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Post by Dave on Dec 4, 2011 7:43:56 GMT -5
If you were accosted outside of your home and yard, would your dog defend you? How can you test it?
I got my test yesterday. I took Rocky on a local hike to check out some trails I recently found out were in my area. While hiking we came upon a slower moving group, a guy and several women, with a poodle off-leash. At one point they tried to move over to let me by, I said I couldn't because they don't have a leash on their dog, and besides it's the law you should. I guess that pushed the guy's button; he got smart-assed on me, I got in his face, there was contact... anyway, even though any dog could discern there was great tension and should have raised a red flag, Rocky did... nothing.
Well, I really don't know what he did because my focus was elsewhere, but he didn't make a move to defend me. I'm proud of him. He's wary of strangers, and his first reaction upon meeting them is to raise hackles. It takes a concerted effort on the part of the stranger to make Rocky comfortable enough to come to them, which generally means getting down to his level and a lowered gaze, extended hand underneath his head; you all probably know the routine. Had he defended me it would mean he tried to bite. I don't ever want that to happen.
He will defend his territory, though. I once met a friend at the door and let her inside while Rocky was barking and running to the door, and when he got to her he rushed her, I think genuinely intent on physically defending his home. I stopped him before anything happened, but he does know her and he calmed immediately when he saw who it was. I was glad to know that he would do that in the house.
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Post by loverocksalot on Dec 4, 2011 10:00:25 GMT -5
Damb it what the heck is with people when on trails with their off lead dogs getting so defensive about their off lead dogs. Similar happened to me but there was no contact. She also had smaller non pit bull dogs and I felt like she thought she could have her dogs off leash but since I had this big scary dog I should have to keep him leashed and wait until she got further down a looping trail that eventually we would have met up again. I have a group of local woman I know that I could no longer hike with because they let their dogs off lead to go ahead and run as a pack. They would give me headache and make me like I was being cruel for not letting ROcky run with them. After a few hikes of this I decided I dont condone what they are doing and no longer joined them. I explained how with his breed if there was an incident being he would be only pit bull in the group I feared him being the one blamed for the incident. When on hiking trails you have to expect there to be off lead dogs. Its extremely common. I would hope that the people would have a leash with them and get their dog back and put it on them. But most think you have some nerve bringing a dangerous dog with you that they have to put their dog on leash.
But would my Rocky defend me. He might but may not be effective enough. During the ATT test when the crazy stranger started screaming and lifting his cane Rocky went from care free sniffing the ground to getting between my legs and just staring the guy in the eye. As if to say yeah Im here. THe day the lady was getting a little rude and I got on fire and raised my voice he started to bark but I think it was the off lead dog that made him bark. It was not a defending bark but more of a help bark. or whats wrong bark. I believe Rocky would at least try to do something to protect me but I am not sure nor do I want to find out how far he would go with it. He seems to understand when danger or safe. Like last night he was out in yard other side of fence and I was putting up lights with my son It was dark, my cousin showed up and was walking next to me. Rocky was barking like we were being invaded. My husband even came out to see what was going on and could not believe Rocky was barking like that at someone he knows. But he probably could not see him yet. I said its ok Rocky its just Fil. His bark changed and he converted to please come in and play with me.
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Post by emilys on Dec 4, 2011 12:03:36 GMT -5
...While hiking we came upon a slower moving group, a guy and several women, with a poodle off-leash. At one point they tried to move over to let me by, I said I couldn't because they don't have a leash on their dog, and besides it's the law you should. I guess that pushed the guy's button; he got smart-assed on me, .... this is such a common occurrence... you're walking your dog legally onleash minding your own business and it's the assh888 with an illegal outofcontrol offleash dog who comes with the attitude I really think this is a big part of why the "MDIF/DINO" blog and FB page seem to be taking off so much. People are tired of being verbally assaulted by cretins (and physically put at risk) and want some way to protect themselves and their dogs. so we can just, you know, enjoy our dogs as we have a right to without having to be on edge the whole damn time... |
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Post by melonie on Dec 4, 2011 12:47:50 GMT -5
My neighbors fight often, and the dude is really really loud. My dogs will go to the window and bark like mad. Cleveland gets his hackles raised, and his bark tone changes. I do know they don't like arguments from when my daughter lived at home. It was a daily thing for her and her sister to argue, and once in awhile she and I would go rounds. If the fight between the girls would get nasty, Winston would usually go to Aryn and lean on her. Rhett would hide.
