Question regarding Pit bulls' behavior...?

Question

I own two 3 month old blue boy pit bulls (brothers from the same litter), and I'm somewhat confused with their behavior. One of the things that I'm trying to do with my pups is not have them sociolize with other people/animals (except when I have 2 take them to a pet store or the vet). I have tried taking them out for walks, but they don't seem to like the idea; they act like they're afraid/uncomfortable and they always try to walk back home. If they hear a dog bark, they will also back off. There's people that tell me that they're afraid or are not brave enough because of their behavior. The thing is that I don't really want my puppies to sociolize because I use to own a pit puppy about 2 months ago, and it got stolen from my porch because he would walk with anyone 'n was friendly with people (because of the early sociolization i put him through) and he was barely 3.5 months old. In other words,I'd like to know if my puppies will become a little more aggresive as they grow older

Answer 1

In a word, yes. Your puppies most likely will become aggressive as they get older. They are afraid to go outside because you don't socialize them. If you continue to keep them sheltered from people and animals, there is a good chance they will turn into the stereo-typical pitbulls that everyone fears. No or limited socialization can lead to fear which can lead to aggression. I'm a firm believer that pit bulls are friendly, sweet dogs, but they can be trained to be mean. You HAVE to socialize your dogs. If you don't want someone to walk away with your dogs, don't leave them on your porch and keep an eye on them when they are in your yard. Most states have laws that say you have to keep pits in a yeard fenced in with a 6 foot privacy fence. If someone comes into your yard and you haven't taken this precaution, then you can still be liable for your dogs' actions (if they bite someone or cause harm to them) even though it is still in your yard.

Answer 2

I think you're taking a MUCH bigger gamble with your future happiness by not socializing these dogs. Fear in a young dog will quickly turn into agression - so not to sound like an alarmist, but you don't have much time to turn this behavior around. Call around to find a puppy socialization group or class (Craigslist might be a good place to start). I am very sorry that you lost your last dog, but a bit of management on your part with your new pups will prevent this. I think that management is a small price to pay compared with your having to deal with 2 very reactive pit bulls! That doesn't sound like fun at all, and I'm sure that's not what you want to do - the fun parts of having a dog will be few and far between for you!

Answer 3

Your choice not to sociolize your pits show you have no idea on how to trin them. To not have them people and animal friendly is asking for something very bad to happen. That would just add to the hate pit bull feelings that have fanned the flames of BLS all over the US. When yoy have a well sociolize dog of any breed it can mean that someone may take them. But to punish the dogs for what humans are doing is wrong too. You need to pick a different breed for your pet or treat your pit bulls right. They, stero-types not withstanding, pits love people and love to play and interact with them, that is what is inthier nature. You will never have happy dogs doing what you are doing they will at best always be afriad,that is what you are teaching them, and at worst they will turn and maybe kill someone one day. Pits that are unsociolized will turn aggresive

Answer 4

No pit bulls are no more dangerous than any other dog but when people like the one who let his pit run loose makes all pits look bad. Pits are stroger than any other dog when people refuse to train thier dogs and keep them up things like what happened to the little girl happens. The owner of the dog should be fined and put in jail. All dogs can be dangerous, there should be laws that address dangerous dogs no matter the breed. I own a pit he is well trained and is always under control but so was the toy poodle I owned that is beinng a responable owner. In every major case of pit bull attack it was due to how the owner trained, as for fighting, or treated, abuse. The 4% of attackes that was not link to bad owners over 1/2 was due to something wrong with the dog. Hope your friend gets off, I love dogs and I would do the same thing. The dog is better off and now so are you and your friends

Answer 5

I'd seriously reconsider your decision to not socialise your puppies. I can understand your concern, but unsocialised dogs can become a serious danger, especially in a big dog like a Pit. I'm really sorry that you lost your other dog.

They are quite likely to become nervous aggressive if they are scared of other dogs and people, and if something does happen they would be taken away by the authorities, not just someone trying to steal them (that's bad of course, but at least the theives probably wouldn't get them put down. Apart from this, if they do become scared, they won't be happy dogs in themselves.

I'd suggest socialising them well as you did with your other puppy, which was a very sensible decision. Try to find a way to stop people getting at them on your porch, or try to find another place to let them go out.

You could attempt to teach them to leave the porch only with you or another appointed person. You could ask your vet or a behaviourist how you might do this.

Good luck, I hope you really enjoy your new dogs.

Gemma :-)

Answer 6

I have raised 2 pit bull for 6 years and pit bull are naturally human friendly, unless they are abused by humans, thats when they don't trust humans anymore and start showing aggresion if they come near them. By not having them socialized is also making them shy and timid and it's really hard for them to grow out of it also if they aren't socialized they will be more aggresive towards other dogs than they naturally are, because it's all new to them. My 10 month old pit was also scared of a dog that barked at her, she would lay down and not walk anymore, u should buy a stuff dog animal that barks and train him not to be scared of it, by first approaching it and tell him that there is nothing to fear. A well bred pit bull is not scared of anything, they are courageous and brave. U never want a full grown pit bull that is aggresive. Train your puppy not to go with anyone.

Answer 7

Not socializing your dogs is a bad idea.

If you do not, you can guarantee they will act agressively towards other dogs. With a breed like pitt bulls, it's your responsibility to ensure your dogs are safely socialized, for their own safety, yours and the general public.

If you try and shelter your dogs too much, they will grow up afraid of everything and everyone. Which in turn will lead to more aggression. They are young now and it is natural that they are timid of the outside world. It is your job to teach them it is safe.

With two male pitt bulls in the same house, I would suggest you do some research on dog behaviour, now, before they become full grown. Otherwise, judging from your post, you are going to have far more then you can handle.

Please be responsible, pitt bulls have a bad enough reputation becuase of irresponsible pet owners. They are one of the most powerful breeds. It's your responsibility to manage them properly or they will become a danger. Learn how to properly socialize and care for your boys.

Answer 8

I think you are making a mistake in not socializing them more. You would be better off taking them to a puppy class for training, and not leaving them unattended on your porch, than in not socializing them.

You probably know that pit bulls have bad reputations and are banned in a lot of areas. So it's especially important with that breed, that they be well-trained and socialized to people and other animals and different situations. Otherwise they may respond to unfamiiar people or situations with aggression, and you could be faced with a legal and emotional nightmare.

And you should get them neutered before they are six months old. They can be neutered as soon as their testicles drop--usually by about three months. Some vets will do neuters on young dogs; others prefer to wait until they are about six months old. Your local humane society may be able to recommend a vet who will do early neuters. But please get them neutered; that will reduce their aggression and make them less attractive to thieves, who probably are looking for fighting or breeding dogs.

And get them microchipped--that will aid in recovering them if they are ever lost or stolen.

Good luck!

Answer 9

The reason the puppies seem so afraid is because you didn't socialize them. With pits its all about how you raise them. When a pit is not socialable and someone comes they sometimes feel they are in danger and will bite and that is a bigger problem then someone walking away with your pup.

Answer 10

well i have a pitbull/rottweiler mix and i socialized him at 5wks old and he loved everyone but as he got older he started being more agressive and growling at ppl and i dont know why. but the answer to ur question is..they might be aggressive as they get over. you never know cus i didnt expect my dog to be aggressive but he did. if you want your dogs to be aggressive when they get older then here is what i use to do..i use to get a toy and play tug-of-war and let him win and let it go but u also have to train them(the basics..like sit stay, or whatever u want) so they can know you are still dominant but if u want them to be friendly then go take them to the park or something and take them where dogs are allowed so they can socialize and understand that ppl are good.