I need advice from pit bull OWNERS?

Question

When you got your pit bull, was it an adult or a puppy? I want to adopt an adult pit bull when i move out of the apartment and get a house, and enough money to own a dog. I have never owned a dog before, but i have worked with dogs my whole life, starting with walking dogs, moving to dog sitting, and volunteering at an animal shelter, and i now work at a vet clinic. And i have asked about adopting an adult pit bull before. A lot of people have told me its a bad idea, but i have a feeling these people who say this have never owned a pit bull. I have met so many pit bulls through my experiences that are Amazing animals. Especially the ones who have been abused. I have never met such a loving and forgiving creature. And i have done TONS of research on dogs in general, and especially pit bulls. I know they are the dog for me. But people say it is a bad idea because i don't know an adult pit bulls background. People who OWN pit bulls, what do you think??

Thank you all so much for your open minded answers!!!

My boyfriend and i live together (getting married soon) and both work, but we work different shifts. If the dog was ever left alone, it would only be for 2-3 hours at a time. I would devote myself to my new dog. We do Not plan on having any kids in the future, only animals (this question has come up before). I will absolutely take my dog to obedience training.

Pit bulls are not banned where i live, and there has been no talk of this.

Answer 1

well it just depends. Shelter Pit's are typically around 1-3 years old. so they're pretty much teenagers haha. and they're typically health and temperment tested. But just ask the place your adopting from for a just in case. i've adopted a pit named lucy. she was about 1-2 years old when we first got her. she's the sweetest thing. but i recommend you first visiting the dog a few times to get an idea of the dogs personality. once you have an idea, you make a decision from there. it shouldnt' be too difficult to make the decision. you shouldnt let other peoples fears and doubts keep you from doing what you want. i mean you've researched like crazy about pits right? well then you must know that they're incredibly forgiving and respond to even the tiniest bit of kindness.
of course "into each life a little rain will fall" but seems like you're ready for the challenge. because thats what pits are. they're a challenge but an incredibly satisfying challenge once you overcome it.

the dog you adopt will never truly understand how lucky it will be to have an owner like you. <3

you should join www.thepitbullplace.com
its a forum where we talk about ANYTHING pit bull.
email me for more <3

Answer 2

I own two, both were adults when I got them.

First, bless you for wanting to adopt one. Most pits do not get this lucky. I've done rescue work and this is a hard breed to get people to take on.

One thing you need to do first and foremost -- check the town you're going to live in to see if there are bans on this breed. Also be aware that your homeowner insurance will have an added premium, IF they insure you at all. Where I live, many insurance companies won't give you homeowners. They have a list of breeds, like pits, rotties, etc., that they don't allow.

There are pit bull rescues and you can find them in most shelters, so finding one should be easy. Mine had no problems adjusting. The only thing I encounter with mine, is my female is very destructive. She has the company of another dog, she gets walked several times a day. No one knows why she acts up. She has destroyed a brand new sofa and loveseat by chewing. She will take things off the coffee table. I suspect boredom maybe, but like I said, she has another dog and there's usually someone in the house.

One of my pits is fine being alone, the female hates being alone. She has terrible separation anxiety. If you're only going to have one dog, you may want to inquire how the dog does being alone, but usually all of these details are spelled out in the animal's description.

Training my older dogs was a bit difficult. My female is alpha and very stubborn. I recommend training but with an adult pit, I'd go for some private sessions, rather than those group kind like Petsmart does. Nothing wrong with those, I just found my two were easily distracted and it was hard to accomplish anything. My female isn't crazy about other dogs except mine, so she growled in class.

Best of luck, and thank you.

Answer 3

There are several pit bulls out there who need love and a good home. Any animal you acquire as an adult has a back ground. Pits just have a bad name. But if I were you and I really wanted an older pit I would visit the dog a few times first to kind of get to know him. I have had abused dogs, not only pits and things have always worked out. But working in a vets office you should know that having the dog checked out medical before adoption is the best way to go. Then you will be dealing with the dog and not an illness. But there is nothing wrong with adopting an older pit. They are more settled and less active, so go for it. Give one a home.

Answer 4

I have owned pure-bread show dog pitbulls my whole life. I have had them as puppys and as adult dogs adopted. Before you take an adult pit-bull into your home you need to make sure you have a few pieces of information and behavorial observations. If he is over 1 year old and does not know any basic commands then I would advise against his adoption unless you are a proffesional breeder or dog trainer. If he knows basic obedieance, sit, stay, off etc. then that is the first major issue. Make sure he is socialized with other male and female dogs and doesn't have any major aggresion signs when around other animals. You also must be ready to excercise him everyday to exaustion. Pitbulls that get pent up energy will tear up your house, and will start to show signs of aggresion if let to muster.

