Dog Aggression in the Pit Bull

elegy · 02-12-2005, 04:43 AM

Dog aggression in the pit bull is something very misunderstood by people unfamiliar with typically dog-aggressive breeds. Dog aggression is not, per se, a bad thing. It does not in any way make the dog a bad dog. It is simply a part of the temperament, and an aspect of the breed which needs to be recognized for what it is and managed in a responsible manner.

Pit bulls-- and here I lump together both the American Pit Bull Terrier (UKC) and the American Staffordshire Terrier (AKC) because they are, in my eyes, the same breed-- were developed originally for bull and bear baiting. When this "sport" was outlawed, they were moved into the dog fighting pit. They were bred for generations, and, unfortunately still are, to be aggressive toward other dogs, and to be strong enough, determined enough, and to have the stamina to fight to the death, either their death or that of the other dog. All of these characteristics are often lumped together under the term "game" (ie the "game-bred pit bull"). Because of their history in the pit, they were selectively bred for these characteristics. This is no different than how other working and sporting breeds were developed- dogs who excelled in their jobs were allowed to reproduce. This is how pit bulls became the breed that we have today.

Dog aggression has a full spectrum, like any other characteristic. There are pit bulls who get along with every other dog they see and can go their entire lives never showing aggression. There are pit bulls who are off-the-wall aggressive toward every other dog they see and cannot safely be allowed around other dogs. The vast majority fall somewhere in the middle, however most pit bulls do have some propensity for inter-dog aggression. They may not actively aggress, however if challenged, they will also not back down. Because of their body type, drive, and determination, most pit bulls if challenged by another breed, will win a fight.

It is not possible to socialize dog-aggression out of the pit bull. A pit bull can be very well socialized as a pup and still reach sexual maturity and become aggressive toward other dogs. This is often referred to as "turning on". Pit bulls do not fight other dogs because they are insecure around them or fearful of them. They fight other dogs because it is instinct. It is what they were bred to do. It is the same as a Border Collie's instinct to herd or a Labrador Retriever's instinct to retrieve. We do not expect to be able to socialize out those characteristics from those breeds, do we? It is no different with dog-aggression in the pit bull.

This is not to say that socialization of pups is not necessary, or that dog-dog aggression cannot be controlled, or that pit bulls should never be allowed to be around other dogs. Socialization as a pup is just as important, perhaps even moreso, as with any other breed. Pit bulls need to learn to behave appropriately with other dogs just as much as the rest of the dog population. However, it is dangerous to fall into the trap of thinking that because the pit bull interacts well with other dogs as a pup, it will always do so. Obedience training is also important. There is no reason a pit bull should not be able to control itself on leash around other dogs. That is a training matter. No matter how badly a dog wants to do something, it can be trained not to in a controlled environment. But training is not going to take away the instinct or the desire to fight.

What does this mean? It means never trust your pit bull not to fight. It means never leave a pit bull alone with another dog. It means that allowing a pit bull to run in an uncontrolled environment with other unfamiliar dogs is irresponsible and an accident waiting to happen. What does this not mean? It does not mean that a pit bull should ever show aggression toward humans. Human aggression and dog aggression are absolutely different things (do we look at a hound who would happily kill a small fuzzy in the backyard and fear for our children? Of course not. Dogs know the difference between dogs and humans. It is humans who seem to have the problem with that). It does not mean that most pit bulls need to be socially isolated- many pit bulls enjoy playing with familiar dogs in controlled environments.

Another caveat to this issue is the increasing trend toward breed specific legislation (or BSL). Pit bulls are being banned from cities, states, and even entire countries all over this world. They are the center of a media frenzy right now, fed by the "if it bleeds it leads" mindset. If a pit bull is involved in an incident, you can be sure it will make the news. If it's a Lab involved, chances are it will either be called a pit bull or never make the news at all. People don't want to hear about "good old-fashioned family dogs" who get into trouble, but those pit bulls, they're downright dangerous. If a pit bull gets in trouble in a dog park, whether the pit bull started it or not (and in some cases, the pit bull wasn't even involved!), they will be on the news, and in some cases, this is enough to spark the start of legislation to ban them outright.

