pit bull...scared. What do you think?

Question

My boyfriend got a pit bull a couple months ago, without even as much as a call to see if I was okay with it (only because we are serious and considering marriage, so this is a big decision for both of us). I have a jack russell/rat terrier mix and whenever his pit bull and my dog are around each other, they constantly play. They love each other, but when it comes to toys or food, the pit bull becomes VERY territorial. She'll start fights with him over attention or toys, and it is quite frightening to say the least.

2 nights ago, my boyfriend was with his pit and a 2 other family dogs and the pit and another dog got in a fight, but the pit went after the INNOCENT dog that was just sitting there. The pit grabbed onto her neck and wouldn't let go for several minutes until my bf hit her in the head with a meat hammer. The other dog had to get stitches that cost about $1000. I'm just worried that if we ever start a family, little ones may be in danger. What do yall think?

I forgot to mention that he got the pit bull from an animal shelter. He know little to none about her background or where she came from besides that she was a stray.

He also has been taking her to a training class at Petsmart for 6 weeks now. She's not really showing any improvement and doesn't take what she learns home. She's not very intelligent in my opinion.

In response to some of your answers, my boyfriend didn't know what else to do, and he tried everything to get her off. He was afraid that his other dog was going to die because she was urinating and going to the bathroom all over the floor. I agree that neither of us are prepared to own a pit. That's exactly why I would never get one. I got a rat terrier because I have experience with them and there are no aggressive issue with them. It was not my choice to get the pit bull, trust me. I tried to get him to return her or give her to a good home, but he said the dog is "a part of him" and almost acted like he would choose me over the dog! The incident 2 nights ago was the last straw. I think I need to have a talk with him and if we can't figure something out, then I don't know. I hate to end a bright future over a dog that he got years after he met me, but it was his choice, not mine.

In response to some of your answers, my boyfriend didn't know what else to do, and he tried everything to get her off. He was afraid that his other dog was going to die because she was urinating and going to the bathroom all over the floor. I agree that neither of us are prepared to own a pit. That's exactly why I would never get one. I got a rat terrier because I have experience with them and there are no aggressive issue with them. It was not my choice to get the pit bull, trust me. I tried to get him to return her or give her to a good home, but he said the dog is "a part of him" and almost acted like he would choose the dog over me. The incident 2 nights ago was the last straw. I think I need to have a talk with him and if we can't figure something out, then I don't know. I hate to end a bright future over a dog that he got years after he met me, but it was his choice, not mine.

Answer 1

I love Pit bulls I've had a few and have one now,I think they are the greatest.
But if you don't mind me saying so , You guys have no idea what the he!! you are doing. As the owner of any dog you must be "The Pack Leader" especially when you have a powerful breed like a Pit.You have to set boundaries and limitations in the beginning,not try to fix problem behavior after the fact. The dogs should view you as their leader and so only fight or attack when following your lead(Which should be never).
When you have smaller dogs or less powerful dogs behavior problems and a lack of psychological balance are less pronounced, but if you are going to have a Pit you should learn how to train and interact with her in the proper manner. **And Hitting Your Dog In The Head With A Hammer Is Not Proper**

Answer 2

See that cute picture to the left? That's my pit bull. He's sweet and smart and had NEVER shown an ounce of aggression because that's how he was raised. Let me make one thing clear. It's not the breed that's dangerous. It's irresponsible owners. Anyone out there ever been bitten by a chihuahua?

It seems that since you don't know the dog's history you need to start from square one and assume there may have been some abuse or neglect. You don't mention how old the dog is either.
You and your bf must asset yourselves as the pack leader. That means setting rules/boundaries for him and remain consistent with it. Give him plenty of exercise. Never hit the dog (this only increases aggression).
Someone up there mentioned Dog Whisperer, I love that show and you can learn a lot from it. But you also need to take him to Pit bull training classes (for you guys, not the dog)

Since he's already attacked another dog I want to mention a technique/product to break up a fight. It's called breaking stick. Link below that tells you more about the technique. This should be considered a last resort however. You must stop his aggression otherwise he'll wind up getting put down, and that's not why your bf rescued him is it?

