[Koayrbzh]

My name is Jackie. I'm doing a senior project over Pittbulls and how owners are responsible for the stories spread throughout the media. This project is a requirement for me to graduate. I need a mentor to complete this. All the mentor is required to do is be knowledgeable of Pittbulls and answer 10 questions via email. I can have more than one mentor so if your interested please let me know. Thank you

[Heopretg2006]

What are some of your questions?

Maybe some of us can answer them here.

[Anaedilla]

yea just post em here im curious to know the questions also.

[Lolita Palmer]

My name is Jackie. I'm doing a senior project over Pittbulls and how owners are responsible for the stories spread throughout the media. This project is a requirement for me to graduate. I need a mentor to complete this. All the mentor is required to do is be knowledgeable of Pittbulls and answer 10 questions via email. I can have more than one mentor so if your interested please let me know. Thank you

Hi Jackie!

Posting the questions in a thread will get you many more responses.

The correct name for the breed is American Pit Bull Terrier. They are fondly called Pit Bulls by many owners. However, also many other breeds not even closely related or anything like the breed are also often dumped into a "pit bull " category which can be very misleading to those who do not knwo about the breed.

[Koayrbzh]

The only issue with just posting the questions in here and taking those answers is that my teacher wants to be able to communicate with my mentor. to make sure that the person is real and i didnt just fill in the answers myself. also it has to be through email. school policy. because i have to print off all conversations between me and my mentor.

---------- Post added at 07:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:45 PM ----------

1. What are the Breed Specific Legislation for American Pit Bull Terriers in Texas?
2. In What ways can the pubic help Pit Bulls?
3. What are some tips to raising your Pit Bull in a responsible way?
4. Should owners be held accountable for their Pit Bulls actions?
5. What are other breeds that are often mistaken for American Pit Bull Terriers?
6. What is the difference between dog aggression and human aggression?
7. What is the difference between responsible breeding and backyard breeding?
8. Does gameness mean aggressivenesss?
9. Why should Pit Bulls not be used as guard dogs?
10. What is the best way to socialize your Pit Bull?

I can't use any answers you give me for these questions unless you agree to be my mentor. but if you have ideas for any other questions i could ask or rephrasing please let me know.

[twinaircant]

maybe ask or mention in you paper the temperament testing and such, rate it to the breeds that are mistaken as APBTs I mean that you don't have to ask you need to do research too I am assuming

[Koayrbzh]

Yes i have to write a minium of 5 pages on my research paper. Ive already done my research. but having a mentor and having the questioned answer is part of the project. I also have to do a presentation and such.

[twinaircant]

I know what that is like I had to do all that when I was a senior in high school...I did mine on K-9 officers for the presentation and the difference between breaking and gentling horses for my paper...Hang in there because as long as you do it your grade will be reasonable and the subject you picked in my opinion rocks, your paper alone will be read by people that might learn something

[toksenveste]

1. What are the Breed Specific Legislation for American Pit Bull Terriers in Texas?
2. In What ways can the pubic help Pit Bulls?
3. What are some tips to raising your Pit Bull in a responsible way?
4. Should owners be held accountable for their Pit Bulls actions?
5. What are other breeds that are often mistaken for American Pit Bull Terriers?
6. What is the difference between dog aggression and human aggression?
7. What is the difference between responsible breeding and backyard breeding?
8. Does gameness mean aggressivenesss?
9. Why should Pit Bulls not be used as guard dogs?
10. What is the best way to socialize your Pit Bull?

I can't use any answers you give me for these questions unless you agree to be my mentor. but if you have ideas for any other questions i could ask or rephrasing please let me know.

I don't mind taking on a few of the questions, and if you still need a mentor, let me know. I may not be the best on here for that, but if I can help, I don't mind at all.

3. What are some tips to raising your Pit Bull in a responsible way? Responsible owners never let their dogs run loose outside. Socialize your dog, crate it when you aren't home, or put it in a kennel or on a secure tie out. Make sure your dog is up to date on all shots, has been spayed/neutered, and micro chipped. Always have your dog on a leash when outside.

4. Should owners be held accountable for their Pit Bulls actions? Yes, all owners of the American Pit Bull Terrier should be responsible for it's dog at all times. If only responsible owners were allowed to own this breed, it would drastically cut down on the number of negative news headlines.

5. What are other breeds that are often mistaken for American Pit Bull Terriers? Any large mixed breed really..... but some are, Lab mix, Boxers, Cane Corso's, Dogo's, American Bulldogs, American Bully's.

6. What is the difference between dog aggression and human aggression? Dog aggression is very common in this breed. Human aggression is not acceptable. Dog aggression, they snap at, or try to fight other dogs. Human aggression, they are snapping at humans without reason. Responsible owners will not keep a human aggressive dog alive, however, dog aggression is typical and expected in this breed.

