should pit bulls be banned??

[ladyskydiver 0]

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...if they think their loved one is in jeapordy lock the gate cause hell is coming to breakfast...

So very true. My mom and dad had a German Shepherd - Sassy. If a stranger walked into the house, Sassy was more likely to take them to where her treats are and give them kisses than attack them. However, mom and dad were goofing off and wrestling once, and Sassy thought dad was trying to hurt mom. She shoved her 120 lb. body in between the two while whining.

My Akitas had never been around children and my ex-husband had the family over for Christmas. With the family comes a niece of his that had a baby. She put her baby on the floor - needless to say, despite the fact that Angela and Goliath hadn't been around children and were always friendly, we freaked and started to move towards the baby. Angela and Goliath came up...smelled the baby...and then promptly placed themselves on either side of the baby in guard position. Anyone came near the baby, Angela and Goliath raised up on their haunches and watched to be sure no-one was going to hurt the baby.

I could go on and on with similar stories about Rotts, Dobbies, and Pit Bulls. I've been around them. Worst dog I've ever been around? A cocker spaniel - snappy, bitey, little shit.

Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile.

[ladyskydiver 0]

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A child could stumble upon his dog eating a bone, and the dog just wants to protect it, etc.

Very true. Which is why one of the training things a responsible owner should do is take the dogs food and toys away from them while they are eating and playing. Every dog I've ever owned, I have done that as part of their training so that I'd never have to worry about a situation such as you've suggested.

My dogs have, also, been taken to Puppy School and taught how to socialize with other dogs as well as a variety of other training items.

I see no reason why any breed of dog should be banned. Personally, I think that it should be a requirement for someone who buys a puppy to take the puppy to Puppy School and learn the basics of obedience and socializing.

Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile.

[vanillasky11 0]

I completely agree with you that no breed should be banned, and that we can minimize the possibilty of alot of things happening with proper training. But sometimes, the training stops, at puppyhood. Once the puppy graduates from Grade 1 or 2, they think they are done. My dogs are always in training, always being socialized, and are expected to follow certain rules. They are both higher drive, working breeds, and at times can be very stubborn. They also can think for themselves, which is why I refuse to leave a child alone with them.
Don't get me wrong. They are both amazing with kids. The neighborhood kids are always coming over to play with them, and dote on them, and I know for a fact that they would both protect my son with thier lives. But.. how responsible would I feel if something did happen? I'd rather take precautions to prevent it, than just hope it doesn't happen.

"You haven't seen a tree until you've seen its shadow from the sky." -- Amelia Earhart

[D22369 0]

My dogs have, also, been taken to Puppy School and taught how to socialize with other dogs as well as a variety of other training items.
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the most idiotic thing about people dealing with this breed is that the majority of dog obedience schools will not allow a pitbull........as soon as you ask, they say oh no, we cant allow them here..... you would think they would welcome the chance to help knock the rough edges off a potential aggressive animal.... but when you own one, you have to purchase books and do it yourself...... I have four of them, they aint cheap!!!...I was lucky, he is an alpha male, but isnt rediculous about it... like I said earlier in the thread he is fairly well voice trained, and I can call him back from another dog or cat, simply by raising my voice, I trained him in commands at a normal tone, so when I raise my voice, it really gets his attention..... the only time he ignores me (goes deaf)......is when he is interested in a smell on something. I accept this little lapse with a smile, I like a dog with spirit, he has it in spades...

Roy

They say I suffer from insanity.... But I actually enjoy it.

[tigra 0]

I agree with that. If you ever watch Animal Precinct or Animal Cops, that's one test they put the dogs through to see if they are suitable for adoption. It seems so cruel since these animals have already been starved and abused- just makes me want to cry to see a dog "fail" the test because he's protecting his food and know that as a result, he'll be put to sleep because they just don't have the time or resources to re-socialize him and let him heal!

