The APBT and Aggression

I think thats spot on. Yes training will help to an extent but its all about how you contain them and manage them.

 

Alright so what would your advice on training my pitbull to not be dog aggressive??

 

You got a good answer on your thread. There is no way to train out dog aggression. It can be managed, but you can't force a dog to like other dogs.

 

You can't. And I'd suggest you get a break stick and learn how to use it.

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Great post. I have written some things on this breed and to be honest I had the same mentality of "I am going to raise my dog right sobit won't be aggressive". I wasted $600 getting his CGC. I had a well behaved dog, but his "drive" never left. Once I fully understood the breed, I was better off and had less accidents.

 

Love this!! And deffinitly sharing the part about DA to a FB page I belong to that thinks I'm downright ridiculous and uneducated for believing Pit Bulls were bred to fight.

 

Great article thank you for sharing it...

I have tried to research different APBT bloodlines. I have two beautiful male, intact, Boston Terriers. Prior to getting married, my wife promised me I could have a dog. My Rhodesian Ridgeback had just passed, (RIP TEAK greatest dog I ever owned, & I have had quite a few. She was ok with me finally getting a APBT until we got married, then the tears & confession she is 'Afraid of dogs. Long story short we finally agreed on a Boston as it is a loving attentive bred, but with the right Blood still ballsy n athletic. She so involved herself in its upbringing SHE wanted another one...Now we have two incredible, loving jacked 1/2 brothers.
Now she is a total dog lover, as far as even judging local dog gathering (not formal, fun ones).
She now 7 years later, being exposed to enough APBT's and trusting my worth as a "pack leader" is onboard for us adding a APBT to our home. I have read, and reread all the threads here...I have been in love with OFRN's for EVER & based on what I have read, while no guarantee's, I think with the right amount of love, training, exercise, and socialization, I stand a really good chance of having a outstanding OFRN APBT become a part of our family. I am going to be fitted with one from one the most respected Breeder's of the Old Family, just looking for second (n 3rd) opinions..
I love the honesty and bluntness reflected in the posts here, & have nothing but respect for MOST posters, highest for the "Dogmen", although I am not at all interested in the whole in the box thing, their knowledge of the breed is unparalleled..

So come on, tell me...Can I be successful?

 

The only person that knows that answer is you. If you've been reading the info in this thread and others, that' a very good start on information gathering. Just make sure you are being realistic with yourself and your capabilities. BTW drivey Bostons are awesome! If there was ever going to be a small dog in my home, it'd be a Boston or a Jack

 

My wife and I adopted a dog that she found at a local cat shelter. She appears to be a blue lacy/pit mix. She also appears to be more lacy than pit, but she definitely has the head. I read through most of this forum, but I skipped ahead to ask a question.

We frequently visit the dog park and Esther (our pit mix) has shown no signs of DA. Now she is still only 6 months old, but are we being irresponsible to expose her to other animals? I know the main focus of this thread was pure APBT, but will a mix have a decreased natural tendency towards DA?

 

It's healthy to socialize her at a young age with other animals, however taking her to a dog park is not the best idea.

Dog parks are filthy places chock full of animals with no health history or temperament history. Meaning: you don't know if other dogs there are carrying fleas. You don't know of they are ill or have Kennel Cough. You don't know if they are animal aggressive or bullies to other animals. You have owners that aren't watching their dogs.

An APBT may not always start the fight but he will finish it. And regardless of who's fault it was, it will always be the APBT's fault.

This holds true for all bull breeds and their mixes. If the media can't paint the "pit bull" as a monster, they will. They won't care if she's a mix or not. I have 3 mixes in my house and they all have some form of dog selectiveness. It's not worth the risk.

 

If you want to socialize her properly, then get into obedience classes. Even if you're experienced in training dogs, they are still a good idea. They allow you to introduce your pup to different dogs in a controlled environment. A good trainer will be able to let you know which dogs are suitable for introducing and which are not. This will also give you a chance to work on training with distractions.

Also structured play dates with dogs belonging to friends and family members is a good idea as well. Same as above, choose friendly dogs that will be positive with your pup. All it takes is one negative interaction for DA to appear and never go away.

 

No you are not being irresponsible exposing your dog to other animals. I just don't think you should take your dog to a dog park regardless of breed. Bull breeds especially as if any scuffle happens AC will be called and the bully looking dog will be blamed. I would have your dog play with dogs in a more controlled setting. Maybe a fenced in backyard with a friend or few friends dog's. Situations similar to those are a good idea. Your dog may never be DA in it's lifetime but, you probably should have a breakstick just in case.

 

I have a 2 yr old blue APBT, Beau. We've raised him since he was 4 wks old. We have raised him by the book, obedience training, neutered and microchipped, he attend doggy daycare once or twice a wk for socialization and exercise. If we have company in our home, he has to be put in his crate bc he is totally uncontrollable. He's generally an overly friendly dog but a few times and last night at the emergency vet was one of the times, he showed out, if he hadn't been muzzled I honestly think he'd have bitten one woman and he stood his ground with the female vet, he wouldn't let her touch him. I know how he's been raised, he's part of our family so someone please tell me how to correct this behavior. If he's so overly friendly at home why is he so verbal away from home? I really need help with this and we've spent a small fortune to keep this from happening.

 

You need to contact a qualified behaviorist, as they are the only ones who will be able to see what is actually happening.

From where I stand, the dog sounds under trained, under socialized, and fearful.

 

Raising a dog right won't instantly stop behavioral issues. Some are genetic others are stress induced and some are lack of training. I suggest not bringing your dog to a dog daycare. (If you still do, you said "attended") They are not the place for an adult bull dog. If you are worried about socialization you should attended classes (the day care might have such classes) or have a friends dog who gets along come to your home (backyard). In reality bull dogs do not need friends. Dog aggression will or will not happen regardless of socialization. Some dogs turn on others don't. If exercise is hard for you to do (bulldogs need lots of exercise) buy a carpet mill. Using such a device will drastically reduce the energy your dog has. Often lot's of these behavior issues are related to being underworked. I also recommend a behavioral specialist if you can't manage it yourself. What do you do each and every day for exercise?

 

He doesn't do a lot during the day. I work and my husband is disabled, he walks with a cane, not much he can do and my work hrs are long. I've never heard of a behavioral specialist. Where would I look for one. Yes he does still go to. Is a carpet mill the same thing as a treadmill. As I said before, we've done everything we could to keep him from behaving like this. If a behavioral specialist is the answer I'm more than willing to do whatever I need to to insure he's not just physically fit but also mentally healthy.

 

Be mindfull of ur own emotional state. If u are a little nervouse the dog will multiply it. If u are relaxed the dog will also be more relaxed. I have seen this be an issue in different breeds of dogs. May not be ur problem but either way it isn't gonna hurt to notice.


Shotgun
Arkansas

 

Carpet mill and tread mill are a bit different, but either would work for exercise.

You can look up a veterinary behaviorist at: http://www.dacvb.org/resources/find/

They'll be able to help you set up a plan for your dog as well as be able to consult with you on possibly using medication. If you don't have one nearby, give the closest to you a call and see if they can recommend someone that is local.

 

Thanks guys for the help. I'll go looking for one of these behaviorists. We're older folks, 50's, our children bought Beau for us as a gift, (don't know why they didn't get us something smaller and calmer, LOL). But, we are so attached to him, he's become a very important part of our family. I wonder if that might not be some the problem, he's spoiled rotten, we have to get a handle on this behavior though, bc if he ever does get seriously sick, we'd be in trouble.

 

Yes,it's really