[Bejemoelemymn]

I keep reading posts across forums about people having negative experiences with their pit bull type dogs and the general public. My response is always "there has to be some soft of demographic componant" because this is honestly far from what I experience.

Maybe in the past 4 1/2 years I have had a handful of negative reactions; nothing over the top...maybe a look, or a side step to avoid or a back handed "pretty dog but I wouldn't trust her not to take my arm off". But in all reality...those instances are really, really rare.

This past Friday for example, represents a good illustration of how it usually goes.

The oil man was scheduled to clean the boiler in the morning. I opened the door and he could see Veronica at the top of the stairs behind the baby gate. She was barking her fool head off ("COMPANY! COMPANY! MUST BE FOR ME!). First thing the oil man says is "Can she come say Hi". Not "Is she friendly"? Not "Does she bite"; but "Can she come say Hi". So, of course Veronica can come say Hi...the only thing we need to clarify (since he seemed like a dog person) was "Do you want her on a leash for a polite greeting or do you want 50 pounds of pit bull and a tongue down your throat".

I confess there is an area in Veronica's training that is lacking. I do make a half hearted attempted to teach her not to jump when greeting people; and if it is a child or an elderly person, a frail person or "not a dog person but still wants to say "hi" person; I don't allow her to jump up. Otherwise what has happened over the years is Veronica meets someone, does a gentle jump to kiss their face and 90% of the recipients are all "Oh I don't mind at all" and they're practically on the ground with her mushing her head and kissing her full on the mouth...so I sort just throw my arms up in the air and mentally say "@#$% it".

Anyway, the oil man was a dog guy and we clarified that he wanted the full on greeting. So. I let Veronica down stairs and she said hello and she did jump to lick his face; and he encouraged her, so she licked his face and his neck and his ear...then I told her we had to go upstairs and she was satisfied with her attention so up she went.

Then we went to Pet Supplies Plus to do a little shopping. When we walked in she made eye contact with a customer and she got pats on the head. The grooming girl had no customers so she said "Hello" to Veronica through the glass which caused Veronica to give her bark of "That's it? You're just gonna leave it at that"? So the girl came out and we went through the "Oh no I don't mind"...so she was all over Veronica like white on rice. Then she had to invite Veronica in back so the other girl could see her...and the other girl was on her like white on rice and I had to stop them from giving her the entire biscuit jar.

We got in line to check out and Veronica's Grammy was handling the transaction so I could manage Veronica since their was a terrier like dog behind us. V. was doing good with the click and treats and focusing on me. The woman with the terrier kept her dog a respectful distance and we struck up a conversation. She commented I seemed to be doing well with the clicker. I explained Veronica was reactive but at the moment being very good. She explained that her dog liked to pee on everything, but at the moment also was being very good. She told me she tried the clikcer, but one day she left it home with the dog and he ate it. Point being we had a very pleasant exchange of small talk.

Finally we decided to try to walk a bit, which was a bad idea because it was frigid out. We walked along a local strip mall. As we're walking Veronica catches the eye of 4 elderly ladies coming out of a store. They comment on her sweater (which her Grammy bought her, her Grammy being with me and hence the wearing of this particular sweater. It is a very "Grammy like" sweater, crocheted with crocheted flowers in different colors attached to it). So Grammy converses with her peers and they all stop to chat and Veronica gets to sniff a glove and gets a pat on the head (absolutely no jumping allowed).

And that's that...a typical day.

Is there anyone else who either gets primarily positive or at least neutral experiences with their pit bull type dog and if so where are you? We are in the Northeast.

[Hervams]

I am in Texas and get the same kind of reactions; especially if Cole is wearing his sweater or cooling jacket. I had one home repair guy in that was more afraid of the chihuahuas than Cole, who was happy to ignore the scared man and get attention for his coworker who could not stop loving on him. I take him into crowds all the time and the response is almost universal..."what a good boy!"

there have been two occassions when the person petting him asked if he was a pit and when I confirmed that we belived so they jumped back and said "those are dangerous", to which I answered something like you were just petting him and he was as gentle as can be...he is always that way. That is the worst reaction I have ever had towards him.

