Are pitbulls aggresive with other dogs?I have a sweet old beagle,and a paranoid lab mix.?

Question

I live in an apartment and my next door neighbors rescued a pitbull about a week ago.I share a backyard with these neighbors,and of course my dogs go out there.My dogs haven't met the pitbull yet,but my lab mix is weird,and growls at people,and the neighbors have kids.I know pitbulls are loyal and protective.What should I do?Also,do you think that when I go outside the dog will think I'm in it's territory,and feel threatened?Thanks for all answers!

Answer 1

I would be EXTREMELY cautious.. my experience is that three dogs interacting can often prove to be critical mass. These dogs don't know each other and it only takes one dog acting out of fear to set off a chain reaction that might lead to a fight..

This has nothing to do with pitbulls, but the fact that as a new rescue dog, you have no idea as to its history - and as we know the sad reality is that a great many of rescued PBs have been abused. It is also a reality that a PB *could* do significant damage to your dog(s)

my thoughts:
- you get to know the dog first, get a sense of its disposition
- the new PB willl aready have familiarized himself with your dogs by virtue of their marking.. ensure he gets a chance to check out the yard, mark it - and then your guys get to smell his mark.
- let all the dogs smell each other's scents from your hands and clothes
- introduce the dogs one at a time, under supervision
- consider introducing the dogs on neutral terriotry at first
- don't have either dog on tight leash or STRAINING on their leash when they meet
- watch the dogs body language carefully, watch for fear or the impression one dog is being intimidated, watch for bovious domination moves (chin on back, mounting)

there is a LOT of information out there about introducing strange dogs to each other.. I urge you to read up about it.. I'm sure it will work out - but you don't want to start off on a bad foot (err - paw!)

good luck

ps. *just* to be on the safe side have a hose or bucket of water handy and familiarize yourslef with how to (safely) breakup a dog fight (takes two people, grap the back legs like wheelbarrows - NOT the collar)..

Answer 2

I recommend that you and your dogs get to know the neighbor's dog. This is the best insurance against aggression.
Pit bulls as a breed were bred to be aggressive toward dogs but not to people. This is because people in the dog-fighting "business" want the dogs to fight; but they don't want to get hurt themselves. All the pit bulls I have met have acted friendly.
But this doesn't tell you much about your neighbor's dog. The sooner you get acquainted, probably, the better, so you can be friends.
It sounds like you need to watch your lab mix; see if your neighbor would be willing to introduce the dogs on neutral ground, before they meet in the yard. Their dog doesn't really have territory yet, but yours does, so this might avoid trouble in the future. Try to make all the dogs happy when they meet; this will increase their chances of getting along.

Answer 3

The dog's history is critical here. Pit Bulls have exceptionally strong jaws, but today are not a vicious breed by nature. Data from the AKC and other groups show Labrabor Retrievers bite more people than any other single breed, including Pit Bulls (Staffordshire
Bull Terrier really). I'd talk with the owner, then carefully interact with the PB if it seems friendly. If all goes well, maybe then try introducing one of your dogs to the new dog, both on "loose" leashes perhaps for safety. If things go well, try off leash. You need to verify the new dog first.

Answer 4

Your dogs should get along just fine. Any dog that's raised around other dogs and under the supervision of a responsible owner should get along just fine with other dogs. Your pitty is young enough where it should be quite easy to train her to play nice with your other dogs. Like someone previously mentioned, pit bulls are extremely intelligent and if you're already teaching her some basic commands, she's already well on the right track. Your other dogs are already used to living in a multi-dog household, so I wouldn't expect any problems from them either. I would just always make sure that your dogs are supervised. With dogs being descendants of wolves, there's always that pack mentality and your puppy is going to have to figure out where she fits in among your other dogs. If any of the dogs do act aggressive towards one another, correct them with a firm "no" and perhaps put the aggressor in doggy time out for a few minutes. Unfortunately, pits get this bad reputation of never being able to get along with other dogs. Yes, unfortunately many of them were bred for dog aggression, but a puppy that's well trained and well socialized should have little to no problems with aggression and that's true for any breed. A couple I'm good friends with own a female pit and a female mixed breed that are the best of friends. Their pit also gets along great with my boyfriend's male pit. My boyfriend's pit also enjoys playing with the neighbor's Chihuahua. Both pit bulls were well trained and well socialized as pups and haven't had any issues getting along with other dogs. It's the idiots that don't take the time to socialize and train their dogs that give pit bulls a bad name.

Answer 5

Any rescue of any breed should be approached with caution. Unfortunatley pitbulls or the like have a tendency to have aggression problems from bad upbringing or experiences or sometimes once they get older, they seem to go a little senile and thats when you have to watch them more. Just becareful and remember the dog will be able to sense your apprehension and should be socialized with carefully.

Answer 6

If ANY dog is properly socialized it can get along with anyone or anything. You are being stereotypical of the Pitbull breed. I have a Pitbull (rescue dog) who weighs about 70 lbs. My Dalmatian mix (who weighs about 55 lbs.) kicks her *** all the time.

My Pitbull would rather kiss you to death than draw blood.

Answer 7

Pit bulls are not aggressive dogs. But they do tend to have some dog aggression, which was bred into them. But with a respondsible owner, and correct socialization they are FINE with other dogs. But as with introducing your dogs to ANY other dog, you have to use caution, and NEVER allow them to be with each other unsupervised unless you are very comfortable with the dogs being together. Talk to your neighbor, and ask them if their dog is good with other dogs. And also take your dogs into consideration. Are They good with other dogs? If they are, then proceed with all the dogs on a leash to introduce them. Pit bulls are usually happy go lucky dogs, but because they are powerful, still take caution.

Answer 8

yes,pittbulls can be aggresive with other dogs.i know this bcuz my friend had a pittbull & it attacked her other dog 4 no reason @`all.& that happened 3 times!!!!their poor other dog alwayz had 2 go get stiches!!!!&& my other friends pittbull attaked their neighbor.plus, i know that not all pittbulls hurt ppl but sometimes out of the blue they just start biting u & wont let go!a kid from my town had a really really nice pittbull but then 1 day i just bit him 2 death!pittbulls scare me personally cuz its kinda like friends u never know if they r gonna turn their back on u.well i suggest that u keep ur dogs away from the pittbull but u should choose........

Answer 9

If they are trained properly-no. But it is in their nature to attack animals-NOT PEOPLE. I had this same problem with my ex-neighbors. We have an American Pit Bull Terrier and they would freak out when we would walk him or him go outside to go to the bathroom. He had no interest in them or their mutts. From my experience I would talk with your neighbors about any concerns that you might have. Please get to know their APBT before making any racists accusations(racial pit bull profiling is wrong).

Answer 10

not all pitts are prone to be aggressive. i would be sure to talk to the neighbors and arrange for a meeting between you and the dogs. be sure everyone is under control, have them on a leash at all times.