People say pit bulls are good dogs if raised by the "right owners"--what person qualifies as a "right owner"?

Question

With so many people raising kids that aren't angels even with the best intentions in raising them right, I wonder how many people do any better in raising a pit bull?

Answer 1

The problem isn't from owners teaching them to be mean, but more often, the igonarant owners not teaching them respect towards others.
I was such an owner, 29 years ago..I didn't realize that pit bulls couldn't be handled just as German shepherds and the many other dogs I had raised..My kids were given a pit pup when their Grampa died, It wasn't a pup I would have chosen, but a gift from a well-meaning relative..and I spent most of my time with him teaching him to not eat the hoses, or the house siding, or the swimming pool, and anything else he could get his teeth on..

However, I didn't teach him the most important thing..To NEVER even mouth a human..NO play biting..
Because of this, at 7 or 8 months old, he mauled my 3 year old daughter's shoulder, because he wanted her to play with him, and she told him, 'Go away, Chunky".
No, the toddler wasn't left unattended with the dog. I was right there with them..It happned too fast to stop..He was shaking her as if she were a rag..

Because of my own ignorance, Chunky had to be put to sleep..
I never trust pit bulls, because I KNOW there are too many ignorant owners, just as I used to be..

Answer 2

Any dog should be temperament tested when considering bringing it home to be around children. The reason people should consider bringing home a larger or more powerful breed of any sort or mix is that if the temperament of the individual dog is aggressive then the damage that could be done is much more severe if the dog snaps.
That being said, Pit Bulls used to be called "Nanny Dogs" because they were often purchased by families and were considered excellent guardians for children. One reason for this is they have a high tolerance for pain in case kids pull on them but still, people need to train their kids how to behave around dogs.
Children should be supervised around any dog. I have relatives that visit regularly and their four year old daughter and 5 mo. old son love to play with my Pit mix. She is the gentlest of the three dogs that I own.
A "right owner" would be someone who knows how to handle a dog and supervise children.
Remember "Petey" from the Little Rascals? Pit Bull.
Remember "Sue" the Crocodile Hunter's dog? Pit Bull.
There are many more good stories about Pit Bulls and their heroic deeds than there are horror stories but the media has selected this one breed to focus on whenever there is a story anywhere in the whole country.
You probably didn't hear it on the news, but that lady in france who had the first facial transplant, she had a large portion of her face torn off by a Labrador Retriever.
Does that make all Labs viscious? Of course not. There are many Lab horror stories but they aren't the focus of the media.

Answer 3

Pit bulls are not always agressive, but they do have a predisposition to be aggressive, in the same way that hunting dogs have a predisposition to be good hunters. If someone raises the pit bull in a loving environment, without resorting to violent behavior themselves, either toward the dog or toward another dog or another person, then the innate nature of the dog is unlikely to take hold and the dog is less likely to exhibit agressive behavior. If on the other hand, the owner trains the dog in any way under any circumstances to be agressive (i.e. if they train him to be aggressive to strangers entering the house), then there is a possibility that under different circumstances the dog may also be aggressive.

I don't have personal experience with pit bulls, but my wife had some friends who had pits and she says they were the "sweetest things", and I have heard others who have had similar experiences. But I agree with the previous poster - I would not recommend it for a first time dog owner, because for the non-initiated it can sometimes be hard to tell when the dog is leaning towards aggression versus playfulness. In the dog world, it's a fairly bright line, but for us, it is a fine one and it is sometimes hard for us to tell. Also, an inexperiences owner may go over the line (or not far enough) in disciplining the dog, which at times is necessary (time outs work best - you should avoid hitting/spanking any dog except in a gentle and non-threatening way) and the dog could react or over the long term gradually get more aggressive.

Answer 4

The "right" owner is someone who has enough sense to raise the dog in a kind and loving environment. Someone that can socialize the dog with people and other animals. Someone that has the animal for a loving and faithful companion and not a fighting dog or guard dog. My pit is the most friendly and loving pet I have ever owned and I would love to let some of the people that have their preconceived notions about them meet my dog and spend just a few moments with him. They would have no other choice but to see that when raised by the "right" owners these can be the greatest pets ever.

Answer 5

The "right owner" for a pitt bull or any dog would be someone who has done their home work. They are aware of behavioral issues and take a proactive approach such as neutering/spaying the dog, training, discipline and love.

Discipline doesn't qualify as hitting, spanking, smacking or being physically violent in any other way. Discipline as in becoming and maintain an Alpha status in the house hold.

Making sure the dog is properly exercised to release the excess energy and properly socialized to prevent a shy/anxious pet. Most aggression stems from fear and if the fear is realized and dealt with in an appropriate manner then the dog is less likely to lash out.

Also providing proper veterinary care, housing facility, or kenneling facility when going away for an extended amount of time.

Giving the dog the right nutrients with food and treats and good healthy toys to play with.

That is what the "right owner" of a pitt bull or ANY dog should qualify as.

Answer 6

You are 100% correct!!!

This is why we have such a problem with pits.

The right owner will give it proper discipline and guidance not a beating. The right owner will have the pet live with them as a family member and respect that the pet wants to curl up in bed with them. Not tied outside or separated from those he is to learn from. If a pit learns he is not to have people around hi may attack when they do. Pits are one of the best breeds when treated and raised with the respect that all life forms should receive. Any dog can be bad but pits are more prone to it because the are not taught, trained and socialized properly. They will be patient with you if you are patient with them.

Answer 7

Raising a dog is much easier than raising a child. Pit bulls are no different than any other breed of dog - any dog can be provoked to bite. The "right owner" is someone who trains their dog well and takes care of the dog's needs. Including dealing with any aggression that the dog shows.

Answer 8

Pit bulls are great dogs. They get so much bad publicity. It all comes down to the breeder, and temperament testing. All breeds of dogs have bad temperaments, and any serious breeder will test for it. It also come down to training, and how a dog is raised. I have obedience trained many pit bulls, and they are wonderful dogs. A right owner in my opinion is someone who loves and cares for the dog, and properly "socializes" the dog. Once again, buy from a respected breeder. You get what you pay for!

Answer 9

A 'right owner' is someone is not going to raise the animal for fighting purposes, or a guard dog for their drug activity, or someone is not overly cruel to animals...someone who wasn't raised to be an angel as a kid will likely be someone who is not a 'right owner' of a pit bull (or any dog for that matter).

Answer 10

I don't think young people with little kids should not have a pit bull , , but any dog that is raised with love and attention will turn out to be a good dog.