Is it true? Is it all TRUE?

[zoomer]

Okay, this is about pit bulls. I have a couple questions. I was reading a magazine about pit bulls and got the following information. Is it true that in history they were trained never to bite a human? Is it true that their genes kick in every once and a while and they just start attacking other dogs? Is it true they need CONSTANT traning and socilalization? Thanks!

[BC_MoM]

All dogs should have continuous training and socialization throughout their lives.

[lisahumphreys882]

Personally I can't really answer your questions...I just wanted to say that I believe it is the owner that leads a dog to be crazy and dangerous. Is there a pitbull ban where you live? I live in Ontario so they did the whole ban on pitbulls because of all the pitbull attacks that had been going on. I think it is unfortunate for pitbulls to have such a bad reputation. I haven't had a pitbull myself or really know people with them but I think that those attacks are happening because the owners don't pay enough attention to the dogs and don't know the first thing about caring for a dog. However, I have heard of attacks where the owners were supposedly good with the dog and took care of it...but you never know the other side of the story.

[wolfsoul]

Yes, it's true they were trained to not bite people (unless guarding). Pit bulls, though often used for fighting, were also loved family dogs and usually slept in the childrens' rooms. Any dog that showed any sort of innappropriate aggression was killed.

I don't believe that there is a gene that is responsible for dogs attacking other dogs. There is definatly inherited dominance, which can cause a dog to act aggressively, though only an insecure dog will randomly attack, and insecurity is caused by lack of socialisation. Pit bull terriers are just that --- terriers. They weren't always used for pit fighting -- they were also used to bait bulls and kill rats and other small animals. I definatly believe that terriers keep their prey drive, but I don't believe that there is an inherited prey drive towards other dogs. The reason pit bulls have a bad rap as far as bites go is because they bite and then hold on and don't let go, just as all terriers too. Terriers have to hold on as long as they can, without holding on, they put themselves in danger. A rat terrier can be attacked by the rat, a bull terrier could be attacked by the bull, etc. So as far as instinct goes, I don't believe that there is a "random attack" instinct, but definatly the instinct to hold on or die.

I believe that all dogs need contstant socialisation and training. The only reason I think pit bulls need more is because, though their bites aren't as common as alot of other breeds, they are the first (sometimes only) to be made public. One bite from a pit bull causes ALOT of media attention and negative response from the public. A bite from a golden retriever, and hardly anyone cares. That's why I think it's more important for pit bulls (and other breeds with bad reputations) to get alot of socialisation -- not because they need it more than any other dog, but because if something ever does happen, the breed is automatically blamed.

In all honesty, I have never been bit by a pit bull. We groom them fairly often, and they have all been very sweet. However, I have been attacked by several golden retrievers -- we're not talking a nip, I mean the dogs seriously tried to rip my throat out. Tells you what the public really understands -- all pit bulls are bad of course, but buy a golden retriever from any Tom, Dick or Harry, and it will turn out fine because it's a golden retriever!

[binka_nugget]

Okay, this is about pit bulls. I have a couple questions. I was reading a magazine about pit bulls and got the following information. Is it true that in history they were trained never to bite a human? Is it true that their genes kick in every once and a while and they just start attacking other dogs? Is it true they need CONSTANT traning and socilalization? Thanks!

For the most part, they were bred to fight against other dogs. They have a tendency to be dog aggressive but with proper socialization and training, they could very easily be dog friendly.

If I remember everything correctly, dogs that attacked the referee in the "pit" would be culled. Therefore, no human aggressive dogs were bred.. dog aggressive, yes, but not human aggressive.

And to answer your last question, all dogs need constant training and socialization.

[Suki Wingy]

Yes, I fully agree with the last two posts! They are correct!

[Jessika]

Pit Bulls, especially pits who are trained to fight, are trained to never bite a human because if they are injured in the ring and their owner needs to come out and help them or get them, they are trained not to be aggressive towards humans.

That's what I don't understand about people Even if a pit bull is trained to fight, they are trained to never be aggressive towards humans (unless they are trained to be guard dogs, and even then they are trained accordingly). Only other dogs! I mean, I can understand still how that can pose problems (what if he got loose and attacked a neighbor's dog, etc) but they are never aggressive toward humans.

[shihtzulover850]

How nice to see that someone is raising a pit bull right!!!!

[Suki Wingy]

Read this.
http://www.royalcourtamstaffs.com/index2.html
Click the "Traits" link
(Am Staffs and APBTs are essentially the same breed and their history is the same)