- Thread starter Roanic
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cristycurves
Guest
I like you Papa and would enjoy having a beer in your company as long as I could bring my pit.....:wink2:
@canada man, lol, dealing directly with those on both sides of the issue and with the breed itself, is propaganda, lmao and all your "research" ahem, I mean, copying and pasting is proof.....:LMAO: okay Canadaman...... and btw, pits were originally bred to watch over children, as nanny dogs, long before they were used as fighting dogs, I guess you missed that tidbit of info in your online search. That's why the breed was so liked on the set of the little rascals.
and again, why aren't you addressing my black man point.....
shouldn't we be fearful of them, statistics do show, the majority of violent crimes are committed by black men and the majority of males incarcerated are black men, should I be fearful and want a ban on them? Or can we only discriminate against breeds of animals?
See I can copy and paste like you
It’s important to note that black men commit nearly half of all murders in this country, which is astounding when you take into consideration the fact that they only make up 12-13 per cent of the population.”
“James”, 26 November 2014
https://www.alternet.org/civil-libe...t-nanny-dogs-children-until-media-turned-them
@canada man, lol, dealing directly with those on both sides of the issue and with the breed itself, is propaganda, lmao and all your "research" ahem, I mean, copying and pasting is proof.....:LMAO: okay Canadaman...... and btw, pits were originally bred to watch over children, as nanny dogs, long before they were used as fighting dogs, I guess you missed that tidbit of info in your online search. That's why the breed was so liked on the set of the little rascals.
and again, why aren't you addressing my black man point.....
shouldn't we be fearful of them, statistics do show, the majority of violent crimes are committed by black men and the majority of males incarcerated are black men, should I be fearful and want a ban on them? Or can we only discriminate against breeds of animals?See I can copy and paste like you
It’s important to note that black men commit nearly half of all murders in this country, which is astounding when you take into consideration the fact that they only make up 12-13 per cent of the population.”
“James”, 26 November 2014
https://www.alternet.org/civil-libe...t-nanny-dogs-children-until-media-turned-them
Canada-Man
Reviewer
- Joined
- Apr 16, 2015
- Messages
- 2,289
cristy if you don't like the research produced by the anti-pitbull side why is it hard for you produce any evidence and research which debunk the ones that dogbites and others have? could it be that there are none. i read both sides. the anti-pitbull sides have evidence to back up their claims showing pit bulls are the most dangerous dog breeds and have historical evidence showing they are bred to be this way. the pit bull lobby only have hearsay, personal experience, denials, victim blaming, and myths
https://thetruthaboutpitbulls.blogspot.ca/2010/08/nanny-dog-myth-revealed.html
https://www.daxtonsfriends.com/canine-myths-2/
“PIT BULLS USED TO BE NANNY DOGS”
The Myth:
To explain vintage black and white photographs that depicted children and pit bulls together, a story was created that back in the Victorian age the pit bull was the “nanny dog”. These so-called nanny dogs were said to be so good with children parents relied on them to babysit and protect them.
The Reality:
One fighting breed advocate created this “legend” in 1971 to distance her breed from its fighting origins. This mention was picked up by a newspaper in 1987 and has since been promoted as historical “fact.”
At no point in history were pit bulls ever “nanny dogs”. There has not been any proof ever given to make this myth a reality. The pit bull advocacy group “BADRAP” (Bay Area Dog Lovers Responsible About Pit Bulls) recently admitted that pit bulls were never nanny dogs and that this myth was dangerous to children. The retraction of the “nanny dog myth” has been highly publicized. Despite the retraction, the myth has lived on and pit bull advocates still repeat it regularly
“Did you know that there was never such thing as a ‘Nanny’s Dog’? This term was a recent invention created to describe the myriad of vintage photos of children enjoying their family pit bulls (click this link for details about vintage photos). While the intention behind the term was innocent, using it may mislead parents into being careless with their children around their family dog – A recipe for dog bites!”
Pit bull flips on new owner who was walking it, latches onto his face. Nearby police shot the dog to death. The end.
https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2016/10/23/police-shoot-dog/
https://thetruthaboutpitbulls.blogspot.ca/2010/08/nanny-dog-myth-revealed.html
https://www.daxtonsfriends.com/canine-myths-2/
“PIT BULLS USED TO BE NANNY DOGS”
The Myth:
To explain vintage black and white photographs that depicted children and pit bulls together, a story was created that back in the Victorian age the pit bull was the “nanny dog”. These so-called nanny dogs were said to be so good with children parents relied on them to babysit and protect them.
The Reality:
One fighting breed advocate created this “legend” in 1971 to distance her breed from its fighting origins. This mention was picked up by a newspaper in 1987 and has since been promoted as historical “fact.”
At no point in history were pit bulls ever “nanny dogs”. There has not been any proof ever given to make this myth a reality. The pit bull advocacy group “BADRAP” (Bay Area Dog Lovers Responsible About Pit Bulls) recently admitted that pit bulls were never nanny dogs and that this myth was dangerous to children. The retraction of the “nanny dog myth” has been highly publicized. Despite the retraction, the myth has lived on and pit bull advocates still repeat it regularly
“Did you know that there was never such thing as a ‘Nanny’s Dog’? This term was a recent invention created to describe the myriad of vintage photos of children enjoying their family pit bulls (click this link for details about vintage photos). While the intention behind the term was innocent, using it may mislead parents into being careless with their children around their family dog – A recipe for dog bites!”
Pit bull flips on new owner who was walking it, latches onto his face. Nearby police shot the dog to death. The end.
https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2016/10/23/police-shoot-dog/
dreamblade
Reviewer
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2009
- Messages
- 1,080
Remind me to get a Staff Terrier so that CM never never comes to my house. Cristy, you can come over for doggie dates. :biggrin2:
The truth is many people suck at raising dogs. It's the same thing as when they want children. They love the idea, but can't handle the reality, the day-to-day stuff required to properly socialise, and communicate with, the dog. Just as with kids, if you're a Nazi drill seargent with them when they're young, they grow up to be perfectly well behaved and adjusted. Neither will want to bite your face off.
