I need a drink, welcome to my nightmare

[celloyogi]

The only thing I dislike about this forum is the breed bashing that happens on here.

If a Golden or a lab had done any of these behaviours (ie. the grip with inhibition), people laugh it off...but when it's a pitbull the automatic reaction is it must be people aggressive, which equals a death sentence. Can they be dangerous? Yes - but so can any dog. The breed I actually am most cautious of is the husky - I have seen far more incidents with huskies than I have with pit bulls.
...
I do realize that my opinion represents the minority here, but I have worked with and trained a wide variety of dog breeds, including many pitbulls and pitbull crosses. I have never had a pit bull try to bite me or show aggression towards me, which is more than I can say for some other dog breeds. I wasn't going to post on this thread...but I just came back tonight from working with a wonderful pit bull who is available for adoption. She would be a fabulous pet or working dog, but we couldn't bring her to our adoption event last weekend because she would have had to be muzzled the entire time because of her breed. She is the nicest, best behaved, most biddable dog at the shelter...but breed bias is working against her. It's not fair.

YES! I've worked with pit and rottie rescues for years, and been involved in the socialization (or re-socialization) of many dogs previously thought uncontrollable, violent, etc. Many dogs come to us with backgrounds of neglect and/or abuse, and probably will never have the "normal" life in a "normal" home that our own shelties are so fortunate to have. But this does not in any way mean they can't have a life, in a real home with a real family - one who can provide the structure and safety they need.

The OP mentioned that the bite was a loose mouth, inhibited. Even the OP said that if it had been a golden, she would have thought the behavior was friendly. Had this been nearly any breed except a bully breed, I seriously doubt anyone on this board would be instantly calling for euthanasia.

Being in a room, alone, with any unfamiliar dog, particularly one who is also in a new, unfamiliar location and who is young and lacking manners, can be uneasy at best and frightening at worst. I've been in plenty of situations with considerably worse circumstances, just to see the dog(s) re-coup and move on to safe homes. That's not to say the OP's situation was no big deal, but no one was injured here. The dog in question is young and intact. Give him a chance - neuter, experienced foster home. He deserves it.

 

[ElleKayCee]

I think that given the situation, I would also be wary of the dog just because of all the negative attention they have received (like all those stories of pit bulls hurting children). As much as I try to be unbiased its difficult not to judge simply because I don't know enough about dog behaviour, specifically, dog aggression to be able to assess the situation.

I tend to rely on the dog owner (maybe naively) to tell me whether their dog is aggressive or not. For example, a man with two dogs practically pleaded for me to walk the other way one morning because his dogs were aggressive. While on the other hand when my friend brought his rottie over, during our conversation she just sat by his side and stared at him so expectantly the whole time! I really do believe it comes down to how the dog is trained.

With that said, I'm generally against euthanasia, I believe that every dog deserves a second chance and also hope you are able to contact a pit rescue because experience is needed. I also know realistically, re-homing him may be difficult but its so upsetting when animals have to suffer because of humans

This truly sounds like a nightmare to me..

 

[Toffee's Mom]

It's too bad Ontario has the crazy breed legislation going on...
We are getting Pitties from Ontario to be fostered and adopted down here on the East Coast.. as if we didn't have enough here already... So many ignoramuses getting a dog for image and hood status, it's really maddening...

First of all I am very impressed how you handled the situation, but agree that most (including myself to be honest) aren't equipped for this type of dog, with everything that comes with it and what scares the heck out of people. If you were saying he was rowdy and overwhelming then that is what he probably was, never had any impulse control training, no doubts.
I hope he finds a good rescue that can properly assess him and his needs!

 

[missjenneygirl]

Barb, I'm going to come to the defense of German Shepherds. They were originally bred to do herding work, actually to act as a moving fence, keeping sheep in a certain area. Then because of their size, and sometimes intense look, they were brought into towns to intimidate people who might rob the local butcher shop, or accompany the tax collector on his rounds.They are highly intelligent with an "on and off" switch.
You see this in Shutzhund work(competition), and of course police work.

I wonder why pitbulls aren't trained to do police work. They certainly would intimidate any suspect fleeing the scene. Just release the dog and it will run down the criminal. I would guess it would be because they are known to be unpredictable. You can't call them off, and when they bite, they don't release. For all the wonderful pitbulls out there, that are in shelters, why don't government agencies use them for police work?

I have seen, first hand the heartache and damage these dogs can do. I am sorry to paint the breed with a wide stroke, but I am not about to ask the owner "Is your dog friendly?". I will never trust the breed.

I am happy that there are people willing to rehabilitate them. Lucky for the dog.

 

[Toffee's Mom]

Barb, I'm going to come to the defense of German Shepherds. They were originally bred to do herding work, actually to act as a moving fence, keeping sheep in a certain area. Then because of their size, and sometimes intense look, they were brought into towns to intimidate people who might rob the local butcher shop, or accompany the tax collector on his rounds.They are highly intelligent with an "on and off" switch.
You see this in Shutzhund work(competition), and of course police work.

I wonder why pitbulls aren't trained to do police work. They certainly would intimidate any suspect fleeing the scene. Just release the dog and it will run down the criminal. I would guess it would be because they are known to be unpredictable. You can't call them off, and when they bite, they don't release. For all the wonderful pitbulls out there, that are in shelters, why don't government agencies use them for police work?