If you or your bf can't find the patience to help this poor dog then I suggest you take him back to the shelter where he can find a home with someone that knows how to handle this dog.

Good luck!

Answer 3

It's common of pit bull terriers to be dog aggressive and possessive, especially if they were poorly bred. This could very well be the case if you don't know her history.

A dog that shows aggression in ANY instance should not be trusted around children. Even if it seems to tolerate children but attacks other dogs and causes serious damage like you mentioned -- I wouldn't take the chance. Sometimes a pit bull will put up with a kid its whole life, but then when something provokes it, it'll end up attacking. The bad thing about this instinct is that they tend to go for the face and throat, which are the parts that do the most damage.

I'm not saying that all pit bulls are like this. A well bred, well socialized, and well trained pit bull can be a very nice dog. But without all these three factors, you have potential danger.

If I were you, I would seriously consider returning the dog to the shelter. Some shelters choose to put very dog-aggressive dogs to sleep, while the majority will probably just try to find the dog a home without other dogs or small kids.

Answer 4

This dog is not a good match for you or your family. Dogs that are guarding or hoarding of toys, people, food, attention. This is a dog that will take A LOT of work, and may never be able to be trusted around children (small children get into everything and that could include the dogs food and toys), if the other dog that could defend its self needed stitches what do you think that a baby would need.

I am not knocking the classes at Petsmart (my aggressive doberman is in them right now) but these are not the kind of issues that are addressed in those classes. Also Pits are very smart dogs. Most of the issues that you will have with her is that you must be consistent with her. everyone must be doing the same things with her..... using the same commands, and I would recommend finding an online support group to help with this issue......

You said that that she is from the pound or shelter did your bf ask any questions about her? did they do any kind of screening? Most shelters do some kind of temperament screening on dogs before they adopt them out.... I am just wondering if that is where he got the dog.... or what kind of shelter it was..... just something to think about.

Answer 5

okay first of all your boyfriend should have done some reading on the breed before he got her. pit bulls are territorial and any dog will try to be the dominate one of the house. right now shes the dominate one and she knows this. if she does something bad have a punishment for her like taking her away from everyone and everything. dont crate her just put her in a different room for about 5 or ten minutes. about the fight- he should have had a breaking stick to get her to let go. about the training- try a different place. maybe the shelter he got her frm or the humane society has a place they could go. i dont trust petsmart for stuff like that at all. ill buythings from their but never will i bring my dog their or to anything like a daycare or training class. and about the children- has your dog showed any aggression towards you or your boyfriend? i doubt she has. thats becasue pit bulls are very people friendly. even if they were severly abused in ther last home they will still be people friendly.

Answer 6

You need to return the pit bull to the shelter and tell them it has been very territorial and has bitten an innocent bystander dog. Maybe they will give back your money or let you select another dog.. in any instance I wouldn't keep a biting dog. You might be next or your neighbors toddler or your own baby if you marry this nut who didn't think enough of you to even ask if you were interested in having a pet. hah! maybe you should return the guy to the shelter too. Better to learn about his self centeredness now than later when you have wasted any more time with him. These dogs were bred for agressiveness and the nice ones were killed off through the years.. so if anybody says their dog is nice.. it hasn't met up with the right stimulant to cause a bite YET... It probably will cost about $50 to put the dog down for good but that's a lot less than the vet bill from the next bite.

Answer 7

Red flags all over the place. The biggest one is that your bf would hit a dog with a meat hammer. I can understand such action in an emergency situation, but other actions such as cold water might have been more humane. Hitting the pit bull with a meat hammer will only make her more aggressive.

Food and animal aggression in the dog are also red flags. This dog needs firm training, by someone who understands dogs and will not resort to abuse. It isn't because this is a pit bull. According to the media, I would gather that any medium sized dog with short hair and a large head becomes a pit bull when it bites someone. Negative press, that's all. But your bf does have an alpha dog that needs to learn who's boss.