The truth is many people suck at raising dogs. It's the same thing as when they want children. They love the idea, but can't handle the reality, the day-to-day stuff required to properly socialise, and communicate with, the dog. Just as with kids, if you're a Nazi drill seargent with them when they're young, they grow up to be perfectly well behaved and adjusted. Neither will want to bite your face off.
U
User-E
Guest
I don't like pitbulls. I don't trust them. Several years ago, while out for a walk, I was charged by one that got loose from it's owner. There was no reason for it to come at me, I didn't have a dog with me and I wasn't paying any attention to it. I stood my ground well enough that it changed it's mind and decided not to attack me, but it really shook me up to know how much damage it could have done if it had decided to bite.
Canada-Man
Reviewer
- Joined
- Apr 16, 2015
- Messages
- 2,289
https://www.dogsbite.org/dangerous-dogs-pit-bull-owners.php
[h=1]Pit bull owners ::[/h]Studies show that pit bull owners employ strategies to disguise the true nature of the breed by engaging in distortions, denial and overcompensation and by projecting blame after attacks.
[h=2]Not normal dog owners[/h]To understand the experience of owning a negatively perceived dog, Tufts Center for Animals and Public Policy did a case study on pit bull owners that was published in 2000. Researchers found that with "outlaw" breeds, such as pit bulls, the human-dog relationship is sociologically more complex than previously known. Owners of pit bulls, they discovered, directly feel the stigma targeted at their breed and resort to various tactics to mitigate it. These strategies included:
[h=4]Related articles:[/h]
[h=1]Pit bull owners ::[/h]Studies show that pit bull owners employ strategies to disguise the true nature of the breed by engaging in distortions, denial and overcompensation and by projecting blame after attacks.
[h=2]Not normal dog owners[/h]To understand the experience of owning a negatively perceived dog, Tufts Center for Animals and Public Policy did a case study on pit bull owners that was published in 2000. Researchers found that with "outlaw" breeds, such as pit bulls, the human-dog relationship is sociologically more complex than previously known. Owners of pit bulls, they discovered, directly feel the stigma targeted at their breed and resort to various tactics to mitigate it. These strategies included:
"passing their dogs as breeds other than pit bulls, denying that their behavior is biologically determined, debunking adverse media coverage, using humor, emphasizing counter-stereotypical behavior, avoiding stereotypical equipment or accessories, taking preventive measures, or becoming breed ambassadors."1
The study is sympathetic to pit bull owners and makes unsourced claims, but does show the basis of pro-pit bull propaganda. Strategies identified by the researchers are the same strategies employed by pro-pit bull groups to stop a municipality from enacting a pit bull law. For instance, pit bull advocates will claim that a pit bull cannot be identified, that there is a media conspiracy against pit bulls and that pit bulls are "just big babies" that only want to "lick you to death."[h=4]Related articles:[/h]
escapefromstress said:
I know the feeling. It happened to me when i was a kid.This dog just attacked me for no reason. I didnt even see him. Took me a while to trust dogs again. However, if i see some mean nasty looking dogs, i just cross the street. Coward, eh?
Whats really interesting, when I was travelling in Asia, there were stray dogs everywhere. They would never approach you. That was an eye opener for me.
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cristycurves
Guest
The media cannot be looked upon as an accurate source of reference. What they print is not held up to any exacting standards, and reporters rarely have the time or resources to research the origin of any given source and establish the facts on their own.
Journalism is maintained by a collection of communication practices that inherently blue the distinction between fact, information, and knowledge. Too many reporters determine their own brand of facts by drawing from sources that they consider reliable without any further investigation.
Even if a reporter has first hand information, the editor still has the ability to punch up the headline and insert images that may corrupt the entire story by twisting the reader’s mindset before he actually has a chance to learn the facts.
For example, the New York Times has a lengthy history of publishing negative reports about pit bulls, and their word becomes fact to many reporters who don’t want to investigate different viewpoints.
The media does not have any desire to deceive the public or intentionally create bias, but the practices they partake stem from a series of “follow the leader” games, making it easier than doing the actual research.
There are many examples of defective reporting practices…
In August 2007, when the body of Jacob Adams was found on Ving Rhames’ property in Brentwood, California, the media was quick to release hundreds of speculative and inaccurate stories proclaiming Adams was killed or mauled to death by the dogs. For over 400 days, the media covered the story with over 300 media sources reporting the four dogs mauled the man to death.
Ving Rhames Dog Attack
After the autopsy was performed, the preliminary results found that the dogs did not cause death even though there were bite and claw marks on Adams’ extremities; the injuries were superficial and not sufficient to the cause of death. Only two newspapers, The LA Canyon and The Globe and Mail, reported the results of the autopsy. After the autopsy, only 34 media sources reported Rhames’ condolences to Adams’ family and the facts about his death. Some media sources even accused Rhames’ statement of being speculative with headlines such as: “Ving Rhames Assumes His Dogs are Innocent!” and “Ving Comes up to Conclusions in Dog Attack Case.”
In 2002, family pit bulls were reported at shredding granny to shreds. A woman was found dead in her daughter’s home with several bites on her. Because there were two dogs- a Pit Bull and pit bull mix- were at the home, the police and coroner assumed the dogs were the cause. It was not uncommon to see headlines such as “Killer it Bulls Rip Granny to Shreds” (New York Post). These same dogs were reported to be covered in blood or to at least have blood on them.
The neighbor claimed “the dogs were vicious, they barked a lot and looked vicious.” One paper even published a picture with one of the dogs baring its teeth, clearly agitated in the stressful and unknown surroundings of the animal shelter, where the dogs sat for eight months.
The woman’s daughter, who owned both of the dogs, was sure that her dogs had not caused her mother’s death and hired an independent forensic pathologist. He looked at the findings from the initial autopsy report and re-evaluated them, who discovered that the woman had died of cardiac arrhythmia and the bite wounds were non-lethal and postmortem.
