[karkinadze]

Here's the story... my Moto is now home (for anyone who read my 'Holy Guacamole' thread, he's settled in and doing MUCHO GRANDE better)

I'm trying to be super selective about his experiences and who to intro him to.

Anywho-- My b/f's family is totally anti-pit bull. But since Moto is still just a bitty puppy, they're wanting him to come over to their houses.

I've already brought Moto over to my b/f's brother's house thinking that they were willing to give his breed a chance, but comments about what he'll be like/ look like when he gets older started pouring out and I realized that I may be whoring out my puppy just to get pimp slapped in the future. (Is that a weird metaphor?? lol).

I have this feeling like the second he starts looking stout and big-headed, he will suddenly be unwelcome at the party. Frankly, I don't fucking want to deal with that hypocritical bullshit.

Should I even bother letting him play with people that only like him for his puppy self??

Is this a ridiculous question?

[GooogleGuy]

Socialization is really good for the puppy and knowing him might change peoples' minds. And if it doesn't, well, socialization is really good for the puppy.

I'd risk getting slapped down later.

[karkinadze]

That's true.

I can see it ruining family relations when they don't allow my friend to come over because he looks like his adult self.

[23InetrySypekek]

you know when we got Rex my bfs uncle told the family that we should get rid of him because of all the issues that we are going to have with him. And this is was after he met him and after we have had Roxy as well (which he said the same thing about her when my bf got her). Families are bad for saying stuff without realizing they are hurting anyone. I say let them play with him to show them the dog not the breed. And maybe you can change their minds. Maybe not. But why not give them a chance?

[Gooracouppy]

if you dont get your hopes up that they will come around, than your less likely to be hurt if they are still anti pit bull in the end. However, the benefits out weight the risk, you run the chance of winning them over, the puppy getting socialization, and in the end, you will know you tried!

[Gremlinn]

Only thing I would worry about is if you are getting stressed because of them and he picks up on it.

Good idea to get him socialized. Good for any dog, any breed.

Now as for me (I can't stand my relatives anyway) as soon as I heard any negative, media hype b.s. I'd be down the road and keep my dog away from them. But that's me. I'd prefer at first to keep a youngster like that in social environment where I'm not likely to be the one wanting to kill somebody so he wouldn't pick up on that.

[selayeffethy]

I took mine to family events from puppyhood on. Great way to socialize around people of all ages. Since we had so many get togethers they didn't really realize he was getting big til he was grown and then they were super sweet with him. Cept the old folks, but it wasn't their houses we met at for bbq and pool time so they had no say.

[vekiuytyh]

Socialization is so important, so I'd keep doing that.

My whole family was anti-Pit Bull when I got Wilson. But they are all animal lovers (they were just hearing everything on the news, etc. and believing everything), so they couldn't resist Wilson and his cute little face.

Fast forward to a year later, now I have 3 Pitties and my family all loves them and says they're the best behaved dogs out of any in the family (they all have Labs).

[ovH9wfSJ]

Socializing the puppy is always a plus as long as the people he is around are social themselves. I choose who my dogs socialize with.

[qCGfQR9T]

Eh, just do it. Some people are too dumb to get out of their own way and enjoy the friendship of a sweet dog. Others may come to realize that at least YOUR dog is not worthy of the pit bulls bad rap. Besides, you have an Am Staff, and everyone knows that Am Staffs aren't pit bulls.

On a personal level.. the reverse happened with me. I got Chansey when I was living with my mom. She grew up right under my mom's nose, with my mom thinking she was a pointer mix. My mom liked her, played with her, and thought she was a good dog. Fast forward to Chansey at a year old, and a family get together. Family friend stated "Oh, you have a pit bull? that's cool." and from then until this day, 4 years later, she HATES my dogs. She will barely tolerate them on a walk, and is always making disparaging comments and bringing up recent pit bull attacks. Meanwhile, my dogs continue to impress with their training and accomplishments.. while her little bichon sits at home 24-7, tied out with little attention and no grooming or training.

I try really hard to not let it all bother me, and continually try to show her that my dogs are GOOD dogs.. but her mind is set. The remainder of my family ranges from respectful silence, to outright enjoyment of my dogs. I suppose it really comes down to whether or not you think you can change their minds with time, and whether or not you can handle having them fear the puppy they helped raise.

PICTURES- WHERE ARE THEY?!?!?!?!?!!?!?