[SodeSceriobia]

With all the posts and thread regarding the APBT and thier born bred nature to skirmish with other animals and so many people disregard natural born breed behavior, why not your dog too ?

Seriously, why is it that so many of you feel as though your dog is above responding to common breed driven instincts by defying the odds and placing your dogs in compromising situations ? There are so many folks here that fall into the "Not my dog" idiology and I'd like to know what it is that makes you folks think along those lines. Is there some trick to it or are you all feeding your dogs some magical water that reverses natural breed behavior ?

After owning this breed of dog for nearly 40 years i've experienced many things and I have yet to see behavior that goes against the grain of a true terriers nature, so what is it that you all have or do that allows you the luxuray to say "Not my dog" ?

[lrUyiva1]

currs,thats what they have

[bonyrek]

Because everyone throws it in some members faces that their dogs ARENT APBT they are mutts or some other breed because their breeding documentation isnt sufficient so why treat them like one

[TeveVikep]

currs,thats what they have

this.^^^ and/or really have COLD dogs

---------- Post added at 10:59 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:55 AM ----------

seriously i'm tired of the "its my dog, i'll do whatever the F**k, i want.. even if it screws everyone else over" attitude.

[SQiTmhuY]

I don't think that "all of us" think that way. Maybe a few, but out of 12,000+ members, certainly not "all" of us. I know my dogs are Terriers, I know my dogs history is to be DA and I know fights are possible just because of the history of the breed. I work every day to make sure these fights never happen, and when on occasion they do, I break them up quickly and learn from whatever mistake was made to allow a fight, and move on. Luckily, we've gone about 2 and a half years without having to use the break stick.... but today isn't over, so who knows what will happen today. However, I will always be on my best guard to prevent that from happening.

I have learned in my lifetime, to "never say never". I will say I try to prevent most things that I don't want to happen, but I don't say never anymore. Too much wisdom, and too many times I've said never, and then go through exactly what I said never about, have taught me large lessons.

I don't say Bella won't try to get the cat, being as that is her obsession of late, but I intervene, prevent her from chasing him, and never leave her loose in the house. I don't let Mollie go outside when Titus is outside, because I know the consequences of what happens when she does. I don't let any of the dogs run loose, because I don't want them to be hit by a car, bothering the neighbors, and I don't want any of them shot by the neighbor who is trigger happy, when they chase his chickens.

I think referring to "all of you" is a very broad statement. I don't think all of us think that something will "never" happen to our dogs. I don't think the majority of the forum has a "not my dog" opinion, but we do have a "not on my watch" approach. I think the majority of the members here are well aware of all of the "what if's" and we strive to prevent them.... whether it be our dogs getting loose and chasing the neighbors cat, or taking steps to prevent BSL in our area, by being responsible owners who represent the breed well, with every breath we take.

[SodeSceriobia]

I don't think that "all of us" think that way.

I think referring to "all of you" is a very broad statement. I don't think all of us think that something will "never" happen to our dogs. I don't think the majority of the forum has a "not my dog" opinion, but we do have a "not on my watch" approach. I think the majority of the members here are well aware of all of the "what if's" and we strive to prevent them.... whether it be our dogs getting loose and chasing the neighbors cat, or taking steps to prevent BSL in our area, by being responsible owners who represent the breed well, with every breath we take.

As for the "all of you" that is directed at all of the people who feel thier dogs are somehow beyond displaying aggressive behavior towards other animals when they place thier dogs in rather compromising situations and places. I am well aware of the many members here who properly evaluate thier charge and handle them accordingly and not the people are am asking the question to.

[Tnzxovoz]

I don't think most people even have actual APBT's that have been bred to display those common characteristics. I think that those people should still realize that what their dog does affects the breed as a whole and can affect other peoples ownership, and ANY bad behavior their dog displays is a problem. Regardless of whether it was genetically predisposed.

[CevepBiageCefm]

I think it just takes some people longer to figure it out than others. I think everyone will have one (at least), He's/She's never done THAT before, moment in their lives. A lot of people just plan for that moment better. Yes they think they have a great dog, have trained it well, their trainer said it was great, etc etc. Bet it is a nasty surprise if you aren't ready for it.

[ZX3URrBH]

With all the posts and thread regarding the APBT and thier born bred nature to skirmish with other animals and so many people disregard natural born breed behavior, why not your dog too ?

Seriously, why is it that so many of you feel as though your dog is above responding to common breed driven instincts by defying the odds and placing your dogs in compromising situations ? There are so many folks here that fall into the "Not my dog" idiology and I'd like to know what it is that makes you folks think along those lines. Is there some trick to it or are you all feeding your dogs some magical water that reverses natural breed behavior ?

After owning this breed of dog for nearly 40 years i've experienced many things and I have yet to see behavior that goes against the grain of a true terriers nature, so what is it that you all have or do that allows you the luxuray to say "Not my dog" ?

I vote this the best question of the year!

[Fetowip]

You've been answered well I think, but I'll say it also... because MOST 'pit bulls' or pet bulls, are not APBTs, while all bulldogs and terriers have high possibility animal aggression, most own complete mutts who look like what people think a 'pit bull' is. American Bullies, Amstaff mixes, the rare APBT mix... MOST bloodlines today being called pit bulls are not tested and bred for their original purpose, curs being bred to curs, even if they LOOK like an APBT should...

