"pitbulls" What are you (as an owner) doing to help the breed?

Question

We all know that there are a lot of questions ("rants") asked about “Pitbulls” on here/

“why does everyone hate them?,

It’s the owners who make them bad,

They are the best breed you could own”

Etc etc

What are *you* doing to help your breed?

Answer 1

AMEN!!!  

Answer 2

I do constant training, and give her plenty of exercise. I feed her a great brand of dog food to keep her healthy and I had her spayed. When people see her they always comment on how well behaved she is and how they didnt realize they can be loving family dogs!! Oh yeah and of course I give her tons of TLC!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29665252@N0...

ADD**Pits were not only choosen to fight because of their strength and high pain tolerance, they were also originally choosen because they showed so little human aggression that "dogmen" could get in there and break up a fight and not have to worry about getting hurt themselves...Unfortunately years of horrible breeding practices has made some pits human aggressive.

Answer 3

Personally I dont own a pitbull but I do feel sorry for the breed.

The dogs look macho and mean so people just say "hey lets make them bite people and be mean." People who have nothing better to do. Because of there boxy look and mean look people just think they are mean too.

A pitbull is like everyother dog. It is how the owner raises them.

When I am older, Im only 12, I plan to graduate as an Animal Abuse officer to help stop this cruelty.  

Answer 4

I don't own a pit bull, but I would love to rescue one, I know people with pits and they are the sweetest dogs that you can find, I try to educate people about the pit, but some people just don't understand that the breed isn't bad at all, its stupid people who train the dogs to act aggressive!! It think that the idiot owners should be "humanly euthanized" and leave the poor dogs alone. BSL is discrimination and should be illegal, soon people won't be able to have a dog period, because any dog is capable of biting.

Answer 5

i love pit bulls they are the best family breed. what more can you ask for??

my pit bull is a Colby named CJ

Answer 6

I don't own a pit bull, but anytime I hear the bs about them people love to say, I object.  I try to re-educate them.  I've sent a letter to our local news station (idk if it was ever on the news cuz I don't watch it but still) and I also don't freely share the fact that my own dog was attacked by a pit bull.  If I do tell people, I either just say, she was attacked by a bigger dog, or if I say it was a pit bull I make sure to explain that it was my cousin's (the owner) fault, which it was!

Answer 7

definitelyyy agree with that

pitbulls only have that reputation because people make them that way. they look like a "tough" breed so people treat them as such.

its horrible and anyone who owns a pit bull should treat them with kindness like any other dog. give them a chance because i can guarantee you they can be the best pet you ever had, if you just give them that chance they need.

Answer 8

I'm spreading the word that Pit bulls rock! My favorite sayings are "Judge the deed not the breed so give a pit bull a try before sentencing them all to die." AND Judge the deed not the breed. I don't have a pit bull, but I like them.

Answer 9

I only have a Pit Bull mixed with Shepherd and Lab, so she's about 25% Pit, but still, when people ask me what she is and I reply, they're surprised to see that she's not mauling my tiny Pomeranian mix, and when I tell them how sweet she is towards her, maybe they've learned something for the day. I've also convinced my best friend and my mom that they're really misunderstood, and the media helps make them feared.

I wasn't attacked by a Pit Bull, I was attacked by a Lab. Was that all over the news? No, but surely if it was a Pit Bull who attacked me, I'd be famous by now.

Answer 10

I'm 13 and I don't own a Pit Bull. I've been trying to educate some of my peers on the truth. Last year we had to do an oral report, so I did mine on how Pit Bulls are misunderstood. I printed out the "Find the Pit Bull" game and used it as a visual aid. Probably every other single dog was chosen before they picked the American Pit Bull Terrier. I just hoped I opened up some people's eyes.  

Answer 11

Okay the American Pitt Bull Terrier is not used for fighting because of its look; it is faught because it was breed to fight. The American Pitt Bull Terrier was bred in American so it could fight in dog fighting PITS, which is how it got its name. Just thought id give you guys the background.

But as a pitt bull owner I do not fight mine at all, I love my pitt because of the other reason it was bred, to be loyal and love its family. My pit is a very good girl who loves every single thing she comes acrossed. And I think that me having her be so social with other people, dogs, and breeds helps the reputation because it shows every new person that she is a really good dog and not mean at all.

