[chuecaloversvv]

Just joined this site. Love the fact that there are so many bully-breed lovers here, but I'm a little disappointed in some of the damaging misconceptions.

Here are some things I've read in the short while I've been a part of this community that are completely false and will simply lead to more breed-specific legislation.

"Don't take your pit to a dog park. They always want to fight."

What a silly notion. Ever been to a professional dog show? The most well behaved dogs are ALWAYS the bully breeds. They cause the least amount of problems with other dogs. It's all a matter of properly training your pit and learning is what pits do best.

Teach your bully situational behavior. If other dogs, especially smaller dogs, are not safe around your dog, you have done -- and are doing -- poor job training him.

Socialize your dog at a young age. Prevent dog aggression with a firm hand. Do now allow your dog to play aggressively. Teach your dog that a gentle approach to smaller dogs is the only acceptable manner. It is simple to teach. When a pit is an aggressive pup, the solution is a simple twist of the ear, repeatedly if necessary, for as long as it takes for him to understand what it is you disapprove of. If you do so at a young age, your dog will not attack others as an adult.

Yes, Pits are extremely game, but more than plucky, they are intelligent. If you do not allow dog aggression, your pit will not be a threat to others.

"ALWAYS walk your pit on a leash."

What a mistake. This is a mistake for health reasons -- you'll never be able to walk or jog your dog enough on a leash to prevent obesity -- and for trust reasons. If you always walk your dog on a leash, you will NEVER be able to trust him, because you won't be able to teach him to be trusted.

Walk your pit off the leash and teach him. Again, teach him situational behavior. Teach him conditional appropriateness.

Teach your dog to never cross a street without you. If you do, he will never charge off after another dog. Teach your pit to heel. If you do, the only way a fight occurs is if another game dog approaches you. In that case, a leash wouldn't do you any good anyway. Besides, those are exactly the type of animals you want your pit protecting you, your spouse and your children from.

Teach your dog to sit when commanded from a distance -- regardless of what is going on around him -- and teach him to always sit when children approach.

THESE THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT TRAINED BEHAVIORS A PIT MUST LEARN.

Sitting prevents your pit from approaching children and older people. A sitting dog is not threatening. In addition, it can not fight from the haunches. Until your dog -- any breed of dog -- will sit when commanded from a distance, put a muzzle on him. In reality however, a dog can be taught to sit at a distance at two months old.

If you are not capable of teaching these things, then you shouldn't have a pit, in fact, you shouldn't have any dog that weighs more than 10 pounds. All dogs have teeth and all dogs can be dangerous under the wrong circumstances. The damage a pit can inflict -- in relation to other medium sized dogs -- is tremendous, but it is their physical make-up that makes them potentially dangerous, not the breed's disposition.

Dogs are an open slate. They can be taught whatever it is you require them to learn.

BE AWARE OF WHAT YOU ARE DOING TO THE BREED WHEN YOU SAY EITHER OF THE STATEMENTS ABOVE.

The notion that a pit can not be taught to play, rather than fight, is exactly the kind of misconception that is leading to breed specific legislation.

If I believed this were the case, that pits are innately predisposed to be out of control, lusting for blood curs, I would agree that pitbulls should not be allowed in a community. However, from someone who's family has had pitbull for 6 generations, I guarantee that these false claims are created by ignorant people and self-proclaimed bully-breed experts who can not train a dog properly. Both are equally dangerous to the future of this breed.

DO NOT continue to perpetuate this misnomer.

Of less importance are the following silly comments I read:

"Pits don't make good guard dogs. They are too lovable."

Right. To anyone who makes such an absurd comment, I will bet your life against my next paycheck that you aren't willing to hop a fence down in a third world country where pits are trained to guard. Any takers?

Pits make incredible guard dogs because they are unbelievably versatile. A pit can guard AND be a family pet. Most other guard breeds must remain one or the other.

"Pit were bred to fight."

Not the case. Originally their ancestors were, but that was 300 years ago in Europe. Black and Tan Terriers (now extinct) were combined with bulldogs in the 1700's to create the Bull and Terrier breed which later evolved into the Staffordshire Terrier. Staffies were brought to the United States and used as working dogs. They were bred for working on the frontier. What we call a pitbulls is an evolutionary derivative of frontier dog.

The name pitbull is misleading. Pits were never bred exclusively for fighting. Some individuals were, but the breed as a whole, no. It was a working class breed with a wonderful history. They had a huge part in settling the West. They were bred to endour harsh conditions. That's where their toughness comes from, not the pit. The pitbull as we know it is a pioneer dog, not a dog bred to fight. It simply just so happens that the hearty nature that made it so useful in the settling of the New World also makes it a plucky fighter.

