I live in Missouri and right now there is this big issue with pit bulls. I have one and she is sweet heart but

Question

I have the sweetest pit bull but everyone is always starting trouble with us over her. i would never have a mean dog and am sick of hearing crap about it what can I do to get people to either back off or stop stereo typing this breed.

Answer 1

You might volunteer to begin teaching an obedience class, sponsored by your local shelter. Use your dog as the teacher's 'example'. Word will get around quickly about your 'model' dog..It would be good PR for other pits, too...People need to see these dogs in leadershp roles.

Answer 2

I know how you feel. There is a big push around the world right not to start deciding what dogs people should or should not own. It starts with the Pit Bull but I guarantee you it won't stop there if these Breed Specific Legislation efforts continue to gain power. The good news is that people who own dogs, including people who own other breeds are starting to stand up against the legislation because it is the same thing as racial profiling but it goes against a breed of dog. And not just "a" breed of dog. By the way, "Pit Bull" is not considered a breed when referred to by law efforts to ban, but includes, American Staffordshire Terriers, American Bull Dogs and English Staffordshires. UKC registers APBT's. AND any mixes of these breeds.
Many places are already tacking on other breeds including Rottweilers, Akitas, Huskies, Dobermans and German Shepherd Dogs. Some places are LITERALLY pushing to force owners to insure, pay fees, microchip, etc- dogs weighing over 30 lbs.
The media is playing into the popular politics by sensationalizing cases and tacking "Pit Bull attack" on it. In fact, in my city the latest thing was labelling a "Pit Bull Kills Owner" at the scene of a death where a person's three dogs were around the body. Most likely it wasn't even an attack at all because she died in the middle of the night and the dogs were in the yard with her, probably trying to arouse her or move her body. NONE OF HER DOGS WAS A PIT BULL.
Nevertheless, most reports were focusing on PIT BULL.
So if you want support, look up groups that are on your side like:

msn group: http://groups.msn.com/PitBullPitporium/
yahoo group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bslworkshop/

and some other sites on the subject:

http://www.rott-n-chatter.com/rottweilers/laws/breedspecific.html

http://www.napbta.com/bsl.html

http://www.mprgroup.net/misc/bsl.html

Answer 3

Unfortunately, a few idiots who shouldn't own a stuffed toy, let alone a dog have done the wrong thing. Sadly, the name of the breed suffers. The dogs were originally bred to bring down bulls so they're strong and in the wrong hands, they are dangerous and people are afraid. You need to educate them that breeding and training and correct handling is what it's all about and that stupid people need to be banned from owning or breeding them because they don't know what they're doing and it's not the fault of the dog!

Answer 4

All you can do is what I do out here in California, be your dogs #1 supporter!
But for your own good (legally and otherwise) always be aware of any city,county,state changes in laws regarding ownership. Even tho' you know your dog best - do yourself a favor and sign your dog & you up for behavior classes at least once a year or every 2 years. This way if any one tries to bully you in court action against you, you'll have some kind of paper trail proving them wrong. I wish you the best. Your not alone in this fight against people who do not understand the breed. Join groups that are positive about the breed. And do yourself a favor - look up ANIMAL AVENGERS on line. They offer all kinds of positive help with problems with animals - legal or otherwise.

Answer 5

You can't. The media has painted them as killers and people are afraid.
I know that Pit Bulls bite less often than most other breeds of dogs do. The problem is in the severity of their bite. When they bite they do massive damage compared to a Cocker Spaniel, one of the worst biters. News shows people with these horrible injuries, and this is all they show of dog bites and they have managed to paint these sweet natured animals as monsters. I wish you luck dealing with it. I don't know how this can be corrected.

Answer 6

If you truly have a gentle pit bull, good for you.

The reason they are thought badly of is because IF they bite, it is a very deadly one. They often bite deep enough to severe an artery and the victim dies. Pit bulls seldom bite and release like other dogs. A friend of mine had a huge Alaskan husky. It could rip a human to shreds if it wanted to. It jumped on a man who had walked around the corner of the house when there were kids in the yard. (He ignored the :Beware of dog sign because his car broke down) The dog jumped up, bit once on the mans forearm, pushed him down with his feet and stood there daring him to come closer to the kids.

See the difference? The dog protected the kids, made its point and stood its ground. It did not continue attacking once the man was subdued. Pit bulls historically do not stop biting until the intended person or animal is DEAD. Your dog may live out its entire life without ever biting anyone, but if it decides to bite you may go to jail because someone is likely to die.
Some neighbors of mine had one when I was a kid. It played okay with us, but threatened if we got near its food dish!
The real problem is people who want them for the fear factor, they like scaring others and usually allow the pit bull to act aggressive thereby making the problem worse.

I wish you the best of luck.

Answer 7

They do that cause most pitt owners have no idea they require more training by far than an average dog. Pay them no heed, and train your dog the way it's meant to be - to a high degree, it gives them stability and they're far less liable to cause any problem.
The reason you have to train them so much is cause they were bred to fight, so giving them more discipline gives them borders and calms them down. They can make such awesome pets!

Answer 8

Just be glad you don't live in Germany. They broke down people's doors, took their pet, performed a test designed so that all would fail, then killed them on the spot with an unethical veterinarian they brought with. Guess the Nazi spirit still lives.

Answer 9

Pitbulls are always going to be sterotyped, which is ridiculous because no dog is born mean. It's all about training and raising. I wouldn't worry about it so much, to hell with what other people have to say. The only thing you need to worry about is if your state bands them, which is highly unlikely.

Answer 10

If the same was said about a particular race of humans it would be classed as racism...