It’s not uncommon for dogs of any breed to inflict postmortem wounds on their deceased owners. Poodles, Dachshunds, Labrador Retrievers, and mix breed dogs have all been recorded at inflicting such wounds. This is not, nor has it ever been, linked with any form of aggressiveness.
The dogs were released back to their owner when she provided the expert’s report, but there was never a retraction about the “pit bull attack” or “pit bull fatality,” which remain archived in newspapers and on the Internet.
Journalists often refuse to recognize real facts and print retractions of harmful and erroneous reports because it wouldn’t make for a good story.
There tends to be a “shoot first and maybe ask questions later” momentum with journalism and media. They thrive on a good story and a good headline that will catch the attention of readers.
Media is and always has been a “problem generating machine” promoting fear based stories enhancing the fear of the unknown and generating the want not to know or find out more. News about Pit Bulls draw emotion from many people because pit bulls are dogs that people love to hate, and they’re sure to sell.
Journalism is maintained by a collection of communication practices that inherently blue the distinction between fact, information, and knowledge. Too many reporters determine their own brand of facts by drawing from sources that they consider reliable without any further investigation.
Even if a reporter has first hand information, the editor still has the ability to punch up the headline and insert images that may corrupt the entire story by twisting the reader’s mindset before he actually has a chance to learn the facts.
For example, the New York Times has a lengthy history of publishing negative reports about pit bulls, and their word becomes fact to many reporters who don’t want to investigate different viewpoints.
The media does not have any desire to deceive the public or intentionally create bias, but the practices they partake stem from a series of “follow the leader” games, making it easier than doing the actual research.
There are many examples of defective reporting practices…
In August 2007, when the body of Jacob Adams was found on Ving Rhames’ property in Brentwood, California, the media was quick to release hundreds of speculative and inaccurate stories proclaiming Adams was killed or mauled to death by the dogs. For over 400 days, the media covered the story with over 300 media sources reporting the four dogs mauled the man to death.
Ving Rhames Dog Attack
After the autopsy was performed, the preliminary results found that the dogs did not cause death even though there were bite and claw marks on Adams’ extremities; the injuries were superficial and not sufficient to the cause of death. Only two newspapers, The LA Canyon and The Globe and Mail, reported the results of the autopsy. After the autopsy, only 34 media sources reported Rhames’ condolences to Adams’ family and the facts about his death. Some media sources even accused Rhames’ statement of being speculative with headlines such as: “Ving Rhames Assumes His Dogs are Innocent!” and “Ving Comes up to Conclusions in Dog Attack Case.”
In 2002, family pit bulls were reported at shredding granny to shreds. A woman was found dead in her daughter’s home with several bites on her. Because there were two dogs- a Pit Bull and pit bull mix- were at the home, the police and coroner assumed the dogs were the cause. It was not uncommon to see headlines such as “Killer it Bulls Rip Granny to Shreds” (New York Post). These same dogs were reported to be covered in blood or to at least have blood on them.
The neighbor claimed “the dogs were vicious, they barked a lot and looked vicious.” One paper even published a picture with one of the dogs baring its teeth, clearly agitated in the stressful and unknown surroundings of the animal shelter, where the dogs sat for eight months.
The woman’s daughter, who owned both of the dogs, was sure that her dogs had not caused her mother’s death and hired an independent forensic pathologist. He looked at the findings from the initial autopsy report and re-evaluated them, who discovered that the woman had died of cardiac arrhythmia and the bite wounds were non-lethal and postmortem.
It’s not uncommon for dogs of any breed to inflict postmortem wounds on their deceased owners. Poodles, Dachshunds, Labrador Retrievers, and mix breed dogs have all been recorded at inflicting such wounds. This is not, nor has it ever been, linked with any form of aggressiveness.
The dogs were released back to their owner when she provided the expert’s report, but there was never a retraction about the “pit bull attack” or “pit bull fatality,” which remain archived in newspapers and on the Internet.
Journalists often refuse to recognize real facts and print retractions of harmful and erroneous reports because it wouldn’t make for a good story.
There tends to be a “shoot first and maybe ask questions later” momentum with journalism and media. They thrive on a good story and a good headline that will catch the attention of readers.Media is and always has been a “problem generating machine” promoting fear based stories enhancing the fear of the unknown and generating the want not to know or find out more. News about Pit Bulls draw emotion from many people because pit bulls are dogs that people love to hate, and they’re sure to sell.
- https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sha...om/blog/news/media-manufactures-pitbull-fear/
[*]https://twitter.com/home?status=Med...om/blog/news/media-manufactures-pitbull-fear/
[*]https://pinterest.com/pin/create/bu...-bull.jpg&description=Media Manufactures Fear
[*]https://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?...om/blog/news/media-manufactures-pitbull-fear/
[*]https://plus.google.com/share?url=h...om/blog/news/media-manufactures-pitbull-fear/
[*]https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=h...om/blog/news/media-manufactures-pitbull-fear/
[*]
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cristycurves
Guest
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cristycurves
Guest
here is a video of a vicious pitbull in action
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cristycurves
Guest
With the amount of fear mongering that exists currently regarding pit bull-type dogs, I feel it's important to publish the truth about these dogs. Although most dogs labeled as pit bulls are actually a mix of different breeds with similar physical characteristics, anything that has the appearance of an American Pitbull Terrier is incorrectly labeled as a pit bull, even when there is no relation to the APT at all. For the purpose of this article, therefore, I will call dogs with similar physical characteristics pit bull types, unless I am referencing the American Pitbull Terrier specifically.
Since I came to the US fifteen years ago, I have worked with American Pitbull Terriers and pit bull types and have treated everything from minor to major behavioral issues in these dogs, including aggression. For the past 3 years I have also been working with my colleague and friend Jim Crosby, canine aggression expert and forensic dog bite investigator, on investigations where people – including children – have been mauled or killed by dogs. Jim Crosby has had his hands on more dangerous dogs and dogs that have killed people than anyone else in the world. There is no one more qualified when it comes to understanding why dogs aggress and why tragic incidents such as human deaths from dogs happen. Yes, some people have been killed by pit bull types and some have been killed by other breeds, but the correlation between the majority of these deaths, regardless of breed or breed type, is owner ignorance, recklessness and irresponsibility. Most of the human deaths from dogs he has investigated over many years could have been prevented if human failure had not been such a significant contributing factor.
