[goldeneggs]

If it was just me, i wouldnt care, i carry a gun, and am a martial artist so i can handle my self with my bare hands if needed.

You got good advice..

Erm.. did anyone else see this?

don't get a dog if you're going to ninja punt him across the house everytime he moves funny.

[kenowinnumberss]

Don't waste your time Kframe has not been on the site for 2 years and comes back with the same question as before. He is probably just being a troll. when did we become group therapy.

[HedoShoodovex]

If it was just me, i wouldnt care, i carry a gun, and am a martial artist so i can handle my self with my bare hands if needed. Basicly im just scared.
It sounds like you are scared of a lot of things since you feel the need to carry a gun and study martial arts. I think the pit bulls should be more scared of you than you are of them. Actually your kids are in more danger from your guns than they would be from a bully breed. Like others have said, there are too many of these dogs in shelters, you don't feel comfortable why even consider it? A first time pit bull owner and very small children are not a good combination if you ask me. Not because the dogs are dangerous but first time owners can be. Combine that predisposition of fear and the inexperience with handling this type of dog, and I think it is a bad idea. One thing I know about pit bulls is that if they do not see you as their fearless leader and boss, they are smart enough to control you rather than the other way around and that will not work out well for either of you. My dogs always fear me, not the other way around.

[valiumcheepval]

I was actually a little timid when I got my first...I was 10 lol but I got her as a tiny pup and raised her...it helped me over come the fear of the breed in general and I now foster all sorts of them and have two of my own...but no, if you are timid do not get one who is already grown..and if you've never had a dog before or don't have the time to do a great deal of training then get a different breed that doesn't require as much attention. Pits are very loyal dogs and usually do great with children if they are raised with them and are well trained to know what's acceptable and what isn't

[valiumcheepval]

You have to be a stern and an I don't take bull shit type of person..otherwise these hard headed creatures will become your master rather then the other way around

[gomosopions]

I think Jazzy summed it up quite nicely. Also, if your relatives already don't like these dogs.... why would you want to put yourself into a position where your ownership of the dog becomes a subject of contention with your family?
Have you even owned any dogs before?
As far as whether bite-statistics going up or down.. didn't you say that your relative who is working in insurance is "keeping very close track of these things"? I am sure he can find all the information you need to get yourself freaked out even more. You just have to keep listening to the people who already dislike this group of dogs.

[erroxiainsona]

Yes i was active 2 years ago, I stopped posting due to the fact that my computer took a crap on me, and i didnt get a replacement till just recently. I posted this thread so i could get ideas on how to constructively deal with my issues which are directly releated to MSM reporting and my grandfathers probably less then thurough information. I was particpating in a thread about dog matching. I agree with you guys, right now buying a bullie would not be wise. My own fears would pollute the relationship, i would be looking at him through a microscope and that would not be fair to him.

As i have stated, i have a beagle, and have sucsessfully trained him, so dog training im not a stranger to. I plan on going this weekend to start the process of volunteering at the local shelter.

As for why i like something i have a misgiving about, well thats complicated lol. I think there beautifull, for starters.



Now that im back on the net, i intend to particpate more. Like i would love to know the difference be tween a apbt and a american bulldog.

[251EPyso]

If you're afraid of the breed, don't get one.

Also, if I remember correctly, Bullyson was a man biter. Not dogs I'd be looking into if you're leery of pit bulls.

Sent from my HTC-PG762 using Tapatalk 2

Bullyson was a man biting cur. There's been plenty of great dogs from the same blood, but facts is facts.

[Natashasuw]

It sounds like you are scared of a lot of things since you feel the need to carry a gun and study martial arts.

Come again?

One must be "scared of a lot of things" to justify carrying a gun and studying martial arts?

Perhaps the OP is.. but certainly not all of us are!

[hexniks]

i carry a gun cuz im scared of getting shot

[gomosopions]

btw.. as far as pitbull events go... where are you located at?

and again: keep in mind that, even if you are working on your fear issues, your family will have zero motivation to do the same. Are you prepared to be shunned by your immediate family for this choice? A lot of people deal with this to crazy extremes and I wouldn't be surprised if you'd have the same problem.

