In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_response-recent-pitbull-post?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:54bea92d-fe5f-4b2b-99fb-99b0a621c5fePost:c3afc6e0-719c-46c3-b80a-1e25a373f3ba">Re: In response to the recent Pitbull Post</a>: [QUOTE]Well, can we all agree that having a pet chimpanzee is a bad idea? Posted by sarah0725[/QUOTE]
In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_response-recent-pitbull-post?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:54bea92d-fe5f-4b2b-99fb-99b0a621c5fePost:c3afc6e0-719c-46c3-b80a-1e25a373f3ba">Re: In response to the recent Pitbull Post</a>: [QUOTE]Well, can we all agree that having a pet chimpanzee is a bad idea? Posted by sarah0725[/QUOTE]
Yes! I can agree on that one. Doesnt mean I havent always wanted one though <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-laughing.gif" border="0" alt="Laughing" title="Laughing" />
[QUOTE]Well, can we all agree that having a pet chimpanzee is a bad idea? Posted by sarah0725[/QUOTE]
Hells yes! I don't want a pet who is as smart as me, scientifically speaking. I prefer my pets to be just that. Dependant on me for everything, not in the corner making a shiv to overthrow the hierarchal order of things.
jasmineh - You have a point about the media portraying pits in a bad light. Still doesn't change my mind about pits though :]- Everything I've ever read/heard/seen has suggested that they have been bred for protection and they are extraordinarily strong dogs. I do agree that its largely up to how they are raised (heck, a turtle could LEARN to be aggressive) but I still dont trust the breed. Lots of dogs I really really enjoy but would never own because I don't want to fear my dog turning on me (or friends/family). My mom owns a terrier and a small one at that - but the sh*thead has bitten my face a couple of times. Its just a "terrier" thing. Haha jk.
I think pitbulls are stunning, beautiful dogs. And, yes, any dog is capable of aggression, especially those with unknown backgrounds.
A Center for Disease Control study of 238 people killed by dogs between 1979-1998 showed that 32% were killed by pits and 18% were killed by rottweilers.
A huge pet peeve of mine is when people state that chihuahuas and small breeds can be just as dangerous as pits and rotts. I would love for someone to show me a news story where a chihuahua killed a person.
And while I am confident that TJ is an amazing dog trainer, I am also confident that a very large number of people that own pits and rotties are not. And the people in the previous thread who have no professional experience dealing with abused dogs are beyond stupid for bringing an unknown factor into their home with children.
In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_response-recent-pitbull-post?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:54bea92d-fe5f-4b2b-99fb-99b0a621c5fePost:d943f1af-c284-45ca-ab5f-39ab13e47193">Re: In response to the recent Pitbull Post</a>: [QUOTE]Art- Have you ever interacted with one? My friend has a 5 month old blue nose that will steal your heart. Want to take a road trip to Montana? Posted by jasmineh7777[/QUOTE]
I love Montana! A guy two houses down from me actually has a precious American Bulldog that I MADE myself meet so that I wouldn't be so afraid to walk outside. The dog weighs 160lbs and his name "Dudley" actually suits him quite well. He is a big friendly giant and possibly one of the most beautiful dogs I've ever seen. BUT...I wouldn't want to meet him while on a morning jog or while I was walking a little chihuahua.
I'm trying to think back to all of the dog injuries I've experienced through my friends. One was sent to the ER and had to do 4 weeks of physical therapy after a Shitzu mauled her hands. Another needed facial reconstruction after an evil little freak dauchsund bit off her upper lip and a large portion of her nose. I needed stitches and still have the scar from when a Yorky latched into my knee...
I think people are also more forgiving of little dogs. If a pit/rotty/dog over 70 pounds bites you, chances are you will need attention and report it to the authorities. Aggression aside, bigger teeth/mouth makes for bigger wounds. Half of the time if a smaller dog bites you the person goes "Oh it's ok, I'll just put on a band-aid" and doesn't say anything.
Maybe we need to make a "bully breed owner" certification requirement. You have to pass a human training class before you can own one.
We had a beagle once who was given up by a family because he nipped their youngest son (3 years old) twice. Our first beagle was also pretty nippy. So yeah, you really have to be careful with very small children.