The key to all of this is responsible ownership. Pit bulls are a lot of dog to handle, and they are not the breed for everyone. But they do not need to be- that's why there are over a hundred breeds for people to chose from! Pit bulls need to be closely supervised and watched around other dogs. Owners need to know their dogs, and be aware of subtle signs of aggression that could lead to a problem. These dogs need training and consistant leadership. They are wonderful dogs in their own right, but they are what they are, and as owners we need to accept that dog-aggression is part of what makes them pit bulls.

doberkim · 02-12-2005, 04:48 AM

raises a glass to elegy!

elegy · 02-12-2005, 05:47 AM

thanks. i got pissed off at some people. it made me write. hee.

oc_spirit · 02-12-2005, 06:31 AM

Elegy that's is very well written and sooooooo true!!!! It pisses me off so much when people bring in their obviously unsocialized pit bull to the dog park and just let it off leash and forget it while they chat it up with other owners. There are two that I have come to know well and know they are very friendly and i love seeing them come (when is an elderly american pit bull the other is a spritely 4year old staffie) but this isn't always the case with the other guys. *sigh* why do a few people have to ruin it for everyone else?

gaddylovesdogs · 02-12-2005, 07:32 AM

Bravo!!! That is very informative and kept me reading

. Do you mind if I give this to a few people I know?? Particularly those that are against the breed?

doberkim · 02-12-2005, 07:52 AM

it does look like you need to be pissed of to write el

i cant find the original link, i searched though -- send it to me privately

ChiChi · 02-12-2005, 08:45 AM

That is sooo true, and i hope that i wasnt the one to "****" you off, with the thread "My friend got attacked by a Pit".... believe me if i said something agaisnt Pits in that i am srry, i was informing you, but i rele love the Pits, and i am sooo happy that you put that, its very very informative!

elegy · 02-12-2005, 09:14 AM

nonono it wasn't anybody here that got me angry. it was somewhere else entirely.

***Cassiepeia*** · 02-12-2005, 05:10 PM

And this is why this forum is so wonderful. There are intelligent people, like you elegy, who actually give a **** about their breeds and take the time to educate people about them. Bravo! This was extremely well written and informative. I learned a lot from reading this.
I was never against pit bulls when I came to this forum, in fact I thought they were amazing dogs, but I was a little cautious about them. Having learned so much from the pitbull owners and lovers on this forum (all of which have driven me to do my own research), they are quickly becoming one of my favourites.

I wish there was a little smily that could clap some applause for you, sadly there isn't, so you'll just have to imagine me applauding you.

Cass.

AMSTERDAM72 · 07-08-2005, 02:48 PM

'Pit Bull Facts'

A lot has been said about 'pit bulls'. That they are time bombs. That they were bred to fight. That they are unreliable.

Before you make up your mind about whether or not a 'pit bull' ban is justified you owe it to the breeds affected to learn the truth.

Fact: It is true that the 'pit bull' was originally bred to fight - other dogs. However the dogs lived at home as a family pet in the late 1800s and lived in the house with the wives and children of the men who fought their dogs for sport, so they needed to be absolutely reliable around people. Dogs that showed human aggression were culled - that means they were euthanized and never bred from. These actions have evolved a unique dog personality where animal aggression has absolutlely no correlation to human aggression.

Fact: There are quite a few celebrities who have owned one of the 'pit bull' breeds that Michael Bryant would ban in Ontario: Ray Romano, Don Cherry, Fred Astaire, President Roosevelt, Jack Dempsy, Thomas Edison, Madonna, Michael J Fox, Brad Pitt, Bernadette Peters, Sinbad, Alicia Silverstone, Linda Blair, Humphrey Bogart, Usher, Mel Brooks, Ann Bancroft, John Stuart, Jan Michael Vincent, Pink, Kelli Williams, Ken Howard (Father in Crossing Jordon - his Pit Shadow saved his life), Malcolm Jamal Warner, Stephan Jenkins, Rosie Perez, Ananda Lewis, Amy Jo Johnson, Mary Tyler Moore, Steve and Terrie Erwin (the Crocodile Hunter), Jack Johnson, Bill Berloni (Broadway show dog trainer who has said that the Pit is the breed of choice for training), Anthony Robbins, Molly Price, President Woodrow Wilson, Frankie Muniz, AJ Mclean, Barbara Eden, and even Helen Keller.

Fact: Dog fighting was outlawed in the early 1900's. Since that time the breeds that go back to the original 'pit bull' of the early 1800s has been raised as a family pet, not a fighter.

Fact: The only people raising fighting dogs today are a small contigent (est. 1-2%) of criminals and gang members - these people are also selling drugs, carry guns and are a threat to society on many different levels. Breed bans will not stop these people or curb the danger they pose in our society.

Fact: According to Alfons Estelt of the American Temperament Test Society, Inc. temperament evaluations of American Pit Bull Terriers shows that this breed has a very high passing rate of 95%. The average passing rate for the other 121 breeds of dogs in the tests: 77%.

