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I wanted on to freecycle and this lady was giving away a puppy, we have a dog, a 3 year old golden retriever, we keep him outside and in his own area because he tends to get to excited and knock down my kids, I have 3-the youngest is 5. We wanted to get another dog and she advertised a puppy terrier. when she dropped off the dog, i was not home, hubby was and when I came home from working overnight shift, I told my husband that the terrier is a pitbull terrier. Now I am worried about my kids and this pitt. Everybody says it is the way the dog was raised, etc. but sometimes, you never know, he was a rescue. He also seems like he was abused or something because he cowers in a corner when we raise our voices or tell our other dog to sit. He gets along with the golden except they play rough and he growls at the golden, when they are playing, no other time has he growled. I am not comfortable owning a pitt. should I be worried?????

2007-03-12 07:29:04 · 24 answers · asked by maria791967 2 in Pets Dogs

I don't keep the golden retriever outside-he goes in and out- his friends are next door, we have rottleweillers next door, but he does have a tendency to charge around like a bull in a china shop with me, not my husband. To the golden, my husband is the pack leader and I am chopped liver.

Thank you for all your answers, I really appreciate it. I want to get rid of the dog but it is not fair judging him, it would be like someone judging me and saying all puerto ricans are alike, which we are not, etc. Everybody is right, I can't handle my golden but I love him and he does not get mistreated. My husband handles him beautifully. The puppy is 4 months old approximately and he is not aggressive, very submissive, but I am still worried because if I can't handle a golden retriever how am I supposed to handle a pitbull, i think that is why I am stressing.. Thank you for letting me vent.....

2007-03-12 08:10:48 · update #1

24 answers

please dont desert a dog because of it's breed label. 2 wrongs dont make a right, the lady should have been upfront with you, but pitbulls cannot be rehomed easily. some shelters don't even try to rehome them, they are just euthanised.take it to a reputable behaviourist or trainer if you are worried and have it's behaviour assessed. also, your vet can be useful. both pitbulls and staffies are great with kids. like any dog, it is how you treat it. introduce it to a variety of animals, people, noises, environments while it is young to make it more tolerant and socialised. please make sure it has vaccines before introducing it to others.
regarding the growling while at play, this is how animals learn and play. it sounds horrible, but it should just be noise. i have 2 that growl and show their teeth while playing and they sleep together and adore eachother.while you want to supervise these 2 together, it is becasue the pitbull is only a puppy and could be hurt, even accidentally by your older dog. also consider that toys are a good median to use, but your older dog may be possesive over some things, so get new toys for them. make sure these are puppy safe. and feed the 2 separatly.
it can be very daunting taking on another dog. even more so if it wasn't what you were expecting, focus on the puppie's personality, not it's breed label. having 2 dogs is great. they are wonderful companions for one another. and if your golden is a sweet dog, than he will show this pitbull how to be a sweet dog.

2007-03-12 07:49:32 · answer #1 · answered by trouble 1 · 3 2

Look if it is a puppy you can turn this dog around and show people who no nothing about dogs that there are good pits out there!! Dogs are all what the family that has them makes them nothing more! If it is a puppy then you can give this dog the best home in the world. Please do not stereo type breeds. people made the breeds what they are, you can make a Sheppard mean too if you do not raise them right.

If do not agree with dogs being kept outside all the time though. A dog should not be a lawn ordaminte it should be part of the family!! If it is raised as part of the family it will be part of the family. If your golden knocks the kids down then you must look at the dogs training and maybe you should have not gotten another dog. Training and how your dog behaves is reflective on you. I would recommend proffesional training with the new one if you decide to keep it and maybe some training for the golden as well., If they are just going to be outside dogs then maybe you should find them both better homes.

Good Luck

2007-03-12 14:38:56 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1 1

I have had pits for years and have never ever had one problem with them. These dogs were bred to fight other dogs, not be aggressive toward people. Dog figthing and the small minds who think keeping a pit tied to a tree in the backyard to make them feel macho is a rant for another day, but as far as owning a pit with kids...

1. Why did the lady give up the puppy? Did she have any history on him? A rescue dog's history can be vital in determining if he will be a good fit with a family.

2. Training, training, training! Pits are dominant dogs (most terrier breeds are anyway) so you will need to take him to puppy class (and beyond) and make sure he knows you and the family are ahead of him in the pack. Training is also in order for the kids...these dogs grow up to be large Baby Huey's...he won't know his own strength, so they will need to learn to assert dominance over him as well and not treat him like your laid back Golden.

3. Growling at the Golden is probably just play...try not to be too paranoid with his behavior. Dogs do play rough and they will need to establish a pecking order among themselves as well. Keep your eye out for any serious conflicts between the dogs, however.

4. If you are not comfortable, then either give him back to the lady and explain that you didn't realize her "terrier puppy" was a pit bull, or contact your local pit bull rescue organization.