Bites going up or down .. or any bite-statistics are unreliable and tainted by a myriad of issues. Even the CDC report so often quoted, says explicitly that the data can not be used to conclude that one breed is more aggressive than the next. The data does not account for mistakes in breed identification, does not account for prevalence of the breed in the canine population and does not account for the many, many, many bites that never get reported. When you look at fatal attacks, it has to be considered that small dogs will automatically rarely be in the mix.. because they are small. Yes, even some tiny little dogs have killed infants..but in the end, a 15 pound dog is much less likely to kill somebody, than a dog weighing 45 pounds or more.
As far as wondering why so many pitbull type dogs end up in the news, injuring humans... there have been many articles about the role of the media in this issue. Do thing happen? Sure.. does it happen with other breeds as well, even though it is hardly ever reported? You betcha. Check this one out, just for kicks: Denver Columnist confirms media bias in over-reporting stories about 'pit bulls' - KC DOG BLOG

[wmcelesta]

You might find this interesting:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Pit-Bull-P...pr_product_top

[erroxiainsona]

Wow thanks for that book suggestion. Well a while back idiscovered that the beagle was listed as being a dangerous breed. Yes the beagle... I was shocked by this honestly, my beagle has been a amazing dog. Tolerating my kids antics. Like grabbing the fur while learning to walk, or laying on him when its rest time and just all around kid behaviour. Here is a link to the article, which has a link to the list of the dogs. http://www.thedailybeast.com/article...astoriginalsR3 So ya i was not thrilled when i saw that.

Im going to look into that book, I bet it would be good reading, i know of a few poeple that need to read it.

As far as events go, Im in the North East indiana area. I Wouldnt mind going to a few events. I wish i hadnt missed pits in the park tho, that would have been great..

[hiedeemom]

Maybe you should get a dog as an individual and not worry about the breed. I would suggest adopting an adult dog who is in foster care - that way you already know what you're getting and what potential issues that specific dog has. Yes, dogs are part of a breed, but they're also individuals.

I adopted Amy because I fell in love with her personality. I didn't even know she was a pit bull at the time. WHen I realized what she was I went through a brief period of thinking about giving her back because of the same reasons you posted - I was an inexperienced owner and thought pit bulls were ticking time bombs and she would eat my face some morning. But I'm glad I snapped out of it, because she is the best dog in the world, and perfect for me. As I type this she's snuggled next to me snoring, and periodically wakes up to give me a little lick or nuzzle.

So my advice: stop worrying about the breed and find an individual dog you like, of whatever breed or mix it is. There's no reason for you to buy a puppy from a breeder - find an adult dog whose issues are known and who has been in a foster home. Then you know what you're getting.

[HedoShoodovex]

Come again?

One must be "scared of a lot of things" to justify carrying a gun and studying martial arts?

Perhaps the OP is.. but certainly not all of us are!

Not everybody is scared if they choose to carry a gun or study martial arts. But see this taken directly from the OP's post "If it was just me, i wouldnt care, i carry a gun, and am a martial artist so i can handle my self with my bare hands if needed. Basicly im just scared."

It is a case of someone being afraid of what they hear in the news. Lots of bad guys, killer pit bulls, the admission of fear and the need to carry a gun and be proficient with their bare hands, none of which by the way makes his children one bit safer. I own a gun, know how to fight and have owned pit bulls in a house with children, but if you add fear to that equation you get trouble. I am just pointing out that the fear itself, combined with carrying a gun poses more of a danger to the kids than any freaking dog. To me the OP just sounds like someone who is watching too much news and allowing it to affect him adversely.

[erroxiainsona]

Actually atheist, your right, i do watch entirely to much news. Defineatly one of the things im changing. Just way tomuch bad news out there, getting tired of seeing it..

[Natashasuw]

Not everybody is scared if they choose to carry a gun or study martial arts.

I'm glad you agree! Just the way you phrased your response made it seem like a general "If one carries a gun and studies martial arts, one must be afraid of a lot", so I couldn't not say something lol

[hiedeemom]

So, what steps can i take to work on my fear. Should i just get out and meet more dogs? Volunteer at a shelter?(lots a pits there apparently). I can train dogs, I have spent alot of time working on my beagles training and have near 99% recall on him.(no beagle can have 100% recall, lol its a scent hound after all) So im no stranger to dog training..

Surely there is something i can do guys?

Out of curiosity, are you an anxious/nervous person in general or just on this one issue? Because you honestly strike me as someone who might have a slight anxiety disorder. I say that without judgement - I used to suffer from it. But a dog can pick up on that and it can contribute to behavioral issues.

[Mypepraipse]

I would say not to begin any relationship with fear. That's not going to turn out very well....

[valiumcheepval]

If you want a dog..don't go looking for a breed..I love APBT but I also had a fear of them as a child which is why I think it made my passion for the breed stronger...but anyways, if you want a dog...go to a shelter and choose the dog that "chooses you", regardless of breed. Whether it be a pit, lab, or shitzu...when you see the right dog and you look into its eyes( as lame as that may sound) and you feel the connection to the dog more then all the others at the shelter...then pick that dog. Dogs choose their owners, we don't choose them. Again, it sounds lame.. But some people just aren't meant to own pits, just as some aren't meant to own labs or small dogs because they don't have that connection with them