My friends Rescue pittie is attacking horses/ GREAT UPDATE

**bckrazy** · 04-30-2009, 02:14 AM

My guess is that he is trying to protect you from the horses. Pit Bulls were once used in bull-baiting, and to bring down unruly cattle, and many game-bred Pit Bulls today hunt and catch wild pigs. It could definitely be a combination of confusion (because I'm sure he's never seen a horse before), drive, and the steadfast loyalty that the breed is known for. The fact that he doesn't go after them unless they're in motion or around you definitely supports the drive theory.

I would absolutely keep him leashed around the horses. Attacking them is VERY bad, and VERY dangerous, for him and for the horses. Having a trainer come in is a great idea... assuming that the trainer is positive reinforcement only. Hurting or bullying him into accepting the horses could likely create a lot of other problems on top of the current one. It is possible that all he needs is some solid Obedience training (a rock-solid stay, recall, and "leave it" is important) and lots & lots of desensitizing and counter-conditioning.

What do you mean by "inside" dog? If that means the dog isn't left alone outside unsupervised, yes, that's a very good idea. My dogs are "inside" dogs and they are nowhere near miserable. Dogs want to be with their people, so it's natural that he should be inside when you are, and out when you're out and he can be kept safe/leashed/supervised.

**MoonandBean** · 04-30-2009, 07:12 AM

Thanks so much! I will forward that to Petey's humans

**Jags mom** · 05-01-2009, 12:24 AM

I'm definatly not a pit expert, but there were a couple of pits near my home that were put down for attacking the livestock in the area, they would attack while no one was around and would go strickly for the neck (behaviour due to the owners). If Pete is going for the noses i would think hes protecting or just hasent understood yet that there are bigger aminals on the planet other than dogs. I would give it more time and with any dog keep all meetings supervized. As well i have 2 huskies, both are indoor dogs and they love it. If you leave them outside alone for more than 10 minutes they are wanting to come in just to be near us.

**stace1319** · 05-02-2009, 07:23 AM

I would say that it is a pray drive. Like they have said, pits were used for bull baiting and they are now used to hunt pigs. It is in them to attack live stalk. My childhood dog was a pit mix and when we got riley, my horse she tried to attack him, thinking the back end was safer she got kicked and she rolled a few times. We were all afraid the he had broken her ribs, but she was fine. After that... she never went too close to another horse again. I would keep a leash on the pup when you are around the horses for now on so he doesn't get kicked because sooner or later it will happen or he could even get trampled. I'm not sure what kind of advise to give you other then that, lol. sorry. hopefully the trainer will be more help. Good luck! let us know how everything goes.

**MoonandBean** · 05-02-2009, 08:36 AM

Thanks! I have passed on both of these responses to my Pittie friends family in Florida

**Bella_Sadie_Hailey** · 05-05-2009, 01:49 PM

I haven't ever had a pit bull but I believe that he is probably trying to protect you! It probably wouldn't hurt to let him be an inside dog with long walks fun playing and being around the horses everyday. I have two Chihuahuas and one Doberman Pinscher inside and they love it!

Good Luck to your friends!