pit puppy or not?

TurquoisePit · 02-11-2013, 01:49 PM

Hey there, I'm Melisa. I work for a shelter and we have a momma pit who gave birth four days ago. I'm considering adopting one of the pups but I've been reading around the forum and don't know if a pit would be the best fit for our family.

I know they can be wonderful pets but I also know they can be a handful to deal with (the shelter is after all filled with them thanks to the breed's bad reputaion.)

I've been reading a lot about the possibility of them becoming dog and animal aggressive as they mature and that's what worries me. Everything else I'm sure I could handle with training, proper discipline and positive reinforcement methods just as I have been taught with the difficult pits at work.
Anyway here's my home situation.
I have two small dogs one friendly but kind of fresh at times 5 year old Chihuahua and a very playful happy puppylike ten year old Pomeranian.
I also have an indoor outdoor cat and two small parrots. I enjoy dog Parks and off leash hiking in dog friendly areas and I would like to have a dog I can continue to do those things with.
I'd also like my dog to change people's perception of pits. I'd pretty much like a mellow family pet who enjoys activities and is well behaved with the pets I already have. What are the chances I could have this kind of dog in a pitbull?
So far I'm in love with a little red nosed chocolate male pup or a blue nosed female but I'm willing to not care abt color if I can have the calmest, most submissive pup instead.

I love pits and I always thought I'd like to have one one day but I'm reluctant because I have seen how simple mistakes (doing something wrong or not doing something ) can make these dogs very unmanageable for the average person very quickly. And although I work with this breed on a daily basis, and have fostered a few (3 or 4) pit pups in the past I still would like to hear some opinions from people who know the breed better.

So to sum up: Hi, do you think a pit is right for me?? (:
-Mel

rabbit · 02-11-2013, 02:16 PM

It seems like your heart is in the right place. Here is a link to a great thread that you may or may not have looked at, and if these things do not bother you than continue considering a pup. You'll have to be ready to crate and rotate when the dog decides he no longer likes your other pets. These types of dogs have a high prey drive so the birds could become dinner eventually if you're not responsible, the cats and other dogs as well.
Want to own a APBT? Get used to giving up.

GoingPostal · 02-11-2013, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurquoisePit

I have two small dogs one friendly but kind of fresh at times 5 year old Chihuahua and a very playful happy puppylike ten year old Pomeranian.
I also have an indoor outdoor cat and two small parrots. I enjoy dog Parks and off leash hiking in dog friendly areas and I would like to have a dog I can continue to do those things with.
I'd also like my dog to change people's perception of pits. I'd pretty much like a mellow family pet who enjoys activities and is well behaved with the pets I already have. What are the chances I could have this kind of dog in a pitbull?
So to sum up: Hi, do you think a pit is right for me?? (:
-Mel

All of the above would worry me. APBT are not dog park dogs and letting them off leash around other strange dogs can be risky to say the least. It's also fairly unlikely a terrier puppy is going to grow up and be ok with small dogs, cats and birds, prey drive often kicks in later in life as they mature. I have 3 dogs, all adult rescues or rehomes, none purebred or wellbred at least and I would only trust one of mine around small dogs, none around birds and while mine are all trained to ignore and respect my cat, it only really works because they rarely interact. I wouldn't describe them as mellow either, one is fairly laid back but the younger two are pretty fiesty, need a good workout and like to get into trouble. Given your wants and situation I would not recommend a pit bull or mix.

Cain's Mom · 02-11-2013, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rabbit

It seems like your heart is in the right place. Here is a link to a great thread that you may or may not have looked at, and if these things do not bother you than continue considering a pup. You'll have to be ready to crate and rotate when the dog decides he no longer likes your other pets. These types of dogs have a high prey drive so the birds could become dinner eventually if you're not responsible, the cats and other dogs as well.
Want to own a APBT? Get used to giving up.

Good post!

I agree what rabbit said. Dog aggression can pop up generally between 1-2 years old. Cain lives happily with our blue heeled mix right now. Right now being key words. That May change anytime and my husband and I are prepared for that. We knew da was possible when we got him. Training is key also so your dog is well behaved on leash and around people. A dog aggressive dog is manageable. Many people here have them and do just fine. Keep reading some more and look at the link rabbit gave you.

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TurquoisePit · 02-11-2013, 02:50 PM

Thanks guys I had a feeling it wouldn't be the best idea that's why I decided to ask. They're a difficult breed for sure. N i feel bad that sooooo many of them are homeless or in shelters .i wanted to help a pup out. But im not willing to give up hiking and dog parks or put my current pets at risk ever.
I guess I'll just enjoy the time I have with them while they grow up. /:

-Mel

**::::COACH::::** · 02-11-2013, 06:25 PM

I agree, this breed doesn't sound like a good fit for you. However I am very pleased to hear you are researching!! So many people don't and one day wondered why their "pitbull" attacked their other dog.