My experience therefore qualifies me to write and talk about this breed type more than any journalist or scaremonger out there determined to instill fear. And to be clear, I’m not an American Pitbull Terrier or pit bull type advocate. I’m an advocate for all dogs. I’m also a realist and these are my observations.
Does Breed Type Predict Behavior?
Every dog has their own set of personality traits that make them unique, and it’s impossible to predict a dog’s behavior solely on its breed type, because the way a dog is raised and the environment in which he is raised in has a significant impact on behavior, regardless of breed. So while I do take breed predisposition into account when I’m working with any dog, I never rely on it solely as a predictor of behavior. The myth that all pit bulls are dangerous or 'bred to be violent' is simply not true, but myths like these continue to instill fear in the general public and cause devastating misunderstandings.
Do All Pit Bull Types Have Similar Behavioral Traits?
No. Some have a tendency towards certain behaviors, but not all. Their range of behavior defies any singular label and is as complex and variable as any other breed type, crossing the spectrum from the gentle and even-tempered therapy dog used to help children read more fluently in school programs, to the dog labeled a liability for biting or even causing a human fatality.
Are There Any Accurate Pit Bull Type-Specific Generalizations?
If I had to pick some tendencies and make a few generalization about pit bull types they would be the following:
There are countless stories of pit bull type dogs 'suddenly exploding'. This seems to be the common layperson's explanation whenever there has been a bad bite or a fatality, but the actual incidents of true explosive rage in any breed of dog are very rare. Many bites are the result of a combination of environment and circumstance. The signs of discomfort might be subtle and easily misunderstood, ignored, or go unnoticed until they come together in a perfect storm that ends in a bite. Dogs never bite 'out of the blue' or 'for no reason.' There is always a reason for every behavior.
Can People Cause Their Dogs to Bite?
Yes. All too often people get pit bull types and fail to give them the outlets they need, or worse, turn them into loaded weapons. Their ‘gameness’ and desire to please tends to attract the wrong kind of people who use them to enhance personal image and status, or as protection for themselves or their families. Many pit bull types are kept in the yard tethered to a chain their entire lives, causing hyper-reactivity and fear which has on occasion led to disaster. Until authorities take more notice of the other end of the leash and hold people accountable for their dogs’ behavior, the situation will remain the same.
Can the Number of Dog Bites Be Reduced?
The key to reducing the number of dog bites and keeping people safe is not to ban an entire breed, but instead to make all dog owners accountable and responsible for their dogs’ behavior while encouraging them to raise their dogs appropriately. Good socialization and using only positive training methods creates emotionally balanced dogs, a fact that science has proven again and again. Force free training and humane discipline is more effective, less confrontational and therefore safer for any breed of dog.
Mandatory education in all schools to empower children with a clearer understanding of canine body language as well as educating parents and caregivers to be more aware when mixing children and dogs will also keep people safer.
Why Are There So Many Pit Bull Types In Shelters?
In some cities in the United States pit bull type dogs account for half of all dogs that end up in shelters, and the devastating reality is that very few of them make it out alive. All too often, owners have damaged and abandoned these dogs to the point where re-homing becomes impossible, and it’s because of human irresponsibility along with media hype that the pit bull and other bully types are now a breed type many people fear.
Do American Pitbull Terriers and Pit Bull Types Make Safe Family Dogs?
Yes. Any dog that is raised responsibly can be a great family dog including the Pit bull and pit bull type dog, but with a reckless or clueless owner, any breed or type can become an out-of-control liability that ends up either hurting somebody or on a shelter’s euthanasia list.
Since I came to the US fifteen years ago, I have worked with American Pitbull Terriers and pit bull types and have treated everything from minor to major behavioral issues in these dogs, including aggression. For the past 3 years I have also been working with my colleague and friend Jim Crosby, canine aggression expert and forensic dog bite investigator, on investigations where people – including children – have been mauled or killed by dogs. Jim Crosby has had his hands on more dangerous dogs and dogs that have killed people than anyone else in the world. There is no one more qualified when it comes to understanding why dogs aggress and why tragic incidents such as human deaths from dogs happen. Yes, some people have been killed by pit bull types and some have been killed by other breeds, but the correlation between the majority of these deaths, regardless of breed or breed type, is owner ignorance, recklessness and irresponsibility. Most of the human deaths from dogs he has investigated over many years could have been prevented if human failure had not been such a significant contributing factor.
My experience therefore qualifies me to write and talk about this breed type more than any journalist or scaremonger out there determined to instill fear. And to be clear, I’m not an American Pitbull Terrier or pit bull type advocate. I’m an advocate for all dogs. I’m also a realist and these are my observations.
Does Breed Type Predict Behavior?
Every dog has their own set of personality traits that make them unique, and it’s impossible to predict a dog’s behavior solely on its breed type, because the way a dog is raised and the environment in which he is raised in has a significant impact on behavior, regardless of breed. So while I do take breed predisposition into account when I’m working with any dog, I never rely on it solely as a predictor of behavior. The myth that all pit bulls are dangerous or 'bred to be violent' is simply not true, but myths like these continue to instill fear in the general public and cause devastating misunderstandings.
Do All Pit Bull Types Have Similar Behavioral Traits?
No. Some have a tendency towards certain behaviors, but not all. Their range of behavior defies any singular label and is as complex and variable as any other breed type, crossing the spectrum from the gentle and even-tempered therapy dog used to help children read more fluently in school programs, to the dog labeled a liability for biting or even causing a human fatality.
Are There Any Accurate Pit Bull Type-Specific Generalizations?
