Is This Dangerous?

Question

I got my pitbull to calm down enough so now I can walk her without a leash(no leash law) but when people see her they walk to the other side of the street so what I am saying is is it dangerous to walk her without a leash

http://www.facespayneuter.org/adoption/images/Buttercup.jpg

The link above is her

Answer 1

You should ALWAYS walk your pets on a leash no matter what the breed. There is always that chance that something bad will happen and you will loose your behind in a lawsuit because your dog was not on a leash and you had no way to control your dog if it got loose.

Answer 2

You should walk her on a leash, just because even the most well trained dog can take off after something and run into the street. I'm not saying this because she's a pit (which are awesome dogs), I'd say it for any breed. It's for her protection and safety.
My 13 year old Yellow Lab has 12 years of obedience work, Canine Good Citizen certification, and has been used as a therapy dog, and I don't take her for walks without using a leash. If she sees a squirrel and chases it into the street, I don't want to see her get hit by a car.
And your pit is a beauty! My neighbor has a gorgeous brindle pit that's such a sweetie.

Answer 3

It's always dangerous to walk any breed of dog without a leash. Anything that you haven't trained or proofed your dog on can cause them to flee. What if she sees a squirrely or a cute little bunny rabbit. I'm not talking about attacking a person here - I am simply talking about taking off after something fun to chase and then whammo - hit by a car.


What if you have the friendliest dog in the world and it sees another dog (on leash) and simply goes over to greet it and the other dog is aggressive and bites her nose off? What then?

It's great that you have so much control over your dog, but there are other reasons to keep her on a leash to keep her safe. Walk her with a leash and hold the end of the leash - it shows people that you have a perfectly controlled dog - meaning she is listening to you, but you also still have a hold of her should the Easter bunny come hoppin along.

And good for you for having such a well trained beautiful example of what a pitbull can be.

Now - one more thing - let's call her by her real name shall we - she is either an Am Staff or an American PitBull Terrier, but not the derogatory pitbull. As soon as we fix that little minor issue we are golden.

Answer 4

It's a good idea to leash your dog for many reasons.

I don't watch those court dramas, but I was flipping the channels once and saw something on dogs. In this case, someone had their nice, friendly dog offleash in the front yard. Another dog came up and attacked it. Although it was mostly decided that the other dog was the aggressor, both dogs' owners were decided to be at least partially at fault because both dogs were offleash when they shouldn't be.

Think about it... what if a Maltese or a Labrador Retriever attacked your dog? Your dog, if he's normal, would defend himself. And in a court, who do you think the court would likely side with, especially if your dog was offleash? The "big mean" pit bull or the "cute family dog" Lab?

Then, what if something does happen? Is your dog really 100 percent rock-solid trained? Very few dogs are. Your dog could get hurt (run over by a car) or hurt someone or something else (whether intentionally or not).

And yeah, I think it's polite to other people on the street to have a leashed dog. If I saw a person walking down the street with an unleashed pit bull I'd be wary about walking past them. I'd actually feel a lot more comfortable if the pit wasn't with someone. It is, after all, generally the owners who generally encourage aggressiveness in their dogs. People don't know you or your dog or how either of you will react.

Answer 5

Every dog should be walked on a leash. Even the smallest of dogs. Its not because you have a bad dog. Pitt Bulls can be the best of dogs. I own on myself and shes the perfect dog. But even though shes extremely friendly and loves attention from anyone, I still walk her on a leash. Because no matter the size of the dog or the breed, a dogs instincts will come into play depending on the situation. So its best to play it safe. A dog is always easier to control when its on a leash than just walking next to you.

Answer 6

Where do you live that there's no leash law???

You say you got her to calm down enough so you can walk her without a leash, but you don't say anything else. You sound like you don't know enough of what is needed for training her completely, and making sure she recognizes you at ALL times as Alpha Pack Leader. I'm worried that you haven't got her well enough trained cause you don't know enough how to train her.

If you have no leash laws, then it IS your right to walk her without one. So, what you have to decide is whether or not it matters to you that others are very much afraid of her. If you want people to be comfortable around you, you have to do what it takes to put them at ease. It sounds like they won't be comfortable around you if the dog is off-leash. So, the choice is yours.

It's hard to know if it's dangerous for you to walk her off-leash. You haven't said how old she is, if she's fully respectful of you as Alpha Pack Leader, and what all training she's successfully completed. If she's just recently calmed down, and you don't know how to be Alpha Pack Leader, she could embarrass you by being aggressive suddenly, unexpectedly and harming a person or animal. If you have her really well trained and she fully understands you are Alpha Pack Leader, then maybe it's not dangerous.

Without knowing you and the dog personally it's hard to tell.

Answer 7

Hell yes, it is dangerous.

Did you ever see the Dog Whisperer? You are the Pack Leader. Never be in a situation where you can't control your dog.

No matter how well trained a dog is, it is still an animal with instincts. What if she sees something in the street that appeals to her and runs out in front of a car? What it if, for some reason, your dog has a bad reaction to something and bites someone? Then you are both in big trouble. You could end up losing her.

It would not be harming her in any way to put her on a leash. In fact, you could be saving her life.

Answer 8

Yes, even though your dog is a well mannered citizen, the fact of the matter is, pitbulls are small animal aggressive (dogs, cats, birds, squirrels, etc.) and can often lose track of your commands (they are, after all, VERY stubborn and have their own minds!!) and go tearing off after a poor kitty or your neighbors chihuahua without warning. ALWAYS keep your dogs on a leash, for yours, theirs, and others safety!!!!

I NEVER risk going out in public with my pitbulls off leash, it's just too dangerous, too many people out there want your dog dead, why give them a reason!?!?!

Answer 9

You should walk her on a leash. It's sad but Pitbulls have a bad stereotype and people will not like you walking her without a leash and if she tries and plays with another dog while not on a leash- the people will freak out if she goes up to them. For the safety of your dog, I'd walk it on a leash because if someone sees her coming to them they might try and hit or kick her out of defense.

Answer 10

She is ADORABLE!!! Her great big Smile is infectious!
However it's all about responsibility ....regardless of the Breed. Almost everyone made some very good points. I work with all types of dogs seven days a week. And I am a great believer in "Socialization" ... in a controlled enviroment.
In my socialization program I have witnessed little Chihuahuas, Boston Terriers, Pugs, Jack Russels etc - attack my large 140 lbs St Bernard/X and/or my 108 lbs German Sheperd. Fortunately Goliath and Indiana Jones are my partners in the rehabilation work that I do - therefore the the dogs that I deal with are not in danger. Your beautifull Staffie may be the most passive, sweetest dog within God's little acre that we call Earth - but with all the hype on Pitts ( and other so call dangerous dogs) do you not think that you should take all precautions to Protect her?
Check in your area if there is not a "doggy play group" which would welcome you and yours. I know that in my area there is a wonderful Trainer who owns 3 Stafforshires of her own and she has created a fenced in Park where all can come with their different canine companions to socialize, play and learn from each other. Dogs are evaluated and Owners are taught techniques ...
The important thing is to think of what is best for your dog.