[Darlmtgq]

Yup, it finally happened. I experienced my first real taste of breed discrimination.

I am going to be out of town this Saturday, and couldn't find anyone to watch Madison, so I decided to check out some dog hotels in the area. Since Madison's a rescued Pit who was sheltered and almost euthanized, she still has some anxiety about being caged and/or abandoned, therefore I wanted to make sure she could stay somewhere that would provide some doggy playing and ample space vs. having her just kenneled.

Of the half a dozen or more places I contacted, only one agreed to even MEET with me because of Madison's breed. Keep in mind most of these 'luxury' dog hotel and playcare facilities had extensive application and interview processes.

Before I adopted Madison, I considered that I wouldn't be able to live in certain areas or obtain insurance from certain providers, etc. I guess I was just disappointed that these supposed "dog loving" companies would adhere to such strict breed restrictions. I mean, come on, they have to meet the dog anyway!! On top of that, Madison is more socialized than most other dogs; not only does she live with a black lab, but I take her to an off-leash dog park 2-3x a week, where she is just in heaven and so well behaved!

I do have to say though that this experience has made me even prouder to be a Pit owner. Now I feel like Madison and I are both damning the man and keeping up the good fight! That and the passion that the people on this forum and other owners I've met have for their Pits? I love it!

How could you say no to this face...

[VUzgOhgv]

I would never take my dog to a kennel that had "community play areas" and such. They are idiotic. That being said, it is reasonable that IF they are going to run a business in which they allow dogs to play together in a community area it MIGHT delay the inevitable (dogs getting killed) if they don't include APBTs in the whole stupid practice to begin with.

Anyway I hope you could find a kennel like mine where they take superb care of each dog one-on-one, each dog having its own kennel and going out alone (or with other dogs from the same household only if requested) for outdoor and play time.

[pageup85]

I have to agree that if I was running a hotel for dogs, I wouldn't have "play time" with other dogs. It would be one on one human and dog time.

[Faungarne]

Eeeek.. on the dog park deal as well.

[pageup85]

Eeeek.. on the dog park deal as well.

I completely missed that part. Good catch.

Please read this thread, Me&Maddie.
http://www.pitbull-chat.com/showthread.php?t=3113

[Hrennilasi]

Yeah I have to say I agree with the kennel owners. If that is how they run it you shouldn't put your dog there anyways. The kennel we use is fantastic. Each dog has it's own run, and the kennels are made of cement blocks. The dogs have no contact with other dogs at anytime unless they are from the same household and you request that they have playtime together. I also request that Boston and Jersey's playtime is fully supervised at all times and if it can't be then they aren't left alone together. It is a great kennel and we love it. As for off leash dog parks....EEEKKKK!!!!

[Darlmtgq]

Madison thrives on interacting with other dogs. The dog park in our area is fantastic, clean, and well maintained by very knowledgable volunteers. The owners I've encounteured have also been very responsible with their animals. I've never seen a fight break out and I've been going 2x a week for a while.

Perhaps I am lucky that this is in an affluent neighborhood and that Madison is a very well behaved pit. Its unfortunate that others can't experience the same.

[popillio]

Yeah the group dog playtimes make me nervous - when I see the doggie day care at a local pet store - a room full of dogs wandering aimlessly with one or two people standing around - I cringe.

My sister works at a doggie day care that does one on one time and very carefully analyzes the dogs before putting them out with other dogs (and these group times are small and well-managed). We put Bug their overnight one weekend and they have the option of paying extra for one-on-one playtimes ($5 for a 10-minute playtime). We bought 3 of them for her. It was well worth the extra $15. And my sister mentioned that they frequently last longer than 10 minutes, especially if your dog is playful and fun-loving.

There are other day cares in the area that have similar policies - see if you can find one like that near you.

[popillio]

Let me clarify - for the overnight kennel service, they don't do any group playtimes. And their kennels were REALLY nice and very clean. Spacious, with a slightly raised area for a bed, so they can eliminate far away from where they sleep. They had forest sounds playing in the room as well, with dim, relaxed lighting.

[Abarricoss]

Yup, it finally happened. I experienced my first real taste of breed discrimination.