Pitbulls are some of the most personable, affable, protective, loving, nurtiring and outgoing dogs there are. They are a powerful dog both mentally and physically and require ALOT of attention. IF you plan on making it a dog you leave alone for extended periods of time then this is not the dog for you. The most important thing overall is you must train a pit-bull like a drill seargent, they only respect power and commanding.

Hope this helps.

Answer 5

I'd say that with any adult dog it is good to have them temperament tested because you want to know what they are like and will be like at the dog park or with other dogs and with people. I agree that Pit Bulls are wonderful dogs. I got one as a puppy when she was only three weeks old. They were from a mother that had fourteen pups and they were bound for the SPCA. In my city, the SPCA will euthanize any and all Pit Bull mixes or any dogs that look like they are mixed with Pit Bull. This really makes me sick! I took her in to foster her until she was old enough to adopt since I already had two other rescue dogs.
I have fostered many pups and given them up to good homes but this one was such a gem I could not give her up.
She was the easiest to train, she rides in a car like a dream. In fact, she is TOO still. It's easy to forget she is there.
I don't think it's a bad idea at all to get an adult as long as you have it temperament tested.

Answer 6

I actually have two pit bulls that I have adopted as adults. Both are females and extremely SWEET!!! Since you have worked with dogs you know that dogs all have individual personality and to group them together as vicious as a breed is ridiculous. I have had more run ins with golden retrievers than anything. I got my first female when she was 1 1/2 and the other at 4 years old at least . I'm unsure of her age but she is an awesome dog and has been in several homes because people PCS(Military orders) and leave their animals. I am her 5th home!! I hope you rescue one because they are an awesome breed and will love you dearly. They are great with my kids and just love to cuddle with them. A lot of times it is the owners fault if the dog is aggressive. Sometimes it's genetic with that certain dog. God Bless!

Answer 7

can i answer? i do not own a pit, but work in a vet clinic and love the dog! i think it's a great idea you have found a breed you are passionate about and have researched. and i think it's wonderful that you want to adopt one. my only suggestion is to check with the city you are moving to and make sure they are not ignorant and jumped on the bandwagon and have banned them. you don't want to have your loving pet taken from you because of the looks. otherwise you're great. go for it! oh and the only reason i do not own a pit, is not because i do not think they are bad dogs. i do not own terriers in general. westies, cairn, etc... i am passionate about my shepherds and heelers. but i would not hesitate to bring a pit home if one stole my heart and i was able to properly provide for another dog. they are my favorite terrier. sorry for intruding, but just had to take the chance and tell you YAY AND WAY TO GO!


and if you contact a pit rescue they will have temperment tested this dog, will know triggers if any. they are experienced and will help you with any questions throughout the life of the dog. go with what dog speaks to you. if it's a puppy then great if it's an adult great. you will know when you see the dog for you. an adult pit may just be in rescue because of breed specific legislation and are loving and great dogs that are just misfortunate victims of ignorance.

Answer 8

Well it depends a puppy takes time which you seem to be able to wrok with but an adult from the puond may be a good thing just try to find out its history why is it there most of all meet the potential pup adult or puppy first see how it reacts to you dont just fall for the first pari of cute eyes ( i know that is hard ) i have two great pit bull members of my house hold

Answer 9

I got my batman as a puppy. The postman loved my dog so much he went and got a adult pit from the aspca. He says it is the best dog he as every had. He is going back and getting the brother of his dog tomorrow. I called in a pit bull that was so abused the owner even had cut the dog ears off so another could not grab them in a fight. Chico had been a fighter from he was a yaer old. The man who pick him up fall int love with him. Took him on as a personal dog. Chico deid this year in the arms if the man who job it was going to be to put him down for he was a fightingdog and to dangerous to go to a family. His kids grew up around the dog and his grandson cried when his best friend died. They are wonderful animals with a huge heart that can still love after being torture for 1/2 thier lifes. Get your big guy from a rescue where you knoe he/she as been tested for temperment.

Answer 10

I think that you might do well with an adult pit bull. My family owned one when I was a kid and it was a great dog, and we got him when he was full grown from an unknown source---someone "anonymously donated" him, AKA dumped him, in our neighborhood.

If you want an adult, try a rescue. Lots of pitbull rescues out there. You could volunteer for a while if you like to really get a feel for the breed and as a volunteer you would get "first dibs" when the right one comes along.