Asking Pit Bull EXPERTS only please.?

Question

I get scared sometimes because my pit goes after my 5lb chi-poo out of jealousy and I figure that when/if she gets done with her, who's next? my twin girls? I am not afraid of my dog, these are things going through my head, also, is it true that in her first heat or after she turns a year old, she will get more aggressive? With small kids (4 yrs old) I can't have that. Your opinions and suggestions are appreciated.

READ MY TITLE!!!
None of your are pit experts and my pit is 7 months old and I am nowhere near afraid of my pit, I'm simply asking questions and I could use answers/suggestions/opinions without sarcasm.......I rescued my pit, soon to get spayed.

Answer 1

If you are questioning the possibility that your dog will become aggressive, then it's time to let her go.

Regardless of breed, a dog showing aggressions, or making you feel that she will aggressive is not a good scenario. Your dog has established her Alpha position in your home and perhaps she would be better suited with someone else, no offense to you.

I also applaud you for noticing the signs, as so many people ignore the potential for the dog (notice I did not say PIT) to be aggressive.

G'luck

ETA: Sorry...didn't realize that it was a pup. In that case, you might want to look into some basic obedience classes. Since she's still young, she could just be playing, but aggressive play, is also how dogs establish their dominance, so it's best be diligent, with regards to obedience.

Have you tried any local classes? I have had pits with 2 lb dogs, as well as a house full of kids and they do well, but did require lots of socializing.

Answer 2

I live with a pit bull and a pit bull/bull mastiff mix, and am a vet. tech. who sees a lot of pits, and a dog trainer. My first question is, why isn't she spayed? You don't say how old she is, but I would get her spayed tomorrow if I were you. In your situation, breeding her is a bad idea because females of any breed are protective of their puppies. And there are way too many pits around as it is. And no, the chances that she would go after your girls are slim. Pits were bred to be non-aggressive to humans. However, it does sound like she needs training, basic obedience at least. You need to start asserting your alpha role in a quiet, non-confrontational way. Not knowing how old she is makes it really hard to answer this question in a complete way. Do you have a crate for her? When she starts going after the chi-poo, I would correct her by taking her collar and telling her "no" firmly, if she does it again right away, put her in her crate for 15-20 minutes. You say she does this out of jealousy, but you don't give any examples, maybe there are things you need to do differently in your interactions with the chi-poo, I can't say. I'd recommend you call a trainer and have them work with you and both the dogs before this situation gets out of hand.

Answer 3

Rachel honestly did give you the best answer, I thought. I'll add some links so you can start reading up. You have a pit bull breed. You really ought to know what's what so you're not having heart attacks thinking your dog is going to eat your children some day. I don't mean that to be insulting by any means, but the more you know the more comfortable you will be about the kids and the dog. :) And again, just an FYI, never leave a dog alone unsupervised with small children...ANY dog, even the little dogs

Here's the links:
http://www.workingpitbull.com/index.htm
http://www.pitbulllovers.com/american-pit-bull-terrier-myths.html
http://www.pbrc.net/faq.html
http://www.hsus.org/pets/pets_related_news_and_events/hardworking_pit_bulls.html

Answer 4

All dogs can be animal aggersive without being human aggersive. APBT have been breed to be unaggersive towards human, the only breed to be done so. Getting her fixed will help. Pit bulls are part of the terrier group and terriers have a high prey drive. Jack Russell can be more aggersive than the APBT. All terriers were used at one time for hunting and killing smal prey. That is why some of the larger terrier breeds can look at other smaller dogs as prey. Make sure you make yourself pack leader and let both dogs know aggersion between is not allowed. My pit is not only unaggersive towards small animals he loves to have them aroun and play with them. My cat Joker sleeps on top of him every night and walks up and gets in his food bowl while he is eating and he just stands back and lets him eat his fill. You have worries, if more people did with any large breed that is around small kids there would be less problems.

Answer 5

Ok I am not sure about the "expert" part, but I do know what I am talking about. Pitts are more aggressive dogs by nature, and anyone who disagrees doesn't really know the breed. They were bred to fight, simple truth. I would not recommend anyone with small children to own a pitt. It's just not work the chance you hve to take. I get stories from people all the time who "raised their dog from a pup and know it wouldn't hurt a thing". Bull. No one can read a dogs mind or know what is going thru its head at all times. A dogs first reaction to something running away or making a high pitched noise like it is in pain, which is how a typical 4 year old spends most of his/her day, is to give chase. This is just a natural reaction in dogs. The problem is when a pit bull does it, he will viciously attack it and kill it. Where a breed that HASN'T been BRED FOR FIGHTING will not normaly do so. They will knowck it down, pounce on it, bite it, and so on but the vicious mauling instinct is weaker. I know u love your dog, but are you willing to take a chance that this might happen? This is just a suggestion but why don't you try to find him/her a nice home that does not have small children? We all watch the news and have heard the reports of attacks. A child's face is eye-level with a dogs face. Not a good place to be. I hope this helps you. I think that she is a puppy still is one of the reasons nothing has happened yet. As she matures, yes, she will become more territorial and aggressive. Please take some precautions now. Don't try to "Ceasar Milan" it, as we like to say in the dog training business. Yes he is good and he knows what he is talking about, but not everything is as it seems.

