My pitbull mix is great with other dogs but barks and scares strangers on the street what can i do?

Question

She is a great dog, but do I have to put a muzzle on her or is there another way around this?

Answer 1

you might want to consult a behaviorist. a normal pit bull will not react this way to strangers. a pit bull with a proper temperament should be people friendly. is this aggressive barking, like he is trying to defend you or himself, or is it like "HEY! a person!" kind of barking? i own a pit mix, and i adore the breed. you should definitely consult a behaviorist to make sure your dog isn't at risk for becoming a biter. the last thing us pit owners need is more negative press!

Answer 2

I have a pit mix that barked at strangers and was so excited when she did it, they would think she was viscious when really all she was doing was yapping in excitement like "Oh boy, a person! Come pet me!" I know she is not aggressive but they don't so I have been working with her. What I do is when I go out and she first spots a person, I re-direct her immediately, giving her a tug up and inwards towards me and say something like "HEY". That is the important step, to re-direct when they first spot something of interest and before they start yapping. If she continues to be excited I tell her "Down" and also step on her leash to make sure she is in the down position. This usually works and she is a lot better than she used to be about her excitement.
She is well socialized and safe with people and animals but like you seem to be saying, the people on the streets don't know and the level of excitability is overwhelming.
If your dog is barking in a scary way and you know she may bite or wants to bite, then I'd recommend working with a trainer who is qualified to work with aggression issues.
You may want to work with a trainer either way.
GL with your dog.

Answer 3

Great to know you are a sensible dog owner and keep her muzzled. Unfortunately when people see a dog of her breed they tend to automatically shy away from them and I think that she can probably sense that and that may make her more defensive. As long as you keep her muzzled why not try and get her to meet more people even if you start with your circle of friends.

Answer 4

Sounds like it needs some socialization. Is this happening only in public, or is it at your house in the yard? My dog is very territorial, bark like crazy if stranger nearing the house, or walking by, but take her to Walmart parking lot and she doesn't bark or anything while walking, get in the car and someone comes by, the territorial stuff again. Try the "Gentle Lead" leash, it goes over the dogs snout and up behind the ears.....the dog will go only in the direction his head turns, so you're walking and people are coming near you, lead your dog's head to the opposite side of the people. Over time, he will "get it" that he doesn't need to protect so loudly.

Answer 5

Take her to obedience training classes ;

You will both enjoy the socialisation,
with other dogs and people
she will learn how to react well with both .

The muzzle you put on, is a wise precaution ( a legal requirement )

it will be reassuring for you, to know ,that she will not go
for somebody ,in any circumstances, should she be without a muzzle .

So my suggestion is,
you get your dog and yourself supa- trained .!!!

May you both, have many happy , worry free years together .

all best

>^,,^<

Answer 6

IF IT IS CRAZY AGGRESSIVE BARKING, THEN YOU NEED TO STOP IT, IF IT IS JUST A COUPLE OF BARKS DONT LET IT BOTHER YOU, ITS A DOG,

IF IT IS CRAZY BARKING, THEN TAKE HIM TO A AREA THAT HE DOES NOT PROTECT, NOT YOUR HOME, THEN HAVE A FRIEND WALK PAST THAT HE DOSENT KNOW, HAVE A CHOKE CHAIN AROUND HIM, WHEN HE BARKS PULL HIS CHAIN HARD MAKE HIM SIT, AND HOLD HIS MOUTH SHUT, AND YELL NO, A FEW TIMES, AND ACT MAD.... OR EVEN SLAP HIS MOUTH.... REPEAT, WHEN HE GET A LITTLE BETTER, THEN YOU CAN DISPLINE HIM IN FRONT OF STRANGERS, DONT BE SCARED TO BLAST HIM OR HER, IT IS A PIT BULL, THEY WILL DO ANYTHING TO MAKE YOU HAPPY, ALSO MAKE SURE THAT HE KNOWS WHO IS BOSS, LAY ON TOP OF HIM AND DONT LET HIM UP. THIS WILL MAKE HIM LESS AGRESSIVE WHEN YOU ARE THERE

Answer 7

gorgeous friendly dogs but don't you have to muzzle them by law?

Answer 8

Ask a vet to pick it up then tell him to put it down. Any dog that behaves badly tward people should be destroyed.