Fact: The 'pit bull' does not have a 'locking jaw'. On this topic Dr. 1. Lehr Brisbin of the University of Georgia wrote:
"The few studies which have been conducted of the structure of the skulls, mandibles and teeth of pit bulls show that, in proportion to their size, their jaw structure and thus its inferred functional morphology, is no different than that of any breed of dog. There is absolutely no evidence for the existence of any kind of "locking mechanism" unique to the structure of the jaw and/or teeth of the American Pit Bull Terrier."

Fact: 'Pit bulls' are therapy and service dogs. They are also involved in search and rescue. The Chako Rescue Association has Pit Bull therapy dogs in Texas, Utah and California. Cheyenne and Dakota are a team of hard-working Search-and-Rescue Pit Bulls in Sacramento, California. APBT Weela was the Ken-L Ration's Dog Hero of the Year and is credited with rescuing over 30 people.

Fact: The problem with 'pit bull' attacks is an ownership problem that will not go away if we ban 'pit bulls'. Politicians are distorting the truth and are ignoring all of the evidence that says the bad owners will simply switch to other breeds - and there are many for them to choose from that can be equally as dangerous as a 'pit bull'. Ontario needs strong dog laws that apply to all dogs equally.

The only dogs i've ever been bite by were - golden ret.- irish setter- and it was my fault-

AMSTERDAM72 · 07-08-2005, 02:49 PM

bitten by

02-12-2005, 04:43 AM	#1 (permalink)
elegy American Pit Bull Terrier Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,073 Rep Power: 106	Dog Aggression in the Pit Bull Dog aggression in the pit bull is something very misunderstood by people unfamiliar with typically dog-aggressive breeds. Dog aggression is not, per se, a bad thing. It does not in any way make the dog a bad dog. It is simply a part of the temperament, and an aspect of the breed which needs to be recognized for what it is and managed in a responsible manner. Pit bulls-- and here I lump together both the American Pit Bull Terrier (UKC) and the American Staffordshire Terrier (AKC) because they are, in my eyes, the same breed-- were developed originally for bull and bear baiting. When this "sport" was outlawed, they were moved into the dog fighting pit. They were bred for generations, and, unfortunately still are, to be aggressive toward other dogs, and to be strong enough, determined enough, and to have the stamina to fight to the death, either their death or that of the other dog. All of these characteristics are often lumped together under the term "game" (ie the "game-bred pit bull"). Because of their history in the pit, they were selectively bred for these characteristics. This is no different than how other working and sporting breeds were developed- dogs who excelled in their jobs were allowed to reproduce. This is how pit bulls became the breed that we have today. Dog aggression has a full spectrum, like any other characteristic. There are pit bulls who get along with every other dog they see and can go their entire lives never showing aggression. There are pit bulls who are off-the-wall aggressive toward every other dog they see and cannot safely be allowed around other dogs. The vast majority fall somewhere in the middle, however most pit bulls do have some propensity for inter-dog aggression. They may not actively aggress, however if challenged, they will also not back down. Because of their body type, drive, and determination, most pit bulls if challenged by another breed, will win a fight. It is not possible to socialize dog-aggression out of the pit bull. A pit bull can be very well socialized as a pup and still reach sexual maturity and become aggressive toward other dogs. This is often referred to as "turning on". Pit bulls do not fight other dogs because they are insecure around them or fearful of them. They fight other dogs because it is instinct. It is what they were bred to do. It is the same as a Border Collie's instinct to herd or a Labrador Retriever's instinct to retrieve. We do not expect to be able to socialize out those characteristics from those breeds, do we? It is no different with dog-aggression in the pit bull. This is not to say that socialization of pups is not necessary, or that dog-dog aggression cannot be controlled, or that pit bulls should never be allowed to be around other dogs. Socialization as a pup is just as important, perhaps even moreso, as with any other breed. Pit bulls need to learn to behave appropriately with other dogs just as much as the rest of the dog population. However, it is dangerous to fall into the trap of thinking that because the pit bull interacts well with other dogs as a pup, it will always do so. Obedience training is also important. There is no reason a pit bull should not be able to control itself on leash around other dogs. That is a training matter. No matter how badly a dog wants to do something, it can be trained not to in a controlled environment. But training is not going to take away the instinct or the desire to fight. What does this mean? It means never trust your pit bull not to fight. It means never leave a pit bull alone with another dog. It means that allowing a pit bull to run in an uncontrolled environment with other unfamiliar dogs is irresponsible and an accident waiting to happen. What does this not mean? It does not mean that a pit bull should ever show aggression toward humans. Human aggression and dog aggression are absolutely different things (do we look at a hound who would happily kill a small fuzzy in the backyard and fear for our children? Of course not. Dogs know the difference between dogs and humans. It is humans who seem to have the problem with that). It does not mean that most pit bulls need to be socially isolated- many pit bulls enjoy playing with familiar dogs in controlled environments. Another caveat to this issue is the increasing trend toward breed specific legislation (or BSL). Pit bulls are being banned from cities, states, and even entire countries all over this world. They are the center of a media frenzy right now, fed by the "if it bleeds it leads" mindset. If a pit bull is involved in an incident, you can be sure it will make the news. If it's a Lab involved, chances are it will either be called a pit bull or never make the news at all. People don't want to hear about "good old-fashioned family dogs" who get into trouble, but those pit bulls, they're downright dangerous. If a pit bull gets in trouble in a dog park, whether the pit bull started it or not (and in some cases, the pit bull wasn't even involved!), they will be on the news, and in some cases, this is enough to spark the start of legislation to ban them outright. The key to all of this is responsible ownership. Pit bulls are a lot of dog to handle, and they are not the breed for everyone. But they do not need to be- that's why there are over a hundred breeds for people to chose from! Pit bulls need to be closely supervised and watched around other dogs. Owners need to know their dogs, and be aware of subtle signs of aggression that could lead to a problem. These dogs need training and consistant leadership. They are wonderful dogs in their own right, but they are what they are, and as owners we need to accept that dog-aggression is part of what makes them pit bulls.
	__________________ thank you to everyone who supported me during blogathon. i was able to raise $453.60 for pit bull rescue central!