Do you have anything to worry about? Not if you raise him right. Any dog breed can bite a person, and it's often the small breeds that get nippy more than pits. "Bully breeds" are some of the most loving, loyal, wonderful dogs you will ever meet...but they are work, take dedication and training and you can never let them forget you are alpha. They are not mean, just strong willed!

Check out the website below for more information and try to make in educated, informed decision rather than one fed by emotion or rumors.

Good luck!

2007-03-12 14:48:14 · answer #3 · answered by ratgrrl 2 · 2 0

pit bulls can be wonderful family dogs, but since you can't even train a golden not to knock down your kids and instead keep the poor thing confined outside, i really don't think you should be getting another dog. let alone a difficult breed like a pit bull! also, pit bulls are often DOG aggressive as adults. so there is a chance that your two dogs might never get along. growling while playing is completely normal as long as it is play growling. it all depends on the dogs body language. if the puppy is growling with teeth bared, a stiff tail and/or the hair on his back is standing up, then he probably being aggressive. if he is just growling during play, it's not big deal. either way, i would suggest you rehome the dog. pit bulls belong in the hands of experienced owners. you need to learn how to handle and train the dog you already have before you bring home another one!!

2007-03-12 14:38:05 · answer #4 · answered by the_most_happy17 3 · 5 0

I have owned pit bulls my entire life(since I was 3), all grand champion show dogs. They are no different from a pet quality which is sounds like you have. He probely cowers because of the new situation and doesn't really understand whats going on. Give him some extra cuddling, disipline him as you would your older dog and give him some time to adjust. Pit bulls are very loving and loyal dogs if given the chance. I have had children around all the dogs I raised and I couldn't have recommended a better dogs for families. They might lick them all over but never has one even raised a lip to a child. They have a bad rap because one of thier traits is loyalty, they are always trying to what ever it is the owner wants, some people want bad but hopefully for its sake they want a good dog.
They are great at dog obdience classes and dog agility. They are often used as therapy dogs due to thier ability to sense what is wrong with a person and proceed gently.
The growling is what dogs do when they play. My two are always making barking, growling noises when they play.
Please before you judge him give him love and a chance like anyother dog. You may have just saved a kindred soul from being destroyed.

2007-03-12 14:59:39 · answer #5 · answered by cc 2 · 0 1

Just keep an eye on him for a while. Check your local laws about owning a pitt and go from there. You may have a great dog and not know it yet. Growling while they play is natural. You should be able to tell by the growl though how serious it is. I've met pitts that are as docile as they come. I've seen them completely unpredictable. And I've seen the most aggressive of the bunch. Gaining trust in a pitt for me takes a long while because there attitude can change so quickly.

2007-03-12 14:41:50 · answer #6 · answered by shaman 4 · 2 0

If he is only four months old, you have nothing to worry about. It is only a puppy. It doesn't matter if it is a pit bull or a shih tzu! It basically has a clean slate at that age. The growling while playing with your other dog, is just that, playing.

All this being said, if you are afraid of the puppy, find it a different home. It wouldn't be fair to you or the dog for you to hold resentment, reasonable or not, towards the poor thing. Any dog can sense your feelings towards them. Pits are no different. They can be some of the sweetest dogs in the world, if they are loved and treated that way.

Good luck to you. I know you will do the right thing for yourself and for the puppy.

2007-03-12 15:21:25 · answer #7 · answered by Katslookup - a Fostering Fool! 6 · 0 2

Well some areas have ordanaces against owning pitbulls, But usually it's not the breed that is a problem they can be loving and good with children if raised properly. If you are uncomfortable with the dog ask the Aspca what you should do maybe they can help place the dog with a better home. Unless the dog is no longer placeable due to behavioral problems.

2007-03-12 14:40:12 · answer #8 · answered by Vivianna 4 · 2 0

You should not be worried! Dogs live in the here and now. I suggest that you attend a basic obedience class with the dog and get it socialised with other dogs and people. The more interaction you have with this dog and the more you give it a routine and set down some house rules the better. This way you will assert yourself as pack leader. In my house I deal with rescues dogs all the time. Pitt bulls included. They need structure. Never let the dog on your furniture, walk through a door before you, eat before you or your other dog.... Think about it anything that it might translate as being in a superior position in your family pack you HAVE to make sure this dog takes the back seat. The same can be said of all dogs of every breed.

2007-03-12 14:37:26 · answer #9 · answered by rottiesam 2 · 1 2

True, if you can't handle the retriver its dumb to get a pit or another dog at all. Work with the retriever. Treat it like family. I don't think its fair to keep it outside banished away. Also, pits in general have a genetic tendency to snap. They are kind of like ticking timebombs. He may never ever snap, but you are increasing your chances with this breed/mix. My neighbors are vegan animal lovers and raised a pit mix from birth- the dog was NEVER abused. Last year he ripped their border collies throat open and wouldn't let go- Pits have locking jaws.
Find a more appropriate home and give more love to the dog you have.

2007-03-12 14:49:25 · answer #10 · answered by noolynu 2 · 3 0

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