[CathBraunn]

I have read and I have been told that in England pitties are called nanny dogs.

How are they as companion dogs for senior citizens? I'm thinking of able bodied older men and women living in Senior housing downtown. Many do not have cars. They are capable and enjoy walking to the Post Office, the Library, the local shops and sitting in the park enjoying the day.

Some of the ladies express discomfort from the presence and behavior of other folks who frequent the center of town. I'm talking about the homeless, the addicts, the young men who wear their trousers too low and their girl friends. Nothing illegal here, just discomforting. One lady told me that she would feel much more comfortable if she had a dog at her side.

The most populous breed in town is the pit bull. This is a fact according to my veterinarian and our City Clerk. If you are driving on Main Street and you see somebody with a dog on a leash, the chances are better than fifty fifty it is a pittie.

Sooo, What do you all think of making it easy for some of our seniors to have pit bull companions? We have plenty up for adoption at the pound. Has anyone done this anywhere in the USA?

[DoterForeva]

It depends. Pit Bulls are strong, high energy dogs. To own one responsibly you should already have lots of experience with dogs. They are not good first time dogs in most cases. Owning one takes a much higher level of responsibility and personal education than most people are willing to accept.

[Celeliamend]

I have read and I have been told that in England pitties are called nanny dogs.

How are they as companion dogs for senior citizens? I'm thinking of able bodied older men and women living in Senior housing downtown. Many do not have cars. They are capable and enjoy walking to the Post Office, the Library, the local shops and sitting in the park enjoying the day.

Some of the ladies express discomfort from the presence and behavior of other folks who frequent the center of town. I'm talking about the homeless, the addicts, the young men who wear their trousers too low and their girl friends. Nothing illegal here, just discomforting. One lady told me that she would feel much more comfortable if she had a dog at her side.

The most populous breed in town is the pit bull. This is a fact according to my veterinarian and our City Clerk. If you are driving on Main Street and you see somebody with a dog on a leash, the chances are better than fifty fifty it is a pittie.

Sooo, What do you all think of making it easy for some of our seniors to have pit bull companions? We have plenty up for adoption at the pound. Has anyone done this anywhere in the USA?

I don't think a pitbull would be a good choice at all for a senior citizen most people that are physically capable of handling them have a hard time with it.

I don't see how they could be considered nanny dogs in England because unless I am mistaken they are still very much illegal there.

[Kiariitf]

My dog, Biff was actually owned by an old lady. I don't know the details though.
We have been talking with his behaviorist for a while about getting him certified as a therapy dog.

[M4tHkBw2]

i think the dog you are refering to is the Stafforshire Bull Terrier,or STB.they are sometimes considered pit bulls but are not American Pit Bull terrriers, or APBT for short. they are a smaller dog generally,but from what i have experienced they are very stong little dogs that are sometimes agressive towards other dogs.i think SBT could make a sutible companion for an older person,as they are very sweet, affectionate dogs but not for someone who was frail or unable to properly exersice/control a strong,smart, determined dog.

[Queuerriptota]

I'm not sure if it comes from England but I have heard of them refered to as nanny dogs before. There is however a big difference between a dog who is good and will watch over children and someone good for a senior citizen. Remember the children aren't walking, feeding, and otherwise taking care of them. They're just petting, playing and occasionally pulling tails. There are other medium/large breeds that would be better suited for this. I'd go with a larger dog that would make them feel comfortable, but one of the lazy larger dogs. One that would happily go for a walk but when they stop or sit in the park it's just gonna plop down at their feet and take a nap. Generally these are the large breed dogs that do well in apartments but you have to really check breed temperments and most importantly the individual dog.

[Anakattawl]

There are other medium/large breeds that would be better suited for this. I'd go with a larger dog that would make them feel comfortable, but one of the lazy larger dogs. One that would happily go for a walk but when they stop or sit in the park it's just gonna plop down at their feet and take a nap. Generally these are the large breed dogs that do well in apartments but you have to really check breed temperments and most importantly the individual dog.

I have to agree. We have an in-law apartment and Veronica is home during the day with my 68 year old mother. She is wonderful company for her; and my mother (who is not at all a dog person) loves her to death. My Mom can take her out in the yard to play; and surprisingly Veronica is much gentler with my mom than she is with me or my husband...but...

my mom would never, ever under any circumstanes take Veronica off the property. There is no way she could handle/restrain her on a leash if she decided to pull or God forbid go after another animal. We take her out together; but I have never and would never hand the leash to my mom; even for a split second...you just never know.

[Celeliamend]

I have to agree. We have an in-law apartment and Veronica is home during the day with my 68 year old mother. She is wonderful company for her; and my mother (who is not at all a dog person) loves her to death. My Mom can take her out in the yard to play; and surprisingly Veronica is much gentler with my mom than she is with me or my husband...but...

my mom would never, ever under any circumstanes take Veronica off the property. There is no way she could handle/restrain her on a leash if she decided to pull or God forbid go after another animal. We take her out together; but I have never and would never hand the leash to my mom; even for a split second...you just never know.

Yea that's probably pretty smart.

[Anakattawl]

Yea that's probably pretty smart.

That's why we only have one dog.