Their toughness makes them ideal working ranch dogs. They are bred and used as hunting dogs, drug dogs, seeing eye dogs, search and rescue dogs, they breed has war heroes, presidents have had pits... don't pigeon hole these dogs by claiming they have a predisposed purpose, to fight. Again, they are too intelligent and versatile for a label.

"Pits have a disproportionally large head and shoulders."

Nope. Pits are extremely well proportioned. Am Staffs and registered American Pitbulls do, but that's why they aren't good pit fighters. They are slow and unathletic. These two breeds are show dogs, inbred and mutated to look menacing. They are not well designed for work or game. They do not have the endurance for either.

Pits are working dogs. Don't confuse Staffies and Am Staffs with pits. Pits are fast, balanced, well structured athletes.

[wmtravelservice]

The only dangerous misconception here is that you have absolutely know clue what a true APBT is and is capable of. You're setting your dog(s) up to fail. In turn, it will reflect negatively on all of our dogs that we work so hard to protect.

[yurawerj]

The only dangerous misconception here is that you have absolutely know clue what a true APBT is and is capable of. You're setting your dog(s) up to fail. In turn, it will reflect negatively on all of our dogs that we try so hard to protect.

Exactly. Lord forbid her dog gets into a fight even if it doesnt start the fight, it will be blamed and the inevitible will happen. Why wouldnt she want to protect the pits. Not set them up for failure.

[LICraig]

Wait, what?!? This is just laughable. I could guarantee that if I let Lola walk with me without a leash she would absolutely make her own rules. And she is quite well-trained.

Hotchkiss, you're about to get schooled. I hope you stick around a while to learn.

[anatmob]

this should be good !!!

[Toossehew]

Wow!! There is soooo much that needs to be said to that... But I feel that you are one of those ignorant "it's all in how you raise them" kind of owners so I'm not going to waste my breath... I'm just going to sum it all up with you have NO CLUE what you are talking about and you are definitely setting your dog up for failure!! And when something bad happens, you and everyone else will blame the dog... But in truth, it's YOUR fault bc you didn't take the necessary precautions to keep your dog safe. You can't train out dog aggression! You're new here... You should read more and post less, educate yourself!! Almost everyone here is willing to answer any and every question if it means having just one more educated pit owner in this world!!

---------- Post added at 12:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:47 PM ----------

this should be good !!!

Bahahaha I looove that little smiley! Off topic but where did you find that?! I have only the basic ones! I don't even have the hugs one?!

[LICraig]

Wow!! There is soooo much that needs to be said to that... But I feel that you are one of those ignorant "it's all in how you raise them" kind of owners

"Pinker". Painting the breed with a pink paintbrush so it looks all nice and sweet.

[ebookinfo]

Did I read it correctly?? You say I cant keep my dogs from being obese by walking them on a leash?? Seriously these are some of the most ignorant and irresponsible things I ever read.

[kranskregyan]

I forsee

"Youre all dumb Im not coming back"
or
"Locked Thread" coming

Either way OP you are dangerously misinformed and why my dog gets discriminated against.

[Toossehew]

"Pinker". Painting the breed with a pink paintbrush so it looks all nice and sweet.

Haha that's cute!! Love it!

[GogaMegaPis]

[QUOTE=kharris;1061268]Wow!! There is soooo much that needs to be said to that... But I feel that you are one of those ignorant "it's all in how you raise them" kind of owners so I'm not going to waste my breath... I'm just going to sum it all up with you have NO CLUE what you are talking about and you are definitely setting your dog up for failure!! And when something bad happens, you and everyone else will blame the dog... But in truth, it's YOUR fault bc you didn't take the necessary precautions to keep your dog safe. You can't train out dog aggression! You're new here... You should read more and post less, educate yourself!! Almost everyone here is willing to answer any and every question if it means having just one more educated pit owner in this world!!

---------- Post added at 12:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:47 PM ----------

Bahahaha I looove that little smiley! Off topic but where did you find that?! I have only the basic ones! I don't even have the hugs one?![/QUOTE]

Instead of ''quick reply'' use ''Go advanced'' look to the right and you'll see a bunch of smilies and a link that says ''more''. click that link and it will open more choices for you.

[Toossehew]

I forsee"Youre all dumb Im not coming back"or"Locked Thread" comingEither way OP you are dangerously misinformed and why my dog gets discriminated against.

