My neighbors are getting a rescue pit bull

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We breed and train German Shepherd Dogs. I am a very small breeder. Only one litter a year and our mamas are only allowed two litters. They are our family pets first. We breed specifically for health and temperament. Our dogs are calm, balanced, sweet pups because the dogs in their line going back many generations were intentionally and carefully selected. They would make terrible police dogs. They simply don’t have aggression and prey drive bred into them. That doesn’t mean they wouldn’t bite. All dogs have that potential. But our dogs’ temperaments, health, size, etc. are the results of careful breeding.

“Pit Bull” type dogs were intentionally bred for aggression, pain tolerance, strength, and prey drive. That doesn’t just magically disappear. They are not safe. It should be illegal to breed these dogs. We need to allow the breed to naturally cease to exist. Not the dogs’ fault. Humans phucked it up, as usual.

I would not allow my kids in their home or yard, even with you present. I would ensure there is no way the dog can get into your backyard even if that means building your own 8 foot privacy fence. I would explain to my kids that while most dogs are friendly, this one is dangerous. And I would absolutely end the friendship with the parents.

OP here, thank you to all of this!!! You get it.

BTW, I grew up with GSDs. I love dogs. Our dogs have always been well bred, well trained and well socialized.

I can't believe these common idiots that don't see the difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am so angry and annoyed. My young kids are very good friends with their young kids. There aren't too many kids in our neighborhood so this family was their main playdate. Now I won't allow my children to go over to their house and I'll have to be hypervigilant anytime we're outside in our own yard. They have a busted fence which I doubt they'll fix first and I can absolutely see their dog getting loose often.

What compels people with young children to make such stupid decisions?

Well that is really not for you to decide nor judge.

It absolutely is my place to judge. As you can see by this thread, many people judge pitbull owners harshly.

Dp. Just stay away then. You won't be missed. What a relief!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does it hurt from clutching your pearls so hard? Dogs are only as bad as their owners…as are children. I don’t think the neighbors will be losing much by losing you as “friends”.

Did you miss the part about the dog being a rescue? How is OP supposed to know anything about previous owners?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Any dog can be aggressive with the wrong training and any dog can be kind with the right training.

This is false.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m opposed to pit bulls but I think OP is being hysterical.

If it's hysterical to protect my kids from being mauled or killed than I am absolutely 100% hysterical.

And I am not alone. Their kids will suffer at least by losing friendships and playmates. Hopefully nothing worse than that but why their moronic parents insist on taking such a risk is mind boggling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does it hurt from clutching your pearls so hard? Dogs are only as bad as their owners…as are children. I don’t think the neighbors will be losing much by losing you as “friends”.

This is also wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am so angry and annoyed. My young kids are very good friends with their young kids. There aren't too many kids in our neighborhood so this family was their main playdate. Now I won't allow my children to go over to their house and I'll have to be hypervigilant anytime we're outside in our own yard. They have a busted fence which I doubt they'll fix first and I can absolutely see their dog getting loose often.

What compels people with young children to make such stupid decisions?

Well that is really not for you to decide nor judge.

It absolutely is my place to judge. As you can see by this thread, many people judge pitbull owners harshly.

Dp. Just stay away then. You won't be missed. What a relief!

Do you honestly think you're any better sitting here behind your keyboard judging me? Find a mirror.

[Anonymous]

My neighbor has a rescue pit bull and I've fostered rescues.

You are correct to assume the worst. Even when the pit bull proves to be a sweet and gentle dog, you should ALWAYS assume that they can bite if they get overstimulated. And the problem is that with this breed developed to have a very strong, relentless bite... one bite can be enough to kill or disfigure a child.

Most dogs will get overstimulated when around excited kids, including my own. But only some breeds/mixes can accidentally maim one with just one bite.

[Anonymous]

There is so much incorrect info in this thread.

Pit bulls are not a good choice for first-time pit bull owners with little kids.

They range a spectrum of behavior.

There are many reactive ones, many with impulse control issues, many goofy ones…

The rescue group should not have placed a pit bull in a home with little kids, if they are first-time pit bull owners. BUT, the OP is overreacting a bit.

The likelihood of OP’s kids getting bit or mauled by the new pit bull next door is very low.

Put up a good fence. Meet the dog. Don’t allow the kids to play with the dog unsupervised. If the dog seems out of control, don’t let the kids play with the dog around at all.

Also, teach your kids how to be safe around dogs. That’s your best bet. Most dogs bites to kids are a mix of a poorly behaved dog, poorly behaved kids, and too little parenting of both.

[Anonymous]

OP, where do you live? Are these people out of the house all day or too busy with kids etc. to give this dog the attention they need? Are they experienced with dogs? Regardless of breed, I question anyone who owns a large, active, type breed in a small home with a small yard, especially if they don't get it out daily to do activities. Some dogs NEED activity, stimulation, proper space, , proper training, etc. otherwise they will act out.

My family bred large working dogs but we lived on a farm and we trained them for all sorts of agility contests, etc.

I know two people who have had rescue pits. They live out in Western Loudoun, do not have kids, live in active lifestyle, are experienced dog owners, and generally have a LOT of time to spend with their dogs (work from home).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My neighbor has a rescue pit bull and I've fostered rescues.

You are correct to assume the worst. Even when the pit bull proves to be a sweet and gentle dog, you should ALWAYS assume that they can bite if they get overstimulated. And the problem is that with this breed developed to have a very strong, relentless bite... one bite can be enough to kill or disfigure a child.

Most dogs will get overstimulated when around excited kids, including my own. But only some breeds/mixes can accidentally maim one with just one bite.

+1. It is always best to exercise caution and, OP, you are doing the right thing.

[Anonymous]

PP here. I should say that the two families I know with rescue pits are also in groups and the other people in their groups are mostly similar to them--lots of land, generally no kids or older kids, are home a decent amount.

[Anonymous]

NP here... My neighbors have a large pitbull that is not particularly well supervised. They also have a son the same age as mine and the boys are friends. I have made it a rule that my son can't play in their yard because of this dog. The boys are free to play in my yard. ( Their son is sort of free range and just shows up at our house unannounced.) I can tell the parents are angry about this because they have made comments about our son not being allowed to come over. Do I explain that it's because of their dog or would that make the situation even worse? I see how sensitive people are over their "sweetie" dogs but I'm just trying to do the right thing for my child.

[Anonymous]

OP do they already have the dog or are they still talking about still? Tell them in advance that you won’t let your kids come over. Ask them in advance about the fence. If I was considering a type of dog I would want to know the pros and cons. If I was comfortable getting a rescue pit with my own kids it might not occur to me that the kids friends would not be allowed over.

[Anonymous]

I would put up a very large fence, OP, and set rules for your children. They are not allowed to go over to the house. Period.

I am saying this as someone who grew up with rescue pits and whose family still has rescue pits. Love them but I know the drill. Our pit was super sweet until he passed as an old dog but he did have an incident in his younger days where he tried to bite a stranger who walked unknowingly (and unannounced) into our backyard. Luckily, all was well but it was a close call.

Don't apologize for this, OP.