nthn79

Our 7 month old pit mix has had no problems with dog aggression. We have three other dogs at the house currently and there have been no issues, my old lab is alpha but all interactions are supervised 100% of the time.
We took him on a trip to my in-laws, with our little dog. We stopped for a potty break and were approached by a lady with a little yappy puppy she was carrying. Before we could say anything she put the puppy, who was obviously growling and snapping, in his face. We immediate pulled him back and told him leave it, cause the yappy dog went for his nose (all teeth and growls), and Moses reacted. He didn't lunge but he did snap back. He listened to us and came back but I wanted to know is this just being a normal dog or a sign of future dog aggression?
Obviously the people were stupid cause they tried again but we were ready this time. Stepped in front and asked them to step back with their dog. He was fine by this time, with my husband. We have already started training and are looking into classes. Any help would
Be appreciated!!





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CaillouBaby

That doesn't really sound like dog aggression.. it sounds like he was just acting in defense. If he was dog aggressive he would have snatched that tiny dog up in a heartbeat. You can still enroll him into doggie school if you want to though, it could help prevent any issues in the future.
Also dogs are very good at picking up on what you're feeling, so if you get anxious every time you get near another dog he will pick up on that and act out on it.

nthn79

Thank you! My husband wasn't very worried,....we just wanted to make sure because DA can be an issue. We have been working on some commands, like sit, and leave it, my husband has thought about doing obedience but we don't know anything about that.


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HappyPuppy

I don't consider my dog DA (maybe selective) but I chose to pick her up for the first time ever because a dumbass neighbor with an aggressive little YORKIE! dropped its leash and it went after Ruby snapping and growling. I didn't really hold her back initially beacuse she's never really had any issues with little dogs but this was rude behavior on it's part and she growled and snapped back so I picked her up until the guy cold grab his dog. It seemed funny by the size difference but my dog didn't like this think coming after her and I don't blame her! So there is an area of semi-acceptable behavior that is normal dog speak without being considered outright 'aggression."

That said, always be prepared for DA to come with more maturity - I still expect it to come out more and my dog is 7+ I think she might be a bit 'warmer' now than when I got her, it seems, and I don't walk up to strange dogs on our walks to 'say hi' or let others do so.

mi16reisen

I have a pup around the age of yours and she has taken down instigating pups. Once at the park a fox terrier got up in her face barking and screaming. She didn't hesitate to go for his neck but she didn't clamp all the way down because she was giving him a stern warning and I was present. Once she did this I realized that it wasn't DA because she was only 7-8 months old. I am on the lookout for DA but not necessarily trying to test for it anymore.

The lady shouldn't have "reintroduced" the small dog-it was clear it wasn't comfortable being near your dog. Typically my dog will want to play if a loose leash canine approaches her, but with APBTs that play can quickly turn into a fight. I won't risk my dog off lead anymore even if she is trying to make friends. So many people will misinterpret her and has in the past. My dog has suffered kicks and slaps from complete strangers and thank God she hasn't hurt anyone in retaliation.

Pits are wonderfully tolerant but like people they don't put up with crap and will mean it. Next time, politely decline introductions. If you do introduce dogs, keep it on leash to avoid mishaps.


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nthn79

Thank you everyone! We don't take any of our dogs to the dog park here anymore (unless it is a empty time time of day) because of stupid people who bring unsociable dogs.

I am extra careful with him because we don't know his parents (being a rescue) and we have two dogs plus my sons dog. Although he is calmest we have and Libby my lab is alpha and grumpy an has put him in his place a time or two. He doesn't do anything when she does that but this is the first time he was snapped at. When my husband walks him there have been no issues, even with growling dogs through fences but then again we haven't encountered any stupid owners on walks yet.

I worry most about my little 8 pounder but since she is basically a chicken in a dog body she doesn't growl at him, lol. She's not a yappy dog, and is obedience trained.


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