Hi I'm new

[Bella's Mom]

I'm Bella's mom, her photo is the avatar. We've encountered some issues so I thought this would be the best place to come to for advice. Not sure if its okay to post here to start thing off so let me know if I have to move it somewhere else on the board.

I've been reading stories of people stealing dogs while the person is out walking them. Bella gets a lot of attention when we go out. The most scary thing happened recently. A truck cut us off on the sidewalk..parked at an angle and was asking questions about her. Long story short I said she doesn't like strangers and they got out anyway she barked the entire time. Even a man came out of his house to watch what was happening. I won't stop walking her but would like some ideas of what I can do to keep her safe.

Anyone else have this problem? How do you handle it? Bella doesn't like strangers or dogs outside of her own family. So she won't be an easy steal. She won't let anyone else hold her leash she will fight her collar to get loose.  Her dad is one of the American Bully type pit bulls..big short and bulky. Her mom looks like the average pit. The avatar is my favorite photo of her. Here is a full body shot:

[suziriot]

Welcome to the forum. Bella certainly lives up to her name. What a gorgeous girl! The incident you described sounds very scary. Obviously never allowing Bella in the yard alone is a must. My dogs are never alone outside, not because we've had any incidents like the one you described, but because I don't think dogs should ever be left unattended even if you have a fence. So many things can happen when you're not looking. More importantly for your situation, I would absolutely go to the police. This person was harassing you and the police should be made aware. Personally, I would not feel safe walking the dog alone in your circumstances. Is there a family member or friend that can join you and Bella?

[Bella's Mom]

Thanks so much! I never allow the dogs out without me. We have a fenced in yard regardless of the weather I'm with them. I've had people approach the fence and ask if I would breed her..she's spayed. Don't really have anyone to walk with me..they have pit bull fear...but I've been staying near home on our walks. One neighbor suggested getting pepper spray but that often blows back at the person spraying it. One guy almost wrecked his car he got a glimpse of her as he was turning the corner and watched her instead of where he was going. Pits are big around here right now. I just don't understand the attention she's getting. I don't walk her at the same time ever so there isn't any schedule to for anyone to follow. Maybe carry a baseball bat? I have one of those in the closet.
You have a cute avatar...they are so cute!

[RealPitBull]

Hi there, welcome to the forum! What a scary thing to have happen! It's pretty normal to have people stop and ask you all sorts of stupid things when you are out with your Pit Bull, mostly, "Do you wanna breed?" or "Can I buy her?" That sorta crap. I agree with Suzi that you should report this incident to the police in your town, just so they have the incident on record. Carry pepper spray. A baseball bat may not be too convenient, and I'd say do what you need to do to feel safe but I'd worry that you'd be charged with assault with a weapon if you were out carrying a bat and defended yourself with it. All sorts of weird things happen like that. Just a heads up.

About a month ago, I was out walking with my neighbor with her Pit Bull mix Theo and my 4 month old daughter and the town drunk started harassing us, wanting to pet Theo. Since he was hammered and stumbling all over the place, neither of us wanted him near us and he started acting very aggressive because he was denied the opportunity to pet Theo. It was pretty scary, and I regret not reporting it to the police, especially since the guy ended up the block by our building, next door, passed out in the neighbor's driveway. He knows where we live and obviously was trying to find us.

Ps Bella is GORGEOUS!

[michele5611]

Welcome aboard. Bella is adorable!!!!

[Bella's Mom]

Thanks for the welcomes and compliments about Bella. She's my baby. I notice a lot of folks talk about the importance of training. I tried to go to class with Bella but she was kicked out before class even started. She was barking at everyone. But I thought that's what the class was going to help us with...I think if she wasn't a pit bull she would have been allowed to stay. Now I'm training her on my own. But after the nonsense with people on the street not too sure I want her to like everyone she sees now. I carry my cell phone with me now so if anyone stops like that again I'll have photos and will call the police right away. I'm afraid of pepper spray its often windy and would be afraid it would spray back on me instead. Instead of a bat I'm looking for a thick stick to walk with..she's gotten a lot of stares the past few days but so far people have been leaving us alone..I hope it continues. I'm so glad to have found this board. Hard to find places that speak fondly of pits. I'm just glad here in Ohio they are no longer on the aggressive list so insurance is no longer required. Which I believe is the cause of the pit bull craze right now. There are so many in the pound people need to go get their own and leave others alone. Thanks again You both have beautiful dogs!