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Not to pick a fight, but dogs don't really dominate one another by any physical means. A study showed that dogs don't use physical force to show leadership, it;s psychological, and dominance is the control over/most access to resources. So when correctly used the dominant dog is the one with control over resources. <br /> <br /> Behaviors like humping, placing the head over the shoulder, pushing the other dog, etc. Those are assertive, rude, behaviors. Which is why they often get a negative reaction from the other dog.<br /> <br /> And if you're your dog's leader yes they can still be aggressive, they can still be reactive. You have to teach them what not to do, change their feelings toward the stimulus. If the dog is reacting negatively at the sight of another dog. The moment the dog sees another dog mark it, treat, than turn away before the dog can react, after awhile they'll start to change their reactions to a more positive idea.<br /> <br /> Aggression is not dominance related.<br /> http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090521112711.htm<br /> <br /> "The study shows that dogs are not motivated by maintaining their place in the pecking order of their pack, as many well-known dog trainers preach"<br /> <br /> Here's another good read.<br /> http://petbehaviorsolutions.blogspot.com/2011/03/dominance-and-dogs-myths-and-facts.html<br /> <br /> I lost my darn link to the 30 year study though! :( Pooey <br /> <br /> Also, in a dog fight, you'd be safer to grab an APBT because of their long dog fighting history. Dog fighters preferred a dog they could physically handle whilst in pain, hyped up, or in a fight. Yes, there were manbiters, but it was not preferred and many breeders would not breed the manbiters. <br /> <br /> A well bred German Shepherd wouldn't be as safe to hold in a high drive situation as a well bred APBT. But in the hands of someone who bothered doing their homework, both are amazing working dogs.<br /> <br /> <br />
You most likely shouldn't reply to this, I really just wanted to toss my opinions out of my mind. Might not have people that agree.. I'm just sick of not typing.<br /> <br /> I think dogs, even if they're not pitbulls, shouldn't be in the hands of people who don't understand dog behavior(each breed and dog has it's own behavior and vices), understand the true reason why you should train a dog(you cannot believe..), or do not have the ability/time/whatever to train a dog(most households that are busyyy). I've met so many people who don't train their dogs, because they just let the dog do whatever they want or they confuse the crap out of the dog by being dominant over one thing and then do something the reinforces bad behavior(Like.. having 'no begging' at the table/people eating, but feed table scraps after eating.. seriously, wtf are you thinking?)<br /> <br /> Any dog can become aggressive, any dog can become a killer, just some certain breeds bred to have a high drive/game are more likely to turn around and bite your face off and shelter dogs of these 'high drive dogs' are more likely to do just that seeing as irresponsible jerk-offs usually drop their dogs off there that they can't control or 'misbehave' because their humans never took the time to understand them or train them. Not saying that everyone who drops their dogs off is under that same reason, I know there are responsible people that just can't keep/afford a dog.<br /> <br /> Personally, I don't think pits are dangerous types of dogs unless they bite the hand that feeds them in which being a pit they should never do that. The dog-to-dog aggression occurs in every single breed(all terriers, lots of hounds, lots of sporting, etc) and people need to stop making a big deal out of it, rarely I've met a pit that was dog aggressive right off the bat unless the other dog(s) in question attempt to dominate it. If the pit was dog aggressive, it's because the owner wasn't dominant and wasn't in control or in charge. Dogs are pack animals, some dogs need to be reminded and ensured that you are dominant others don't think twice and know you're dominant.<br /> <br /> People need to be experienced to own certain dogs, even the little dog you need experience they aren't some little pocket pup they're dogs and they behave like dogs, not children. To get experience, you talk to the breeder that shows/works the dogs. Show/work dogs need to have a high level of training, and their people have a high level or training too, and this is what people need to aim for. Life being 'too busy' doesn't train a good dog, and it wouldn't train a pitbull. Pits get bad raps because people who usually own them don't do anything with them.<br /> <br /> I was at a dog park with my mom's two Dals, they were being pretty good the whole time like most of the time they're there with me alone... anyway there was one lady with a female pitbull, she didn't really do much with the dog.. She said it was like her third time out to that dog park within the last six months and she was hoping her pitbull would 'burn off some energy' so she put one of those little doggy backpacks and filled it with rocks to weigh the dog down... Welp, the dog didn't move and she was getting sick of it so she decided to take the pack off the dog. That dog went nuts, she had no control over that thing and it was attacking dogs and everything. It ended up attacking my mom's older Dalmatian and I had enough. The Dals and I, we took off and walked around the park for a short bit and then left. Of course pits like to scratch and the poor Dal had welts on her from trying to get the pit away from her, so we always left when that dog would show up. Thankfully she didn't too many other times.<br /> <br /> Speaking of mastiffs, I also have a story about a really, really well behaved mastiff and a really well trained and understanding owner. But, I guess I'll save that. I have a lot of dog park stories.<br /> <br /> Anyway, I find I have MORE problems with huskies rather than pits. Huskies are aggressive when no trained to be the 'underdog', and you need to be a certain type of person to know how to control a husky. I am one of those people, but I don't like huskies around my prey animals and cat and I ESPECIALLY wouldn't have a GSD around my animals, although I also have met two really great GSDs, great with anything and everyone, and then one GSD that killed and ate every cat she saw and caught... So... there.
