[Edisesyethisp]

So this is my first post on the forum. I haven't been exactly sure what to post a thread about, I don't really have any "burning desires" at present, but something came up for me AGAIN this morning that I'm sure other owners of this glorious breed can relate to!

I live in a large condominium complex where a lot of people own dogs. They are openly accepting of dog owners, which is very nice, they even have a small enclosed exercise area set aside just for the dogs that live in the complex. I often enjoy letting my 10 month old APBT run his little heart out on the grass, he just LOVES it! A couple of times I have even let him socialize with other dogs there (inside the locked enclosure with both dogs on a leash at first of course). I am a very responsible Pitbull owner, with many years of experience with the breed and I am very clear on the importance of always having my dog on a leash. Whenever I allow him to greet other dogs I only barely let the leash slack while myself and the other owner move around with the dogs. Then their leashes don't get tangled together so that we may pull them apart at the first sign of aggression by either dog. I don't believe that my APBT can never be trusted to play with another dog, but I am vigilant about testing his reaction to the other dog in a highly controlled environment FIRST and always paying attention to their interactions while they are playing. My problem is this: I consistently run into irresponsible inconsiderate ignorant dog owners who think its ok for their obnoxious, aggressive little lap dogs to run around off leash! Just because your toy breed is lacking in size and power does NOT mean it isn't a problem. I wouldn't want my dog to hurt another dog, I would feel terrible! But that's not the only problem in this equation, I know that, god forbid, my dog should become provoked and react to the situation he will be blamed. In all actuality he has every right to protect himself from the attack of some unruly little biter, but I will be the one in danger of losing my Pitbull whom I love dearly, as a result of someone else’s complete disregard. Why should I be put in this stressful position every time I am out with my APBT, or even worse, just with my kids! Everyone needs to learn to be responsible for their dogs NO MATTER WHAT THIER BREED! Forrester

[7HlBQS8j]

Great Post and I agree I live in a area with lots of small dogs and many of them are let out unleashed and will run up aggressively at me and my dogs while on a walk. and it is a pain in the ass but society has accepted the little dogs running lose and if your dog kills one of them because he attacks your dog it is your PitBulls fault. I have even heard the excuse your dog is bigger and should know better

[Hedkffiz]

Grab a stick and know how to swing. That's the best advice I can give you. Don't even usually have to hit little dogs to make them run and cower. Get yourself a video camera and document what these dogs are doing. Give the results to the owners and ask them, how can you not see what's going on?
I had a chihuahua almost attack both my dogs, and had I not had a good handle on Liberty she would've been the loyal dog she is and protected me and Lily. The chihuahua's owner "Hey, get back here, get back here! Don't let your dog attack my dog!". I looked at the guy like, my dogs are on leash and I'm trying to walk away from the situation, please get your dog on a leash. "He doesn't need to be on a leash!" I told him when his dog gets hit by a car or eaten by one of the numerous 90+lb dogs in the neighborhood, he'll change his mind.

[johnuioyer]

I can't stand little dogs. Everyone that I have meet have such a terrible temperament and the owners don't care. My girlfriend's parents have little dogs and they are very territorial. If my boy goes to play with his own toy they snap at him, or even if he just sniffs something they snap it. It gets me so heated, especially when her parents imply it was my lil buddy's fault they snapped at him. Are you kidding, he didn't do anything...they are just ignorant in there observations and think owning a dog is a part time job. I work with my pup all the time, every chance I get, to ensure he is nothing like them. I only fear that him being around them will cause him to pick up on their misbehavior since he is still so young.

[blogwado]

I know how you feel.

Yesterday while I was watching Hawken, my neighbor's JRT was following this teenage girl. The dog is always running loose, and chases people's cars. Well, he came right up to Hawken, which usually he is smart enough to stay away, but I guess yesterday he was feeling brave. I held Hawken's head up near me, so, that he didn't touch the Jack. The girl apologized, told me that it wasn't hers, and that she didn't want to grab him, because he bites. What?! I felt bad for the girl, and told her not to worry about it, that I'd figure something out. Once the girl started walking again, he went back to following her luckily.

It would have been bad for that dog if Hawken did get a hold of him, but I know the JRT is also DA, his owner has told me before, but now knowing he'd also bite a person, makes me think, "Why in the world would you let that dog run loose?" It's a shame. Sorry, a bit of a rant. lol.

[dXI9XFOA]

It sounds like you are alert and responsible when out with your dog.
Because there is always the chance when I go outside to walk my dog that a little yappy snarly dog will run up to us I bring along a breakstick and mace. And if it is coming at us and looks like it is going to make contact with my dog I will kick it away if I have too. Not because a little yappy dog is going to hurt or bite my dog but because my dog will bite it. I know her limits. She walks beautiful on a leash and does not react to dogs that walk closely by her. But she will react to a dog coming at her barking in an aggresive manner.
How old is your dog?

[Edisesyethisp]

He is 10 months old. 9 months in the pic.

[Muesrasrs]

He's cute.

A tense lead can make a dog more pumped up, just fyi.

[Edisesyethisp]

That's why I said I let the leash "slack".

[Desflahd]

you would be preaching to the choir here, same song 33rd verse...
I hate community areas for dogs... to many butt heads hang out there...

[kertUtire]

Basically a small private "Dog Park".....
Pit Bulls and Dog parks

Don't blame the dogs, blame the owners.

Some of us "small dog" owners ARE responsible....there are irresponsible owners in EVERY breed.

[Edisesyethisp]

Yes Ma'am, I do concur.

[spravka.ua]

Man do I feel your pain!! There are a few places around my house that I use to LOVE bringing Socrates and I can't anymore because there are dogs off leash all the time. Honestly, Socrates has never shown a single stitch of dog aggression, but I just won't take the chance. For one, you never know how the other dog is going to behave and we all know who will get blamed no matter who started it. And two, just because he hasn't shown signs of aggression doesn't mean he won't. It's just like you said Forrester, you have to be cautious with this breed around other dogs, and unfortunately other owners don't make that very easy. SO FRUSTRATING!

[Alice_Medichi34]

Looking dumbass owners directly in the eye, with utmost seriousness and saying ''Grab your dog.'' like a command and not a request usually works for me.

[Piediahef]

It does suck that some people don't control their little dogs. I once was walking my dog up the street when this little yippy dog comes charging from ACROSS the street and UP 4 houses to confront my dog. So I pull the leash tight and try to keep going but the dog keeps following barking, I yell for the owner, and he says... oh he won't hurt him... REALLY...so I say it's not my dog I'm worried about. Boy did he truck it across the street to get his dog after that! I would never have let my dog hurt him, but the threat helped.

[Edisesyethisp]

Looking dumbass owners directly in the eye, with utmost seriousness and saying ''Grab your dog.'' like a command and not a request usually works for me.

I absolutely agree, it is something I even had to practice in Petco the other day! It works.