02-12-2005, 04:48 AM	#2 (permalink)
doberkim doberslave Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 830 Rep Power: 99	raises a glass to elegy!
	__________________ bowies modern love rn cgc snd

02-12-2005, 05:47 AM	#3 (permalink)
elegy American Pit Bull Terrier Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,073 Rep Power: 106	thanks. i got pissed off at some people. it made me write. hee.
	__________________ thank you to everyone who supported me during blogathon. i was able to raise $453.60 for pit bull rescue central!

02-12-2005, 06:31 AM	#4 (permalink)
oc_spirit Snow Girl Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,612 Rep Power: 140	Elegy that's is very well written and sooooooo true!!!! It pisses me off so much when people bring in their obviously unsocialized pit bull to the dog park and just let it off leash and forget it while they chat it up with other owners. There are two that I have come to know well and know they are very friendly and i love seeing them come (when is an elderly american pit bull the other is a spritely 4year old staffie) but this isn't always the case with the other guys. sigh why do a few people have to ruin it for everyone else?
	__________________ My dogs WORK, what do yours do? Even the quietest whisper can be heard over the loudest gunshot. When? When it speaks the truth! I shall stand by your side and fight! Together we shall prevail through all life's adversities!

02-12-2005, 07:32 AM	#5 (permalink)
gaddylovesdogs don't have a cow! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: USA Posts: 3,418 Rep Power: 149	Bravo!!! That is very informative and kept me reading . Do you mind if I give this to a few people I know?? Particularly those that are against the breed?
	__________________ Looking for a new pet? Search www.petfinder.com for your next love. If you have a heart, please help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. www.redcross.org

02-12-2005, 07:52 AM	#6 (permalink)
doberkim doberslave Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 830 Rep Power: 99	it does look like you need to be pissed of to write el i cant find the original link, i searched though -- send it to me privately
	__________________ bowies modern love rn cgc snd

02-12-2005, 08:45 AM	#7 (permalink)
ChiChi Sheltie Addict Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: North Carolina YEEHAW! Posts: 1,439 Rep Power: 103	That is sooo true, and i hope that i wasnt the one to "****" you off, with the thread "My friend got attacked by a Pit".... believe me if i said something agaisnt Pits in that i am srry, i was informing you, but i rele love the Pits, and i am sooo happy that you put that, its very very informative!
	__________________ Owned by Brody the sheltie "There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face." --Ben Williams

02-12-2005, 09:14 AM	#8 (permalink)
elegy American Pit Bull Terrier Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,073 Rep Power: 106	nonono it wasn't anybody here that got me angry. it was somewhere else entirely.
	__________________ thank you to everyone who supported me during blogathon. i was able to raise $453.60 for pit bull rescue central!

