"You're Letting Your 3 Year Old Pet a Pit Bull!"

[adoptapitbull]

This made me feel nice yesterday...

I had Snorts on a walk last night. In this neighborhood, people and pets are everywhere. He pays no mind to dogs barking at him through a fence (well, he raises his hackles at the mean ones), and doesn't care about people walking around. He has never met a child, though. While we were walking, a man and his 3 year old girl came up to us and asked if they could pet Snorts. I said "Of course" and the man petted him while the little girl was shy. The dad said, "Come on, honey, you have to learn how to do these things. " which I guess meant how to interact with dogs. She was shy, so I asked if she waned to give him a treat. I gave it to her and she just tossed it at Snorts. Her dad told her, "No, like this...." and placed the treat in his open palm for Snorts to take. Snorts was so gentle with both of them. I think he knew the girl was scared because he stayed by my side. As they were leaving, I said jokingly "You're letting your 3 year old pet a pit bull!" and he looked at me kinda confused. I don't think he realized Snorts was a pittie. Had he realized, I don't think he would have approached. It made me feel great because I mostly exercise the dogs in the yard and in the house, so I always worry just a bit about a bad reaction on the walk. No worries here, he was a perfect gentleman

[loverocksalot]

Well never thought of saying that. But sure is an effective way to change minds. IMost of the time I assume People with kids who approach Rocky realize and are familiar with Pit bulls which is why they want to pet him. I will remember this next time.

[Dave]

Some people can't change the way they feel.

The day that Jackson got his CGC, my friend and I were watching an agility demo with Jackson next to me on the other side. Out of nowhere a 2 year old girl comes over and throws her arms around his neck and hugs and kisses him, and he's just lovin' it, licking her face, and she's laughing and giggling. They're just having a great time.

The mom comes over pushing the stroller, and she's smiling, and asks me what kind of dog that is.

I said, "he's a pit bull terrier mix."

Mom went white as a sheet, grabbed her daughter and put her in the stroller, and practically ran away. Didn't even say a word.

I laughed like hell. My friend just could not believe what had happened. I told her it happens to me from time to time.

[DiamondTiger]

We get that "OMG" reaction when we're out with Diva too. People will go out of their way by a good 15 ft to avoid coming into contact with her or keep their kids away from her... all the while shouting from a distance "Your dog is so pretty!" As if I don't know the half circle they just made around the entrance way to the store wasn't due to my dog who is sitting a good 10 ft or more away from the door to begin with... puhleaze! I just shout back to them thank you and let them know she's friendly too.

Now Jasper on the other hand... he doesn't look like a pit to many people anymore. He's taller than a pit bull and his ears don't resemble "pit bull ears" (whatever those are), so he is more inviting I suppose, until I tell them he's an American Bulldog which I guess to some is just as "bad" as him being a pit bull, because that's when they back away and make excuses to leave him be.

So sad...

I like to think of it like this ... "Oh well, at least my dogs are getting the social interaction they need, even if it is for brief moments at a time sometimes."