Yes, with a territorial dog there is a danger around small children. You have reason to be concerned. Either your bf learns to control the animal, or he gets rid of her, or you get rid of him. I don't see any other options.

Answer 8

I have two pit bulls at home and they have to be the most misunderstood dog on the planet.

#1 Just because a dog shows aggression over a toy or food doesnt mean that it is an aggressive dog.
#2 Most all pit bulls are somewhat dog aggressive.

Your boyfriend needs to spend more time with the pit to get it to not be so aggressive. Pit bulls need a lot of attention and they are easily bored with things. To counter your statement that the dog isnt that smart....Pit Bulls are actually extremely smart! However, pit bulls are also very stubborn. It's going to take more work than just trips to petsmart. I know a lot of times my dog didnt learn things from his petsmart training because I didnt spend enough time helping him to learn what he was taught. I am not saying your boyfriend is at fault....im just saying going to petsmart and not coming home to work on the lessons won't teach the dog anything.

Here is my suggestion to you. Always supervise the pit when it is with other dogs. There is no reason to get rid of the dog. Just because a pit shows dog aggression....that doesnt mean it will be aggressive towards people. Tell your boyfriend to take the pit on a walk a day in places with lots of other people and other animals. Tell him to take the pit to petsmart just to walk around. The more time you spend with the pit getting it used to other people and animals the better.

I mean this with the utmost sincerity...Pit bulls are amazing dogs...you just have to learn about them and know what they are about. My dogs are like big babies! If your boyfriend spend good quality time with the pit....things will be fine!

Answer 9

My friends run a pit bull rescue, and breed the best UKC American Pit bull terriers. She is a UKC judge, and they both teach the obedience and handling classes that were the beginning of my formal training..What I am saying, is that they really know dogs, and especially pit bulls.
Before they got the three show pit bulls, they had 4 poodles, one toy, 2 miniatures and a standard, that were all AKC champions.

They went to the store for 15 minutes, leaving the dogs alone together, and when they got home, the pit bulls were all bloody and happy and the poodles were all dead..
What I am telling you, is that you can never leave him alone with your other dogs, or you may come home to a massacre..
It is not fair of your boyfriend to make you a prisoner of your own home, to never leave it safely, to even go out for dinner.
Tell him it HAS to go.. It is more dog than you can handle right now..

Answer 10

I don't care how many people say that the owner is responsible for the pit bull attacks, the pit bull, as a breed, is dangerous.

Time won't help. Love doesn't matter. It's an animal, not a person, and is bred to fight, ignore pain and not quit.

It takes one attack to change the life of your family forever - why take a chance?

You sound like a good example of a kind / loving owner. No matter how well that animal is treated by you and your family, I don't believe you can trust it. It's the breed.

Answer 11

Okay first off let me tell you that no matter what people say on here Pits or NOT bad dog's. Any dog can be aggressive if they are not trained properly. I have 4 animals, 2 pits (pregnant female, Meha and a male, Scrappy), a Chihuahua (Kilo) and a 2 1/2 month old kitten (Calli). Its the cutes thing they all sleep together and play together. When I first got scrappy he was 7 months (hes 1 year now) and he had some pretty bad ways. He had Kilo by the head and his whole head was in Scrappy's mouth. We worked long and hard on him and now he is the sweetest dog in the world. I have no problem with them. Its all in the way you train them. Now my pregnant female can get testy but that's only because she is pregnant. But she NEVER gets out of line. All my animals are inside pets. Now you didn't mention how old the dog was. Older dogs take much longer to break habit's. 6 weeks is not enough time to break a dogs ways. You have to take time and show PLENTY of love. If you feel as though you are not up for the challenge then give the dog to some one who is. It's NOT going to be easy and nothing is going to change over night. If you need any tips feel free to e-mail me

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Good luck!!

P.S. with any aggressive dog you absolutely HAVE to show him/her YOU are the boss. If i speak loudly to my dogs they lay and summit to me ALWAYS.