If I were in Dave's shoes and had Cleveland along with me, I would be worried about Cleveland's reaction. Just on his past behaviors while being in public. He used to bark aggressively or growl when people walked by the car when I picked up Aryn from school. Before he left, it was something we had worked on and he was doing a lot better at not barking and scaring the crap out of everyone. Not sure how he is at it now since I rarely pick her up from school.
Winston loves people. He loves everyone. But he doesn't like fighting, raised voices etc. He would be my unpredictable one.
Either way, if some dbag gets in my face, and is stupid enough to lay hands on me while I have either of my dogs, and my dog defends me, they deserve what they get. On the other had, I just hope that if it happens, I'm walking something other than a pit bull. I'd be too worried that I would be to blame based on the type of dog I have. I wouldn't want to lose my dog over someone elses idiocy and temper tantrum.
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Post by fureverywhere on Dec 4, 2011 13:24:02 GMT -5
Something to consider as well however. For an able-bodied guy, you want Rocky to stay calm and let you handle the situation. I'm not too old to whip somebody's butt if there was no other way but Ophie does protect me. It's probably just the sheer presence of a dog and her appearance that helps, but when we walk at night she'll hear people before I do and sound loud warning growls until we're alone again. In high crime areas, it's comforting. If it's someone who approaches all friendly to pet the pretty dog she understands and greets them full tail wag.
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Post by fureverywhere on Dec 4, 2011 14:02:08 GMT -5
Just thought about the translation of those warning growls " GRRRRRRAHHH GRUUUUAHGRRRRR I HEAR YOU GRAHHHHRUUUH STAND BACK GOOO AWAAAWYYGRRRRRAFGRRAFF GRRRRRRRRRR KEEP YOUR DISTANCEGRRRRAWFRAWFRAWF...or I will tuck my tail and pee myself"
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Post by Dave on Dec 5, 2011 16:14:41 GMT -5
...While hiking we came upon a slower moving group, a guy and several women, with a poodle off-leash. At one point they tried to move over to let me by, I said I couldn't because they don't have a leash on their dog, and besides it's the law you should. I guess that pushed the guy's button; he got smart-assed on me, .... this is such a common occurrence... you're walking your dog legally onleash minding your own business and it's the assh888 with an illegal outofcontrol offleash dog who comes with the attitude I really think this is a big part of why the "MDIF/DINO" blog and FB page seem to be taking off so much. People are tired of being verbally assaulted by cretins (and physically put at risk) and want some way to protect themselves and their dogs. so we can just, you know, enjoy our dogs as we have a right to without having to be on edge the whole d*mn time... I just get tired of the self-righteous bastards who feel they can flaunt the law/rules because their dog is not a problem (in their eyes only.) I know I could've just smiled and kept on walking, but I don't have that much self-control. Part of me wanted to try to walk by with their dog in the way and at Rocky's tooth level, but that would make the little dog suffer because of it's idiot owners. I'm not that mean. And CA, boy do I hear ya. But I don't care what people think about me or my dogs. I know I'm right, and that sometimes is like stoking my jackass furnace.  |
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Post by loverocksalot on Dec 5, 2011 19:14:23 GMT -5
^ I am quite guilty of stoking my Jackass furnace for too long that it explodes and the hits the fan. And all jackass hell breaks loose. And I look like a Jackass. I got to stop holding it all in. Last time I let it go, it felt good.
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Post by fureverywhere on Dec 5, 2011 21:51:58 GMT -5
 Now doesn't that look silly? Sorry guys, yes it makes me mad when some yoyo lets his dog go after Ophie and I will perhaps colorfully tell them off. But unless it's a violent situation like a mugging or attempted rape there is no excuse for people older than junior high school to brawl... Life's too darn short to have anger issues 
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Post by RealPitBull on Dec 13, 2011 11:48:44 GMT -5
I think at his prime, Luca would have tried to defend me. Probably still now, even though he'd be physically incapable of really doing anything. He's got a sort of aloof temperament with people he doesn't know.
Although he is bombproof with people, he's got a little "edge" there that makes me think he'd know what to do if something had ever gone down.
But Pit Bulls as a breed aren't really good protection dogs, at all. Rocky's reaction to the altercation is pretty much - the breed.