Answer 12

I don't, in the legal sense, own a pit bull.

But I do foster and train them.

I pull them from shelters where they would have otherwise been euthanised and bring them into my home, rehabilitate them for ten months to 24 months, and find them a home with someone who understands and respects the breed.

I've driven an accumulated fifteen thousand miles over the past three years to pick up and drop off pits, to train them, to introduce them, to vet them, and to house them. I spend more money taking them to seminars to educate the public on their strides and struggles than I do feeding myself.

Answer 13

what i did to help this breed, is get the 2 dumped pit females i picked up SPAYED.

no-one will adopt them for breeding purposes.

Answer 14

What people need to learn is that any breed of dog can be aggressive, not just pit bulls. You can almost always tell from when they are little puppies whether or not they are aggressive. Good training and knowing what situations not to put your dog in go a long way, but unfortunately so many people think that dogs train themselves and if they don't do as they are told, they get hit and worse. I have met some wonderful pitbull dogs and whenever I see a young man with one, I always say I hope you're bringing him up to be a nice dog.

Answer 15

i have owned my pitbull for 8 years, he is NOT aggressive, he has NEVER bit anyone..he makes darn sure when a stranger comes in,,,if he likes them or not...he will growl if he dont like them...and believe me,,he knows the un savory characters my teenagers bring home..haha.. I love my dog.. he sleeps with everyone in the house,  he is wonderful around my 6 month old grandaughter, in fact he even saved her life one day, my son left her on the couch and she rolled over and was suffocating and my "hero" pulled her by the back of her dress and started barking to alert my son...luckily all ended well. but over here, you cant even rent a home if you have a pit bull, so i guess we will end up homeless. cuz if he dont go, we dont go.!!!! un educated idiots who mistreat their dogs are giving pits a bad name...NOT fair.!!

Answer 16

I spend plenty of time educating people here, and elsewhere about he breed. I also find as many petitions online as I can, against BSL and sign them all. I do not own one(severe allergies to dogs), however, I have several friends and relatives that do. These dogs are some of the best I have ever met, and to condemn the many, because of the few, is ignorance at best.

PS

My friend's younger brother and some friends of his ended up stealing several puppies from a man that had a backyard full of them, all were chained to poles, and there were several adults as well. After taking the puppies, (he and his friends were only 15), they called the ASPCA. Turned out the man had been training those dogs to fight, as well as having more dogs behind his property, in a wooded area, and had fought them there. All the dogs, and other puppies that were found, were sadly destroyed. He and his friends knew this and it was the reason why he stole the puppies they found in his yard in the first place. That was 7 years ago, all the puppies are now full adults, never had issues, and are all healthy and happy.

Answer 17

Research. Raising them properly.

I was just like everyone else before we got Max, I was so scared of the breed and that they would eat my future children. But instead of listening to the hear say horror stories I did research myself. And you know what I found out? They are nothing like people and the media portray. They are amazing animals with a wonderful personality.

With all the reading we did, we knew how to raise Max. How to handle him and what not to do with him as a puppy. We didnt wrestle hard or play tug of war much when he was little, and we made sure from day 1 that he listened and obeyed us. Now yes there is still some work to be done in that area, I want to get the animal aggression under control (no not gone, it will never be gone but I want to maintain it). And thats what obedience training is for, which we are currently shopping around for.

As an owner I am doing everything in my power to educate others and show by example how amazing the breed is. We have already changed a lot of minds just by people meeting Max. At first thought "Oh no he's a pit, don't get too close!" but Max won't let that happen. He wants to know who you are, what you're about and what your butt smell like up close and personal.

As an owner all you can do is prove people wrong by example and try to educate to the best of your ability.

Answer 18

Yes you are right.......it's sad to read comments about hating Pit Bull's.  However, I don't believe that EVERYONE "hates" them.  Given half a chance and proper training, these dogs can be wonderful......just as any other dog.  I wouldn't personally say that "these dogs are the BEST breed you could own" as many people would say the same about their dog/s, however, it's all in the breeding, care, and training that makes ANY dog "better".  

