nyri
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never able to sleep
Posts: 148
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Post by nyri on Dec 3, 2012 5:22:42 GMT -5
[rant]I'm already getting crap from people. Nothing major, but I told my mom I was looking into APBTs and she has said several times since then, "I hope getting a pit doesn't cause you trouble," which I guess it's nice that she cares, but it is SO annoying.
I realize that a lot of things will become less convenient if I have them than if I were to get what my mom wants me to get (which is a Collie), but she's afraid that they're all horribly bred right now, and are all going to snap and eat some random kid, and then I'll be fined or imprisoned for having a dangerous animal...
I'm actually kind of worried about getting an APBT or an Amstaff because of the people who hate them... There are so many stories about people who try to get these dogs killed or set them up for failure because they don't like them. I know if I got one of these breeds I would never have it unsupervised outside of my home, because no one is going to blame my dog for something it didn't do, let it loose, or abuse it until it has had enough to bite them... or even just poison it. Even my mom's lab had stuff like that happen to her because she was tied up outside, unsupervised. My uncle continuously kicked her while she was tied up (trying to get her to bite him so we'd get rid of her) and my mom finally looked out the window and put a stop to it. I don't believe in tying a dog up for long periods of time, anyway, but after that, I won't even do it just to keep them in one place while I run inside.
I'm going to take care of whatever dog I get, but if I get any sort of dog that is stereotypically dangerous in the eye of the public, I'm going to have to be twice as vigilant.[/rant]
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Post by loverocksalot on Dec 3, 2012 7:49:16 GMT -5
You know what it is better you go through this before you get the dog. I went through this about 24 hrs after I got my dog which almost resulted in me returning him as I could not take it. But a discussion with my step dad who reminded me that I am allowing certain neighbors to terrorize me and that they were no different then the terrorists who took down the trade center. He said dont let them do it to you. Thank god for him because I would not be here with my 7yr old dog on the couch right now talking to you. That day began a long journey of fighting anxiety. Which I am still fighting but have come a long way. What I am saying is it is not unusual to be feeling the way you are right now. But don't let it be the reason not to get an APBT or Am Staff or mix. Seems you might be doing what I did, allowed my research to get to me. Yes some of it is true but some of it is over embellished for the breed. You have to worry about these things with all breeds of dogs the only difference if the Pit Bull does it the punishment tends to be far worse. But the way you intend to raise your dog it is unlikely that any of those things would happen. If anything you will join the club of once leery of the breed to you and your dog changing minds of others especially your mom. My mom loves Rocky more than her own dog. She almost adopted a pit bull, the only reason she did not was the dogs strength would make walking her difficult. But I think she regrets not adopting that dog to this day. The fact that you are still here leads me to believe you would really like to own one of the breed. I suggest you go out and volunteer at the shelter and get to know the different dogs all kinds. That will help you and the dogs. But you have to go in with the mind that you cant take them home and just one day with each dog makes that dogs day a better one.
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Post by adoptapitbull on Dec 3, 2012 7:54:05 GMT -5
Unfortunately this is one of the downsides about owning anything that even resembles a Pit Bull.
You'll encounter some strange behaviors. People may fawn all over and pet your dog, then ask what breed, and run away once you say anything with "Pit Bull" in it. You just have to let it go. Of course, you can come vent here because we've all dealt with it!
You'll have a lot of family and friends who will be skeptical, or downright rude and ignorant when you tell them what kind of dog you adopted. The only thing you can do is make sure the dog is the perfect breed ambassador. Let the dog speak for you! Get him his CGC if you can, go to a trainer, socialize the heck out of him, etc. Give them no reason to say, "Told you so!"
Lastly, don't set him up for failure. Many Pit owners (myself included in the early days!) want to take their dogs to places like off-leash dog parks and doggy daycares. Sure, most times they will go and have a blast. But if even once the dog gets in an altercation with another dog, it's over. Your dog will always be blamed. This could result in as minor as some vet bills, or as major as your dog being seized and euthanized. It's just not worth it.