7. What is the difference between responsible breeding and backyard breeding? Responsible breeders are breeding to better the breed, or carry on a top notch linage. Backyard breeders are only out to make a quick buck, and will sell their pups to anyone.

9. Why should Pit Bulls not be used as guard dogs? This breed is, and always should be, too human friendly to be a guard dog. People that want these dogs for guard dogs, shouldn't own the breed. They should not be aggressive enough to be used as guard dogs.

[Lolita Palmer]

I'll PM you my e-mail if you need it.

OK Here are some quick answers. Let me know if you need more detail.

1. What are the Breed Specific Legislation for American Pit Bull Terriers in Texas?
I'm not in Texas , but here are some links for you
Punish the Deed, not the Breed!

Texas

Texas BSL Lucydog.com

2. In What ways can the pubic help Pit Bulls?
Those interested in fighting BSL can write letters to their assembly men and woman, and other public officials, start petitions, attend town meetings etc.
This page is very helpful:
Punish the Deed, not the Breed!


3. What are some tips to raising your Pit Bull in a responsible way?
*Early training , socialization and proper care/nurturing
-See the thread on training and socializing puppies
Training and Socializing Puppies - Training Behavior
* obedience training
* making sure the dog is never allowed to run at large
* leave the breeding to the breeders only the best of the best dogs who meet the standard should be bred
* unless you have a show or working quality dog , spay/neuter

4. Should owners be held accountable for their Pit Bulls actions?
All dog owners need to be responsible for their dogs no matter what the breed. The breed of dog should not matter.

5. What are other breeds that are often mistaken for American Pit Bull Terriers?
cane corsos, bull mastiffs, presa canarios, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, dogos, alpha blue bulldog,American Bulldog, boxers, fila, catohoula leopard dog, bull terrier, patterdale terriers, ca de bou, black mouth cur, larger Boston Terriers, boerboel, Rottie, Rhodesian ridgeback, visla, lab mixes, any random mix that is brindle colored, etc

6. What is the difference between dog aggression and human aggression?
Dog aggression is targeted at dogs. Human aggression is unwarranted aggression towards people. Dog aggression does not people aggression. In many dog breeds their is the potential for dog aggression. The APBT in particular was bred purposely to NOT be human aggressive. APBTs that show HA both today and in the past were almost always culled. It is an undesirable trait and goes totally against the breed standard.

7. What is the difference between responsible breeding and backyard breeding?
A responsible breeder breeds to better the breed and preserve the breed for future generations using the standard for a blue print so to speak. They study pedigrees, health and temperaments within a line. They understand working drive. They only breed the best of the best. They are not in it for cash, but for the breed.
They do early socialization with the pups, don't let them leave the dam too early, worm them and give the at least the first set of shots. Most also have the pups under strict contracts. They do things like screen and mentor new owners, take pups back if the owner decides they can't keep the pup or falls on hard times, etc. They are often involved in helping with breed rescue fighting BSL and giving back to the breed community in some way. Many do shows, events or work their dog. many health test or at least follow health guidelines when choosing stock.

Where as, BYBs are in it for cash, or for selfish reasons like just because they want their dogs to have a litter, their friend down the street wants a pup or other such sad reasons. At times they are breeding unpapered or falsely papered dogs. sadly I've even heard of some breeding rescued dogs of totally unknown origin. . They do things like breed for just one attribute like color or head size without looking at the total dog or taking into account what the standard calls for.

8. Does gameness mean aggressiveness?
A game dog is one that doesn't quit. IMO that doesn't necessarily mean aggression.

9. Why should Pit Bulls not be used as guard dogs?
APBTs are supposed to be human friendly.
They are not like guardian or some working breeds who are bred to be leery of strangers. Different breeds have different personalities/temperaments.

10. What is the best way to socialize your Pit Bull? See the thread link I listed in your first question. There I have written a ton of ways to socialize a pup. I feel socializing at an early age is extremely important in having a well rounded happy healthy pet.

[pipojambo]

do you need a mentor that is IN TEXAS? Seems maybe you do? In which case you can specify that... I'm in NY, I have no clue what laws are in TX. You could probably PM anyone that has responded in this thread to use as a mentor. Including me... I think there are only a few specific things that are "pit bull" related... questiosn 3, 4, 6, and 7 (to a degree) I think are good questions regarding ANY breed of dog. And that is probably one of the biggest problems with the public's view on this breed. If any dog looks anything like a pit bull... the headline is "pit bull attacks... " when indeed most of the time it's something that looks a little like a pit bull that was not trained or treated well acted in a stupid manner.

[Avoireeideree]

4. Should owners be held accountable for their Pit Bulls actions?
All dog owners need to be responsible for their dogs no matter what the breed. The breed of dog should not matter.

Yepper, breed doesn't matter, you own it, you're responsible for it.