posted 03-07-2003 01:22 PM            

Amazing how there are so many different facts on the pit bull. I do not agree with all, but have to comment on the backing out of a fight issue. I'll use Duke as an example. When another dog gets into a fight with him and my guy is holding the leash...all he has to do is say "drop it" and Duke will obey..no matter how intense; however, Duke will not "drop it" in a situation like that for me. He only gets very much into the fighting mode and literally tries to kill the other dog......it is much better now thanks to trainers and behaviorists, but in the beginning of his fights....he meant buisness.

Goob,
I didn't always walk him with a muzzle as I feel very strongly that my dog should be able to protect himself; however, where I live it does not matter if I have my dog on a leash and the other dog is off leash..because of Duke's breed he would be PTS; therefore, I protect him in the longer run and I now carry mace with me so I can stop that charging lunatic dog and Duke doesn't have to protect himself anymore...I do that

Duke is a funny charachter..it all depends on his mood for the day. Some days he'll see a male Golden and turn his head as though the dog isn't even there...other days it's strait to the end of the leash and it don't matter how many tugs I give on that prong collar....he don't care he just wants to fight. The prong collar has helped me a lot to control him....I swear by it. I have been told it is the lazy way to do it, but this was my last step. I tried all the PR training and behaviorists suggestions and they didn't work...so now on to being physical with him because it seems for his charachter he needs to know I'm physically bigger and stronger in order for him to respect me.

Goob as per Duke's reaction - Body language. When he doesn't like the dog he stares directly at them and will lunge once the other dog makes eye contact. His tail is down at first, then when the dog looks his way Duke's tail flies strait up and he lunges while barking or growling. If he doesn't sense a threat from the other dog he will do his best to sniff the ground and avoid the other dog as best he can. At the end of both encounters (bad or good) duke will always shake his whole body...stress reliefe, I believe.

DOC - So sorry to hear about that situation.
I feel the owner should be held responsible. Those dogs should have been kept in a very secure yard and watched if the dog aggression was that bad. I never leave my dog outside un attended EVER.....tooo many things can happen.

posted 03-07-2003 03:30 PM           

You are correct, but the MAJORITY will when given the chance....I'm not trying to say anything bad about your dogs, either, just trying to make sure that novice owners don't EVER forget what kind of power they have in a pit bull...I'm not suggesting fighting either, but I have a gamebred hot headed animal. I hate dogfighting and have done a lot of work to combat it...Goob knows me, and can attest that I am VERY against it.