According to Animal Cops, in Michigan, Pit Bulls without owners are autumatically put down without even trying to socialize them or test their temperament for adoption. That's sad to me as well!

[slug 1]

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My dogs have, also, been taken to Puppy School and taught how to socialize with other dogs as well as a variety of other training items.
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the most idiotic thing about people dealing with this breed is that the majority of dog obedience schools will not allow a pitbull........as soon as you ask, they say oh no, we cant allow them here..... you would think they would welcome the chance to help knock the rough edges off a potential aggressive animal.... but when you own one, you have to purchase books and do it yourself...... I have four of them, they aint cheap!!!...I was lucky, he is an alpha male, but isnt rediculous about it... like I said earlier in the thread he is fairly well voice trained, and I can call him back from another dog or cat, simply by raising my voice, I trained him in commands at a normal tone, so when I raise my voice, it really gets his attention..... the only time he ignores me (goes deaf)......is when he is interested in a smell on something. I accept this little lapse with a smile, I like a dog with spirit, he has it in spades...

Roy

We visited a friend that had three American stafford Terriers (PB) The dogs were in the house while we were visitings and were doing there own thing
When we got ready to leave the dogs surrounded me at the sraircase. They pets weren't actiing agressive but I was the center of their attention.

We stuck our hands in our coat pockets just in case. Found i had a bunch of dog biscuits lrfy ovrt from my dogs
The PB's liked me

R.I.P.

[IMGR2 0]

I'm not bashing anyone and I'm not in favor of any bans on dogs. I guess some of you peoples views will change once you have children or witness a child being mauled by one of these dogs.
I'm just asking for awareness.

FYI, here is a little CNN piece. Chew on that for awhile. Notice the words "fatal", "maul" and "death" in sentences including children. That is not right.
Oh and its not a bias report, it even mentions for children to stay away from unfamilier dogs.

CNN Report

[D22369 0]

Pit Bulls without owners are automatically put down without even trying to socialize them or test their temperament for adoption. That's sad to me as well!
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unfortunately, thats most everywhere...... its how I got stuck with this big flatulating monster.....

My ex-gf and I were staying with a friend in Pasco Washington, we were out partying late, got to Bills around 3am, in December the temp was about 15 below zero and this cute little ball of fur come running down the street right to us, it did not have enough fur to withstand this temperature, so at 3 am we walked door to door in a one block radius knocking on doors..... mind you this is an area where most have bars on the windows and doors.... not a nice place, lots of gangs, and drugs.... no one knew anyone with any pitbulls, so we took him and he slept with us. the next day I was going to drop him off at the humane shelter, but when I got there he had no tags, no implant, the lady told me that he would have 24 hrs to be found or adopted or else he would be put down.... I was incredulous!!! WHAT??? 24hrs thats it??........so I kept him and took the day off work - put up signs in the store and four mini-marts and went home to Yakima.... I got a lot of calls, but not a one could get the color, blaze or paw markings even close. So I kept him, figured I would find him a good home myself, but somehow couldnt part with him.......
I didnt choose him - he chose me.

Roy

They say I suffer from insanity.... But I actually enjoy it.

[D22369 0]

The numbers highlight widespread mistreatment of dogs and a growing public ignorance of how to behave around them, researchers said. They blamed adults for not teaching children to stay away from unfamiliar dogs.

"It's not a Rottweiler problem or a pit bull problem," said Randall Lockwood, the Humane Society's vice president for research and educational outreach. "It's a people problem."
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at least they dont lay all the blame on the animal.... the animals that are responsible for these attacks are not the dogs........

its the owners.... and in a very few cases.... the person mauled.

Roy

They say I suffer from insanity.... But I actually enjoy it.

[skycat 0]

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it even mentions for children to stay away from unfamilier dogs.

Honestly, I think all children should be taught to stay away from all unfamilier dogs doesn't matter if they are big or small. If the owner is around they should always ask the owner if they can pet the dog. A good owner will know their dogs limits and if the child can greet the dog or not.