If I had to pick some tendencies and make a few generalization about pit bull types they would be the following:
- Although there are always exceptions, pit bull types and bully breeds generally tend to mature earlier and show demonstrative behaviors from a very young age, with pups engaging in rough play and muzzle punching. They tend to get overly excited during play, (normal for many breeds) which can frighten other dogs. As the puppy matures, play can become rougher with adolescent and adult dogs becoming less tolerant and sometimes reactive. Overly exuberant play can provoke a negative response in other dogs’, which can quickly escalate into a squabble or fight. To avoid this situation, play should be supervised and controlled with human intervention to avoid negative behavior. This is the case for any dog that plays with other dogs, regardless of breed or breed type.
- Pit bull types enjoy a zest for life that is often incomparable to others, but they can sometimes offend other dogs or scare people with their enthusiasm. Body slamming, jumping and sometimes grabbing an arm or piece of clothing is an exuberant (but usually non-violent) way of greeting, and can be interpreted or perceived as threatening or even aggressive. Because of their friendliness and willingness to engage, there are no parameters for some pit bull types when it comes to invading personal body space.
- Like any dog, pit bull type pups need to be well-socialized from a young age and taught self-control. Teaching a pup to greet a person by sitting rather than jumping is a good way to start, and a pup should be removed when play gets too rough or when the greeting is too energetic. This will help set boundaries that will guide the puppy into making better greeting choices.
- Pit bull types tend to be highly demonstrative and emotional dogs that think with their hearts rather than their heads. Some find it hard to control their impulses in different situations. Teaching any dog to think before acting helps to focus an emotional brain into one that is actively thinking and problem solving. For example, asking a dog to wait while his food bowl is put down and eat only when given a release cue, teaches valuable impulse control that helps focus attention. Pit bull types are exceptionally quick learners when given the right motivators.
There are countless stories of pit bull type dogs 'suddenly exploding'. This seems to be the common layperson's explanation whenever there has been a bad bite or a fatality, but the actual incidents of true explosive rage in any breed of dog are very rare. Many bites are the result of a combination of environment and circumstance. The signs of discomfort might be subtle and easily misunderstood, ignored, or go unnoticed until they come together in a perfect storm that ends in a bite. Dogs never bite 'out of the blue' or 'for no reason.' There is always a reason for every behavior.
Can People Cause Their Dogs to Bite?
Yes. All too often people get pit bull types and fail to give them the outlets they need, or worse, turn them into loaded weapons. Their ‘gameness’ and desire to please tends to attract the wrong kind of people who use them to enhance personal image and status, or as protection for themselves or their families. Many pit bull types are kept in the yard tethered to a chain their entire lives, causing hyper-reactivity and fear which has on occasion led to disaster. Until authorities take more notice of the other end of the leash and hold people accountable for their dogs’ behavior, the situation will remain the same.
Can the Number of Dog Bites Be Reduced?
The key to reducing the number of dog bites and keeping people safe is not to ban an entire breed, but instead to make all dog owners accountable and responsible for their dogs’ behavior while encouraging them to raise their dogs appropriately. Good socialization and using only positive training methods creates emotionally balanced dogs, a fact that science has proven again and again. Force free training and humane discipline is more effective, less confrontational and therefore safer for any breed of dog.
Mandatory education in all schools to empower children with a clearer understanding of canine body language as well as educating parents and caregivers to be more aware when mixing children and dogs will also keep people safer.
Why Are There So Many Pit Bull Types In Shelters?
In some cities in the United States pit bull type dogs account for half of all dogs that end up in shelters, and the devastating reality is that very few of them make it out alive. All too often, owners have damaged and abandoned these dogs to the point where re-homing becomes impossible, and it’s because of human irresponsibility along with media hype that the pit bull and other bully types are now a breed type many people fear.
Do American Pitbull Terriers and Pit Bull Types Make Safe Family Dogs?
Yes. Any dog that is raised responsibly can be a great family dog including the Pit bull and pit bull type dog, but with a reckless or clueless owner, any breed or type can become an out-of-control liability that ends up either hurting somebody or on a shelter’s euthanasia list.
C
cristycurves
Guest
although I'm not a huge fan of Ceasar Millan, I do respect his experience and knowledge of pits
[h=1]Why I love pit bulls[/h]
19.9K
353
by Cesar Millan
Go beyond the stereotype and you’ll discover a smart, calm, and loving companion, just as I did 20 years ago
A dog is a dog.
Related: The most dangerous dog
It seems a pretty obvious statement, doesn’t it? Go to your dog park and sit back and watch how they interact. You’ll see Chihuahuas chasing after Labs, Westies happily socializing with Rottweilers, and purebred Irish wolfhounds checking out the mutts. What matters is the energy a dog gives off. Dogs try to avoid any animal that isn’t balanced and acts aggressively — it doesn’t matter whether it’s a big dog or small dog or what breed it is.
But when I hear people talk, I realize that they’re complicating this by dividing the world of dogs into breeds and then projecting characteristics onto them. And that is never more true than when you hear the words “pit bull.”
Sadly, a lot of people have come to think of pit bulls as violent and aggressive dogs. This is reinforced on TV and in newspapers that go to town every time there’s an attack — and often the offending dog is described as a pit even when it isn’t.
I’m here to tell you, though, that a pit bull is no more likely to unpredictably attack than any other breed. That’s a fact. To say that a pit is a natural-born killer is nothing more than stereotyping.
We don’t have a problem with the breed — we have a problem with education. And until we change people’s attitudes, pit bulls are going to have problems. There are more pit bulls in shelters than any other breed, they’re less likely to be adopted, and they’re far more likely to be euthanized.
The pits in my own life
It’s so hard for me to understand people when they talk about pit bulls as they do because I immediately think of the pits in my own life.
I first met Daddy 20 years ago, when he was just a 4-month-old puppy. He was with the rapper Redman, who said to me, “I don’t want my dog to get me in trouble — I want you to train him.” Because Redman was touring and traveling a lot of the time, Daddy stayed with me.
