Would you feel comfortable letting your dog around a pit bull?

[Jessiewessie99]

I am more scared of Dachunds than pitbulls.lol.

[DJEtzel]

Originally Posted by Falkosmom

The degree of the aggression! You cannot compare nipping to seriously maiming or killing. Really?

You also cannot compare a person that sees nipping as threat to a person that views dog fighting as a quirk or a problem, and not the danger that it is. You are talking apples and oranges.

The degree of aggression? Not all pits are even dog aggressive, those that are, are not always maiming and killings things. There are plenty of OTHER breeds that are far more dog aggressive. Just because they weren't bred for it doesn't matter. ANY dog aggressive dog is going to have to be handled differently around dogs, that doesn't make them above/below average. They're still just a dog that acts just like a dog.

[Falkosmom]

Originally Posted by DJEtzel

The degree of aggression? Not all pits are even dog aggressive, those that are, are not always maiming and killings things. There are plenty of OTHER breeds that are far more dog aggressive. Just because they weren't bred for it doesn't matter. ANY dog aggressive dog is going to have to be handled differently around dogs, that doesn't make them above/below average. They're still just a dog that acts just like a dog.

Not all pits are DA, but most that I have encountered are, and I have lived and still live with numerous pits in my neighborhood.

There is NOT a plethora of other breeds of dogs that are far more DA than pits. And of the few other breeds that are bred to be DA, their numbers are few.

How could DA not matter, whether it was bred or not? How could breeding or owning a dangerous dog not matter? How could bringing a genetically DA bred dog into your home and neighborhood not matter?

A DA dog must be handled differently but it is still average? NO WAY. My leash reactive dog is not average and should not be considered average. Hopefully he is just fear reactive. If this is not the case and he continues to become more aggressive, he will never be average. He will not be just a dog that acts like a dog. Average dogs do not snarl, lunge, and bite other dogs just because. Dangerous dogs do, and dangerous dogs are not average.

[llombardo]

Originally Posted by Falkosmom

Average dogs do not snarl, lunge, and bite other dogs just because. Dangerous dogs do, and dangerous dogs are not average.

Thats not true...I have a golden retriever that will growl, bark, and lunge toward dogs but he's not dog aggressive, its just the way he is--he wouldn't hurt anything but you wouldn't know it if you seen how he reacts to both animals and people out of the home. My other dog loves other dogs and she has snarled, lunged and gone to bite a hairless dog--I don't think she knew what it was and whenever my neighbor walks their pit they avoid my window because my dog goes ballistic and the pit bull looks at her like she's crazy. I had a 120 pound lab that lunged at a pit that was coming to play.....and my dogs are average A dog will be a dog and anything can set off any dog at any time. As an owner of average dogs, I would never let my dogs hurt another dog and if I thought it was a problem I would be the first to fix it, but animal behavior is not the most predictable science by a long shot.

[Falkosmom]

Average applies to what is midway between extremes and implies lack of distinction.

Growling, lunging and barking is extreme, not midway between extremes, not average.

Growling, lunging and barking is distinctive, different from others, not average.

[llombardo]

Originally Posted by Falkosmom

Average applies to what is midway between extremes and implies lack of distinction.

Growling, lunging and barking is extreme, not midway between extremes, not average.

Growling, lunging and barking is distinctive, different from others, not average.

Then I'm guessing that you would think my golden retriever is DA because his behavior is not average and can be extreme..extreme enough that people think twice about approaching him but he's a big baby and would kiss them to death...you just wouldn't know it if you seen his behavior.

[Falkosmom]

Originally Posted by llombardo

Then I'm guessing that you would think my golden retriever is DA because his behavior is not average and can be extreme..extreme enough that people think twice about approaching him but he's a big baby and would kiss them to death...you just wouldn't know it if you seen his behavior.

I do not know your dog and would not presume, as it stands, that he is DA. In fact, it really is of no consequence to me. All I am saying is that his actions are not average.

I do not have a problem with DA dogs, or leash reactive dogs, as long as the owner acknowleges that the dog is DA and takes appropriate action and care so that innocent people and animals do not get hurt. A responsible owner cannot do this if they are in denial.

It is becoming increasingly common for pit advocates to feel that it is the responsibilty of other dog owners to protect their dogs from the pit bulls, and if the owner can't protect his dog from their pit bull, then the other dog's owner should just take their dog and go home. Just read some of the other threads on here, especially ones pertaining to dog parks. That is nothing but flippant, discourteous, selfish and callous. It is just plain wrong!

[TaZoR]

25 yrs experience working with all breeds as a vet tech and boarding facility has shown me that these dogs are unpredictable. Just this week a man brought his pit in to be put down with his arm and hand severely injured .. the dog he had for yrs attacked him unprovoked and left him with gaping holes all the way through his hand. This is not an exception.

I have witnessed many owners who bring their other dogs in to be cremated because their pit attacked it, cats also. These attacks are most likely not reported. I have also witnessed attacks first hand. All of the owners are stunned that their dogs could do such a thing. They have been raised right, from puppies, and never neglected or fought.

Now, you have to remember that many of these dogs were rescued and have been fought and or neglected. these dogs end up in the hands of inexperienced suburbian people who coddle them and dont realize the alpha instinct. they have little control but all kinds of compassion. many of these dogs come to our establishment with owners without a clue and out of control.

I have walked many dogs past the cages of pits with no reaction and suddenly i walk by with a certain dog and there is a sudden frenzy. I cannot tell you what sets them off, but when it happens, there would be nothing you could do to stop the attack on your dog without extreme damage.

Many people react to the attacks stepping in to free their dogs out of reflex and end up getting injured themselves.

These dogs were bred to kill bulls among other things so i for one am not surprised just as i am not surprised when i see an untrained herder showing herding skills or a rat terrier chasing a squirrel and so on.

Would i want my dog playing with a pit bull? Despite the owners and others who defend them, after picking up the pieces (literally) of the innocent dogs that have been attacked the answer is no. Am i politically correct? Perhaps not. I may offend many owners, but i choose to keep my dog as safe as possible as that is my job. My dog comes before the hurt feelings of another dog owner.

Perhaps witnessing an attack first hand, not on a video, or looking at the carcass of a golden retreiver ripped to shreds while the family sobs in uncontrollable grief for the loss compounded with the horrific manner of death would change some minds.

As for me, when i even see a pit bull in the park dragging the owner around.. i'm turning around. It only takes a second to leave everyone wondering...why.

[GrammaD]

Originally Posted by llombardo

Then I'm guessing that you would think my golden retriever is DA because his behavior is not average and can be extreme..extreme enough that people think twice about approaching him but he's a big baby and would kiss them to death...you just wouldn't know it if you seen his behavior.

I might presume aggressive.

I would definitely presume poorly trained and a lack of control on the part of the owner.

This level of reactivity is going to get you and your dog into trouble. I would suggest consulting with a behaviorist as well as a trainer to correct this problem.

Keep in mind that after this initial reaction by your dog, all it would take is one poorly placed tooth to end your dog on the euthanasia table. No one will believe it is an accident if he draws blood after "greeting" people or other dogs this way.

[Mrs.K]

Definitely not something to be proud off.