Quick question.

[Doots]

My recently moved in neighbor had brought his Pit along with him. I have a video of how she (Cocoa) acts when she comes up to us and it seems a bit like she has been or is being abused. I have never seen a dog act this way and this is my first face to face with a Pit.

 

[Madeleinemom]

Abuse is a serious topic (and allegation) and a term quickly raised at times, when a dog may, in fact, just be extremely submissive. Cocoa certainly seems to be very submissive.

I may have missed it, but did she allow you to touch her?

I would engage in friendly conversation with your neighbor, to see if you can get a feel for him/her and what the relationship is with Cocoa.
BTW, was she off-leash or is the property not fenced?

 

[Lillie May]

Is it a shared yard, or has she left her yard? I ask because of two things, first and most importantly, where's her owner? Leaving your dog (of any breed) is not what we advocate for here, being a responsible owner means not letting your dog out unattended for any reason! Secondly, if she gets a correction for leaving her yard could explain her behavior. But what I'm seeing is a good natured, a little unsure, maybe somewhat shy behavior. For sure friendly though. I noticed she laid down when she was close to whoever was standing. Some dogs on the shy side view standing things as imposing, think horse, statue, etc. I also think she's a little reserved because most bull breeds are more like Tigger! Lol, they knock you over in their exuberance to get to you so they can love on you! It's just how they are. I'm not really seeing anything to make me think abuse, is there a reason you think so?

 

[Lillie May]

I just watched the video again, I mistook the blowing thing for someone standing there! Silly me..........squirrel........distractions! Ha ha again sorry! She wanted you to pet her btw, she put her head briefly on your hand. She was, as the astute Madeleinemom pointed out, approaching in a submissive state. I second talking to your new neighbor for a better feel on how she's treated.

 

[pitbulldogs]

Looks like a shy gentle with humans dog too me... I have met many dogs like that over the years that were certainly not abused. Funny how the dog frog legged across the yard too get to you x'Dx'Dx'D

 

[Capt. Roxy]

Awww what a sweetie! So cute... I need to go there and give pets!!!
I don't really see fear from that clip but I see a very submissive dog.
Although it's natural to think a overly fearful dog was abused, most are fearful due to lack of proper socialization at the critical puppy stage or bad genes. I have a rescue who is very fearful/timid of everything but especially people. They do think she may have been abused and she was def. starved and neglected but she was so young when they seized her that I think most of her fear stems from lack of proper socialization. If a stranger made those noises around my dog or even looked her in the eye too long she would go straight into fight or flight instinct.
Doesn't hurt to ask about Cocoa though. I mean, they are your neighbors after all.

 

[Doots]

Abuse is a serious topic (and allegation) and a term quickly raised at times, when a dog may, in fact, just be extremely submissive. Cocoa certainly seems to be very submissive.

I may have missed it, but did she allow you to touch her?

I would engage in friendly conversation with your neighbor, to see if you can get a feel for him/her and what the relationship is with Cocoa.
BTW, was she off-leash or is the property not fenced?

The property is fenced except for the driveway of her home. They usually keep her in a cage (which I think is VERY wrong) But I live in the hills of Kentucky so our neighbors are actually a little ways away from us. She does let us pet her per the picture shown. She is very playful and LOVES to play fetch, or her version of get the stick and run right past us! lol

 

[Doots]

Is it a shared yard, or has she left her yard? I ask because of two things, first and most importantly, where's her owner? Leaving your dog (of any breed) is not what we advocate for here, being a responsible owner means not letting your dog out unattended for any reason! Secondly, if she gets a correction for leaving her yard could explain her behavior. But what I'm seeing is a good natured, a little unsure, maybe somewhat shy behavior. For sure friendly though. I noticed she laid down when she was close to whoever was standing. Some dogs on the shy side view standing things as imposing, think horse, statue, etc. I also think she's a little reserved because most bull breeds are more like Tigger! Lol, they knock you over in their exuberance to get to you so they can love on you! It's just how they are. I'm not really seeing anything to make me think abuse, is there a reason you think so?

She had left her yard which she does on many occasions to come play with my dad and I. Her owner lives across the street and I'm really unsure of him. I live in the meth capital of the US so it's really an uncommon thing to go near someones house without them inviting you over or you get a gun to the face (that has happened to me before), however I have been over there (my little sister and his daughter are good friends) but I never want to raise the occasion. ( I am very shy and the only thing I seem to connect with are dogs.) She is very friendly. Usually when we start petting her she gets all excited and wants to play constantly. I'm really unsure if I think she is being abused, that's why I took to this forum asking if it is normal behavior. Thanks though, I have learned a lot!

 

[Doots]

PS. She usually froglegs towards us every time we see her.

 

[Nat Ursula]

The property is fenced except for the driveway of her home. They usually keep her in a cage (which I think is VERY wrong) But I live in the hills of Kentucky so our neighbors are actually a little ways away from us. She does let us pet her per the picture shown. She is very playful and LOVES to play fetch, or her version of get the stick and run right past us! lol

Stunning!

 

[Madeleinemom]

Thank you for sharing another pic! She is very cute! When you are referring to 'cage' - do you mean a crate or an outdoor kennel of sorts?
Keep an eye on her, perhaps the two of you could become buddies - it looks like it might be good for the both of you

 

[Doots]

Thank you for sharing another pic! She is very cute! When you are referring to 'cage' - do you mean a crate or an outdoor kennel of sorts?
Keep an eye on her, perhaps the two of you could become buddies - it looks like it might be good for the both of you

We are pretty good buddies! They keep her in a crate, it's a sad thing to see such a energetic dog kept in a little space.

 

[Nat Ursula]

When we first got Tonka from a high kill shelter she leapt like a frog when I called her to come inside the house. It was so weird and funny! I thought there was something wrong with her. She would sit about three feet from the patio door and then she would spring about 5-6ft. from the sitting position! I had never seen any dog act that way! Lol

Does she sleep outside at night?

 

[Madeleinemom]

Do you think that the new neighbors might be open to you walking her on leash or play sessions? It might be an opportunity to get to know them a bit, and for her to get some exercise and interaction. If you think that it is o.k. to approach them about this, that is ...

FWIW: many dogs enjoy their crates, so long as they are not confined 24/7.

 

[Doots]

When we first got Tonka from a high kill shelter she leapt like a frog when I called her to come inside the house. It was so weird and funny! I thought there was something wrong with her. She would sit about three feet from the patio door and then she would spring about 5-6ft. from the sitting position! I had never seen any dog act that way! Lol

Does she sleep outside at night?

They keep her in a garage usually.

 

[Doots]

Do you think that the new neighbors might be open to you walking her on leash or play sessions? It might be an opportunity to get to know them a bit, and for her to get some exercise and interaction. If you think that it is o.k. to approach them about this, that is ...

FWIW: many dogs enjoy their crates, so long as they are not confined 24/7.

The next time I see them I might as well ask. It won't hurt! Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[Madeleinemom]

Go for it! Your 'pitch' could be that you are thinking about getting a dog like Cocoa one day, and you would like to get to know what it's like to walk/play/spend time with one.

Let us know how it goes, please.

 

[Leslie H]

She looks like a sweet, submissive dog. She does not look stressed, this just looks like her version of being a good girl.

 

[Michele]

How many hours is the dog in the crate?

 

[Vicki]

Where I live, there is an abundance of stray animals. She may wander out of the yard, be not be so welcome in other yards and chased. She looks friendly, submissive and absolutely adorable!