Barbara in Fort Worth, TX

[Alice_Medichi34]

I do get a lot more positive or neutral reactions to Lucy than I do negative. Maybe the idiots have heard me go off on their fellow brethren or word gets around that they should fear me and not my dog, maybe I emit some sort of "Don't talk trash about my dog" vibe that's easy to pick up. Although I do run into the occasional moron here and there.

Last time we went to TSC, all the customers and employees were all over Lucy. When they asked her breed, no negative reactions, just "What a sweet dog! Look at her happy dance!". When she barked at a strange man who was approaching her, he heeded my advice to ignore her for a minute until she could get used to him, then she high fived him for a treat. I had some nice old ladies tell me about pit bulls they were around when they were little while Lucy smothered them with kisses.

Last time we were in a Petco, it must have been "Bring every kid you have to Petco Day". Lucy got swarmed by squealing children, who's parents seemed to like that I told all the kids to ask their parents before they loved on Lucy. When they found out she was a pit bull, only one dragged their kid away.

During the fall while I was walking Lucy, school had just got out so the neighborhood was full of kids walking home. A group of little girls first stopped me and asked if Lucy was mean, because I had a prong collar on, and they asked what my break stick was and what it was for. While Lucy was on her back getting belly rubs, I gave them a pit bull lecture.

When I moved into my new house, and the guy from the power company came to turn our stuff on, he stood at the gate until I informed him the dogs were locked up. When he came in the yard and into the house, he then very rudely demanded I leash my dogs, remove them from their crates, and the room one was locked in, and chain them up outside or lock them in a kennel. I told him I had already securely locked them up, and they would not cause him any harm, and to just turn the damn power stuff on, do his damn job, and GTFO my house or I'd be speaking with his supervisor. He did his job and left, although I did make a complaint to the company.

I'm in Michigan. It really just seems to depend on the area, the people around, and the day. There are more pit bull type dogs than you can shake a stick at around here.

[Oberjej]

I have had my share of negative comments but most of the time they are not when my dogs are around. It's usually when I meet someone and I'm talking about my dogs and they ask what breeds I have....those are the times I get the looks and sometimes negative comments. And once in awhile, someone will be fearful of them in public.

I get a fair amount of positive feedback though when my dogs are actually around. I had Kane in the car when I stopped to deposit some money at the bank and the lady working the drive through was fawning over him like no tomorrow.

When I walk them through our neighborhood, it's not uncommon for cars to stop and comment about how pretty the dogs are.

Once I was driving slighty, just slightly, too fast and got pulled over with the dogs in the car and the police officer even asked if it was alright if he pet them.

I think overall, I do experience more positive than negative.

[Slintreeoost]

I'm in Michigan and me and Robyn pretty much live in the same city/area.

I've brought Dylan to TSC and to Petco/Petsmart several times and haven't had one negative comment; we also bring him to a local pet store in Belleville that sells TOTW for cheap and it's close and they've loved him every time he's gone. He dazzles our friends when we go out and bring him and our vet loves him. He gets LOTS of attention from the employee's at Petsmtart or Petco. One even commented about how awesome he was and that he reminded her of the "old Staffies". I'm assuming she meant something along the lines of the Staffordshire Bull Terriers. He doesn't look like one expect he's a bit "smaller" than normal but she was totally in awe of him which was neato.

I think I've been lucky so far. Michigan isn't exactly known for being "pit friendly" as a lot of cities here have BSL that downright bans them. But I also live in the Ann Arbor area, and Ann Arbor is a very progression, liberal college town, so.

[Taunteefrurge]

Living where I live....there is a lot of ignorant hood rats that do not need to own a dog..much less a bully breed. So there is TONS of negative publicity on bully breeds here due to frequent attacks and I think that contributes a lot to the negative reactions here.

I have had many positive reactions though. Just recently, my husband and I took Deuce to a local city park for a fun walk. A cute little old lady maybe in her late 60s or even early 70s wanted to meet Due. She had just rescued a 3 lb Chihuahua and was with her husband taking it for a walk.

Luckly Deuce does not jump up so I had no problem letting the lady pet him. She asked what he was and I told her an AmBully and she looked puzzled so I said "a distant cousin of the pit bull"...lol...I knew she didn't really care so I didnt wanna go into the whole spill.

So she bent down and talk to him and he wiggled with joy...and she put her little dog in Deuce's face and he just licked that poor dog until it was soaked.