Exactly!! I smell a troll!

[mpzoFeJs]

wow she is new! I'm new and i know better than that! Ha! OP you need to read the stickies trust me they are helpful.

[GogaMegaPis]

Don't feed the trolls.

[Toossehew]

Oh awesome!! Thank you prophecy!!

[hoconnor6605]

What the hell?????

Subscribing to this thread. It will be a good one.

[GogaMegaPis]

Oh awesome!! Thank you prophecy!!

No Problem.

---------- Post added at 12:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:58 PM ----------

What the hell?????

Subscribing to this thread. It will be a good one.

If it don't get closed first.....

[HedoShoodovex]

Just joined this site. Love the fact that there are so many bully-breed lovers here, but I'm a little disappointed in some of the damaging misconceptions.

Here are some things I've read in the short while I've been a part of this community that are completely false and will simply lead to more breed-specific legislation.

"Don't take your pit to a dog park. They always want to fight."

What a silly notion. Ever been to a professional dog show? The most well behaved dogs are ALWAYS the bully breeds. They cause the least amount of problems with other dogs. It's all a matter of properly training your pit and learning is what pits do best.

Dog park setting- dozens of dogs running around off leash together with no control. Dog show setting- dozens of dogs on leash, separated, under direct control of their owner. Your point is null and void.

Teach your bully situational behavior. If other dogs, especially smaller dogs, are not safe around your dog, you have done -- and are doing -- poor job training him.

My dog likes to chase small furry things. She doesn't know that a small maltese is different than a large rabbit. Fact, your dog is a dog and will do doggy things. No amount of training in the world is going to change hundreds of years of ingrained traites. Terriers were bred to hunt vermin. DO NOT teach situational behavior. Teach obedience. If I tell my dog to leave something, be it tiny dog or large rabbit, she better leave it. Do not allow your dog to make that decision itself- I guarantee eventually they will make the wrong choice.

Socialize your dog at a young age. Prevent dog aggression with a firm hand. Do now allow your dog to play aggressively. Teach your dog that a gentle approach to smaller dogs is the only acceptable manner. It is simple to teach. When a pit is an aggressive pup, the solution is a simple twist of the ear, repeatedly if necessary, for as long as it takes for him to understand what it is you disapprove of. If you do so at a young age, your dog will not attack others as an adult.

The answer to this is just, no. That is not true. You cannot socialize temperament out of a dog.

Yes, Pits are extremely game, but more than plucky, they are intelligent. If you do not allow dog aggression, your pit will not be a threat to others.

Not true, at all. My dog will not be a threat to others because she is always under my control, not because of my 'allowance' of behavior.

"ALWAYS walk your pit on a leash."

What a mistake. This is a mistake for health reasons -- you'll never be able to walk or jog your dog enough on a leash to prevent obesity -- and for trust reasons. If you always walk your dog on a leash, you will NEVER be able to trust him, because you won't be able to teach him to be trusted.

What? Why can't I walk or jog my dog on a leash? A leash causes obesity? I'm so confused.

Walk your pit off the leash and teach him. Again, teach him situational behavior. Teach him conditional appropriateness.

Who the heck is teaching you this crap? How about walk your pit ON leash and teach him. Sounds safer.

Teach your dog to never cross a street without you. If you do, he will never charge off after another dog. Teach your pit to heel. If you do, the only way a fight occurs is if another game dog approaches you. In that case, a leash wouldn't do you any good anyway. Besides, those are exactly the type of animals you want your pit protecting you, your spouse and your children from.

I'm really trying not to laugh, but, um, no. My dog is NOT supposed to protect me. I am supposed to protect my dog. If a situation occurs where my dog is in a fight, here are the results:
On leash- automatically not legally my fault, especially if the other dog is off leash.
Let's say your off leash dog walks up to mine, even if mine starts it, your dog is off leash and, thus, your fault. And you know what happens to off leash pit bulls that get in fights? They get euthanized. Get ready for that wake up call.

Teach your dog to sit when commanded from a distance -- regardless of what is going on around him -- and teach him to always sit when children approach.

THESE THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT TRAINED BEHAVIORS A PIT MUST LEARN.

Sitting prevents your pit from approaching children and older people. A sitting dog is not threatening. In addition, it can not fight from the haunches. Until your dog -- any breed of dog -- will sit when commanded from a distance, put a muzzle on him. In reality however, a dog can be taught to sit at a distance at two months old.

