A lot of talk about dangerous dogs has some concerned about pit bulls in particular.Posted on 11/12/2009 8:43:54 AM PST by mnehring
A lot of talk about dangerous dogs has some concerned about pit bulls in particular.
One member of the embattled breed, a pit bull mix, more specifically, has become a loved part of a loving family.
The pit bull is not recognized by the American Kennel Club as an official breed. A pit bull can be a combination of the American bull terrier, a stafishord terrier, a bull terrier or even a bulldog.
They have become very popular, but also very controversial. These dogs have a bite notorious for its power and grip, and are reported in bite incidents over 30 percent of the time, but many pet parents have these dogs and find them to be great pets.
The secret to having a big, intimidating dog be a part of a loving family requires training, discipline and consistency. Setting boundaries and maintaining training are key to keeping a well-behaved dog well-behaved.
A professional trainer could be the best solution.
If the dog is ever off-leash the owner should be able to call the dog back, not only for the safety of others, but for the dog’s safety as well.
An obedient, well trained, well socialized dog is less likely to bite or be injured in an accident.
LOL
As a pit bull mommy and a pit bull grandmommy this article is right on target. Good training and owner responsibility is a must.
My pup is loved by all the neighbors because he is a good dog. He’s good because he understands the rules and the consequences for disobeying. I’m a small 5 ft tall woman and he’s a 70 old muscle and he knows I’m the alpha. Actually, our 40 lb 8 yr old daughter has the best success when getting him to do things.
70 pound muscle....sheesh.....
Euthanize all pit bulls!
“...but many pet parents...”
It’s so pathetic when dog owners compare their pet to having a child. I have no problem with owning a dog, just don’t tell me it’s even in the same league of responsibility as being a parent.
I hate to inform you, but dogs are not inanimate objects and can fire on their own—that is a problem with a thousand years of genetic development for fighting dogs. Behavior is inbred and people that don’t realize that are either in denial or know nothing about animal behavior.
Of course I am a conscientious dog owner and keep them under control. 19 out of 20 times there's a problem with a dog not just the scary dogs but ANY dog is bad owners who are too damned stupid to be allowed a papillion let alone something larger.
Of course it is easier to blame the dog, it can't argue in it's own defense.
>>but many pet parents<<
This terminology bothers me to no end.
It belittles my dog (who is an adult dog and not a human child)
It belittle my cat (who is an adult cat and not a human child)
And it belittles human children by putting them on the same level as animals.
A friend of mine who was adopted and loved her 5 cats and 6 dogs, HATED the term “adopting” pets. She stated many a time that if one took a human child and set him/her out in the woods, that child would die. If one took an adult dog or cat and set them out in the woods, they would most likely survive. They are not adopted, they are owned and there is nothing wrong with that.
Our pets share our lives. We should let them have the dignity of their species.
Did you call?
He’s CUTE!
And a maniac, but full of love and happy to be sharing our lives.
People that understand what the dogs have been bred for also understand the difference between dog aggression and human aggression. For all the years the breed was used in dogfights, it was never bred as a guardian. Human aggressive pit bulls are a horrible representation of the breed, and the vast majority of the stories we have seen so far have been involving dogs that are running loose or chained up, bringing us back to the real cause, which is owner irresponsibility.
I have been treating animals for about 30 years. If you don’t realize that canine behavior is inbred then we have nothing further to discuss. This principle applies not only to dog breeds but to horses, cattle, and swine. I suggest you research the literature and pursue more animal contact.
Which behavior are you speaking of? fighting?
Do you actually believe the only dogs that fight are "fighting dogs"
How do you explain a "fighting dog" that won't fight,
a retriever that doesn't retrieve,
a terrier without a prey drive
or a herding dog that doesn't herd?
Likewise how do you explain a "fighting dog" that herds?
Simplistic explanations of something as complex as animal behavior
are apt to fall far short of reality...for dogs or swine...
Sam looks like a great dog!
Anecdotal exceptions do not a principle make.
Do you not believe that poorly treated animals sometimes behave poorly?
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