02-12-2005, 05:10 PM	#9 (permalink)
*Cassiepeia* Chihuahua Mum Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: NSW, Australia Posts: 8,250 Blog Entries: 9 Rep Power: 280	And this is why this forum is so wonderful. There are intelligent people, like you elegy, who actually give a **** about their breeds and take the time to educate people about them. Bravo! This was extremely well written and informative. I learned a lot from reading this. I was never against pit bulls when I came to this forum, in fact I thought they were amazing dogs, but I was a little cautious about them. Having learned so much from the pitbull owners and lovers on this forum (all of which have driven me to do my own research), they are quickly becoming one of my favourites. I wish there was a little smily that could clap some applause for you, sadly there isn't, so you'll just have to imagine me applauding you. Cass.

07-08-2005, 02:48 PM	#10 (permalink)
AMSTERDAM72 Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0	Heres something for all the people who listen to the Pitt Bull stereo types 'Pit Bull Facts' A lot has been said about 'pit bulls'. That they are time bombs. That they were bred to fight. That they are unreliable. Before you make up your mind about whether or not a 'pit bull' ban is justified you owe it to the breeds affected to learn the truth. Fact: It is true that the 'pit bull' was originally bred to fight - other dogs. However the dogs lived at home as a family pet in the late 1800s and lived in the house with the wives and children of the men who fought their dogs for sport, so they needed to be absolutely reliable around people. Dogs that showed human aggression were culled - that means they were euthanized and never bred from. These actions have evolved a unique dog personality where animal aggression has absolutlely no correlation to human aggression. Fact: There are quite a few celebrities who have owned one of the 'pit bull' breeds that Michael Bryant would ban in Ontario: Ray Romano, Don Cherry, Fred Astaire, President Roosevelt, Jack Dempsy, Thomas Edison, Madonna, Michael J Fox, Brad Pitt, Bernadette Peters, Sinbad, Alicia Silverstone, Linda Blair, Humphrey Bogart, Usher, Mel Brooks, Ann Bancroft, John Stuart, Jan Michael Vincent, Pink, Kelli Williams, Ken Howard (Father in Crossing Jordon - his Pit Shadow saved his life), Malcolm Jamal Warner, Stephan Jenkins, Rosie Perez, Ananda Lewis, Amy Jo Johnson, Mary Tyler Moore, Steve and Terrie Erwin (the Crocodile Hunter), Jack Johnson, Bill Berloni (Broadway show dog trainer who has said that the Pit is the breed of choice for training), Anthony Robbins, Molly Price, President Woodrow Wilson, Frankie Muniz, AJ Mclean, Barbara Eden, and even Helen Keller. Fact: Dog fighting was outlawed in the early 1900's. Since that time the breeds that go back to the original 'pit bull' of the early 1800s has been raised as a family pet, not a fighter. Fact: The only people raising fighting dogs today are a small contigent (est. 1-2%) of criminals and gang members - these people are also selling drugs, carry guns and are a threat to society on many different levels. Breed bans will not stop these people or curb the danger they pose in our society. Fact: According to Alfons Estelt of the American Temperament Test Society, Inc. temperament evaluations of American Pit Bull Terriers shows that this breed has a very high passing rate of 95%. The average passing rate for the other 121 breeds of dogs in the tests: 77%. Fact: The 'pit bull' does not have a 'locking jaw'. On this topic Dr. 1. Lehr Brisbin of the University of Georgia wrote: "The few studies which have been conducted of the structure of the skulls, mandibles and teeth of pit bulls show that, in proportion to their size, their jaw structure and thus its inferred functional morphology, is no different than that of any breed of dog. There is absolutely no evidence for the existence of any kind of "locking mechanism" unique to the structure of the jaw and/or teeth of the American Pit Bull Terrier." Fact: 'Pit bulls' are therapy and service dogs. They are also involved in search and rescue. The Chako Rescue Association has Pit Bull therapy dogs in Texas, Utah and California. Cheyenne and Dakota are a team of hard-working Search-and-Rescue Pit Bulls in Sacramento, California. APBT Weela was the Ken-L Ration's Dog Hero of the Year and is credited with rescuing over 30 people. Fact: The problem with 'pit bull' attacks is an ownership problem that will not go away if we ban 'pit bulls'. Politicians are distorting the truth and are ignoring all of the evidence that says the bad owners will simply switch to other breeds - and there are many for them to choose from that can be equally as dangerous as a 'pit bull'. Ontario needs strong dog laws that apply to all dogs equally. The only dogs i've ever been bite by were - golden ret.- irish setter- and it was my fault-
AMSTERDAM72 Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0

07-08-2005, 02:49 PM	#11 (permalink)
AMSTERDAM72 Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0	bitten by
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