Do you own a pit bull?

Question

If you own a pit bull, or have owned a pit bull, did it turn on you?? I hear people saying "don't get a pit bull, they turn on their owners!" But i have NEVER met anyone whose pit bull turned on them. I work at a vet clinic and used to volunteer at an animal shelter, i have met a TON of pit bulls, they have all been SWEET dogs, and i plan to adopt a pit bull when i can properly care for a dog. I just want to know if this has actually happend to anyone on here, or if it all really just a bunch of hear say myths.

Sassy, is that your dog? He/she is Beautiful!! Very cute dog! I have done a lot of reseach on pit bulls, and i have never found ANYTHING about them turning on their owners, but i hear this all the time. Just wondering if it has ACTUALLY ever happened. But now i know it really is a stupid myth.

Answer 1

Almost all my neighbors have pit bulls, some of them treat their dogs lovingly and some of them are neglectful/abusive. You would think the neglected/abused dogs would turn on somebody eventually, but after 10 years of knowing some of these dogs I can climb into the neighbors yard and give the dogs big hugs. And I do.

Of course I always have back-up just in case - because any dog, regardless of the breed, can have an especially bad day as far as temper goes.

I have only known two horrible Pit Bulls - and that was because someone started a fighting ring into the area (it has since been busted), and these dogs were actively trained to kill. I nearly got my leg ripped off in my own yard after they jumped the fence - but these dogs were trained to have that behavior. I do not blame the dogs, and actually feel terrible about what they have probably gone through.

I think I will hug my neighbors' pit bulls some more today :-). I also own my own pit bull, she is a puppy and went through some puppy stage aggression in which she went crazy - but it was very easy to break.

Answer 2

I agree. You shouldn't pass judgment on any breed without first hand experience. And there are a lot of cases when people have seen a Pit Bull hurt another dog. But they don't understand that there is a difference between dog aggression and human aggression. Pit Bulls do have a history of Dog Aggression. They have Forever been bred to be exceptionally friedly towards humans, but aggressive toward other dogs. This dog aggression can be greatly reduced or eliminated through good breeding, and early training and socialization. But anyone who has, or is considering owning a Pit Bull, needs to be aware of possible dog aggression. My Pit Bull is never allowed to be left alone unattended with another dog. She is very friendly towards them. But if a fight ever did break out, it would be devistating for all involved. A lot of people don't understand that. So I agree that no one should be passing judgement on a breed that they have NO first hand experience with. And I also feel that Pit Bulls belong ONLY in the hands of experienced owners who have done their research, and know how to take care of the breed.

Answer 3

I own a pit, and he's a big mush! However, when we first got him we'd take him to dog parks where he loved to play with other dogs. However, he's very high energy (as all pits are) and he was getting too rough with them. We just tried to adopt a 2nd pit, and he because very dominant and possessive of "his humans". They got along, but every once in a while, out of no where, he'd turn and do a "mini-attack" just to remind her that he was top dog. It was never more than a scratch at most, but it scared me anyways, so we decided to git rid of her.
I'm pregnant now, and I'm concerned about how he might act once the baby arrives. He's been the "baby" for so long, I'm afraid he'll get jealous and possessive of us again.
However, I'm not stupid... I'll never put the baby in reach of him and he'll be crated if we want to romp with the baby. If the pit ever acts aggressive towards the baby, we'll have to give him up. Kids DO come first, but people need to be aware that kids and dogs do NOT mix. Don't leave them together unsupervised, especially high energy pits and kids under 12.

Answer 4

I owned a Pit Bull for 12 years and he never "turned" on me. I now have a new Pit and he is a sweetheart. He is a pound puppy and came with separation anxiety and a mild case of fear aggression. He has bee allot of work this last year but he is totally worth it.

If a dog is properly trained and socialized and cared for then he won't "turn". Dogs don't just bite or attack for no reason. Something makes them feel threatened. We might not interpret our behavior as threatening but they do. Before you get a dog learn about dog behavior.

Also, as dogs go from puppy to adult their behavior can change. Some dogs do become more aggressive when they become adults. Your dog is going to test you sometimes to see what he can get away with. It is important to continue training and socialization throughout your dogs youth through to adult hood. Pit Bulls also tend to mature a little slower than some dogs. They can become adults anywhere from 2 to 3 years.

Find a good trainer in your area that uses positive training methods and has experience with Pit Bulls.

Answer 5

Alli,
I have owned and do own pit bulls. Every one I have ever had is like you said, sweet. I think the reason people say they have turned is because they are abused. Pit bulls are very loving and loyal animals. They do require a lot of devotion , love and attention. I would recommend getting a pup and spending alot of time with it.you will have a very close friend. I now have a father and his 4 mo. old daughter {pits} the third generation in our family. I am very affectionate towards them as they are me. I wouldn't trade them for anything or any other breed of dog.I say its a myth

Answer 6

hey, hun, if i had to be afraid of a dog, it would have to be a doberman. Pit bulls are dogs that were breed for fighting other DOGS. if anything, they are very friendly toward ppl and more aggressive toward other dogs. dobermans on the other hand have been bred to attack ppl. any dog can be trained to be vicious, that doesn't mean its a bad dog. i want to get a pit bull, too! they are very beautiful dogs, especially the ones with light eyes.

Answer 7

its all in how you raise your pitbull i would reccomend on getting it as a puppy so you can raise it mind well and pitbulls require alot of attention and yes i own pitbulls ive never had a problem with this breed everyones panicked over the media frenzy about pitbulls and they're really giving this breed a bad name and causeing people who have never owned a pitbull a reason and excuse not to own one but its all in how you raise your dogs whether it be a pit or poodle it's not the dog its the owners

Answer 8

Most people I know that have Pits love them to death and don't have problems, either. However, I work in an ER and had to stitch up a woman one night because their dog turned on her. She said the dog was mostly her husband's and this night she went out to help him in the garden. She just grabbed a pair of gloves on her way out, but they turned out to be her husband's. She said when the dog smelled the gloves she knew immediately she was in trouble. The dog freaked out because she had taken her husband's gloves and he really tore up her arms. Her husband had to come running and pull the dog off her and even before they came to the hospital he went out and shot the dog. But I don't think that's a pit bull trait -- I think any breed of dog can suddenly wig out. Whatever you wind up adopting, love it to pieces and enjoy!!!

Answer 9

a dog behaves according to his owner. though,yes, some dogs are naturally aggressive, if you handle them well ALL THROUGH OUT their life it'll be okay. ive never owned a pit bull but know 2 gorgeously sweet pitties

Answer 10

i tragically lost my red nose pit in a car accident a little over two years ago, i adopted her, when she was 6months old, her live started out very rough. she had came from a abusive home and when i got her she was skinny and scared of anything and everything that came her way. within a few months, and with a lot of love patience, and supervision, (as well as a couch and leather chair) she became best friends with me and my corgi mix. people who judge them are just as ignorant as the people who fight them.. my dog never showed a sign of aggression, while my next door nieghbours dog(a wienner dog)bite me in my own yard while she sat there saying my dog barks to much.. please wise up....R.I.P ®º×ý