He's about 30+ in. at the shoulder and weighs about 130-140lbs. He's much larger than the largest pitbulls and he's lean at his weight. It goes to show that even if a mastiff attacked someone, the news would probably be posting "Pit Bull Attack" all over the place because someone would call it a pit.
I know it's off topic too. Horseman, how big is your Mastiff?<br /> <br /> I honestly think Pit Bulls belong in a home that's going to treat them like a dog nonetheless. I hada GSD who was about the same size as a Pit. She was dog aggressive, but we were able to get a hold on her, because we treated her like any other dog. Yes GSDs have a different rep, but either way, she could have turned on us as easily as a pit or a rottie. All dog's have their moments and pits shouldn't be judged by just one of their members attacking someone. People might say that their not like other dogs, because of their aggressiveness, but that's because they heard a pit attacked someone. If they heard a golden retriever attacked someone, they wouldn't believe it because no one's really opened up about being attacked by one. And it's true, they can attack and kill. If I stuffed a golden retriever's whole soul into a pit bull's body, what makes it different from being a golden? It still has a sweet temperament just like the goldie.
A bit offtopic, but one thing I've found so funny about the media sensationalism over pit bulls is that people will react to our English Mastiff as though he's a giant dangerous man-eating pit bull that will attack them at any moment. While he's small and lean for the breed and has a type of brindle rare in Mastiffs, anyone with a little education could recognize him as a Mastiff. But even a gentle, playful glance from him and some will panic when they see him. Note that he's even heeling quite well, shows all the signs of a submissive dog, and wears a loose prong collar(for saftey reasons because of his size). It's funny that even an AKC Mastiff will be confused for a pit bull.
I freakin' love Pits. I volunteer at my local AWL, they're a no-kill shelter and are filled to the brim with Pits and PitMixes. They're in general the most loving and sweet dogs in the shelter. <br /> <br /> I've never been a fan of little dogs, to be honest. My mom's Yorkie attacked me when I was a baby. The dog had no history of aggression or behavioral issues of any kind. Just a freak thing any dog is capable of. Fortunately, the family German Shepard came to my defense. That's not to say I think all little dogs or the Yorkie breed is bad. Just like any other dog, they're prone to accidents and incidents if not properly watched or in the wrong hands. <br /> <br /> The same should be true for Pits. Just because a few have injured someone doesn't mean an entire breed should be condemned. But you know, media sensationalism. <br /> <br /> I wonder if their sheer numbers compared to other breeds has been considered.
I do not agree that they are harmless... Any dog can pose a danger in irresponsible hands. <br /> <br /> One of the big things with dogs is never trust them not to fight, watch their body language and don't let things escalate.<br /> <br /> American Pit Bull Terriers absolutely should /not/ be human aggressive, but bad breeding and rearing can cause that.<br /> <br /> However dog aggression is a trait of the breed. No I'm not saying that all APBTs are bad with other dogs and animals, but someone who took the time to properly research the breed to become a responsible owner would know to be prepared to deal with it if the dog aggression arises.<br /> <br /> They're people dogs, love the attention.<br /> <br /> The two registries who solidified this breed even state it, the UKC (United Kennel Club) and the ADBA(American Dog Breeders Association) <br /> <br /> <br /> Here is a quote from the UKC standard.<br /> <br /> "Note: Although some level of dog aggression is characteristic of this breed, handlers will be expected to comply with UKC policy regarding dog temperament at UKC events."<br /> <br /> "The APBT is not the best choice for a guard dog since they are extremely friendly, even with strangers. Aggressive behavior toward humans is uncharacteristic of the breed and highly undesirable."<br /> <a href="http://www.ukcdogs.com/WebSite.nsf/Breeds/AmericanPitBullTerrierRevisedNovember12008">UKC Standard</a><br /> <br /> ADBA<br /> <br /> "2. Although some degree of dog aggressiveness is characteristic of the breed, unruly behavior will detract from the judges<br /> ability to accurately judge an individual dogs conformation."<br /> <br /> "C. Gentle with loved ones Faults: shy or timid"<br /> <br /> "Disqualifications: Man aggression, one sided or both sided cryptorchid, spayed or neutered dogs"<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.adbadog.com/uploads/conformation%20_%20weightpull%20pic/2008%20conformationBreakdwn.pdf">ADBA Standard</a><br /> <br /> <br /> I love this breed sooooo much. :p
Pit Bulls are my absolute favorite dog breed. I have never met an agressive pit bull. The media has put the Pit Bull out there as a horrible...agressive breed, which they are not if they are properly trained.
Pit Bulls are my absolute favorite dog breed. I have never met an agressive pit bull. The media has put the Pit Bull out there as a horrible...agressive breed, which they are not if they are properly trained.
I love pit bulls. The only "aggressive" ones I met were only mildly dog aggressive, in that they were fine with other dogs 95% of the time and would on rare occasions have an emotional outburst at a dog. And the dog aggressive ones were total love bugs toward people. They have such a powerful drive to please people, and are so harmless in deed (I got puppy-nipped and jumped all over once by a playful, well-meaning pup at a shelter who had been chained most of his life, lol), it makes even a hulking beast look adorable. I just wish landlords and insurance companies didn't buy in to the bad reputation made by a handful of pit bull owners.