a-bull wrote:There tends to be alot of over-reaction and unrealistic expectation that a pitbull never, ever be anything other than happy, joyful and well-behaved. At the end of the day, they're just dogs, too, and they will act as such.
Big_Ant wrote:a-bull wrote:There tends to be alot of over-reaction and unrealistic expectation that a pitbull never, ever be anything other than happy, joyful and well-behaved. At the end of the day, they're just dogs, too, and they will act as such.
I have to disagree. While I do agree from a quick reading that it doesn't seem like this dog is 'over the top', I think that far too many people use the statement you made above to justify their dogs actions and not accept some of the signs that are there.
These dogs have a long and storied history as you well know, and one of the main characteristics was the temperament.
True, there are many many mixed dogs out there that people called "Pit Bulls", and obviously those will not be entirely accurate to the breed's history, but IMO, far too many people look for ways to justify their dogs actions and avoid seeing the truth.
One of my biggest issues is when people say, "Oh, he's completely afraid of X". Unless X is something that is absolutely oddball, I don't understand how someone can just leave it status quo.
- Anthony
a-bull wrote:Big_Ant wrote:a-bull wrote:There tends to be alot of over-reaction and unrealistic expectation that a pitbull never, ever be anything other than happy, joyful and well-behaved. At the end of the day, they're just dogs, too, and they will act as such.
I have to disagree. While I do agree from a quick reading that it doesn't seem like this dog is 'over the top', I think that far too many people use the statement you made above to justify their dogs actions and not accept some of the signs that are there.
These dogs have a long and storied history as you well know, and one of the main characteristics was the temperament.
True, there are many many mixed dogs out there that people called "Pit Bulls", and obviously those will not be entirely accurate to the breed's history, but IMO, far too many people look for ways to justify their dogs actions and avoid seeing the truth.
One of my biggest issues is when people say, "Oh, he's completely afraid of X". Unless X is something that is absolutely oddball, I don't understand how someone can just leave it status quo.
- Anthony
Maybe far too many people use the statement I used to justify their dogs actions, but I don't.
Big_Ant wrote:a-bull wrote:. . . but I think I understand your point~You don't want someone new to the breed writing off some red-flag behavior as an over-reaction, right? I'd agree with that.
Precisely!
- Anthony
Do you think that his behavior is "red flag" or just bratty? He has been evaluated by a very good trainer who has worked with lots of pit bulls and that trainer did not think he was HA. Can he develop it since then? His behavior back then was much worse then it is now.
rockermom wrote:However as a first time bully owner I apreciate that explination. Because of all I read my expectations of my dog was to be this incredible always happy never dominant do what I say and dont talk back dog. And it's not that way and when he does back talk it makes me way overract and worry. being the anxious person that I am.
a-bull wrote:Sounds like you were being "corrected" by him---he was reprimanding you.
Dogs in general, and pitbulls specifically, are prone to responding to what they perceive as overly harsh treatment---not saying you were being harsh, but maybe to your boy, because he didn't want to be crated, he felt you were.
There tends to be alot of over-reaction and unrealistic expectation that a pitbull never, ever be anything other than happy, joyful and well-behaved. At the end of the day, they're just dogs, too, and they will act as such. Plus, alot of the "pitbulls" these days have obviously been mixed with some other breed.
A reprimand boink, jump, or mouth graze is very different from a dog who bites.
Reinforce your NILIF training, get back into some training classes, and have him evaluated if you're worried. Just make sure the evaluator is well versed in bully breeds. Pitbull hysteria can cause even evaluators to make bad assessments.
I have a problem with not giving in to him when he looks at me with his sweet little face.
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