How are Pit Bulls as pets?

Question

I love Pits!I think they're great dogs.I've never owned one,but I have spent time with them at an animal shelter that I volunteer at and am thinking about getting one.I would like to have some questions answered as a possible Pit owner.

1.Is it true that they can turn on their owners?

2.Is it safe keeping them around small kids(as young as 2 years.These are kids that go to my church.) and other dogs?

3.Can they be left alone for more then 4 hours?

4.Are they real needy dogs?

5.What kind of health probs can they develop?

6.Have any of your pits started a fight with another dog?And if they did,how did you stop it?

7.How did you socialize your pit?

8.What is the most important thing to remember when owning one?

9.Have any of your pits bit anyone?

You don't have to answer all of these questions.Some answers would be much appreciated!:)

Answer 1

They won the temperament test between Border Collies, German Shepherds, and Beagles.. :D

1. ANY dog can turn on there owners

2. Yes

3. Yes

4. No

5. Any health problem a k9 can develop

6. Never

7. He's starts it he loves playing at the dog park with the other dogs

9. NEVER

Answer 2

1. NO

2. yes

3. yes

4. no

5. None

6. no

7. Same as any dog!

8. (ala Cesar Millan)  Exercise, training, love.

9. Never!

Watch or tape Animal Witness: The Michael Vick Case.  Should be on Animal Planet tonight.  Of the 42 (?) dogs they rescued only 2 could not go to new homes and had to be euthanized.  One was indeed too dangerous, one breeding female was very sick.  The rest have new homes with kids, other animals and at least one handsome boy is a therapy dog!

I am thrilled these dogs were able to recover!

Answer 3

Ok...first things first!

A responsible breeder is the number one criteria with any dog, but especially one that has been overbred! Pitbulls have been overbred beyond tolerance...so don't go to a pet store...go online to the AKC website and find a breeder. You want to be certain your breeder has bred for temperment...not for fighting!

As a terrier owner (I've raised Airedales) it is vitally important that temperment is the highest of priorities. Terriers were bred from the get go to kill...whether it was for vermin or fighting, they're natural killers, so temperment has to be mellowed through breeding. This being said...ALL terriers are amazingly bright sturdy dogs.

Terriers are stubborn, but incredibly smart and will learn like a scholar! They're wonderful, devoted characters with great personalities. Training is the key to any great pet, but with a terrier you get more than a dog...you get a thinker that will put you to work at keeping ahead of them.

A pitbull is a wonderful dog. Good breeding, good training, proper nutrition and you'll have 14 or so years of love, laughter, loyalty and absolutely pleasure.  

Answer 4

I, too, love pits but I have found them to be a bit more of a challange than some of the other breeds I have worked with. They tend to be excellent with their own families. they also usually tollerate visitors and strangers well, but tend to become more protective of their owner as they bond with them. Early socialization is VERY important. While many do get along well with other dogs and pets, if they dont, they tend to inflict more damaging injuries than most other dogs. This is a FACT that must be accepted by responsible pit bull owners, not ignored. I personally know a pit who killed the family cats, another who killed a young puppy in a matter of seconds and another who inflicted serious injuries to the other family dog. These are not just dogs I know of....they are dogs I personally know. I cant say that about any other breed. Their jaws don't truly "lock" as you will hear people say, but they do tend to grab hold and not let go ripping the flesh, where most dogs snap and nip more often. (so more damage is done) I also know of 2 dogs who were in my local shelter where i volunteer who did great with the dogs at the shelter. They were adopted, and once bonded with their new owners began to show aggression towards other dogs when out in public.

All these issues can usually be dealt with through proper training but know what you are getting yourself into, aknowledge the unique challenges of owning a pitbull, be committed to training and be responsible!

they can be fantastic dogs!!

Answer 5

1. If you make them isolated and not give them love.

2. Yes!! (make them social though)

3. Yes

4. No

5. Any health problems like a regular dog

6. Yes. Yelled, "NO!" and smacked his nose.

7. Of course

8. LOVE THEM!

9. By accident. I was about to give him a bone and as I putting it in his mouth I stupidily put my hand in there.

Answer 6

They are wonderful pets in the right hands.

Important things to consider:

1. They need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation

2. They need proper conditioning from a young age to all types of animals, and people male female white black etc. Dogs are racist lol. They will react differently to different colored people.

3.You need to get them young.

4. Many people start off beating them, trying to turn them into fighting dogs. You want to know exactly how your dog was conditioned.

5. If you are going to have children make sure they are conditioned to them also.

Any dog can turn on their owners, at any time. Try to find a good natured pit if you can, that is more submissive than dominant. Beware dogs can also be what we call fear biters. You don't want the dog that is terrified of you.

If you are going to leave them home for more than 4 hours, since it would be an adopted dog, I would suggest crate training or something where they can stay occupied such as being outside, or having another doggie friend.

Squirting dogs with a hose works best if available or any kind of wood stick. Never reach and grab a tail or hit or kick a dog, you are asking to get bit. Dogs react when threatened, and they could accidentally bite you, even with out meaning to.

I spent a lot of time at dog parks and with friends dogs with my pits. Introduced them to everyone we met.

Heres how:

Prerequists: Sit, Down, Stay.

When someone comes to your home for the first time, have your dog on a leash.  Make them sit. Then have the person they are meeting turn away from them, on the leash let them sniff and introduce them selves, just as a dog would do to another time. Then ask the dog to come back and sit by you. Repeat, thus you are telling the dog it is okay to meet new people, but only on your command. You shouldnt let any dog run up and try and intimidate people.

None of my pits have ever tried to bite anyone, and I've only had one fight, and it was with one of my friends dogs who is a bully. He sideswipped my dog and pinned him down, all my dog did was try to defend him self.