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**JulietOreira** · 02-07-2010, 05:20 PM

People look at me like I'm a jerk, especially the kids when I say "no I'd rather you didn't." or they get scared because they think it's cause he's vicious.

I was the same way once upon a time. I honestly believed that since Trudi was very friendly toward strangers in public, allowing a pet or two could do no harm. If fact I thought it may even help the breed overcome the 'vicious dog' image.

However, after learning more about the breed and public opinion of them I realized that my well intended, naive thinking was setting my dog up for disaster. Just one mistake, one nip and my dog would make front page local news, end up being hauled away to be destroyed and another black mark would be added against the breed.

And it would be all my fault.

When I joined this site and read posts by experienced Pit owners I realized that these fears were not paranoia, but justifiable and legitimate concerns.

We now have Meia, a wiggly little puppy who wants to make friends with everyone. We are taking her out in public to get her use to being around other people and dogs, but at a distance. We have had several people already who have asked if they can pet her or even pick her up. The answer is now "No"!

Yes, you do get looks like you are a jerk or anti-social. So what. And if you get pressed for a reason such as "Why is he vicious?", tell them you are not protecting them from your dog, but rather protecting your dog from them.

02-07-2010, 05:20 PM	#10
JulietOreira Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 584 Senior Member	People look at me like I'm a jerk, especially the kids when I say "no I'd rather you didn't." or they get scared because they think it's cause he's vicious. I was the same way once upon a time. I honestly believed that since Trudi was very friendly toward strangers in public, allowing a pet or two could do no harm. If fact I thought it may even help the breed overcome the 'vicious dog' image. However, after learning more about the breed and public opinion of them I realized that my well intended, naive thinking was setting my dog up for disaster. Just one mistake, one nip and my dog would make front page local news, end up being hauled away to be destroyed and another black mark would be added against the breed. And it would be all my fault. When I joined this site and read posts by experienced Pit owners I realized that these fears were not paranoia, but justifiable and legitimate concerns. We now have Meia, a wiggly little puppy who wants to make friends with everyone. We are taking her out in public to get her use to being around other people and dogs, but at a distance. We have had several people already who have asked if they can pet her or even pick her up. The answer is now "No"! Yes, you do get looks like you are a jerk or anti-social. So what. And if you get pressed for a reason such as "Why is he vicious?", tell them you are not protecting them from your dog, but rather protecting your dog from them.
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