TurquoisePit · 02-11-2013, 07:32 PM

Yea coach, too many people don't research ANYTHING. Another reason a ton of them are homeless, or adopted out and returned. I was really hoping a pup raised with all dif kinds of animals would accept them in adulthood. But if anything went wrong I know the damage done would be horrendous and I'd never forgive myself for allowing it to happen.. too bad too. It's only been four days n Im so in love w those pups already.

**redog** · 02-11-2013, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurquoisePit

Thanks guys I had a feeling it wouldn't be the best idea that's why I decided to ask. They're a difficult breed for sure. N i feel bad that sooooo many of them are homeless or in shelters .i wanted to help a pup out. But im not willing to give up hiking and dog parks or put my current pets at risk ever.
I guess I'll just enjoy the time I have with them while they grow up. /:

-Mel

I disagree. This is the easiest breed to own. The most predictable by a mile. Dog aggression and prey drive are easy to contain and as far as parks and hiking, use a leash. The best way to represent the breed is to be a good, responsible pet owner. The stereotypes that end up in the shelter are the product of laziness and stupidity. The breed is definitely not suited for just anyone but once you own an apbt, you'll be hooked.

Jackie · 02-11-2013, 09:26 PM

Wow. I not sure if I did right thing. I got a 6 week old American pit but I also have 4 small dogs. I love them all so where do I go from here

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BullyGal · 02-11-2013, 10:05 PM

You could always adopt an older dog instead of a puppy. You have a better idea of what you'll be working with if you get a dog over 2. Not saying they are permanently set in their ways, but the odds of them drastically changing are kinda low.

**ames** · 02-11-2013, 11:20 PM

some dogs can hike and walk with their packs just fine. It could be when you put triggers around them all bones, food, attention they have issues. Each dog and every breed is different. You never know, bully breed or not asides, if they have issues with each other as they grow.

**kg420** · 02-11-2013, 11:42 PM

Now just because a dog is dog aggressive doesn't mean that dog can't go out and enjoy life with you. You can teach your dog focused heeling along with a "leave it" command to keep him focused and keep his focus on you and not other dogs around you. These dogs are extremely intelligent which makes training easier than with some other breeds. My boy is DA and I take him out to Splash Dogs for dock jumping with all the other doggies granted hes not playing off lead with other dogs but he's got great focus and know when that lead comes off we've got a job to do and to stay focused. I've never once had him break focus and go after another dog.

TurquoisePit · 02-12-2013, 02:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BullyGal

You could always adopt an older dog instead of a puppy. You have a better idea of what you'll be working with if you get a dog over 2. Not saying they are permanently set in their ways, but the odds of them drastically changing are kinda low.

I thought it'd be the opposite?You always hear pitbull people saying "it's how you raise them " or something to that nature. But I don't want to underestimate the breed. My Chihuahua is extremely socialized, people meet him and say he's the nicest Chi they'v ever met but from time to time with certain triggers the ankle biter will still come out of him. It's in the breed.

@ kg420 I know they're super smart (: i see that with the dogs at work. Part of the reason I want a puppy as well is for the fun of teaching him everything. Kind of like a clean slate.

And I guess a da dog could be managed but if I can't trust my new pit with my chi or my cat when I leave the room I'd rather just not have the pit...as bad as I want one (Leaving the house is different I'd def crate him for that so he doesn't get himself into trouble anyway )

I keep reading never trust your pit not to fight.. All dogs fight. My chi n pom go at it every once in a while but they are evenly matched!! And the fight is very easily broken up. Verbally even. If it happened between one of them and a pit they wouldn't stand a chance and that's truly the only thing I am worried about.

Princesspaola21 · 02-12-2013, 03:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurquoisePit

I thought it'd be the opposite?You always hear pitbull people saying "it's how you raise them " or something to that nature. But I don't want to underestimate the breed. My Chihuahua is extremely socialized, people meet him and say he's the nicest Chi they'v ever met but from time to time with certain triggers the ankle biter will still come out of him. It's in the breed.

@ kg420 I know they're super smart (: i see that with the dogs at work. Part of the reason I want a puppy as well is for the fun of teaching him everything. Kind of like a clean slate.

And I guess a da dog could be managed but if I can't trust my new pit with my chi or my cat when I leave the room I'd rather just not have the pit...as bad as I want one (Leaving the house is different I'd def crate him for that so he doesn't get himself into trouble anyway )

I used to say its how you raise them and I realized I was mostly wrong. I feel like when it comes to general temperament and how they react to people it has to do with environment and how they've been raised and trained. When it comes to DA that is more how they are bred and you can't train it out. You can manage it but you can't make it go away.

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TurquoisePit · 02-13-2013, 02:55 AM

Uhhg this sucks though. I really wanted a pup. I mean I know it's manageable but I'd rather have a dog that could fit into the lifestyle me n my pets already have. It wouldn't be fair to them not to.
Maybe I will have one further down in the future when he or she can be the only pet /dog.
Anyway thanks everybody for your help! You're all very dedicated owners c:
Best
-Mel