I need advice on how to get on the good side of a pit bull tenant.?

Question

I am moving into a duplex where my neighbor has a pit bull as a pet. I am not a dog person much less a pit bull fan. The living space is great but I am a little apprehensive of the dog. I need advice on how to deal with the dog. How do I let the dog know that I am willing to try and like her?

Answer 1

Pit Bulls, like any dog, behave only as well as their owner has trained them to. If your new neighbor is a responsible dog owner, getting to be friends with his dog should be a breeze.

All dogs prefer to be approached in the following manner:
Stand with your side to him so that you appear smaller/thinner. Don't wave your hands around or wave anything over his head. Don't stare him down directly in the eye. Allow him to approach you instead of you walking right up to him. When he does approach in an appropriate manner (ie, doesn't jump up on you or anything like that), give him a treat--make sure you ask the owner first what would be an appropriate treat for him. The owner (I do this when doing dog introductions with new people at my house) may give you some dog treats to give to the dog, or may ask you to ask the dog to sit before giving a treat (again, I do this).

Dogs are simple creatures. They love food and they love attention. Provide one or the other or both, and you've made a friend.

Having said all that, for some reason the prefered dog breed of a lot of ignorant Jack***es is the Pit Bull. It is not the dog itself that is inherently bad or dangerous, it is that some people think this breed of dog makes them look like a bad***, so they get the dog, don't train it, neglect it, abuse it, reward bad behavior, and voila, you've got an aggressive, poorly behaved dog. Any dog, no matter what breed, would behave the same way given those circumstances.

Talk to the owner first. If you get the impression that this is a responsible dog owner (and there are also a lot of very responsible dog owners who have Pit Bulls because they are very friendly, happy, loving dogs), proceed with my above advice. If you get the impression that he's a jerk who just thinks his dog makes him look tough and other than that doesn't give a hoot about the animal as a pet, then just stay away. And, as always, if you see abuse, call your local animal control officer or humane society for an investigation.

Answer 2

Most pit bulls (99%) are great friendly dogs. Introduce yourself to you neighbor and explain your nervousness. Make it about your feelings, not about the dog, or you'll make the owner defensive and unfriendly. Most owners would be delighted to have someone willing to take an interest in their dogs!

Ask if you can go with her when she walks the dog, so it can get used to you. (And it's good exercise for you!) If she seems friendly, ask if you can give the dog some treats. At first, toss the treat to the dog, then hold the treat in the flat of your palm, so you don't get nipped if the dog is a little greedy. Don't hug the dog or loom over it or stare hard at it - some dogs will consider that to be threatening. Don't wear weird clothing like squeaky raincoats and big floppy hats - that can spook a dog. Scratching the dog behind the ears is usually best.

And thanks for being someone who can look beyond the media hype and rampant prejudice about the breed!

Answer 3

When you are first going to meet the dog make sure the owner is present. Let the dog see you both greet so the dog knows that you are OK. Ask the owner for some treats or bring some but make sure they are fine to give to the dog (some dogs can have allergies). Squat down and let the dog come to you. You don't need to extend your hand, let the dog sniff your knee or leg, then pet the dog under the chin and give her a treat (speak softly to her while your doing this). After you've done that you can pet the dog as you normally would and she will know you next time she sees you.

Answer 4

A pit bull killed an 8-year old boy about 2 miles from my house last year. I didn't like them before, but after an incident so close to home I just wonder why people have to have this particular breed. You just don't hear about labs, poodles, or even dobies killing people. Most pit bull owners are in denial believing that it will always be someone else's dog that snaps.

Anyway, I hope you don't become dog chow and make the news...

Answer 5

I'm a dog rescue volunteer so I've had a LOT of experience with all sorts of dogs from every background and situation. You need to first, shed your stereotype of the Pit Bull. Do a little research on the AKC website. It should calm your fears a lot. Pit bulls get a bad rap that they usually don't deserve. They are very loving affectionate dogs, who amazingly enough are recommended for "families!" Dogs really CAN smell fear, and it freaks them out, so DON'T in any circumstance, with ANY type of dog, freak out, scream or cringe as you come near them. You actually scare the crap out of them and that's not productive. Just walk up to the dog, with your hand at your side and let him sniff your hand positioned in a loose fist. That shows him that you are not coming up to hurt him. Speak in a low but very calm (and confident) voice. It's not fair to judge a dog you don't know. He might end up becoming your favorite thing to go home to!

Answer 6

talk to the dog`s owner and let them know you are a little afraid of the dog but would love to try and get over your fear.ask them if they would mind putting thier dog on a leash and having it sit so you can pet it and ask if you can give it a few treats.try this several times and before long the dog will think of you as a friend and his people might too.but be honest with the people and i`m sure everything will be fine.most pitts are great dogs,its the people who make the shy and mean that should be shot,lol.

Answer 7

Most pit bulls are great pets.
Ask you new neighbour if she doesn't mind you giving the dog your left overs.
Pat the dog between the ears.
Let it smell your hand. Just make friends with it.
Even talk to the dog.
Or when holidays come around you can always get it a present(like a bone), to show that you are trying.

Answer 8

Whatever you do, and this might not be easy, don't let the dog know that you fear it. Don't be afraid because if you are they sense this...honestly! I use to work for an animal hospital and one day I walked up to 2 pitbulls and started to pet them. The owner said"wow", normally people are scared of them, and they like you. When she said that my heart started racing and I got a little scared and the dogs started growling at me. So, trust me, be very friendly and you shouldn't have any problems.Pit bulls are generally nice if they are not being raised to fight. If they are not being raised that way you shouldn't have anythinig to worry about, if you don't act scared around it.

Answer 9

Do not make eye contact with the dog until he/she gets to know you. If you do make eye contact look down or away immediately to let him know you are being submissive to him. Always be submissive and when you lean in to pet the dog offer you hand under his/her face so he can lean in to sniff it, then when he licks your hand, you can start petting him. Once he has let you pet him, offer some really good treats that the owner has ok'd before hand. Do this on a regular basis and the dog will love you.

Answer 10

Why not tell the dog's owner that you're not comfortable with dogs, and would like to see if you could make friends with it in order to feel better about it's being there. The owner knows the dog's habots, and should help you make friends with the dog.