Of course parents also need to not cause dog fear in their children, they just need to teach them what to do and not to do when they come across a dog.

There are 2 kids in my building who are so scared of dogs that when they see Fox they start screaming which of course confuses her and ends up making her scared. Luckly her responce is to hide behind me, the big baby.

Fly it like you stole it!

[turtlespeed 226]

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it even mentions for children to stay away from unfamilier dogs.

Honestly, I think all children should be taught to stay away from all unfamilier dogs doesn't matter if they are big or small. If the owner is around they should always ask the owner if they can pet the dog. A good owner will know their dogs limits and if the child can greet the dog or not.

Of course parents also need to not cause dog fear in their children, they just need to teach them what to do and not to do when they come across a dog.

There are 2 kids in my building who are so scared of dogs that when they see Fox they start screaming which of course confuses her and ends up making her scared. Luckly her responce is to hide behind me, the big baby.

Heh - yeah - I have seen that in kids too - there is such a thing as healthy fear - or respect - but - Outright terror at the sight of a dog is a bit overmuch.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[vanillasky11 0]

I completely agree. Children need to be taught that they cannot just walk up to any cute puppy and pet it. I have had a couple of cases where my son asked someone to pet thier dog, and reached out to let the dogs smell his hand, and they snapped. They people were completely shocked, and very apologetic. My son didn't get bitten, but I am very cautious to let him pet another dog, and I always follow the dogs body language. If I'm not comfortable with it, we keep on walking.

"You haven't seen a tree until you've seen its shadow from the sky." -- Amelia Earhart

[skycat 0]

With really small children, I actually hold Fox's head while they pet her. I make it look like I'm petting her but I'm really feeling for any muscle tension or throat vibration that could be a sign of her getting uncomfortable. Like I said before she is not agressive and I have no reason to think she would be, but I want to make sure the child and the dog have a good experience.

Fly it like you stole it!

[Avion 0]

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I would never have a pit bull with another pet. I watched my ex's pit kill a cat (while he hit it with a chain trying to make it stop-dog didn't feel it), and have friends who's weirheimer (spelling?) was mauled by a neighbor's pit that escaped the yard. I have never seen a well-trained pit be agressive toward a human. I think they're much more dangerous to your other pets than to your children.

The first time my dogs went at it, I tried punching and kicking the aggressor to make her stop. She just glanced at me like, "Huh, your gonna piss me off doing that.." Animals feel pain differently than people. So, I realized I had to find another way. Hence, the birth of the blanket idea. When something blocks the dog's vision, removes the ground from under it's feet, and tightens around its neck, it disorients the dog so much in my limited expeience that it stops being aggressive.

When some of the people I know found out that I had pit mixes, they started offering advise how to "train" them, apparently alot of people develop the killer instinct in their dogs by training them on cats. The cat posses little risk to the dog while providing a real kill.

When my dog chomp on my cat, I thought she was gonna die. It was a horrible sight(I love my cat), the dog growling shaking it head back and forth with my little cat between her jaws, the cat howling away. Cats can make a suprisingly loud noise when they want to. When I finnally got them appart, The blanket idea worked for this too, the cat went and hide the the corner of the room, and was silent for a week. The dog, evidently had scared her sensless. She has since made a full recovery. Now, I keep 'em seper-ated

As far as sleeping with me, my first dog slept by her self, until I got the second one, who like to sleep with me. Now they both will if I let em.

It seems that I finally got a b#tch to sleep with me, and two at that

[SniperCJ 0]

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A child could stumble upon his dog eating a bone, and the dog just wants to protect it, etc. He would do the same if he was in a pack of dogs.

Thats definately Grace's one aggressive point. My gf or I can take her bone or whatever away from her with no problem, but if Jake tries it her gets snapped at. Unfortunately for Grace, Jake dont play that game. He will step on her head and show her right quick who is alpha dog in this house.