I've also head that chows are aggressive, as well a dachshunds, although really want a weiner dog.
I was bitten by a rottie once. I really liked the dogs until that point, and now they do look a little scary to me.
That said, I think having dogs with older children is a great thing. Once it's easy to teach the kids how to take care of and play with the dog, how to leave the dog the hell alone, and where their face isn't the same level as the dog's.
In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_response-recent-pitbull-post?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:54bea92d-fe5f-4b2b-99fb-99b0a621c5fePost:912fd303-d28b-46ff-925d-19fa75091afb">Re: In response to the recent Pitbull Post</a>: [QUOTE]I hate monkeys. They are one evolutionary step away from killing us all. Posted by jasmineh7777[/QUOTE]
I hate monkeys too! Maybe it is a self-loathing thing, but they are NOT cute to me. They just... smell and throw their own poo.
My brother owns a pit bull, whie I don't think pit bulls are more agressive than other dogs naturally, they are more dominant. Dominance, when not controlled by a strong owner, can quickly lead to agression.
I feel that pit bulls are okay when they are with an owner that understands dog behavoir and how to control situations with their pet. A weak owner should NEVER own a pit.
And I would never bring any abused dog into a home with a 2 & 4 year old.
Our last sunset in Hawaii...
Michelle & Michael
Married - August '10
TTC - Since September 2011
In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_response-recent-pitbull-post?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:54bea92d-fe5f-4b2b-99fb-99b0a621c5fePost:6b9fbfcc-4234-4873-9642-fabbd6c8fb91">Re: In response to the recent Pitbull Post</a>: [QUOTE]My brother owns a pit bull, whie I don't think pit bulls are more agressive than other dogs naturally, they are more dominant. Dominance, when not controlled by a strong owner, can quickly lead to agression. I feel that pit bulls are okay when they are with an owner that understands dog behavoir and how to control situations with their pet. A weak owner should NEVER own a pit. And I would never bring any abused dog into a home with a 2 & 4 year old. Posted by mseale[/QUOTE]
In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_response-recent-pitbull-post?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:54bea92d-fe5f-4b2b-99fb-99b0a621c5fePost:7a6c8fcc-a2b2-435a-86f9-dc964e64520e">Re: In response to the recent Pitbull Post</a>: [QUOTE] Maybe we need to make a "bully breed owner" certification requirement. You have to pass a human training class before you can own one. Posted by katiewhompus[/QUOTE]
I absolutely agree. Also, there are certain breeds that I think are gorgeous, but could never own myself. I love how akitas and jindos look, but I do not have the commanding presence they need to know the pack order and feel secure.
In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_response-recent-pitbull-post?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:54bea92d-fe5f-4b2b-99fb-99b0a621c5fePost:aecb218c-9ebb-47ea-b15e-a6a7b7cbc352">Re: In response to the recent Pitbull Post</a>: [QUOTE]I do think that the breed itself is more likely to be aggressive. So are chows, akitas, etc etc. Thats not to say that every dog of those breeds are dangerous or aggressive. They are definitely higher risk - if you dont believe me, just check your homeowners insurance. Posted by arthomas82[/QUOTE] You'd seriously trust an INSURANCE COMPANY for your information? Seriously? Bad, bad idea. They don't base anything on actual fact.
You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough. ~Mae West
In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_response-recent-pitbull-post?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:54bea92d-fe5f-4b2b-99fb-99b0a621c5fePost:0005cc20-5a1b-45b3-819c-1552bf75e3e8">Re: In response to the recent Pitbull Post</a>: [QUOTE]I think pitbulls are stunning, beautiful dogs. And, yes, any dog is capable of aggression, especially those with unknown backgrounds. A Center for Disease Control study of 238 people killed by dogs between 1979-1998 showed that 32% were killed by pits and 18% were killed by rottweilers. A huge pet peeve of mine is when people state that chihuahuas and small breeds can be just as dangerous as pits and rotts. I would love for someone to show me a news story where a chihuahua killed a person. And while I am confident that TJ is an amazing dog trainer, I am also confident that a very large number of people that own pits and rotties are not. And the people in the previous thread who have no professional experience dealing with abused dogs are beyond stupid for bringing an unknown factor into their home with children. Posted by saschaduran[/QUOTE]
We have a 75 pound male pitbull named Chopper. He is the doofiest most lovable dog I have ever met. FI trained him very well, and he knows his limits. When I play tug of war with him, he often has to reposition his mouth on the rope, and sometimes his mouth gets close to my hand. The minute his lip feels my hand, he drops the rope and stops playing. FI taught him that his mouth is not allowed to touch people. Being a dog, he still does try to steal the occasional kiss from us, but we always tell him no. Breed plays no factor in aggression whatsoever. The owner is the sole thing responsible for the behaviors of his dog. If trained properly, pitbulls are known as the best family dog, rated up with labradors and golden retrievers. Labeling the breed as aggressive is the same as labeling a certain "race" of human as something because you saw one person do something. Chopper is a sweet dog and I am in no way afraid of him. However, when I have children, he will not every be trusted near or around them, and neither will our little pomeranian/chiuaua either. NO dog should be trusted around kids, especially without supervision!
