Pitbulls?

[JBallPython]

I'm a big believer that there are no dogs that are natural born killers, its all on how they were raised. Many of the "Red Zone" or "flip of the switch" dogs that you see or hear about are that way because of inappropriate training and socialization while young...and these could be dogs that a family considers a lap-dog that has always been raised with love and affection.

The problem with Pits and other big tough dogs treated as lap dogs is that the dog thinks that they are on an equal level with people, if not higher...its all about dominance for them, when they are allowed as puppies to do whatever they want, or are unsocialized as pups with people and other dogs they will approach the situation in a dominant fashion because they've never had to submit to another dog or person except the family. Being a strong willed dog they will fight for what they want/or don't want. Pups such as rots, dobermans, pits, shar peis, etc... need to be taught submissive behaviors around other dogs and people, starting very young and they'll get the aggressive tendencies extinguished.

Its really simple training, you just have to be firm, consistant, and become that dogs "pack leader"

[jjmetro]

i agree with Jballpython, except for one thing. ALL dogs are natural born killers, just like snakes. but the agression is another thing. all animals have some kind of agression. My Chiuaua is fiesty as heck, he took on two schnausers and kicked thier butts before we could break it up at the dog park. All dogs have the potential to be mean, its up to the owner to keep that from happening. Training and proper socialization can cure most agression issues. Pits just have a bad rap. Chows are MUCH more likely to be agressive than pits. you just hear about pits more because the body builder that got chewed on by a big fluffy chow was too embarassed to admit it. Its all in the rep, and the media.

[Jem_Scout]

Thank you Chad Ramsey

[Heidi]

I "heard" some time ago that these "dangerous dogs turn on their owners because of brain swelling". Their brains never quit growing and eventually outgrow their skulls.

I do not have a pit bull but I have a doberman. The dangerous dog of the 80's. I have known pits and pit mixes that I've adored and couldn't imagine them being mean. One came to visit and wake us up every morning at 5:00-5:30. First time is when I heard the barking and went to the front door to find my female being chased by one (my little escape artest). Stupid me got between the dogs so I could get my girl in the house and there was no time for me to get in. That was the begining of a long relationship until I saw the owner coming to my house to get the dog with a baseball bat in his hands. The next time the dog came to my house I had already lined up a home for it and brought it to my friends house.

On the other hand there were two that were chained up by my husband apartment building who I didn't even like going behind the building because of. I never touched them and tried not to even look at them. They scared me to death.

I've been attacked by two chows in my life and for some reason I have to say I do think that chows IMPO are the "dangerous breed". But I also know that small (teacup) sized dogs can also be mean. They just don't have the physical attributes that make them dangerous. (Please don't bash me for the chow comment, I am just afraid of them personally.)


As far as my doberman goes, she is my second one. Both my male and my current female are the most precious dogs in my eyes. My male wasn't what most people would call sweet. He was timid because of his previous owners but to me he was my baby and I never trusted him very much with the kids but he never showed any agression to them.

My female is the sweetest dog in the whole world (I kid you not). Her only downfall is that she doesn't know how to bite. I'm not sure she knows her teeth are for anything other then chewing. She licks. She licks when she gets nervous, when she gets jealous, when my other dog takes her food, bone, toy, etc. When my other dog bit her in the face for stealing her bone she responded by licking her. Maybe that is the brain damage thing. --Just to let you know I know that if given the right circumstances she would probably bite and I will never trust a dog 100% with my children, even my angel dog.

[Yungair23]

yea i have never thought of any dog as mean period it is the people who do not care correctly them that make them mean

[BWSmith]

I maintain that some breeds are inherently dangerous. Some were breeds were designed to be vicious. Training can not totally kill the instincts that have been bred into them for centuries. There is always the risk that some of those killer instincts will surface at random times.

I like having dogs that i can take if I have to

[Yungair23]

anyways the puppys are going to go so fast that im not going to get one anyways..

[WeissChoice]

Here's the thing with Pitty's...or any big powerfull dog for that matters. When pups, they need to be brought up around lots of other dogs and people. And they need to be well exercised. Human beings need interaction when they are little kids as well. Pitty's are good, strong, caring, playfull, attentive, and obedient dogs. But put in the wrong hands, and they can be lethal. For the amount of Pitbulls out there, only a handfull have killed. Some of you say that a handfull is too much, but with retrospect, should we ban the human race then as well for all the killing we've done?? I'm sorry to those who have been attacked by Pitty's, but the attack could have came from any other dog as well. I've been attacked by a German Shepard, and I've also been attacked by a Jack Russell Terrier but I don't think they should be banned. I do however think that the owners should be punished. I also had a dog when I was a child that was ripped to shreds by a mother and son Shar Pei. There are no bad dogs, only bad dog owners. Just my $0.02

[ChadRamsey]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BWSmith

Thank you Captain Subtle