I personally do not desire the look of a Pit Bull, as many of us have a love for other "certain" breeds.  Mine is golden retrievers, as you can see by my Avatar.  

My help is by giving verbal assistance and educating.... in a diplomatic manner.  I never aim to puncture someones happy bubble.  We here in dogs, are here for a reason.  Those reasons vary...whether it is for assistance, medical help, urgent assistance, guidance, and/or to educate.   The only time I get tough on someone is when they are "abusing" a dog.  I have no patience or compassion for that type of thing.  That is purely EVIL.

I have a background with golden retrievers that helps me to give knowledge to others via YA's, emails, work, family, friends, neighbors, and I'm a member of the Humane Society and also the ASPCA in which I donate MONTHLY contributions to aid in the stopping of abused animals.....all of them.  

I hope I've helped you in some small way.   :oP

Answer 19

i spend a lot of time answering peoples ignorant questions on yahoo. i try and explain misconceptions. tell people to research before judging. introduce my pit to anyone who doesn't like them to show how sweet they are.  looking to get more involved with rescues but can't find one in my area.  

Answer 20

Stealing all the intact females I can find, spaying them, and sending them back...

Kidding, I neither own one or steal others'.  However I think getting rid of irresponsible breeding would solve a ton of the problem.  

Answer 21

I take my girl Kitta up to Pilot Mt. as often as i can and when ppl get "finicky" about her i give my educational" APBT" speech to whomever will listen.  I talk about history, the media lies, false perception, and of course about my girl. People suddenly warm up to her as soon as i tell them that my husband's sister is mentally retarded and Kitta is her therapy dog and gives her someone to care about besideds herself.  But I hav had ppl who had been attacked by a pit bull n had a right to be wary, come up and love on her!  I do all I can to help educate and calm fears that never should exist!

Answer 22

I don't own one, but i try my best to help out. All of my big research papers are about the breed or the cons of BSL, and most of my speeches for classes are about that as well (not every single one of course, but i try to get them in.)

I've had a few papers kept by Professors as examples of good writing and good presentation (putting stuff together, topic choice, etc) and i once i had a bunch of people from class just begging for more info about BSL - my speech went over the 10 minute limit and i still had people asking questions after class.

I always make it a point to stop by any Pit or "bully breed" i see in public and ask "Can i pet your dog?" I always get favorable responses and most people look on with that "She's crazy, thats a Pit Bull" followed by "Well, isn't that cute" when the dog gives me kisses or turns over for a belly rub.

I plan on opening a rescue when i'm older and have my own place. Give a home to unwanted pets and hopefully re-adopt them out after some training and socializing. I plan on working through the SPCA of course! In addition i also plan on (hopefully) working with the SPCA as an ambassador for Pits and doing seminars on the breed. If it's possible....

Answer 23

I own two rescue pit bull dogs and I am on the board of directors with a nonprofit pit bull rescue, education and advocacy organization by the name of Hello Bully - out of Pittsburgh PA.

I attend many dog events in around the area and Hello Bully holds Free Pit Bull Training Seminars to help people learn positive based training methods. We work closely with the dog warden in our city and the three main shelters in Pittsburgh. We offer programs to help people that are at their wit's end with their dogs, and we do home to home placement to try to keep pits out of the shelters. We also offer discounted or free training for people who need help in addition to the seminars we hold 4 times a year.

We just launched Pit Fix Plus, which is a free spay/neuter program for pitbulls in the greater Pittsburgh area that includes vaccinations and rabies shots. We do not have a low income requirement,our program is open to all pit bull owners, NO questions asked. We give the option for the owners to have their dogs microchipped for the low cost of $15.

I attend anti-BSL rallies and I am constantly spreading awareness about BSL and it's effects on dog owners.

I also run a website by the name of Bracelets for Bullies to raise funds to help pitbulls in need. You can visit it at www.braceletsforbullies.com

When approached with a question from someone who has been misinformed I usually try to help them with their concerns. I try to show people that my dogs are not killers, and with proper and responsible ownership that the pit bull can in fact be one of man's best friends.

Answer 24

Well, i don't have one (i really want one though) but i am trying everything i can!

alot of pit bulls are abused so i am helping abused animals.

i have to think of something i can do

ADD:

Amen! someone speaking up :)