I would also like to point out that your percentages are most likely skewed. That report may say that 32% of attacks are committed by pitbulls, but we cant trust that number. Many dogs are improperly labeled as pits when they actually are a cane corso or some other breed. So my guess is that more than half of those supposed "pitbulls" were actually a different breed of dog. Someone posted a link earlier in this discussion showing how difficult it is to pick a pit out of a group of dogs. I own a pit and it took me 4 or 5 clicks before i found the pit! Yes big dogs (including labs, goldens, etc) can do more damage if they snap than little dogs, however it is not JUST pits and other bad rap dogs. It is ALL big dogs. Stereotyping is never fair, whether with humans or dogs.....
And now that I've read through the rest of the thread... the thing about pits and ANY big dog is that they really should be trained well. My little beastie is 25 lbs, so if she causes any trouble, I can tuck her under my arm and take her home. Not so much with a pit, a rottie, a dobie, a lab, a golden... and the thing about pits that I will grant is that (1) they're terriers, which are naturally more hyper dogs and (2) they're built so SOLID.
The two biggest "injuries" I've had from my parents' pit were being bruised by that freakin' HARD wagging tail and having the dog jump into my lap and clock me in the jaw with her mammoth skull. God forbid she got me at a bad angle, I could see her breaking or dislocating my jaw, out of sheer happiness to see me!
That's actually my sister's biggest fear regarding her dogs & my nephew - the dogs are BIG and rambunctious (even the 3-legged pit who doesn't seem to know he's missing a leg) and the kid, while big for 5 months, is tiny by comparison. I could see a dog just bowling him over and doing some serious damage.
Hence the precautions.
You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough. ~Mae West
In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_response-recent-pitbull-post?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:54bea92d-fe5f-4b2b-99fb-99b0a621c5fePost:36783c17-8989-4fef-a648-2119e785bfa3">Re: In response to the recent Pitbull Post</a>: [QUOTE]And now that I've read through the rest of the thread... the thing about pits and ANY big dog is that they really should be trained well. My little beastie is 25 lbs, so if she causes any trouble, I can tuck her under my arm and take her home. Not so much with a pit, a rottie, a dobie, a lab, a golden... and the thing about pits that I will grant is that (1) they're terriers, which are naturally more hyper dogs and (2) they're built so SOLID. The two biggest "injuries" I've had from my parents' pit were being bruised by that freakin' HARD wagging tail and having the dog jump into my lap and clock me in the jaw with her mammoth skull. God forbid she got me at a bad angle, I could see her breaking or dislocating my jaw, out of sheer happiness to see me! That's actually my sister's biggest fear regarding her dogs & my nephew - the dogs are BIG and rambunctious (even the 3-legged pit who doesn't seem to know he's missing a leg) and the kid, while big for 5 months, is tiny by comparison. I could see a dog just bowling him over and doing some serious damage. Hence the precautions. Posted by LD1970[/QUOTE]
Totally agree with the tail thing! No ones legs are safe, not to mention anything of importance on the coffee table!! OUr pit also tends to step on your toes when you are barefoot when he is prancing around and happy to see us! And he is way too hyper for a 7 year old dog too!! Definitely the terrier shining through!
