Replies

Yes, because not warning of attack is a strategic advantage. I first read about this when reading of an animal behavior specialist investigating a pit bull that had mauled someone. As he approached the fence where the pit bull was penned, the dog bounced forward, bowed and wagged it’s tail - the way dogs invite you to play. Bow and wag, bow and wag, playful little bounds. The behaviorist drew close enough to the fence and was gesturing friendliness when the dog launched at the fence trying to get to his face while snarling and trying to rip the fencing apart to get to him. And the behaviorist said “That would work. In a pit fighting scenario it’s the sneak attack.” He went on to say that the problem with pits is that they lie. Other dogs signal their intent - even a dog trying to steal snacks tends to give itself away by its behavior. But pits lie and the ones used to fight tended to die quick (leaving fewer offspring) than the ones who lied well and reproduced for more years. Oh I know that not every pit lies - but it is impossible to tell them apart until someone is maimed or dies.

corrections to clarify text:

Yes, because not warning of attack is a strategic advantage. I first read about this when reading of an animal behavior specialist investigating a pit bull that had mauled someone. As he approached the fence where the pit bull was penned, the dog bounced forward, bowed and wagged it’s tail - the way dogs invite you to play. Bow and wag, bow and wag, playful little bounds. The behaviorist drew close enough to the fence and was gesturing friendliness when the dog launched at the fence trying to get to his face while snarling and trying to rip the fencing apart to get to him. And the behaviorist said “That would work. In a pit fighting scenario it’s the sneak attack.” He went on to say that the problem with pits is that they lie. Other dogs signal their intent - even a dog trying to steal snacks tends to give itself away by its behavior. But pits lie and the ones used to fight and revealed their intentions tended to die quick (leaving fewer offspring) than the ones who lied well (sneak attack) and reproduced for more years. Oh I know that not every pit lies - but it is impossible to tell them apart until someone is maimed or dies.