From the beginning, Daddy was balanced and calm, and because I always had a large pack around he got to know a lot of different dogs early on, so he was always well-socialized. It didn’t matter what other dogs did. If they became aggressive, he’d just walk away, and he’d let little dogs do anything to him. At one time, there were two small Italian greyhounds in the pack, and Daddy used to let them climb up on him and go to sleep.
My sons Andre and Calvin grew up with pit bulls. I have pictures of Andre clutching his bottle and lying down on Daddy. To my kids, Daddy was a buddy to play with, a pillow to lie on for comfort, and a patient friend who always understood them.
Daddy was incredibly in touch with all of the members of the household. When someone wasn’t feeling well, he could sense it before entering the house, and he’d slow down to let me know. He knew the difference between adults and kids and was much more patient and tolerant with the kids, almost like a grandpa. That’s how my children saw him — as a proud and understanding friend to them. Daddy did so much to enrich my life and the lives of my kids.
Daddy was a natural leader, and other dogs would follow him instinctively, which is how Junior wound up joining our pack. Daddy picked out Junior from the litter — and Junior followed him when he walked away.
Daddy and I understood each other without words, and we could read each other’s moods perfectly. This was the greatest lesson he gave me: how to connect. Before you can train a dog or rehabilitate a dog, you have to connect, but you can only do it by using your instincts and communicating with your energy.
Education is key
I think it’s very hard for people to continue to have negative feelings about pit bulls after they actually get to know one. It’s why I have traveled the world, first with Daddy and, since he passed on, with Junior: to show the true nature of pit bulls.
But it’s also important for me to help educate people who own pit bulls about their dogs. Pit bulls combine the speed and determination of the terrier side of their ancestry with the strength of the bulldog side.
It is the Terrier determination that causes problems if they fight, because they’ll be oblivious to pain and just refuse to quit. As responsible owners, we should make sure to redirect those traits in healthy ways. Give a pit a job to do and he will use that same determination. These are strong dogs who need exercise. For instance, they love to pull. And they can carry a backpack when you go for a walk.
I remember when Daddy was young, he was an amazing puller. When we’d take walks in Runyon Canyon, he would search for a tree trunk. He knew that once he found it I’d attach it to his harness, and he’d get to be a bulldozer. He just loved it.
Pits are also great jumpers, so think about agility classes, or create something for them to jump over. And don’t forget that they have a strong scenting ability, so create challenges for their nose.
Abusing a dog doesn’t just mean chaining him up or hitting him. It also means not letting him fulfill his needs as a dog.
As owners we all have a responsibility to make sure our dogs behave well in public. When people are bombarded with bad headlines about pit bulls, it’s easy to understand why they’re nervous when they see one on the street. Yet each of us, along with our dogs can help alter that perception.
Breed-specific legislation doesn’t work
Dogs of every breed do good things and bad things. If a dog poops in your yard, do you care whether it was a pit bull or a poodle? You just don’t want poop in your yard. Dogs, and especially dog owners, should be held accountable for their actions — for their deeds, not their breeds. Breed-specific legislation doesn’t address the problem. It just penalizes innocent dogs.
[h=1]Why I love pit bulls[/h]
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Go beyond the stereotype and you’ll discover a smart, calm, and loving companion, just as I did 20 years ago
A dog is a dog.
Related: The most dangerous dog
It seems a pretty obvious statement, doesn’t it? Go to your dog park and sit back and watch how they interact. You’ll see Chihuahuas chasing after Labs, Westies happily socializing with Rottweilers, and purebred Irish wolfhounds checking out the mutts. What matters is the energy a dog gives off. Dogs try to avoid any animal that isn’t balanced and acts aggressively — it doesn’t matter whether it’s a big dog or small dog or what breed it is.
But when I hear people talk, I realize that they’re complicating this by dividing the world of dogs into breeds and then projecting characteristics onto them. And that is never more true than when you hear the words “pit bull.”
Sadly, a lot of people have come to think of pit bulls as violent and aggressive dogs. This is reinforced on TV and in newspapers that go to town every time there’s an attack — and often the offending dog is described as a pit even when it isn’t.
I’m here to tell you, though, that a pit bull is no more likely to unpredictably attack than any other breed. That’s a fact. To say that a pit is a natural-born killer is nothing more than stereotyping.
We don’t have a problem with the breed — we have a problem with education. And until we change people’s attitudes, pit bulls are going to have problems. There are more pit bulls in shelters than any other breed, they’re less likely to be adopted, and they’re far more likely to be euthanized.
The pits in my own life
It’s so hard for me to understand people when they talk about pit bulls as they do because I immediately think of the pits in my own life.
I first met Daddy 20 years ago, when he was just a 4-month-old puppy. He was with the rapper Redman, who said to me, “I don’t want my dog to get me in trouble — I want you to train him.” Because Redman was touring and traveling a lot of the time, Daddy stayed with me.
From the beginning, Daddy was balanced and calm, and because I always had a large pack around he got to know a lot of different dogs early on, so he was always well-socialized. It didn’t matter what other dogs did. If they became aggressive, he’d just walk away, and he’d let little dogs do anything to him. At one time, there were two small Italian greyhounds in the pack, and Daddy used to let them climb up on him and go to sleep.
My sons Andre and Calvin grew up with pit bulls. I have pictures of Andre clutching his bottle and lying down on Daddy. To my kids, Daddy was a buddy to play with, a pillow to lie on for comfort, and a patient friend who always understood them.
Daddy was incredibly in touch with all of the members of the household. When someone wasn’t feeling well, he could sense it before entering the house, and he’d slow down to let me know. He knew the difference between adults and kids and was much more patient and tolerant with the kids, almost like a grandpa. That’s how my children saw him — as a proud and understanding friend to them. Daddy did so much to enrich my life and the lives of my kids.
Daddy was a natural leader, and other dogs would follow him instinctively, which is how Junior wound up joining our pack. Daddy picked out Junior from the litter — and Junior followed him when he walked away.