In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_response-recent-pitbull-post?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:54bea92d-fe5f-4b2b-99fb-99b0a621c5fePost:96f1826c-5a12-425a-9401-fc2b86e3ae89">Re: In response to the recent Pitbull Post</a>: [QUOTE]In Response to Re: In response to the recent Pitbull Post : Totally agree with the tail thing! No ones legs are safe, <strong>not to mention anything of importance on the coffee table!! </strong> [/QUOTE]<div>Made me snort! It's so true!</div><div> </div><div>[QUOTE]<strong>OUr pit also tends to step on your toes when you are barefoot when he is prancing around and happy to see us! </strong> And he is way too hyper for a 7 year old dog too!! Definitely the terrier shining through! Posted by Anthriel22[/QUOTE] Yes! And ow!</div>
You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough. ~Mae West
In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_response-recent-pitbull-post?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:54bea92d-fe5f-4b2b-99fb-99b0a621c5fePost:54535be9-da9e-491d-a223-fcc29f73a16b">Re: In response to the recent Pitbull Post</a>: [QUOTE]I don't have a problem with pits, or any breed for that matter. I have a problem with some owners, but that's a different discussion. I'm a huge dog lover, so I'm biased. Posted by JenGin74[/QUOTE] Ugh, there are dog owners whose necks I'd like to wring. When my dog was a puppy, we had issues on TWO separate occasions at the park with TWO separate dog owners - <div> </div><div>One had his German shepherd (a beautiful one too) off-leash (illegally, I might add) and it came and attacked my dog; I picked her up in my arms and kept spinning to keep her away from the Shepherd 'til the guy could come running and get the leash on it.</div><div> </div><div>The other was a woman with two off-leash (still illegal) Boxers. They came running for us, and one actually had it's mouth open across my puppy's back, teeth bared. I grabbed it by the collar & hauled it off my dog, holding it until the woman could come running with the leashes, yelling "I'm sorry, I'm sorry" the whole way. Yeah. She'd have been sorrier had anything happened to my dog, because I think I'd have killed her with my bare hands.</div><div> </div><div>In neither situation do I blame the dogs. I blame the idiot owners who failed to control them. Oh, and this was all near a main street too, so the dogs could easily have run off and gotten hit by cars.</div><div> </div><div>Sometimes I really hate people.</div>
You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough. ~Mae West
I think it should also be pointed out that the Canine Temperament Test Society (ATTS) has done extensive testing on almost every breed out there. The testing is very involved and the do everything from firing a gun to accepting strangers. American Pit Bull Terriers (and their often confused sister breed the American Staffordshire Terrier) has almost the most amount of dogs in their breed tested and over 84% of them passed. They scored very close to the top of the list of dogs.
665 were tested, 567 passed, and only 98 failed.
A failure results when unprovoked aggression, panic without recovery, or strong avoidance happens.
The breeds that did score higher only had about a half dozen of the dogs in that breed tested.
German Shepherds scored 83% Rotties (which had 5000 tested!) scored 83% as well.
There is alot of ignorance on these breeds. As a pit owner I know that my dog is constantly looking for affection and attention, and since I reward the good behavior, she behaves very well. If I encouraged her to be bad, she would probably be the most aggressive she could be. They are very smart dogs that are always looking to please their owner.
Feel free to check out the stats. ATTS.org
The only 'aggressive' thing about my dog is how much of a bed hog she is.
See that black eye? That's from my lab/border collie puppy when she was 5 months old. She knocked her big bony head into me, and almost knocked me out. I'llbe reporting her to the CDC as a certifiable twit.
In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_response-recent-pitbull-post?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:54bea92d-fe5f-4b2b-99fb-99b0a621c5fePost:2a19b164-c4e4-4e12-883c-402122ca7c8f">Re: In response to the recent Pitbull Post</a>: [QUOTE]See that black eye? That was from my lab/border collie when she was a puppy. She knocked her big bony head into me, and almost knocked me out. I'll be reporting her to the CDC as a certifiable twit. Posted by jasmineh7777[/QUOTE]
Haha good lord! She totally owned you. My mother's 3-legged terrier (yes 3-legged) bit my lip so hard it bled...I'm still mad at him.
