasty dog, no matter what breed, is like a bully child. It's so nice to see the positive reaction of understanding.

I think one of the problems is owners don't know the breed personalities. For example, Rusty's a Pit/Ridgeback so I have the laid back Ridgeback but also 2 hunting breeds in him. Gretchen's a Pit/English Pointer. Again, I have 2 hunting breeds in her, but I also have the stubbornness of the Pit and have to adjust to it.

Most dog owners will probably have the automatic negative perception I'll still try to educate them and hope to see the light of understanding.

Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2012 1:04 am Post subject:

I personally adore pit bulls. All of them I have met have been total sweethearts!! I have never met a pit bull I didn't like especially working at the shelter. The owners around here are pretty good, even though some we have got in as owner turn ins are anything but good owners!

Also there's a better site than that for information on temperament of the American Pit Bull Terrier. http://www.atts.org The American Pit Bull Terrier passes more tests than popular breeds of today and it is factual. Smile

I really hate BSL!! I don't think it's fair at all to any breed of dog. I agree it should focus on people who have dogs that have bitten rather than banning a whole breed of dog. BSL targets responsible dog owners as well for every mistake irresponsible owners make, the closer it is for them not to be able to own their breed of choice.

Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 7:01 pm Post subject:

The Pits I have met have been total lovebugs! BSL is stupid and wrong Sad

On walks I always pull my dogs to the side for people and other dogs. (2 older cattle dogs and a young Kelpie(?) mix.) My dogs often act like idiots. They wouldn't hurt anyone, but too many people are really bad at reading dog body language. Just having multiple dogs makes a lot of people nervous. (Except little kids who think that is the most wonderfully inviting thing ever!)

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