I have seen, first hand the heartache and damage these dogs can do. I am sorry to paint the breed with a wide stroke, but I am not about to ask the owner "Is your dog friendly?". I will never trust the breed.

I am happy that there are people willing to rehabilitate them. Lucky for the dog.

I understand what you're saying that the dog isn't for you, and yes I agree they certainly aren't my preferred breed either (but then NO terrier ever would be, lol)... and they are different than a German Shepherd, yes. However, there are also a bazillion reasons why many, if not most GSD's do NOT qualify for any police or schutzhund work, either! One is horrible temperaments and second is their horrible build nowadays regarding what conformation has done to them...Hello Malinois to the rescue until that breed gets messed up, too...
But I digress... a Pitbull can most certainly do nosework for example and most certainly works a lot with border patrols, and have also seen them in flyball.. that breed's tenacity can be harnessed! I would never do bitework with a pittie, because they already have the power and the intimidation factor and drive, the wouldn't have to be trained there to develop it! I understand some fears, personally... BUT I feel it is also incorrect to assume any Shelter dog could ever even be rescued by Police, since they most certainly do NOT rescue any German Shepherds to do highly specialized police work either!
So regardless of the breed, any dog int hat description should be worked with, I hope he just needs an experienced owner, it has the right to be treated humanely and fairly not just be put down because he is a pitbull!

 

[2GoodDogs]

I watched a trainer at the bldg last night and asked lots of questions. If the right home can be found, this dog has a chance. My neighbors, nor I should be handling him. They don't have time and I can't watch him for Thanksgiving and weekend. Sure hope a foster home comes available today!

He is a very nice looking dog and if neutered and trained, might make someone a good companion. His scars aren't terrible and on his white face and skin, not that distracting. I haven't seen him side Sunday so am breathing a little easier and able to step back emotionally.

I was traumatized a few years ago by reading the Diane Whipple account and have always had a discomfort with big and powerful breeds. I never have had a problem telling people at the obedience club that I don't know, or am not the right instructor for them.

Sure hope the neighbors get help! I will make calls and offer to pay for the neuter but I'll sleep better when he is gone. I am extra careful to look up and down the street before my dogs go out to the car in my driveway, or back in.

 

[missjenneygirl]

Very valid points, excellent response!!

 

[Justme]

I shudder to think what could happen if the dog got loose.

An acquaintance had his dog killed by multiple pit bulls. He (the owner) tried to fight them off, but it was futile. Really horrible...

The local animal humane society puts pit bulls up for adoption, but all dogs have to pass a "temperment test" first.

 

[BarbV]

Barb, I'm going to come to the defense of German Shepherds. They were originally bred to do herding work, actually to act as a moving fence, keeping sheep in a certain area. Then because of their size, and sometimes intense look, they were brought into towns to intimidate people who might rob the local butcher shop, or accompany the tax collector on his rounds.They are highly intelligent with an "on and off" switch.
You see this in Shutzhund work(competition), and of course police work.

I wonder why pitbulls aren't trained to do police work. They certainly would intimidate any suspect fleeing the scene. Just release the dog and it will run down the criminal. I would guess it would be because they are known to be unpredictable. You can't call them off, and when they bite, they don't release. For all the wonderful pitbulls out there, that are in shelters, why don't government agencies use them for police work?

I have seen, first hand the heartache and damage these dogs can do. I am sorry to paint the breed with a wide stroke, but I am not about to ask the owner "Is your dog friendly?". I will never trust the breed.

I am happy that there are people willing to rehabilitate them. Lucky for the dog.

I think you misread me! I was actually supporting those breeds that have been maligned over the years because of lack of diligence in finding proper owners for these dogs. I defend them all, even pitts! Though some dogs, like German Shepherds tend to get off a little easier because of their "police" reputation.

Personally, I think its the onwers that should be put down, not the dogs!

And I'll say again, some of the most vicious I've seen are the small, spoiled dogs that have never been socialized properly, with other dogs or people.

 

[BarbV]

I understand what you're saying that the dog isn't for you, and yes I agree they certainly aren't my preferred breed either (but then NO terrier ever would be, lol)... and they are different than a German Shepherd, yes. However, there are also a bazillion reasons why many, if not most GSD's do NOT qualify for any police or schutzhund work, either! One is horrible temperaments and second is their horrible build nowadays regarding what conformation has done to them...Hello Malinois to the rescue until that breed gets messed up, too...
But I digress... a Pitbull can most certainly do nosework for example and most certainly works a lot with border patrols, and have also seen them in flyball.. that breed's tenacity can be harnessed! I would never do bitework with a pittie, because they already have the power and the intimidation factor and drive, the wouldn't have to be trained there to develop it! I understand some fears, personally... BUT I feel it is also incorrect to assume any Shelter dog could ever even be rescued by Police, since they most certainly do NOT rescue any German Shepherds to do highly specialized police work either!
So regardless of the breed, any dog int hat description should be worked with, I hope he just needs an experienced owner, it has the right to be treated humanely and fairly not just be put down because he is a pitbull!

I agree totally!

But thinking out loud here...rather than prohibit them entirely as they have done in Ontario, perhaps there is a way to specially license them? i.e. to owners committed to proper training etc. I know that's not full proof, and you'll still get pit-mixes showing up on Kiijjii. But maybe its a start. Better than eradicating an entire breed altogether?