In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_response-recent-pitbull-post?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:54bea92d-fe5f-4b2b-99fb-99b0a621c5fePost:a95d5e04-e222-4ef4-ade1-6d1afa92dbfb">Re: In response to the recent Pitbull Post</a>: [QUOTE]See that black eye? That's from my lab/border collie puppy when she was 5 months old. She knocked her big bony head into me, and almost knocked me out. I'llbe reporting her to the CDC as a certifiable twit. Posted by jasmineh7777[/QUOTE] Oh, ow!
You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough. ~Mae West
Re: In response to the recent Pitbull Post
Our Story MAJORLY UPDATED 8/6/09
Wouldn't it be nice to live together in the kind of world where we belong?
I hate monkeys. They are one evolutionary step away from killing us all.
[QUOTE]Well, can we all agree that having a pet chimpanzee is a bad idea?
Posted by sarah0725[/QUOTE]
BWAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
[QUOTE]Well, can we all agree that having a pet chimpanzee is a bad idea?
Posted by sarah0725[/QUOTE]
Yes! I can agree on that one. Doesnt mean I havent always wanted one though <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-laughing.gif" border="0" alt="Laughing" title="Laughing" />
Posted by sarah0725[/QUOTE]
Hells yes! I don't want a pet who is as smart as me, scientifically speaking. I prefer my pets to be just that. Dependant on me for everything, not in the corner making a shiv to overthrow the hierarchal order of things.
Our Story MAJORLY UPDATED 8/6/09
Wouldn't it be nice to live together in the kind of world where we belong?
Everything I've ever read/heard/seen has suggested that they have been bred for protection and they are extraordinarily strong dogs. I do agree that its largely up to how they are raised (heck, a turtle could LEARN to be aggressive) but I still dont trust the breed. Lots of dogs I really really enjoy but would never own because I don't want to fear my dog turning on me (or friends/family). My mom owns a terrier and a small one at that - but the sh*thead has bitten my face a couple of times. Its just a "terrier" thing. Haha jk.
House / Baby blog
[QUOTE]Art- Have you ever interacted with one? My friend has a 5 month old blue nose that will steal your heart. Want to take a road trip to Montana?
Posted by jasmineh7777[/QUOTE]
I love Montana! A guy two houses down from me actually has a precious American Bulldog that I MADE myself meet so that I wouldn't be so afraid to walk outside. The dog weighs 160lbs and his name "Dudley" actually suits him quite well. He is a big friendly giant and possibly one of the most beautiful dogs I've ever seen. BUT...I wouldn't want to meet him while on a morning jog or while I was walking a little chihuahua.
One was sent to the ER and had to do 4 weeks of physical therapy after a Shitzu mauled her hands. Another needed facial reconstruction after an evil little freak dauchsund bit off her upper lip and a large portion of her nose. I needed stitches and still have the scar from when a Yorky latched into my knee...
I think people are also more forgiving of little dogs. If a pit/rotty/dog over 70 pounds bites you, chances are you will need attention and report it to the authorities. Aggression aside, bigger teeth/mouth makes for bigger wounds. Half of the time if a smaller dog bites you the person goes "Oh it's ok, I'll just put on a band-aid" and doesn't say anything.
Maybe we need to make a "bully breed owner" certification requirement. You have to pass a human training class before you can own one.
House / Baby blog
(She says, as her puppy chews on her arm.)
Blog
I've also head that chows are aggressive, as well a dachshunds, although really want a weiner dog.
I was bitten by a rottie once. I really liked the dogs until that point, and now they do look a little scary to me.
That said, I think having dogs with older children is a great thing. Once it's easy to teach the kids how to take care of and play with the dog, how to leave the dog the hell alone, and where their face isn't the same level as the dog's.
40/112
[QUOTE]I hate monkeys. They are one evolutionary step away from killing us all.
Posted by jasmineh7777[/QUOTE]
I hate monkeys too! Maybe it is a self-loathing thing, but they are NOT cute to me. They just... smell and throw their own poo.
40/112
I feel that pit bulls are okay when they are with an owner that understands dog behavoir and how to control situations with their pet. A weak owner should NEVER own a pit.
And I would never bring any abused dog into a home with a 2 & 4 year old.