Answer 6

It's not jealousy...it's prey drive. Dogs are not humans...they do not experience human emotions like jealousy. Humanizing your dog is your first mistake.

Clearly you did not research this breed before you aqquired the dog. Prey drive is present in most terrier breeds. Your pit is exhibiting dog agression. Dog agression and human agression are two completely different things,( I suggest you research them both). That being said, NEVER EVER leave your children alone with ANY dog of ANY breed. Young kids do not understand how to play with the dog without poking and prodding, and nipping is generally the dog's way of saying "I've had enough". Never let the kids play with either dog without supervision.

Even though Pit Bulls can, and do, live with other smaller animals harmoniously, they still have to be trained extensively and watched closely because of prey drive. Some terriers have that drive so ingrained in them that it cannot be corrected, only managed. I suggest you do some reading on the subject (better late than never I suppose) and speak to your vet as well.

And, next time you buy a dog, be sure to RESEARCH the breed so that you know what you're in for.

Answer 7

Pit bulls are often aggressive towards other dogs even when they are very good with humans. The first thing I would do is have her spayed - that is critical. Then you need to gently but firmly impress on her that YOU are the pack leader and not her. When she goes after the smaller dog, take her and gently but firmly pin her down laying on her side and hold her there until she is calm and submissive, then have someone bring you the little dog and make it also lay down beside her until they are both calm. Whenever you see the pit even looking at the little dog with any alertness or aggressiveness, give immediate correction. Don't do this by yourself unless you know for certain that you can control the situation. Even the most human-friendly pit will kill a smaller dog if they are dog-aggressive. It might be best to consult a professional trainer and dog behavior expert. Good luck.

Answer 8

What is causing the jealousy? If you know that your behavior provokes jealousy in your dog, then why would you continue the behavior. Be responsible and use common sense. Do not put your dog in situations where it could bite. You are an irresponsible owner if you do not train your dog and have it under control at all times and spayed. You should get your dog spayed before her first heat, that way she will never go into heat. I don't know where you got the information that after her first heat she will become more aggressive. It sounds to me like you are contemplating giving the dog away or you do not want it anymore. Didn't you think of these things before you brought a pet into your home? You knew you had another smaller dog and young children, why would you get a Pit Bull? These dogs are wonderful, loving animals, and they are very affectionate. I have owned two and I wouldn't own any other dog, but I know that they should be the only dog in the house, and I wouldn't have small children around them. Dogs are products of their environment, just like children. There are so many people like you, that make bad decisions, then blame the dog when something happens. It is your responsibility to make sure the dog is not put in a situation where he can harm another animal or children. If you can't do that, then you should find the dog a good home because you are just setting the stage for trouble and it is not fair to the dog.

Answer 9

Pit Bulls are usually dog aggressive if anything most adore children. But you need to get a handle on her now, she is still young and any problems you want to correct you need to start while she is young. You should have her spayed, it helps cut down on aggression. Secondly you should not let her get away with going after anything. Our family Pit Bull is a 5 year old malea and loves everyone and everything. But he was brought up that away and was always had discipline and obedience. As dogs reach adulthood they can become more aggressive if not corrected as a puppy or young adult. I do not know if you have ever watched the Dog Whiperer with Cesar Milan but he makes a great deal of sense. DOgs do not see you as master rather they should see you as the alpha and all other family as higher ranking pack memebers. As long as your dog sees you kids as a higher ranking memebers you will not have problems. But that all comes from you. I would say get your dog spayed, do not let her get away with going after the smaller dog, and constantly socialize your dog and enforce obedience work everyday and make sure she is getting plenty of exercise. Pit Bulls are GREAT loving family dogs when handled and trained right. All terriers are tenacious and can be bull headed but that does not make any of them bad. They just take more work.

Answer 10

Have the dog spayed first. While you are at the vets, ask him and all his clients for the name of the best professional trainer in the area. You need professional help to determine what type of aggression your dog is exhibiting and you will not be able to correct the problem with advice you get on line. On any site. One on one behavior analysis is the only way you will prevent a dangerous situation from occuring. Don't wait- make the appointment today. Good luck.