Daddy and I understood each other without words, and we could read each other’s moods perfectly. This was the greatest lesson he gave me: how to connect. Before you can train a dog or rehabilitate a dog, you have to connect, but you can only do it by using your instincts and communicating with your energy.
Education is key
I think it’s very hard for people to continue to have negative feelings about pit bulls after they actually get to know one. It’s why I have traveled the world, first with Daddy and, since he passed on, with Junior: to show the true nature of pit bulls.
But it’s also important for me to help educate people who own pit bulls about their dogs. Pit bulls combine the speed and determination of the terrier side of their ancestry with the strength of the bulldog side.
It is the Terrier determination that causes problems if they fight, because they’ll be oblivious to pain and just refuse to quit. As responsible owners, we should make sure to redirect those traits in healthy ways. Give a pit a job to do and he will use that same determination. These are strong dogs who need exercise. For instance, they love to pull. And they can carry a backpack when you go for a walk.
I remember when Daddy was young, he was an amazing puller. When we’d take walks in Runyon Canyon, he would search for a tree trunk. He knew that once he found it I’d attach it to his harness, and he’d get to be a bulldozer. He just loved it.
Pits are also great jumpers, so think about agility classes, or create something for them to jump over. And don’t forget that they have a strong scenting ability, so create challenges for their nose.
Abusing a dog doesn’t just mean chaining him up or hitting him. It also means not letting him fulfill his needs as a dog.
As owners we all have a responsibility to make sure our dogs behave well in public. When people are bombarded with bad headlines about pit bulls, it’s easy to understand why they’re nervous when they see one on the street. Yet each of us, along with our dogs can help alter that perception.
Breed-specific legislation doesn’t work
Dogs of every breed do good things and bad things. If a dog poops in your yard, do you care whether it was a pit bull or a poodle? You just don’t want poop in your yard. Dogs, and especially dog owners, should be held accountable for their actions — for their deeds, not their breeds. Breed-specific legislation doesn’t address the problem. It just penalizes innocent dogs.
C
cristycurves
Guest
another reasonable article that looks at both sides
https://mic.com/articles/107398/here-s-what-everyone-gets-wrong-about-pit-bulls#.BZTD2y2Wo
all in all there will be those like Canadaman who've never been near a pit, nor interacted with one, or spoken with a trainer, vet, behaviorist, or anyone else who has, he just reads what's posted online then demands those of us with experience to "prove" our claims, all while his proof is like what I've done and copy and pasted others opinions, expert or not.
Fact remains many who down talk the breed couldn't even distinguish the breed when face to face with it, nor have they ever had any contact with one. We criticize people if they discern about different races, stereotype,etc, yet when it's done to dogs, many find it okay.
Again Canadaman, ignores my points on discrimination towards black men, yet there is "online"(which you apparently frown upon, yet use,lol) evidence to prove and statics that claim, that perhaps we should be fearful of them, after all most murders, so "evidence" claims as do the "statistics" are committed by black males.So.... Again Canadaman, I ask..... should we ban black men and be fearful of them? Using the same philosophy you use concerning pits, with your online research,lol, by those same standards it would seem that black men too should be feared and banned from the human race.Or are we only allowed to discriminate against other animals, such as dogs?
https://mic.com/articles/107398/here-s-what-everyone-gets-wrong-about-pit-bulls#.BZTD2y2Wo
all in all there will be those like Canadaman who've never been near a pit, nor interacted with one, or spoken with a trainer, vet, behaviorist, or anyone else who has, he just reads what's posted online then demands those of us with experience to "prove" our claims, all while his proof is like what I've done and copy and pasted others opinions, expert or not.
Fact remains many who down talk the breed couldn't even distinguish the breed when face to face with it, nor have they ever had any contact with one. We criticize people if they discern about different races, stereotype,etc, yet when it's done to dogs, many find it okay.
Again Canadaman, ignores my points on discrimination towards black men, yet there is "online"(which you apparently frown upon, yet use,lol) evidence to prove and statics that claim, that perhaps we should be fearful of them, after all most murders, so "evidence" claims as do the "statistics" are committed by black males.So.... Again Canadaman, I ask..... should we ban black men and be fearful of them? Using the same philosophy you use concerning pits, with your online research,lol, by those same standards it would seem that black men too should be feared and banned from the human race.Or are we only allowed to discriminate against other animals, such as dogs?
C
cristycurves
Guest
Pit Bulls Through the Years
Prior to the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, pit bulls did not get that much attention in the media. So where did these dogs fit in before they became the media’s favorite villains?
In the early 1900’s, this type of dog was the most popular family pet in America. So trusted and loyal were pit bulls that they were given the nickname “nanny dogs” because of the caring way that they watched over children in the family. Because these dogs were so popular, many companies used their image in advertising campaigns. The most famous of these was for RCA Victrola. Another very famous pit bull was featured on the Our Gang television show, sometimes remembered as The Little Rascals. The show’s four-legged rascal, Petey was a pit bull.
Helen Keller had a very beloved pit bull that was her companion for many years. Pit bulls also have their place among the ranks of this nation’s heroes. In fact, the most decorated war dog of all time was a pit bull named Stubby who did his service during World War I.
There are also modern day pit bull heroes including drug sniffing dogs, and pit bulls that comfort the sick and grieving through work as therapy dogs.
If, as some media reports and jurisdictions say, pit bulls are innately dangerous, none of the above would be possible.
Prior to the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, pit bulls did not get that much attention in the media. So where did these dogs fit in before they became the media’s favorite villains?
In the early 1900’s, this type of dog was the most popular family pet in America. So trusted and loyal were pit bulls that they were given the nickname “nanny dogs” because of the caring way that they watched over children in the family. Because these dogs were so popular, many companies used their image in advertising campaigns. The most famous of these was for RCA Victrola. Another very famous pit bull was featured on the Our Gang television show, sometimes remembered as The Little Rascals. The show’s four-legged rascal, Petey was a pit bull.