Most dogs bred today aren't true to their roots... Hell, look at the state of MANY breeds today, you are able to find some who are right, good for their real purpose, but MOST are bred for looks, or untested.


The reason so many don't see what a real bulldog is is because most don't even know what a real bulldog IS, much less own one...

[SodeSceriobia]

I don't think most people even have actual APBT's that have been bred to display those common characteristics. I think that those people should still realize that what their dog does affects the breed as a whole and can affect other peoples ownership, and ANY bad behavior their dog displays is a problem. Regardless of whether it was genetically predisposed.

Be it the dog being bred for it or not, fact remains that the breed in general was bred for it and if the dog being that of an APBT DOES have the genetic code hardwired into thier DNA.

Just because a dog may not have any proven ancestors up front doesn't negate the fact that at some point the dog in question does indeed have some proven dogs in thier family tree. I think that is where alot of people go wrong, even if the dog is not bred from working or proven stock the fact remains that the breed in general can show breed trait tendencies at any givin point in the dogs life. Being that the breed stems from terriers, that should always be taken into account and should never be disregarded. Terriers by nature ( be it large or small ) are adventurous & fealress creatures. They often lack fear and face adversity head on with a reckless abandoned attitude. So now when you have a dog bred specifically for its ability to combat other animals, it just blows my mind how so many people feel as though thier dog is somehow beyond acting apon natural instincts when confrontation presents itself. Even dogs that are softer than most, how is it that some people expect thier dog not to react to a highly stimulated environment ? I've yet to see a dog just sit back and allow another animal to tear into them without recourse, it goes against the nature of animals, either fight or flight. When flight is not an option then the only thing left is to fight....so why do these people who have that cavalere approach of "not my dog" think the way they do when the laws of nature dictate otherwise.

[VomsVomaMew]

Ah, this is a great post, ColbyDogs.

Most people assume that if they haven't seen it happen yet; it isn't going to happen.

I think that sometimes, with people who own this breed, they really do know and understand the expected temprament; they just don't want to admit it to themselves.

Once you have finally convinced yourself of something; no one else will be able to convince you otherwise.

edit:

I suppose that the "mutt" thing comes into play, aswell.
I think that alot of people don't realise that determining the temprament of your mutt depends on what breeds are mixed into it.
If your dog has any APBT in it, it has a chance of presenting an APBT temprament.

I don't even know if any of that makes sense to you guys or not.....

[Jueqelyl]

It seems like the only cure for the "not my dog" disease is seeing a true fight break out. Not a scuffle, a true fight.

Just one will cure you.

And it only takes one to fuel BSL if that one fight happens in the public eye.

[TeveVikep]

And it only takes one to fuel BSL if that one fight happens in the public eye.

exactly.

[VomsVomaMew]

It seems like the only cure for the "not my dog" disease is seeing a true fight break out. Not a scuffle, a true fight.

Just one will cure you.

And it only takes one to fuel BSL if that one fight happens in the public eye.

Mhm.

[bonyrek]

I just tell anyone who adopts any "pit mix mutt" from me NEVER dog parks and if they have a dog and they end up not getting along they must be willing to crate rotate...if not no dog. I had a few people turned down because they refused to agree. One couple insisted their mountain dog could be left alone with a bull terrier mix...I said just keep a door between them they dont need to play 24/7...they refused...so I refused.

[dalnecymync]

Very Good Post Colby!!

Speaking for myself, of all my dogs I only know for sure two don't have any APBT in them whatsoever (My American Bulldogs) as for the rest and including the "Pit Bull" Fosters I bring in my home... I realize each dog is their own individual and I know my dogs extremely well and they are always contained for their own protection. I never leave them home alone together to "play" either... I treat all my dogs as if they do, which they really do, have the potential to be Dog Aggressive and I refuse to take my dogs that has a RISK of setting them up for failure... such as the famous dog parks...

I don't quite understand the mentality behind "not my dog". I've accepted it as people are selfish and only think of themselves because by them setting their "Not my dog" up for failure and that one, heaven forbid, incident, damages and hurts us all... I'm not sure how to make these people you speak of get it... I just don't know.

[objennasweene]

Excellent post, CD.

I have never understood the 'not my dog' mentality (and I own relatively cold dogs...although one is a bit more serious than the other).

It may not YET have been my dogs...but I understand it could happen any day...even at almost 8 and 9 years old.

Speaking in absolutes is rarely accurate...so saying it could "NEVER" be my dog is simply naive...

[uncoodync]

I think that owners of EVERY BREED should be more careful in general and owners of any breed with "bulldog" ancestory should expect it to happen along the way. Being "game" and being "DA" are not the same thing...so calling a dog cold or a mutt does not give you a free pass from "DA".

[jeraveike]

It's not just pit bulls, same goes for any dogs. I had the pleasure over Easter of playing with my brother's jack russel, shitzu, and nephew's bichon frise.

The jack is 12 years old and her name is Jackie (I know how original). The bichon is a fresh 2 year old male named Murphy. Murph decided he was in love with Jackie and followed her around all day trying to get a sniff. I was playing with Jackie with a toy and Murph decided it was his opportunity to get a nose full. Jackie let go of the toy and proceeded to tear after him with a vengeance! He was fine though - I think it scared him more than anything.

The point is they are dogs - and dogs will be dogs. Teeth, barking, growling are they tools they have. It's not about "if" it will happen, it's "when". All dogs have a circumstance that may cause them to use their tools. "He's never done that before" just means that circumstance has not yet occurred.