Thread: So we rescued a dog...

Before you read..I am an experienced APBT owner I have had many taking all the classes read up on the breed owned many.

I went yesturday and rescued a red nose pit bull and he is the sweetest thing I have ever come acrossed he is a 55lb lap dog loves his ears scratched,belly rubs and loves to cuddle with the cats.

Now with that said,I have gotten nothing but crap from people I know for having this dog not because he is a rescue not because they have met him and he is mean but because he is a bully and they believe everything they hear on the news or from other people...

I am just so peeved at the ignorance of people I just want to scream.

Thanks for the vent.

Understand......there have been many instances where people have said they have experience, he's a great dog, great with kids, yada, yada....only to have that dog either attack one of their family members, a neighbor's pet or a neighbor's child.

Yes, any dog or animal for that matter, can cause damage if they attack....however, a pit bull's potential damage is much more serious. There's a reason why they have their reputation. :

You may have all the right qualifications, training and instincts and it may all go well for you and your pet - and know that I am not doubting any of your abilities.....but from a mother's POV who has small children.....I would be terrified if my neighbor brought home a pit bull. It's not worth the potential risk to myself and my family to be in close proximity to this breed and a few others. JMO

I'm not ignorant....I have always been around dogs....I'm just not willing to chance it with my kids......

I amnot underplaying a pits ability to kill..or harm.But I also know anything with teeth can bite and kill.
It is just frustrating that no one will give these dogs a chance.
My lab is alot meaner than any of my other pits and no one is afraid of him..because he's a LAB.My shepard has to be kept away from people she doesn't know because she has a nipping problem..no one is afraid of her.
I understand that these dogs have a bad rep but in the hands of the right person they can be wonderful loving loyal family gaurdians.They are a member of the MASTIFF family but do you see people tucking tail to run from a mastiff nope because all they see is a big dumb slobbering dog..NOT the 120lb killing machine they can be.
There are many dogs that have worse temperments.

in the hands of the right person they can be wonderful loving loyal family gaurdians

I think that applies to any animal......but the 'right person' is few and far between when it comes to the needs and understandings of the pit bull.

There are many dogs that have worse temperments.

...but it's the combination of temperament, breed, conditions and surroundings that can be deadly.

I'm not a chihuahua or poodle fan as some (not all) of those dogs can be pretty nasty, neurotic and obnoxious....but they are easier to contain and their bite is not comparable to say a dobbie or pit bull's.

Yesterday here in Memphis a 13 yr old was attacked by a pit. Until yesterday everyone says that the dog was a really sweet dog.

Like I said I know they bite I know they are known for this action,they are no different than any other dog THEY BITE! DOGS don't just turn violent they have to be provoked.The problem with people are they think dogs have human emotions that is why dogs get out of control.DOGS don't have human emotions they live for food and pack.If you are not pack you are a threat,and will be seen and treated as that.My dogs know I am the boss,I snap my fingers and they sit and stay that way until i say so because I have asserted myself as pack leader.
These does were bred to fight in pits,hence the name this fighting instinct is just that instinct but can be controlled as long as the person is assertive and not timid and can control a willful dog.
I know trying to get people to see thses dogs as the sweet loyal family gaurdians than can be is alosing battle I just wish that instead of putting these dogs to death people would educate themselves and learn that EVERY DOG has its downside it is all in the hand of the owner.
I am also for the passing of the law that all pit owners should have to register and insure their dog.I also believe that if you own a pit you should take classes on proper care and handling of pits I did it at a local shelter by a animal behavorial specialist before we even got our first bully 8 years ago.I do feel bad when someone is attacked but I don't think its the dogs fault its the owners fault for not properly controlling an animal.

I agree with you, however the problem arises as not everyone is equipped to have one of these dogs nor to understand and behave appropriately in their vicinity. It takes a good balance and it is seldom there.

Therefore, it is better for all, dog and human, that this combination not be.

Originally Posted by pepperpot

I agree with you, however the problem arises as not everyone is equipped to have one of these dogs nor to understand and behave appropriately in their vicinity. It takes a good balance and it is seldom there.

Therefore, it is better for all, dog and human, that this combination not be.

Exactly that is what I am getting at there shoould be proper education of dog and human.

Congrats on your new "lap" dog (: .....I hope he gives you many years of pleasure.

Originally Posted by Hetty

! DOGS don't just turn violent they have to be provoked.

I really wasn't going to post in this thread. This topic has been discussed so much and no ones opinions ever really change... so I kind of see it as pointless... but the comment I quoted is absolutely false... I don't care where you read it or what certified person said it... it is WRONG. My cousin has two pit bulls. I loved them at first... I absolutely hate one of them now and am scared to be around both of them. These dogs are both extremely violent. She's had them since they were puppies, they were spoiled absolutely rotten. There was no abuse of any kind... no provocation. They fight each other every chance they get. One of them has killed a cat... although in that instance I truly believe he was just trying to play with it. The other one killed a dog it had lived w/ since she was 8 weeks old. There was no provocation at all. She just walked in the room and this pit bull snatched up this 5 pound dog and killed it. I am so sick and tired of hearing about how they don't attack unless provoked. It's absolute bullsh*t. I have been present when one of them attacks... I have seen it w/ my very own eyes. I have felt the absolute hate roll off their backs while in a fight... it is one of the scariest things I have ever witnessed... I don't like them... I don't want them around me... and everytime I see one lose you can bet I call the police and make sure they know exactly what house it comes from... and I don't feel a tiny bit bad about it.