Michelle & Michael
Married - August '10
TTC - Since September 2011
[QUOTE]My brother owns a pit bull, whie I don't think pit bulls are more agressive than other dogs naturally, they are more dominant. Dominance, when not controlled by a strong owner, can quickly lead to agression. I feel that pit bulls are okay when they are with an owner that understands dog behavoir and how to control situations with their pet. A weak owner should NEVER own a pit. And I would never bring any abused dog into a home with a 2 & 4 year old.
Posted by mseale[/QUOTE]
Agree with <em>everything</em> here.
[QUOTE] Maybe we need to make a "bully breed owner" certification requirement. You have to pass a human training class before you can own one.
Posted by katiewhompus[/QUOTE]
I absolutely agree.
Also, there are certain breeds that I think are gorgeous, but could never own myself. I love how akitas and jindos look, but I do not have the commanding presence they need to know the pack order and feel secure.
[QUOTE]I do think that the breed itself is more likely to be aggressive. So are chows, akitas, etc etc. Thats not to say that every dog of those breeds are dangerous or aggressive. They are definitely higher risk - if you dont believe me, just check your homeowners insurance.
Posted by arthomas82[/QUOTE]
You'd seriously trust an INSURANCE COMPANY for your information? Seriously? Bad, bad idea. They don't base anything on actual fact.
I'm a huge dog lover, so I'm biased.
[QUOTE]I think pitbulls are stunning, beautiful dogs. And, yes, any dog is capable of aggression, especially those with unknown backgrounds. A Center for Disease Control study of 238 people killed by dogs between 1979-1998 showed that 32% were killed by pits and 18% were killed by rottweilers. A huge pet peeve of mine is when people state that chihuahuas and small breeds can be just as dangerous as pits and rotts. I would love for someone to show me a news story where a chihuahua killed a person. And while I am confident that TJ is an amazing dog trainer, I am also confident that a very large number of people that own pits and rotties are not. And the people in the previous thread who have no professional experience dealing with abused dogs are beyond stupid for bringing an unknown factor into their home with children.
Posted by saschaduran[/QUOTE]
We have a 75 pound male pitbull named Chopper. He is the doofiest most lovable dog I have ever met. FI trained him very well, and he knows his limits. When I play tug of war with him, he often has to reposition his mouth on the rope, and sometimes his mouth gets close to my hand. The minute his lip feels my hand, he drops the rope and stops playing. FI taught him that his mouth is not allowed to touch people. Being a dog, he still does try to steal the occasional kiss from us, but we always tell him no. Breed plays no factor in aggression whatsoever. The owner is the sole thing responsible for the behaviors of his dog. If trained properly, pitbulls are known as the best family dog, rated up with labradors and golden retrievers. Labeling the breed as aggressive is the same as labeling a certain "race" of human as something because you saw one person do something.
Chopper is a sweet dog and I am in no way afraid of him. However, when I have children, he will not every be trusted near or around them, and neither will our little pomeranian/chiuaua either. NO dog should be trusted around kids, especially without supervision!
I would also like to point out that your percentages are most likely skewed. That report may say that 32% of attacks are committed by pitbulls, but we cant trust that number. Many dogs are improperly labeled as pits when they actually are a cane corso or some other breed. So my guess is that more than half of those supposed "pitbulls" were actually a different breed of dog. Someone posted a link earlier in this discussion showing how difficult it is to pick a pit out of a group of dogs. I own a pit and it took me 4 or 5 clicks before i found the pit! Yes big dogs (including labs, goldens, etc) can do more damage if they snap than little dogs, however it is not JUST pits and other bad rap dogs. It is ALL big dogs. Stereotyping is never fair, whether with humans or dogs.....
[QUOTE]And now that I've read through the rest of the thread... the thing about pits and ANY big dog is that they really should be trained well. My little beastie is 25 lbs, so if she causes any trouble, I can tuck her under my arm and take her home. Not so much with a pit, a rottie, a dobie, a lab, a golden... and the thing about pits that I will grant is that (1) they're terriers, which are naturally more hyper dogs and (2) they're built so SOLID. The two biggest "injuries" I've had from my parents' pit were being bruised by that freakin' HARD wagging tail and having the dog jump into my lap and clock me in the jaw with her mammoth skull. God forbid she got me at a bad angle, I could see her breaking or dislocating my jaw, out of sheer happiness to see me! That's actually my sister's biggest fear regarding her dogs & my nephew - the dogs are BIG and rambunctious (even the 3-legged pit who doesn't seem to know he's missing a leg) and the kid, while big for 5 months, is tiny by comparison. I could see a dog just bowling him over and doing some serious damage. Hence the precautions.