I would love to have another; but if they ever got into a scrape...all my mom would do is run around the kitchen, flapping her hands and yelling "Oh God" in Italian.

[Sukadrukanga]

I swear, I thought that I already posted in this thread....

I don't think a young pup, or even young adult, would be a good choice, as these dogs have super energy. However, maybe an older one, would be ok... and it could depend on the dog. Mollie would be great for an older person, as she is low maintenance, and low energy... Bella, however, is trying even for me sometimes.

The thing is, these dogs are super strong, and have more energy than some other breeds. That being said, both mine go to the Nursing Home with me to visit my mom... most of the residents love to see them, others are sometimes scared of her, and would be if they were a one day old pup.

[CathBraunn]

Thank you very much for your suggestions and insights. Please keep them coming. As I said there are more pit bulls in my town than any other type of dog. However, the folks in the Senior Housing do not tend to be familiar with the breed.
( I hope with this posting my Bubba's picture appears.)

[DoterForeva]

Thank you very much for your suggestions and insights. Please keep them coming. As I said there are more pit bulls in my town than any other type of dog. However, the folks in the Senior Housing do not tend to be familiar with the breed.
( I hope with this posting my Bubba's picture appears.)

Can you give us a little more background? Are the residents allowed to own dogs at all?
Do you work there?
Have some of the residents owned dogs before?
What part of the country is the home in?

You may be able to get someone with therapy dogs to visit the home and let the residents see how they feel about the breed (and other breeds as well). Still, I wouldn't recommend the breed unless the new owner already had significant experience with the breed.

The residents should also be aware of the standard temperament of the breed. These dogs should be friendly towards all people, strangers included. However, in any breed there can be exceptions and you would want to be sure that any dogs adopted have been well tested for human aggression.

As sweet as these dogs can be towards people, they can be extremely aggressive towards animals and especially other dogs, which means they probably aren't well suited for a group residence where there may be other pets.

[Uplillacype]

What a novel idea.


Ferk out

[Uplillacype]

BAH



Ferk out

[nebrarlepleme]

In general, I wouldn't think they would make a good choice for seniors due to the fact that they're energetic and strong (though I have to say, I knew one elderly lady who owned one, but she owned the laziest pit bull I've ever seen and besides, that woman was tough as nails, lol).

[nushentelve]

well, I sometimes have trouble controlling my dog when he gets hyper on his leash (well I used to, now he's behaving much better around dogs) so I cannot imagine a 70-yr old person walking 67 lbs 'pit bull' and being able to have full controle over his dog at all times... it's an accident waiting to happen IMO... even with a 10 yr old dog...

my mom is 55 and has allready trouble handling my beagle when she gets excited on leash, I wouldn't dare putting rokai between her hands for a walk, even if he's 6-7 yrs old !

[Queuerriptota]

In general, I wouldn't think they would make a good choice for seniors due to the fact that they're energetic and strong (though I have to say, I knew one elderly lady who owned one, but she owned the laziest pit bull I've ever seen and besides, that woman was tough as nails, lol).

That sounds like my girl. She is LAZY. All she wants to do is curl up, preferably next to me. Now she loves her walks but try to play fetch or get her to run around and be active and she'll look at you like you're nuts. But she was about 5 years old before she really "calmed down" (she was always mellow but now she's just downright lazy. I still love her though)

[avaicavum]

I have known two older people who have had them.those two dogs are the ones that showed me how great the breed can be.for the most part I agree with everyone else,but there is always the exception to the rule.

[CathBraunn]

Are the residents allowed to own dogs at all?
Do you work there?
Have some of the residents owned dogs before?
What part of the country is the home in? I live in an old mill town in Massachusetts. I am seventy four years old. I have owned two pit bulls over the last ten years. My present friend is seventy pounds of muscle. I can handle him with no problems - not because I am strong and dominant, but because he likes it that way. He was a rescue dog from the streets of another city. I got him when he was one year old - skin and bones.



My impression of the local service-therapy-companion training programs is that pit bulls are not accepted. There is no need for them to take any chances.

Pit bulls are very popular here. I think because the folks that own them do not tend to get them neutered or spayed. Lots of puppies. Lots of dogs at a reasonable price. I checked yesterday at our dog pound. They have seven pitties as long time residents.

I do not work at our Senior housing. I know folks who do. Yes, the residents are allowed to have pets. The exact regulations are dictated by the state. I could not find the pertinent statement on line.
In reality there is lots of room for interpretation. It is difficult to tell we elderly what we can and can not do!

This whole thread is a crazy idea that came to me when I realized that the little old lady I spoke with would feel much more comfortable with a forty five pound pittie by her side than any other breed. Why? because here everybody knows them.

[DoterForeva]

I think there are two ways of looking at this. One is making a policy of handing out pitbulls to the elderly, which I think is not a good idea.

The other is getting a dog for your friend, which could be a good idea depending on your friend. Has she owned a dog before? Has she ever taken care of a pitbull? Does she have a place where the dog can get some serious exercise safely? Does she want an adult dog or a puppy? Has she ever had to break up a real dog fight?

Here's a good thread to help determine if this is the type of breed for her:

http://www.pitbull-chat.com/showthread.php?t=199

Also, it sounds like your friend wants a dog for protection. This isn't really a good breed for that.