friendly enough, but should I be afraid do to the fact she doesn't really know me? Is it to late to train her seeing as though I'm not the original owner? My main question is at 5 months old should I be afraid of this dog?
2006-09-30 05:37:15 · 11 answers · asked by Sasha 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I had an experience with an adult pit bull a little over a year ago. He was loving, playful, and affectionate. He would even climb halfway up into my lap and fall asleep. Unfortunately, he'd been fought and was extremely agressive towards other dogs and to men.
At 5 months old, the dog is still pretty young, and can still be trained. You should check into the legal aspects in your area though, in case something should happen.
2006-09-30 05:49:17 · answer #1 · answered by Souris 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Five months old is still very much a puppy. Also, it is totally a myth that dogs are not trainable after a certain age. You'll hear all sorts of ages, but it is totally a myth. Dogs can learn at any time in their life.
However, it is also true that there is a window during which puppies should be thoroughly socialized to prevent shyness and fear biting, etc. The ideal time for this is 7-16 weeks. The window begins to close between 16 and 20 weeks, and after that any attempt to socialize the dog is at serious disadvantage. It can be done, but requires work.
But should you be afraid of THIS puppy? It depends. Does the owner actively work at obedience and attention for the puppy? If so you'll probably be fine. Or does he keep the pup in a pen outside and only see it long enough to throw some food through the fence? IN that case you may have something to be concerned about. Or does the owner actively encourage aggressive and obnoxious behavior? If that is the case, I would not take that dog on for any reason.
And my concerns on behalf of this puppy do not stem from his being a pit bull but from his being a puppy in need of training.
If he has received proper training to learn control, he should be fine. If not, he is trouble. It's just that pit bulls in trouble usually cause bigger problems than, say, golden retrievers.
2006-09-30 05:56:03 · answer #2 · answered by Robin D 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you're even asking that last question, two things are obvious - (a) you already are afraid of the dog and (b) you have a highly compassionate nature.
Point a lends this answer a slight degree of negativity while point b drives it across to the other side. Almost all dogs, no matter what breed, background, or age, can be wonderful companions - through understanding, training, and truly unconditional love. This dog is still baby enough to bond with you in a matter of days (or even hours) and be easily "molded" into whatever you want while old enough to handle obedience training with you straight away.
Never accept any type of ill behaviour - "He's been fought" or "pit bulls don't like other dogs but love people" are unfortunately common thoughts of many compassionate rescuers and adopters. No matter what background my foster dogs come from, they don't go to an adopter's home until they are off-lead obedience trained and calmly affectionate with other dogs/kids/cats. The two failures I've had (vicious Goldens that just aren't as adaptable as their "pit bull" type counterparts) simply stayed with me and took two years to become full-fledged therapy dogs instead of two weeks!
Several years ago, my Golden protected me from a copperhead snake. If I hadn't saved his life in the first place, I might not be here today. If you're willing to share your life with a new companion, I'd say "go for it"! You can go to www.akc.org to find obedience classes at a local kennel club. Your aim should be total control and reliability with fun, fun, and more fun for both of you. Always remember, your dog will appreciate having you as a leader - not wishy washy or overbearing but happy, confident, resolute, and devoted.
2006-09-30 11:07:34 · answer #3 · answered by audreyannlow 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pit Bulls are not vicious by nature they are trained to be that way. Dogs are a product of their masters and environment. Do not be afraid of the dog, if your friend has raised him right and not as a fighter. I have a Pit Bull that is the biggest loving baby live. He lives with my me and my young Lab who terrorizes him. The dog lives for children and his pal the Lab. In the four years I have had him he has never once shown an ounce of aggression. If check out the breed standards you will see that Pits are known to be loving and loyal dogs who adore kids. There are other breeds out there that are known to be aggressive and tempermental by nature and not training.
2006-09-30 05:53:00 · answer #4 · answered by TritanBear 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would never keep someones pit bull at my home. Even though it is just a puppy, they are very unpredictable dogs. I know that. In my early 20's I had a roommate that had 2. I seen one jump out a window after someone. The same one got out from the backyard and went down 2 houses and went through their front glass door and killed their dog. Then I saw this same one trying kill the younger one in the backyard. I had to get a hose to break it up. It was horrible to watch. Neither one was raised to be mean. Just remember, when you or If you keep that dog, you are responsible for it and If it hurts someone, you are also responsible.
2006-09-30 06:06:42 · answer #5 · answered by Teri S. 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Did your friend start training the dog to be an attack dog?
If so, you will just have to retrain the dog-- which at 5 months should be a breeze.
If not, why would you be afraid of the dog? It's just a puppy.
2006-09-30 05:47:58 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My dog is the sweetest dog ever but....you never know how a dog will react if they feel threatened or frightened. A good example is that a neighbor boy came over to play with my son. When the door was opened, he was frightened by the dog and started running backwards. My dog, thinking it was playtime, ran after him. How do dogs catch you? With their mouth. They don't have hands. My dog scrapped this kids skin and his father completely over reacted taking him to the emergency room. We were hit with a $500 bill. Lesson learned, always be in observance of any dog when others are around. You never know how uneducated the other person will be!
2006-09-30 05:49:17 · answer #7 · answered by roxy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get to know the dog before you bring it home. Pit bull dogs are not mean they are trained to be that way . I f it has been trained to fight I wouldn`t have anything to do with it. Good luck
2006-09-30 05:56:56 · answer #8 · answered by railway 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you know for a fact how this animal has been treated...and you know he has not been abused or neglected and worked with properly...I wouldn't be afraid at all. If the animal has been abused and soo on, it would be a risk. And thats just not with pits. It's with any breed or animal.
2006-09-30 05:51:34 · answer #9 · answered by Deb W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Certainly NOT!
All you have to be afraid of is falling in love with the pup and not wanting to give it back.
2006-09-30 14:42:26 · answer #10 · answered by misbehavin165 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