I am going to be out of town this Saturday, and couldn't find anyone to watch Madison, so I decided to check out some dog hotels in the area. Since Madison's a rescued Pit who was sheltered and almost euthanized, she still has some anxiety about being caged and/or abandoned, therefore I wanted to make sure she could stay somewhere that would provide some doggy playing This breed does not need doggy playing. Especially when you are away. Do you think the people watching your "pit" will have a breaking stick and know how to break up a dog fight properly? Please be responsible and do not drop your dog off when you are not around and have it with strangers with offleash dogs. and ample space vs. having her just kenneled.

Of the half a dozen or more places I contacted, only one agreed to even MEET with me because of Madison's breed. Keep in mind most of these 'luxury' dog hotel and playcare facilities had extensive application and interview processes.

Before I adopted Madison, I considered that I wouldn't be able to live in certain areas or obtain insurance from certain providers, etc. I guess I was just disappointed that these supposed "dog loving" companies would adhere to such strict breed restrictions. I mean, come on, they have to meet the dog anyway!! Not really. They are smart. A pit bull could act like the sweest angel around dogs, but can randomly attack them for practically no reason. So even if they met your dog and saw that it played nicely with dogs. They are still being smart. On top of that, Madison is more socialized than most other dogs; not only does she live with a black lab, but I take her to an off-leash dog park 2-3x a week, where she is just in heaven and so well behaved!

I highly recommend you read this. Dog parks are a big no no.

http://www.game-dog.com/forums/showt...hlight=dogpark





I do have to say though that this experience has made me even prouder to be a Pit owner. Now I feel like Madison and I are both damning the man and keeping up the good fight! That and the passion that the people on this forum and other owners I've met have for their Pits? I love it!

How could you say no to this face...

My responses are in bolded text.

Please do not leave your pit bull type of dog with a stranger when your dog is off leash around other dogs. And stop taking your dog to the dog parks.

You wouldnt put a a wolf in the hen house would you? Even if it was "friendly"
This breed was bred for dogfighting if you did not know.

[KellyLynchIV]

I cant stand dog parks. You never know what kind of dogs are going to be there and the owners suck. Hell, half the time those dogs can be the one that starts a fight, or gives the wrong signal that leads to a fight, but they will blame it on you if your dog finishes it wether he started it or not.

And as far as living with a black lab at home, its a whole new ball game when you leave your dog with strangers and many other strange dogs. I could see the anxiety and strange surroundings bringing out her DA instincts. I dont think its going to hurt your dog to skip out on play time for a day or two.

[KellyLynchIV]

How could you say no to this face...

like this: "NO!" in all seriousness, its a cute dog but is it even fully matured? Your dog might not show any aggression untill it hits 2 or 3 years old and then things might change a little, maybe not, you never know. But i wouldnt get too comfortable just yet.

[Kneedycrype]

Madison thrives on interacting with other dogs. The dog park in our area is fantastic, clean, and well maintained by very knowledgable volunteers. The owners I've encounteured have also been very responsible with their animals. I've never seen a fight break out and I've been going 2x a week for a while.

Perhaps I am lucky that this is in an affluent neighborhood and that Madison is a very well behaved pit. Its unfortunate that others can't experience the same.

YET. You haven't seen a fight break out YET. YET YET YET!!

There are numerous threads on pit bulls and off leash dog parks. All it takes is TWO seconds for your dog to decide that something another dog did isn't okay with her, and it's ON. It doesn't matter that your dog is well socialized.. My personal slogan - "Genetics trump training." No matter what YOU do, her natural reaction is going to be whatever she is genetically predisposed to doing.. and in bulldogs, a lot of time that means fighting with other dogs.

How old do you estimate her to be? She looks fairly young, and that could very well mean that she's still in the puppy stage with other dogs. My male started losing his tolerance for other dogs around 2 years old.. I've known dogs that didn't start losing their tolerance until 5!

Rule #1 of Owning A Pit Bull - NEVER trust your Pit Bull NOT to fight!
Rule #2 of Owning A Pit Bull - DO NOT set your dog up to FAIL! - that includes dog parks, letting your dog roam the neighbourhood, etc.

I do hope you'll do some more research on dog parks, and see that taking your dog there could have a huge impact on how your neighbourhood sees bulldogs.

If your dog has a few favourite dogs she likes to play with at the park, try arranging to go to their house or have them come to yours where the dogs can be in the backyard playing and more closely supervised!