Anyway...I have negative experiences as far as looks and people trying to get away if we are out in public, but most of the negative reaction is from some of my not immediate family. But they are family and I can't change them so I just let that roll off my shoulder.

Do you have a lot of negative publicity where you live?

[Alice_Medichi34]

Once I was driving slighty, just slightly, too fast and got pulled over with the dogs in the car and the police officer even asked if it was alright if he pet them.

Oh man, I hope that never happens again with Lucy. Got pulled over once for speeding, and that happened to be the night we found out Lucy HATES cops.

[Bejemoelemymn]

Do you have a lot of negative publicity where you live?

It's interesting...I'm in RI which is the smallest state and also probably the most diverse for being so small.

In the northern part of the state we have urban areas 2 of which have a ban on pit bulls and our capital has restrictions on pit bulls and other breeds.

The southern part of the state where I live is VERY dog friendly and either very pit bull type friendly or at least not disciminatory.

So while there must be negative publicity to sustain the bans; it seems to be more associated with irresponsible owners and demographic factors than the actual dogs themselves.

[Oberjej]

Oh man, I hope that never happens again with Lucy. Got pulled over once for speeding, and that happened to be the night we found out Lucy HATES cops.

Lucy and I have that in common. It was actually crazy because my dogs all started barking like goons because they were caught off guard when the cop was all the sudden at their window...so I'm like oh shit, here we go. But the cop was just like, wow those are some nice looking dogs, do you mind if I pet them?

I saw a glimmer of hope that my charming dogs would get me out of a ticket...but alas it didn't turn out that way.

[Alice_Medichi34]

Lucy and I have that in common. It was actually crazy because my dogs all started barking like goons because they were caught off guard when the cop was all the sudden at their window...so I'm like oh shit, here we go. But the cop was just like, wow those are some nice looking dogs, do you mind if I pet them?

I saw a glimmer of hope that my charming dogs would get me out of a ticket...but alas it didn't turn out that way.

I think she gets it from me. It was the first and only time Lucy's ever actually growled at somebody. The cop was a real dick too.

[Oberjej]

I think she gets it from me. It was the first and only time Lucy's ever actually growled at somebody. The cop was a real dick too.

Before we bought our house, we lived in an apartment in a relatively sheisty area. There was this church nearby and we didn't know it when we moved there, but they used it as some sort of halfway house type something or other...well there used to be some crazies walking around because of it and Rocsi would growl her ass off at some of those people. She was like Kujo around them...she is such a lover though. I've learned that if she doesn't like someone, it's for a good reason I trust her judgment completely.

I'm sure Lucy would smell douchebag all over him.

[Alice_Medichi34]

Before we bought our house, we lived in an apartment in a relatively sheisty area. There was this church nearby and we didn't know it when we moved there, but they used it as some sort of halfway house type something or other...well there used to be some crazies walking around because of it and Rocsi would growl her ass off at some of those people. She was like Kujo around them...she is such a lover though. I've learned that if she doesn't like someone, it's for a good reason I trust her judgment completely.

I'm sure Lucy would smell douchebag all over him.

Lucy's pretty on point when it comes to douche bags and creepers.

[Taunteefrurge]

It's interesting...I'm in RI which is the smallest state and also probably the most diverse for being so small.

In the northern part of the state we have urban areas 2 of which have a ban on pit bulls and our capital has restrictions on pit bulls and other breeds.

The southern part of the state where I live is VERY dog friendly and either very pit bull type friendly or at least not disciminatory.

So while there must be negative publicity to sustain the bans; it seems to be more associated with irresponsible owners and demographic factors than the actual dogs themselves.

I wish it was that way here. There is no ban yet but I think it is because they know that they can not enforce it. I mean...if they can't enforce any other laws in the hood than they definetly can't enforce a ban on dogs.

[markshome23]

I haven't had any of those issues as long as I have had my dogs. While I was living in Colorado or here in Vegas. At the most I get people who see us coming and cross the street and a few that practically froze and didn't know what to do. They tense up, walk really slow or step to the side. When they do I give them their space by switching sides if my dog is between us or by stepping off the curb.

But I've never had anyone say anything out of line directly to me. For the most part people go a little too far to see my dogs.