Helen Keller had a very beloved pit bull that was her companion for many years. Pit bulls also have their place among the ranks of this nation’s heroes. In fact, the most decorated war dog of all time was a pit bull named Stubby who did his service during World War I.
There are also modern day pit bull heroes including drug sniffing dogs, and pit bulls that comfort the sick and grieving through work as therapy dogs.
If, as some media reports and jurisdictions say, pit bulls are innately dangerous, none of the above would be possible.
C
cristycurves
Guest
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/29/pit-bulls-heroic-happy-and-good_n_5563496.html
16 example of pits that rescued humans
16 example of pits that rescued humans
C
cristycurves
Guest
November, 2004
“Pit bulls are different; they’re like wild animals,” says Alan Beck, director for the Center for the Human Animal Bond School of Veterinary Medicine, West Lafayette, IN.
Those who condemn pit bulls and call for breed bans targeting these dogs tend to be members of the general population, or most often, it seems, politicians.
Beck isn’t calling for breed bans – he stops just short. It’s exceedingly rare for an animal expert to vilify pit bulls, and few would doubt Beck’s credentials. He’s renowned for his decades of groundbreaking research on using animals in therapeutic settings, such as nursing homes. He’s the co-author of “Between Pets and People: The Importance of Animal Companionship” (Purdue University Press, West Lafayette, IN, 1996; $29.95).
Controversy about dangerous dogs seems crop up daily in the media. It seems, mostly it’s pit bull-bull-type dogs who are making the headlines. Many communities around the world have responded with breed specific bans, but most experts contend that’s not the right answer.
In 2000, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) teamed to investigate whether or not breed specific legislation (banning individual breeds, such as pit bulls, from communities) is effective. The results of their studies were published in several scientific journals.
“We learned breed specific legislation is not the way to tackle the issue of dog bites,” says Dr. Julie Gilchrist of the CDC Injury Center in Atlanta, GA. “Instead, we should look at the people with those dogs responsible for the bites.”
Animal Behaviorist Randy Lockwood, vice president research and education at the HSUS in Washington D.C. says about 100 per cent of dogs involved in fatal attacks were unaltered males, also in the overwhelming majority of instances the dogs were previously complained about but animal control or law enforcement failed to take action. Other risk factors include dogs who roamed the neighborhood or dogs who were tethered.
“I believe the answer is to strengthen and then enforce laws that encourage responsible dog ownership for all dogs of all breeds,” says Dr. Bonnie Beaver, a veterinary behaviorist in College Station, TX who has worked on breed specific issues, and is now the president of the AVMA. The thinking is if dogs of all breeds are spayed or neutered, officials enforce dangerous dog laws already in place, and people are discouraged from tethering, the number of dog attacks will significantly decrease.
Beck isn’t swayed by these arguments. Instead, he says it’s in the veterinary and animal welfare community’s best interest to protect pit bulls, and other pets from all restrictive legislation. “It’s just not politically correct in the animal world to favor breed restrictions,” he says.
Lockwood says Beck’s argument has no merit; indeed, it’s a matter of looking at the data.
Beck agrees, but his interpretation of that data differs from that of the HSUS/AVMA/CDC panel. Yet, Beck looked mostly the same data – the fatal dog bite statistics from the CDC, 1979 to 1998, (Post ’98, the CDC stopped trekking which breeds are involved in fatal attacks because according to a CDC spokesperson, that information isn’t of discernable value).
Pit bulls are not a breed registered with the AKC (In fact, Beaver and others argue pit bulls are not actually a breed in the first place, but rather a loose mix of various breeds). However, the United Kennel Club (the second largest registry of pure bred dogs next to the AKC) does maintain pit bull registrations. Beck estimated pit bulls numbers using UKC registrations, and then added to it based on several sources. He figures the number of pit bulls to be about one per cent of the 61.6 million dogs in America. Yet, his arithmetic indicates pit bulls are responsible for 19 per cent of all fatal dog attacks in America.
“That’s where pit bulls are out of whack,” he says. “Something is going on with pit bulls because the number of their fatal dog bites is so over-represented.”
Except, Beck’s data is fatally flawed, counters Catherine Hedges founder of Furry Friends Foundation in Chicago, a no-kill shelter that successfully adopts pit bulls in family settings without issues. In Chicago alone, it’s estimated there are 60,000 pit bulls. It’s conceivable there are two times as many or more the number of pit bulls Beck estimated nationwide.
If Hedges is correct, and there more pit bulls than Beck suggests, he’s even more concerned. Because Beck feels pit bulls are different than other dogs, and some are inherently dangerous to people.
“It turns out that pit bulls are, in fact, absolutely the same as all dogs,” argues Dr. Karen Overall, a veterinary behaviorist and researcher in the psychiatry department at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine – Philadelphia. She bases her views on her own genetic research. What’s more, this summer the Supreme Court of Alabama ruled there is no genetic evidence identifying pit bulls as inherently any more dangerous than other dogs.
According to recent testing of 122 dog breeds by the American Temperament Testing Society, pit bulls achieved a passing rate 83.9 per cent of the time. Golden retrievers ranked 83.2 per cent, beagles at 78.2 per cent, and standard schnauzers, a surprisingly low 63.5 per cent.
The truth is that pit bulls were indeed bred (using mostly various bull terrier breeds) to fight other dogs. “It’s true that some pit bulls are genetically hard wired to be dog aggressive, but that has nothing whatsoever to do with being aggressive to people,” Beaver says.
The related Staffordshire bull terrier and American Staffordshire terrier are legendary family dogs, the former dubbed the nanny dog for their devotion to children. Hedges says pit bulls were developed for dog fighting, but that also requires them not to turn on their people. She says, “I’m constantly surprised that even pit bulls abused by people have an amazing threshold for unconditional forgiveness.”
Lockwood adds, “Let’s look at the real source of the problem, irresponsible dog owners, or worse. So many pit bulls are now used for dog fighting by gangs or as a dangerous weapon. This is a social issue, it’s a law enforcement issue, but it’s not a dog breed issue.”
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