As for the doggie daycare that allows playgroups... Not only would I NEVER leave my dog at a doggie daycare with strangers, I certainly would NEVER EVER do it with one who allows their dogs to play in groups. Just because you think YOUR dog is good with other dogs, what is to say that another dog there won't decide it wants to eat yours? I can just imagine that phonecall.. "I'm sorry ma'am, but there was an incident in the morning playgroup and your dog had to be taken to the vet.."

Okay.. that's my novel for the day It just scares the hell out of me when people try to make their bulldog social, and don't consider that someday their bulldog might decide that their idea of being social is crap.

[Anaedilla]

If she has a socialized dog and they get along fine with other dogs and show no DA at all, shouldnt she continue socializing her?

I dont take MINE to dog parks because mine are somewhat DA. I blame myself for not socializing them more. She seems to be doing it all right, so why not.

If shes careful, keeps a eye on her girl at all times and has a break stick (Just in case) then the Dog Park is fine. Not every single pit bull is going to become DA, some will not. Perhaps hers will not.

I wont chance it. I dont trust other dogs around my dogs and Im always afraid that if someone gets snarky and a fight breaks out, then my dogs will be the ones to blame. If she is willing to take this chance, then she should be able to.

Just my 2c.

[denwerdinoss]

I just dont think dog parks are worth the risk. Regardless of how well socialized you dog is, you cant control the other dogs, who chances are, are not as properly exercised, or socialized. If an incident does occur even if your pooch had nothing to do with starting it, well Ill give you one guess on where the blames going to land. As an APBT owner one must have a thick skin and an understanding that your dog is not like any other dog in the public's eyes both for better and worse.

[Anaedilla]

I think that as well, to a degree. Thing that gets me though, is not all of these guys are DA and some will never be DA. Why shouldnt they enjoy dog parks?

[denwerdinoss]

I think that as well, to a degree. Thing that gets me though, is not all of these guys are DA and some will never be DA. Why shouldnt they enjoy dog parks?

Just because theyre not DA does not mean they will back down if challenged or attacked. My dog has not shown any signs of DA. In fact, he LOVES other dogs, especially other APBTS. He knows his manners I worked very hard and never missed a chance to socialize him. I know though, that if a situation were to arise where he felt threatened, or challeged, or was attacked the end result would not be pretty. There are DA dogs at doggie parks, there are irresponsible owners at doggie parks. I have taken Atticus to a dog park against my better judgement, because I figured it would add another aspect of socialization. What do you know, he has been challenged and snapped at by dogs, luckily hes a very confident and patient dog, and I was right on top of it in time to break it up, but if i had been lolligagging with a thumb up my butt like most owners at dog parks the situation would have escalated, and I would have ound myself anwering a police officer as to why my dog bit the GSD even though my dog did nothing but sniff its Lab friend.

[Anaedilla]

Ahhh, ok, thanks!! That makes more sense. I dont do it, I dont advise for anyone to do it with this breed, but when you have one that is socialized and does well in dog parks, I didnt see the risk. I do now. Thanks again.

Just because theyre not DA does not mean they will back down if challenged or attacked. My dog has not shown any signs of DA. In fact, he LOVES other dogs, especially other APBTS. He knows his manners I worked very hard and never missed a chance to socialize him. I know though, that if a situation were to arise where he felt threatened, or challeged, or was attacked the end result would not be pretty. There are DA dogs at doggie parks, there are irresponsible owners at doggie parks. I have taken Atticus to a dog park against my better judgement, because I figured it would add another aspect of socialization. What do you know, he has been challenged and snapped at by dogs, luckily hes a very confident and patient dog, and I was right on top of it in time to break it up, but if i had been lolligagging with a thumb up my butt like most owners at dog parks the situation would have escalated, and I would have ound myself anwering a police officer as to why my dog bit the GSD even though my dog did nothing but sniff its Lab friend.

[denwerdinoss]

If your dog is great around other dogs you can set up small closely supervised outings with other dogs they get along with. Be it in someones yard or on a group hike or run. There are plenty of ways o socialize that dont include the park. If I had any other typ of dog I would probably take them to the park more often, because it is very fun and very rewarding to see your dog interacting with its own kind. Its just that with the climate towards this bred the way it is, its best to expect the best but plan for the worst.

[denwerdinoss]

I think that as well, to a degree. Thing that gets me though, is not all of these guys are DA and some will never be DA. Why shouldnt they enjoy dog parks?

of course. any time .