On New Years day I took Achilles with me and we walked to Petsmart to get some food. Since I order some on the internet on the 28th (ETA 31st arrived on the 4th) it was held over on the east coast because of weather and then on the west because of the Holidays. Anywayz on the way back I stop at an ATM and Achilles is sitting next to me watching the people traffic. A guy gets out of his car and starts asking questions and talking about his pit bull. The ATM is out of cash so I let the guy know and I go to the drive thru one. 2 cars pull up while I'm there, the 2nd one is the guy I was talking to before and the first one is someone else. But the passenger and the driver of the first car get out, the driver just stands at the front of the car looking. He points too Achilles but doesn't say anything.

As I'm walking away and passing the other guy going to the machine he stops and turns watching us walk away. Just before he speaks Achilles is on my left and he steps in front of me (which he knows not to do), faces the guy, squares off and huffs. The guy smirks, nods his head and says "that's a nice dog", I say thanks, start moving and Achilles hops to my right side watching as we walk away. We get to the light and Achilles goes back to my left side and sits down. The whole time standing there I'm thinking WTH just happened and why did it happen like that.

I've had other incidences but no on has ever said anything out of line directly to me.

[Bejemoelemymn]

I wish it was that way here. There is no ban yet but I think it is because they know that they can not enforce it. I mean...if they can't enforce any other laws in the hood than they definetly can't enforce a ban on dogs.

Oh they can't enforce it here either.

I think 3/4 of the population that lives in one of the cities with a ban has a "pit bull".

[Enjknsua]

It's pretty ok where I am. Lily is pretty dang adorable though, so that helps. I've only had a couple incidents, one was a mother who screamed at her daughter to get away from Lily while we were walking politely down the sidewalk.
Mostly, where I live, I'm worried about the indiscriminate dog fighting busts that are getting a little too common for my liking.
But the fact that 'pit bulls' take up the vast majority at all the shelters keeps the city fairly pit bull friendly- they're basically the only dog out there.
The thing that bugs me most is trying to explain the truth about APBTs (DA, exercise, training, containment, etc.). "But my wittle pibble poo would never do that!?"

[Mmzmptvk]

I must say, it is V, not the area. Socrates, outweighing her by 15 pounds and carrying most of that in his head and shoulders, gets negative reactions CONSTANTLY (we are also in public every single day). We generally get good responses in the areas where we walk with you. They are particularly dog friendly and at least in our town most of the people around here know Socrates well. But usually when we are out elsewhere we get at least one "woah, watch it" or "That's a scary lookin' dog" or crossing to the other side of the street. Every now and then we do get blatantly rude or terrified reactions, I wouldn't call in rare. I watched one woman literally JUMP into a bush...that's not even a slight exaggeration (and that was in NEWPORT! very dog friendly, Jazzy knows this). This month I had a "Woah, that's a pit bull. I don't want that thing near me!" and a "Those things use to chase me when I was a kid, I know their nature." A couple of months ago I had a woman tell her kids "That's a pit bull, do NOT go near it. Very dangerous."

I think that Socrates, being broad muscular and carrying a massive head, ignites more negative reaction because let's face it, he's a power house! He walks around his own damn thighs and busts open snaps on dog coats because they can't bare his chest Veronica on the other hand has her itty bitty paws and her dainty little walk with her little cute face held down low...not to mention the fact that she wears pink sweaters and boots .

[Bejemoelemymn]

So what you are saying is...it really is the Diva?

That's interesting in that it further proves how lacking in common sense people can be.

If it looks like a "cute pit bull" it's okay to let it give your face a tongue wash...

but if it looks "scary, mean, big" whatever then it must be a dangerous dog...

so in reality it has even less to do with breed and more to do with other commonly held prejudices. Sad, really.

[Vapepreab]

Good point - appearance/physique does evoke different reactions.

Madeleine's ears were natural, and she had brown eyes. Few, if any, negative comments ever over her life time.

Trusty - close to battle crop ears, amber eyes, more powerful, masculine physique - a whole different story

[Taunteefrurge]

Oh they can't enforce it here either.

I think 3/4 of the population that lives in one of the cities with a ban has a "pit bull".

Funny how that works. If they were to try to ban here it would pretty much just mean that decent owners would lose their dogs and sucky "owners" would illegally keep their dogs.