New Member

Posts: 2
From:Abbeville, Louisiana USA
Registered: Mar 2004

posted 03-03-2004 09:32 PM         

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O.K I hope noone jumps on me for this one but here goes. My darling hubby has always wanted a Pit bull so I decided to get him one for his birthday. She is awesome!!! I have never owned a dog quite like her but I realize now that I was a bit impulsive in buying a dog breed I knew nothing about and I am trying my hardest to educate myself. First, I didn't know that there were people that are trying to outlaw this breed in Louisiana (where I live) How will this effect me? My hubby would be upset if he had to give up his baby as he is already attached to her after only 1 week. She is an indoor pet but we like to spend a lot of time with her outdoors and it is amazing how ignorant some people can be. She is only 9 weeks old and people act afraid of her. I can't tell you how many comments I have heard that start with " Do you know how dangerous those dogs are?" People just don't get it do they? Bad owners make bad dogs! I have a female dog with barely a drop of Chow Chow in her that was WAY meaner at 9 weeks than this dog could ever be and although she is still protective of us, she has never bitten anyone and would never harm a kid. Does everyone that owns a Pit go through this or are people in Louisiana particularly ignorant?
Next, how harmful is it that my hubby lets her sleep with us? I think this is a big mistake because she will be a rather large dog and although I don't mind her being in there sometimes, I wouldn't want her sleeping with us every night. She has a kennel but his heart breaks when she cries. I think I'm right by saying she should learn to sleep in her kennel now (while "potty" training) so it won't be as hard to get her to sleep in her own bed.
I know I wasn't very responsible in getting a dog I knew nothing about to be our first "indoor" dog but I am ready and willing to learn anything I can about this breed and any reply and advice would be greatly appreciated (and needed). Thanks!

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Member

Posts: 10
From:Barre
Registered: Mar 2004

posted 03-16-2004 07:34 PM         

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Hi congratulations on your new pitt!!! I also got a pitt last week. Zeus is eight weeks old. I live in Vt..dont worry everyone is that ignorant...it really upsets me.Ok to answer your questions....
Absolutely positivly do NOT let your baby sleep with you in bed or on a couch!!! Pitts by nature are very dominant dogs. At this stage your little girl will soak up eerything you show her. She will learn that she gets the best place in the house...but you being the alpha in the house should get the best spot to sleep. As hard as it wil be she needs to sleep on the floor or her crate. I know i want to sleep with mine everynight...but i have to force myself not to. But that doesnt have to be forever...just until she learns her manners.What helps me with Zeus when he doesnt want to be in his crate is to put a blanket over it..so they cant see us...or turn on a radio...if she is still having a problem try putting a ticking clock in there with her...it sounds like a heartbeat. If nothing is working your gonna have to ignore her...if you dont she develop seperation anxiety..and when your gone will destroy everything in your house. Pitts are awesome ive never been without them...dont work i walk zeus around the city and people will stop one minuete and be all over him saying hes the cutest puppy in the world and hell be licking their hands..and then they ask wht kind of dog he is...then they always have something rude to say...Pitts are awesome!!! I had two pomerinians once and they attacked my cousin...ow those dogs are way more agressive than any pitt ive ever had...Best of luck to you..i hope i helped

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Posts: 43
From:Phoenix, AZ, USA
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 03-16-2004 08:42 PM         

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Friend: You sound just like I was went I got my pits. When You get a little pit, your skin has to become a little thicker to all the negativity. What you do is make your pit into a little ambassador to all your friends, family, and neighbors. Show them that their fear is stemmed from the media and all the taboo. Now my friends and family are in love with my pits and are wondering what all the bad hype is about.I'm telling you, If a poodle should kill a baby, they will say it was a Pit in the media. I put both my pits in bed with me for the first four months. It really creates a bond with them plus helps with night time potty training.Once you get hooked on these guyes, there's no turning back. If you have problems, come back here and these people have good advice.

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posted 03-17-2004 03:12 AM           

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i let my dog sleep with me but for some reason he usually gets up in the middle of the night like he's uncomfortable and goes and lays on the floor. i don't know why but he does this all the time.but yes evrywhere there are people that think pits r bad dog ingeneral. But if all those people would actually own a pitbull they would see what a lie that is and i bet they would all say that it was the best dog the've ever had.that's how i feel about mine.he's the best the brightest and sometimes the clumsiest but i love him.

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Member

Posts: 171
From:Norco, Louisiana
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 03-17-2004 05:19 AM         

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Pit Bulls get a LOT of negative attention... even if its not really a Pit.
A few months ago, on the news, they were talking about a dog attack and they showed a picture of a mutt or something and called it a Pit Bull. They just assume it is a "Pit Bull" because it has similarities or because it attacked someone.

kimtabulous, I live in Louisiana too. If you want you can email me and we can chat
angie_marie_p@hotmail.com

[This message has been edited by Angie (edited 03-17-2004).]

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Posts: 173
From:Canada
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 03-17-2004 08:35 AM         

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kimtabulous,
congratulations on the new addition to your family. Yes, lots of us Pit owners get a lot of that aggression from people who know what breed our dog is. I actually own an AmStaff Terrier, and that's what I tell people. I never say she is a Pit Bull. Most people just look at me and say, "oh, I've never heard of that breed befroe." OI love it. Then I just talk her up and let the people love onher and see how great she really is. Sometimes, after a while I will tell them she is part of the Pit breeds and they are shocked. "Well, has she attacked anyone?" I just laugh. Yeah, she licked someone to death once. hehe
My girl Harley likes to really push her boudaries on the bed, so she is not up there too often. I ususally let her up if she is having a bad dream cause she likes to cuddle until she can fall back to sleep. Otherwise, she sleeps in her own bed. Its a huge cushion bed for dogs that's soo comfy and I put it right beside my bed. That may help you too. She probably just wants to be closer to you at night. I let Harley on the couch with me, but she knows she has to be invitd up and the blanket has to be on the couch first. I do tend to spoil her, but hey what the heck else are they for if not to shower with love and spoil them?
Good luck to you. I am sure there are petitions going around to stop the bsl fromtaking place. Try calling your local politicians or newspapers to find out. That would be a great way to know you are trying to keep your girl with you.

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