Kinda funny to watch my 'badass pit bull' on her back with her feet in the air looking like "oh shit, I done f&*ked up now..." with Jakes big paw on her head.

[vanillasky11 0]

Most rescues of pittys won't adopt to same sex dog homes, and always stress that you NEVER leave the dogs unattended together, because of thier original purpose. And for as long as certain breeders have been trying to breed it out of them, chances are, somewhere down the line, it's still there. They have a very high prey drive.
Owning pitbull may mean more responsibilities with training and socializing, but they are worth the work. A well trained pit is an extremely loyal, and caring pet, who usually isn't found far behind thier owner's feet.

"You haven't seen a tree until you've seen its shadow from the sky." -- Amelia Earhart

[Avion 0]

My dogs get along well now. They just clashed a few times in the beginning as the second one who was the smaller got to be the bigger. The only thing that will set them off now is food. I have to feed both at the same time, and keep them seperate while they eat. Once they have finished eating, they share a water bowl. I just have watch out for the food jealousy. Once a friend fed only one, in ingnorance, and started it off, but I knew what was comming and had both of them by the collars and off the ground before anything serious happened

The bigger one knows now that fighting is bad. All I have to do is make a loud noise if she starts growling and she backs right down. Its kinda neat how she knows that its disapproved of, although has to be reminded occasionally. You can see the, "Whoops, I doing something wrong" look in her eyes.

[craddock 0]

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A dog is a large responsibility. Some people are not responsible enough to own a poodle, but they want a pit. That should not be allowed.

Why is the pit more dangerous than the Poodle?

That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side.

[D22369 0]

Based on size? The standard Poodle is every bit as large as a pitbull. I would say close in weight but a poodle is larger. Fantastic water retreiver also.

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the standard poodle may have the same size, but it will weigh quite a bit less due to the pitt having more muscle mass.
two- the jaw power of a standard poodle is quite a bit less than the pitt.

I am not sure, but I dont think Ron was speaking about the size though, more a quote about some morons are to stupid to adequately care and supervise a more docile breed.

Roy

They say I suffer from insanity.... But I actually enjoy it.

[craddock 0]

Sorry I misread his post. I thought he said a large dog was a large responibility, And then when on to talk about a poodle which is much larger than a pitbull.

The thing is, he earlier claimed that a pit was no more dangerous than any other breed.

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the standard poodle may have the same size, but it will weigh quite a bit less due to the pitt having more muscle mass.

Actually the Poodle is about the same weight as a pit, yet much larger due to less muscle mass. A healthy male is around 70 lbs.

That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side.

[newsstand 0]

Hope no else beat me to this but 144 posts is to many to go through.

http://www.dogbitelaw.com/PAGES/statistics.html#Thedogsmostlikelytobite

and for the alternate view

http://www.thedogplace.com/library/articles156.htm

"Truth is tough. It will not break, like a bubble, at a touch; nay, you may kick it about all day like a football, and it will be round and full at evening."
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes

[D22369 0]

Actually the Poodle is about the same weight as a pit, yet much larger due to less muscle mass. A healthy male is around 70 lbs

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I see what your saying, I was comparing two animals of the same hight - we said the same thing, you expressed yours better...

The thing is, he earlier claimed that a pit was no more dangerous than any other breed.

the amount of destruction that they can inflict with their jaws makes them potentially more dangerous then other breeds...... but a well socialized animal isnt automatically more dangerous than the others.. the problems lie with the owners......

Roy

They say I suffer from insanity.... But I actually enjoy it.

[Ron 10]

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Why is the pit more dangerous than the Poodle?

Sorry, I was thinking toy poodle, but didn't type the "toy".

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

[PhillyKev 0]

I thought you said the breed had nothing to do with it.

[Ron 10]

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I thought you said the breed had nothing to do with it.

Not breed baby, size.

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334