Why I deleted my thread on Pit Bulls

[BOBS DAD]

Hey Zoomer,

Don't sweat it. It is OK to have an opinion and unlike contemporary political opinion (flip flopping - I hate that term) it is certainly "OK" to change that opinion when introduced to new facts or better information on a subject. In fact, it shows great wisdom and courage to be able to remain "open" on a subject and willing to listen to differing points of view.

As mentioned, there have been some very good posts on this subject of Pit Bulls. But to be honest, even the most admiring of Pitties admit that there can be some aggression issues...

I'll say one thing.....pit bulls are NOT just like every other dog. At least not in my opinion. The breed has certain characteristics and limitations. Personally, I'm not fond of pit bulls at dog parks. These dogs have been bred for hundreds of years to fight other animals and dogs. Does that make them mean? Absolutley not. It just means that dog aggression and animal aggression is a common and a frequently seen trait.

While a Pit Bull can be and is a very devoted and loving pet, their size and demeanor and obvious strength can make them a bit intimidating for those who are not accustomed to them. I personally would be very wary of them around small children. But then again Petey (Little Rascals loving one ringed eye dog) was a Pitty!!!

Anywho... you are cool with me!!!

[king2005]

Cyrus goes to a dog park & because of the laws he has to wear a muzzle. Rose said before this law he would run & play with all the dogs, hes not a barker nor a nipper & never had a single issue. If he didn't like a dog, he'd run back to Rose. Cyrus is a pure AST & weighs about 85 pounds & is pure muscle (as you guys saw in his photos). If a pitty is good with other animals & dogs, then why get so upset with him being at the dog park. If the dog isn't good with animals & dogs then what on earth is it doing at the dog park? & why hasn't the law been called on it (goes for any breed really)

[zoomer]

I'm feeling sorry for them.

[Cheshirekatt]

Cyrus goes to a dog park & because of the laws he has to wear a muzzle. Rose said before this law he would run & play with all the dogs, hes not a barker nor a nipper & never had a single issue. If he didn't like a dog, he'd run back to Rose. Cyrus is a pure AST & weighs about 85 pounds & is pure muscle (as you guys saw in his photos). If a pitty is good with other animals & dogs, then why get so upset with him being at the dog park. If the dog isn't good with animals & dogs then what on earth is it doing at the dog park? & why hasn't the law been called on it (goes for any breed really)

There are always exceptions. Dog behavior is not black and white, I just cringe every time I see one at the dog park...I just can't help it. However, it only really takes one instance (whether the pit bull started it or not) for the image of a pit bull tearing into another dog to be burned into peoples' heads. One or two instances and pit bulls will be banned from dog parks. Muzzles really only work if the dog is not serious about another dog.

I'd rather pit bull owners take the initiative and choose to not take their dogs to the park rather than have yet another place that pit bulls will be banned. I know I'm rather opinionated and am by no means critisizing you. We areally are on the brink of losing our breed completely it's just a few more headlines away.

JMHO

[king2005]

There are always exceptions. Dog behavior is not black and white, I just cringe every time I see one at the dog park...I just can't help it. However, it only really takes one instance (whether the pit bull started it or not) for the image of a pit bull tearing into another dog to be burned into peoples' heads. One or two instances and pit bulls will be banned from dog parks. Muzzles really only work if the dog is not serious about another dog.

I'd rather pit bull owners take the initiative and choose to not take their dogs to the park rather than have yet another place that pit bulls will be banned. I know I'm rather opinionated and am by no means critisizing you. We areally are on the brink of losing our breed completely it's just a few more headlines away.

JMHO

Then how are owners to excercize their pitties? The dog park is the only way to let him run, cause with the pit bull laws, the pitties have to be on a leash no longer then 6 feet (good for a walk but not a run).

How is a pitty going to bite a dog when its muzzled? They muzzle police dogs & let them attack a person & they aren't able to bite the person.

[bckrazy]

Katt, you have a really understandable view on Pitties, and you definitely have the experience to back it up. I totally used to think of Pitties as any other dog, but over time I have realized that they are still sweet dogs but every breed has it's certain characteristics... especially since animal aggression has been bred into them for so long. Still, I think of English Bulldogs, who used to be notorious fighting dogs and are now the most mushy lovable dog-friendly pups.

My Flyball trainer has 3 Pittie girls, one is a Staffy, and they are wonderful dogs but the 2 Pit Bull girls will not take crap from any other dog. She controls them VERY well, and I always make sure Gonzo stays out of their way (just like every other dog when they're doing runs, basically), and if they are greeting each other it's always with her controlling her dogs and me controlling Gonzo. Honestly, I KNOW if Gonzo was snarky to another dog, he just wouldn't bite them, at all - but I really don't want to risk him getting hurt, because those powerful dogs could and would throw him down if he was being a jerk. I really didn't understand your point of view before getting to know those girls, they have rock-solid temperaments and they're very obedient, but definitely not dog park dogs. Personally, I feel that only Labs, Goldens, and maybe a few other breeds are suitable for dog parks, anyway

Edit to add: Also, about King's statement, I do think it's only responsible to exercise your dog on your private fenced property, or walking/running them yourself, if there is any doubt about aggression. It's sad, but Pit Bull owners have to take much more precautions than, say, a Lab owner, because of the poor reputation of their dogs and because they are a strong breed. Muzzling a dog at a dog park, to me, is really risky because if another dog were to attack yours, they could be badly injured with no way to protect themselves. Just being muzzled could also aggrivate dog-aggression.

[Alysser]

I'm sorry if I sounded rude in the last thread you made. I was just confused. But I certainly do not hate you and I'm sure no one else does. Pitties are very different, like said before. To tell you the truth, I know a pittie nicer then Sassy! She wouldn't hurt a fly. Maybe, a tree branch lol but she wouldn't hurt a human,dog, or anything else. Media has turned many people agianst pits and I think it's downright stupid.

If you have ever watched Animal Cops and have seen them go on scenes with fighting dogs, then you know they put THOSE pits to sleep. But I honestly, think they should. Those pits would never be able to have another dog near them and not have the urge to fight. They would need to be cooped up in a yard with no walks and no human interaction because stupid idiots trained taught them fighting other dogs is a good thing.

In addition, the stupid owners are to blame. Dogs are extremely EXTREMELY loyal animals. From puppyhood, the stupid idiots train them to fight so they can get money and any other crap they want. The puppies are trained to do this and think they are doing the right thing. They think fighting is good because they were taught that way. They want to be loyal and thats exactly whats happening. They are being loyal, but of course for the worst reasons.
I'm glad to hear you changed your mind about this!

[zoomer]

Thank you. I feel really bad about all of this...

[Cheshirekatt]

Then how are owners to excercize their pitties? The dog park is the only way to let him run, cause with the pit bull laws, the pitties have to be on a leash no longer then 6 feet (good for a walk but not a run).

How is a pitty going to bite a dog when its muzzled? They muzzle police dogs & let them attack a person & they aren't able to bite the person.

Treadmills, catmills, spring poles, fenced yards and controlled leash walks. My dogs do just fine. Plus, play dates in a controlled atmosphere with dogs you know they like. Frankly, there are lots of dogs that I think don't belong at dog parks...not just pitties. It's just that pitties are dear to my heart.

I've seen no less than four different pit bulls get out of or otherwise get around their basket muzzles. I've seen police dogs do it too, they're not fail safe and I think people tend to rely on them too much. Think of them like seat belts. Seat belt don't guarantee that you won't get hurt in an accident, but they do better the odds.