A dog not under your direct physical control should NEVER EVER be allowed to be approached by a child. Things happen very quickly, especially with children. Children are very rough with dogs. In fact, I have been walking my dog, on leash, minding my own business when a random kid ran up and grabbed her on the butt. My dog has a stable temperament and does not frighten easily, but if you put a not-so-stable dog in that situation off leash, that kid is going to get its face ripped off, regardless of breed.

If you are not capable of teaching these things, then you shouldn't have a pit, in fact, you shouldn't have any dog that weighs more than 10 pounds. All dogs have teeth and all dogs can be dangerous under the wrong circumstances. The damage a pit can inflict -- in relation to other medium sized dogs -- is tremendous, but it is their physical make-up that makes them potentially dangerous, not the breed's disposition.

Please re-read what you just wrote here, and tell me why it is responsible to walk your dog off leash.

Dogs are an open slate. They can be taught whatever it is you require them to learn.

Not always. Some dogs have fear issues that they can never get over. Some dogs are mentally tougher than their owner and take advantage of them.

BE AWARE OF WHAT YOU ARE DOING TO THE BREED WHEN YOU SAY EITHER OF THE STATEMENTS ABOVE.

The notion that a pit can not be taught to play, rather than fight, is exactly the kind of misconception that is leading to breed specific legislation.

If I believed this were the case, that pits are innately predisposed to be out of control, lusting for blood curs, I would agree that pitbulls should not be allowed in a community. However, from someone who's family has had pitbull for 6 generations, I guarantee that these false claims are created by ignorant people and self-proclaimed bully-breed experts who can not train a dog properly. Both are equally dangerous to the future of this breed.

It's called controlling your dog. ANY breed can be dog aggressive. ANY. Especially a breed that was bred to fight other dogs. If you can't control your dog then you shouldn't own a dog. Period.

DO NOT continue to perpetuate this misnomer.

Not a misnomer.

Of less importance are the following silly comments I read:

"Pits don't make good guard dogs. They are too lovable."

Right. To anyone who makes such an absurd comment, I will bet your life against my next paycheck that you aren't willing to hop a fence down in a third world country where pits are trained to guard. Any takers?

Pits make incredible guard dogs because they are unbelievably versatile. A pit can guard AND be a family pet. Most other guard breeds must remain one or the other.

Nope. Look up guardian breeds. In any description it will mention that the dogs make EXTREMELY good family pets because of their loyalty, they are simply wary of strangers. A dog that randomly bites people is not a guard dog, it is unstable. I suggest you learn about that topic better.

"Pit were bred to fight."

Not the case. Originally their ancestors were, but that was 300 years ago in Europe. Black and Tan Terriers (now extinct) were combined with bulldogs in the 1700's to create the Bull and Terrier breed which later evolved into the Staffordshire Terrier. Staffies were brought to the United States and used as working dogs. They were bred for working on the frontier. What we call a pitbulls is an evolutionary derivative of frontier dog.

The name pitbull is misleading. Pits were never bred exclusively for fighting. Some individuals were, but the breed as a whole, no. It was a working class breed with a wonderful history. They had a huge part in settling the West. They were bred to endour harsh conditions. That's where their toughness comes from, not the pit. The pitbull as we know it is a pioneer dog, not a dog bred to fight. It simply just so happens that the hearty nature that made it so useful in the settling of the New World also makes it a plucky fighter.

Their toughness makes them ideal working ranch dogs. They are bred and used as hunting dogs, drug dogs, seeing eye dogs, search and rescue dogs, they breed has war heroes, presidents have had pits... don't pigeon hole these dogs by claiming they have a predisposed purpose, to fight. Again, they are too intelligent and versatile for a label.

I feel like I've directly read this quote somewhere, but, no matter where it came from, it's false. The PIT in the American PIT Bull Terrier is there for a reason. Deal with it.

"Pits have a disproportionally large head and shoulders."

Nope. Pits are extremely well proportioned. Am Staffs and registered American Pitbulls do, but that's why they aren't good pit fighters. They are slow and unathletic. These two breeds are show dogs, inbred and mutated to look menacing. They are not well designed for work or game. They do not have the endurance for either.

What is your definition of a Pit vs American Pitbull?

Pits are working dogs. Don't confuse Staffies and Am Staffs with pits. Pits are fast, balanced, well structured athletes.

Have you ever seen a working staffy? They were the original, remember .

[mpzoFeJs]

Like Stubby! Was Stubby a Am Staff or a Boston Terrier?

[dmoiknlasd]

Ha. I'd like you to tell me that my dog is obese and he is NEVER off his leash.