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Post by johnr on Dec 13, 2011 12:28:06 GMT -5
I think at his prime, Luca would have tried to defend me. Probably still now, even though he'd be physically incapable of really doing anything. He's got a sort of aloof temperament with people he doesn't know. although he is bombproof with people, he's got a little "edge" there that makes me think he'd know what to do if something had ever gone down. But Pit Bulls as a breed aren't really good protection dogs, at all. Rocky's reaction to the altercation is pretty much - the breed. I always used to say that Silly Hillary the Truly Legendary StaffyRat would probably walk over my dead body to lick the face of whoever killed me. Not that she didn't love me! She just loved absolutely EVERYONE and thought EVERYONE with 20ft of her was there just to see her! Pablo, meanwhile, is a bit like Luca. At first, he was very reserved around new people, albeit in a totally gentlemanly, polite way. Over the years he became a lot more openly friendly with obviously friendly new people. But he was never one to assume that everyone loves him. So he doesn't necessarily love everyone and if someone were to be open hostile, I think that would at least provoke a warning bark out of him. ANd his bark is much deeper and more resonant that the typical Pit Bull's glorified Chihuahua yip and that could make an impression. (Strangely, even with one vocal cord paralyzed, he STILL has a deep, resonant bark. I suspect that will eventually fade, but I don't really know. His situation IS worsening, however.) |
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Post by AmyJo27 on Dec 13, 2011 12:55:52 GMT -5
Bola likes to sound and look tough when he sees people walking by outside or when there is a knock at the door. He will deep bark like crazy...He sounds intimidating....Then once that door opens or the person he is barking at looks at him his deep barks become a whine and his body wiggles side to side in excitement like "Oh!! You noticed me!!! OMG!!!"
If my life depended on Bola defending me, Id be screwed. lol.
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Post by RealPitBull on Dec 13, 2011 13:35:40 GMT -5
If my life depended on Bola defending me, Id be screwed. lol. LOL! ;D |
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pitbullmamaliz
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Liz & Inara CGC, TD, TT, B.A., M.A., Ph.D., CW-SR
Posts: 360
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Post by pitbullmamaliz on Dec 13, 2011 15:09:39 GMT -5
I could be getting assaulted by a gang and Inara would think it was a great game. One morning I was screaming in my bathroom (long, terrifying story about the killer centipede from hell. Very reminiscent of the shower scene from "Psycho"...) and after a couple minutes she came sauntering in and gave me this look as if to say, "will you PLEASE keep it down? I am TRYING to sleep." Very disgusted.
But that's okay. I didn't get her for protection. It's my job to protect her.
Though I wouldn't mind if she would at least protect me from bugs. Is that really asking too much?
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Post by odnarb on Dec 13, 2011 15:38:34 GMT -5
I suspect that Grant's only protective worth would be as a ballistic object. Like, if I picked him up and threw him at my attackers it might give me a minute to get away.
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Post by AmyJo27 on Dec 13, 2011 15:42:20 GMT -5
But that's okay. I didn't get her for protection. It's my job to protect her. Exactly!!! If I want protection, they make things for that.  |
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Post by RealPitBull on Dec 13, 2011 15:59:45 GMT -5
I suspect that Grant's only protective worth would be as a ballistic object. Like, if I picked him up and threw him at my attackers it might give me a minute to get away. Legit LOL  |
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Post by johnr on Dec 13, 2011 16:22:38 GMT -5
Pumpkin the Bassett Mix from Beyond the Fringe and Heidi Ho the Klee Kai protect me from crickets!
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Post by suziriot on Dec 13, 2011 16:40:10 GMT -5
Barley was pretty protective of me. I think that there must have been a domestic violence situation in his previous home, because if Brook ever raised his voice or if he pretended to rough house with me, Barley would flip out. And he was a very good judge of people. He was really outgoing and super friendly with most people, but he could be very "stand-offish" with people who had a weird vibe.
The rest of the dogs though? Forget about it. Otis, Dharma, and Brandy are true to pit bull character and they see everybody as their new BFF. You'd think Lebowski being part mastiff would have some guarding instinct, but it's only against other dogs. But I'd rather have all my pups be super people friendly anyway.
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Post by bubsy on Dec 14, 2011 0:52:15 GMT -5
No, I don't think Murphy would do anything. He's never shown any kind of protective instinct in 10 years. I've always said that I'm safe if a dog tries to break into my house...but a person? LOL, forget it.
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I look forward to learning much here