If you want him to be socialized, organize group walks or play dates with friends and neighbors dogs whom you know a little bit about. They will also be less likely to cause a problem if there's an issue with your dog. And if it turns out that your dog is totally dog aggressive and can't be around other dogs at all, then that's OK, too.
You've got all of us here to help guide you as best we can. It's great to see someone who cares about the breed enough to do research and speak with owners first! Sadly, that is the exception rather than the rule! Great job!
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Post by RealPitBull on Dec 3, 2012 8:08:17 GMT -5
You definitely need to prepare yourself for encounters with people who may take issue with the dog breed of your choice, but honestly it is really not that bad anymore, in terms of public perception and this breed. Compared to how it was 10, 15 years ago, I very rarely come across negativity in terms of my day to day life with Pit Bulls.
BSL in terms of where you live and renting is the main concern.
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Post by michele5611 on Dec 3, 2012 9:24:32 GMT -5
Mary is right. The anti-pit sentiment is not as bad as it used to be but still exists and unfortunately most likely always will to some extent.
Educate yourself on the breed and the facts and try not to take anything to personal. We have all been there. Even now from time to time someone makes a very snarky comment to me that gets under my skin but I quickly get over it.
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Post by emilys on Dec 3, 2012 11:49:50 GMT -5
it's good you're facing it now, because as others have said, this is the reality. Some people will hate you and fear your dog. If you don't want that as part of your life (and really, who could blame you???), you may not want to get a "pit bull".
Even though they are the best dogs in the world...
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Post by AmyJo27 on Dec 3, 2012 12:40:57 GMT -5
Ohh yes. It gets really hard sometimes especially when its from family. :/ My own family used to give me a lot of grief about it about one point. I think they kind of gave up now. My husband and I were on a walk once with our 2 daughters and out Pit Bulls and we had a complete stranger come up to us and inform us that we are horrible parents because we allow our sweet vunerable children around such vicious dogs. I informed him that I actually have to protect the dogs from the kids because the dogs are innocent and vunerable and the kids are evil. lol.
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Post by maryellen on Dec 3, 2012 16:51:29 GMT -5
my family wouldnt visit me when i got a pitbull. you need to get used to the negative stigma with the breed in order to have one and just roll the comments off your back
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nyri
Full Fledged Poster
never able to sleep
Posts: 148
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Post by nyri on Dec 3, 2012 17:26:07 GMT -5
I kind of expect some amount of negative feedback from some people, but I really didn't expect it from my mom... my mom who has always supported my choices in the past, and who has a doberman, which was the breed people were scared of in the 70s. I'm pretty good at being friendly or at least civil with strangers who are rude to me... I used to keep my head bald, and I had so many people walk up and tell me how I'd look so much better with hair... or how I didn't look womanly, or call me "butch" or whatever. I know I'd be able to do it no matter the case with my dog, unless people were physically trying to hurt it. I guess it just caught me off guard, and then she's been repeating it over and over again, so it was getting on my nerves. I finally asked her to stop, and see what kind of dog I got and how well the dog behaves before she judges it too harshly... after all, I don't even have a dog picked out yet, and once I do, it won't be living with her.
I know at some point in my life, I'd love to own an APBT or Am Staff, but I may very well not end up with that as my next dog. I haven't completely made up my mind yet... there are so many beautiful breeds and mutts out there with dispositions and temperaments that I would be happy with, that it is hard to choose.
I know I'm kind of scaring myself with some of the research I've done... I'm glad it isn't as bad as it was before with the pit bulls, but I'd still be pretty vigilant just because I'm going to be very attached to any animal I get, and would hate for something to happen. I don't want some random cop to shoot my dog for being "aggressive" when she's just sitting there, and I don't want a dog hating neighbor to poison it because they don't want to live near one. I don't believe any of that WILL happen, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.
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Post by loverocksalot on Dec 3, 2012 19:08:16 GMT -5
You will be fine and your mom will get over it. Especially if she owns a doberman then she should easily get over it. But all you are saying you will do applies to all breeds of dogs anyway which is why I am sure you will be fine even if you do get APBT.
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