Posted by LD1970[/QUOTE]
Totally agree with the tail thing! No ones legs are safe, not to mention anything of importance on the coffee table!! OUr pit also tends to step on your toes when you are barefoot when he is prancing around and happy to see us! And he is way too hyper for a 7 year old dog too!! Definitely the terrier shining through!
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: In response to the recent Pitbull Post : Totally agree with the tail thing! No ones legs are safe, <strong>not to mention anything of importance on the coffee table!! </strong> [/QUOTE]<div>Made me snort! It's so true!</div><div>
</div><div>[QUOTE]<strong>OUr pit also tends to step on your toes when you are barefoot when he is prancing around and happy to see us! </strong> And he is way too hyper for a 7 year old dog too!! Definitely the terrier shining through!
Posted by Anthriel22[/QUOTE]
Yes! And ow!</div>
[QUOTE]I don't have a problem with pits, or any breed for that matter. I have a problem with some owners, but that's a different discussion. I'm a huge dog lover, so I'm biased.
Posted by JenGin74[/QUOTE]
Ugh, there are dog owners whose necks I'd like to wring. When my dog was a puppy, we had issues on TWO separate occasions at the park with TWO separate dog owners - <div>
</div><div>One had his German shepherd (a beautiful one too) off-leash (illegally, I might add) and it came and attacked my dog; I picked her up in my arms and kept spinning to keep her away from the Shepherd 'til the guy could come running and get the leash on it.</div><div>
</div><div>The other was a woman with two off-leash (still illegal) Boxers. They came running for us, and one actually had it's mouth open across my puppy's back, teeth bared. I grabbed it by the collar & hauled it off my dog, holding it until the woman could come running with the leashes, yelling "I'm sorry, I'm sorry" the whole way. Yeah. She'd have been sorrier had anything happened to my dog, because I think I'd have killed her with my bare hands.</div><div>
</div><div>In neither situation do I blame the dogs. I blame the idiot owners who failed to control them. Oh, and this was all near a main street too, so the dogs could easily have run off and gotten hit by cars.</div><div>
</div><div>Sometimes I really hate people.</div>
665 were tested, 567 passed, and only 98 failed.
A failure results when unprovoked aggression, panic without recovery, or strong avoidance happens.
The breeds that did score higher only had about a half dozen of the dogs in that breed tested.
German Shepherds scored 83%
Rotties (which had 5000 tested!) scored 83% as well.
There is alot of ignorance on these breeds. As a pit owner I know that my dog is constantly looking for affection and attention, and since I reward the good behavior, she behaves very well. If I encouraged her to be bad, she would probably be the most aggressive she could be. They are very smart dogs that are always looking to please their owner.
Feel free to check out the stats. ATTS.org
The only 'aggressive' thing about my dog is how much of a bed hog she is.
DX: PCOS/Recurrent losses/MTHFR mutation (compound hetero)
5 hysteroscopies/2 surgical
3 Inject IUIs = 2 m/c's and 1 BFN
IVF #1= BFP. m/c at 7w6d. Needed 2 D&C's and scar tissue removal. Mild OHSS
IVF #2 = BFP. Severe OHSS. 4 Drainings. TWINS!
See that black eye? That's from my lab/border collie puppy when she was 5 months old. She knocked her big bony head into me, and almost knocked me out.
I'llbe reporting her to the CDC as a certifiable twit.
[QUOTE]See that black eye? That was from my lab/border collie when she was a puppy. She knocked her big bony head into me, and almost knocked me out. I'll be reporting her to the CDC as a certifiable twit.
Posted by jasmineh7777[/QUOTE]
Haha good lord! She totally owned you. My mother's 3-legged terrier (yes 3-legged) bit my lip so hard it bled...I'm still mad at him.
[QUOTE]See that black eye? That's from my lab/border collie puppy when she was 5 months old. She knocked her big bony head into me, and almost knocked me out. I'llbe reporting her to the CDC as a certifiable twit.
Posted by jasmineh7777[/QUOTE]
Oh, ow!