Anyone else have a pit mix?

[Anonymous]

Your dog does not sound like a good family dog. Neither your kids, nor their friends, should have any fear of any dog in your house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your.
Kids.
Should.
Not.
Have.
To.
Walk.
On.
Eggshells.
IN THEIR OWN HOME.

I didn’t get that from OP’s post at all. Sounds like they’ve taught the kids to observe the dog’s body language and stay away if the dog doesn’t want to be bothered. Sounds like dog ownership 101 to me.

". They know not to approach him on his bed and to never bring friends or strangers around him." WTF.

Strangers inside his home is his big trigger, especially if they try to approach him to give him unsolicited attention. Since we know this, why would we force the issue on him? It’s not a big deal to not be allowed to give a random dog unsolicited attention.

He sleeps in our sunroom off our living room and runs in there whenever people come over. As long as they don’t approach him, it’s all good. He doesn’t care. If they try to come into “his room” in order to pet him, then yeah he barks and growls to say “stay away.”

The kids’ friends know he is not a stranger friendly dog and they are all old enough to follow the rules in someone else’s home. Our big rule is: don’t go near the dog. I don’t see what is wrong with that. The kids don’t care. No one has ever tried to force the issue. My husband or I am always home to make sure that wouldn’t happen anyway.

He is capable of getting used to people (like some of our extended family members and the staff at his daycare) but it takes a long time and repeated exposure.

All this blah blah blah justification doesn’t cover up the fact that you know, deep down, this dog is capable of biting family, friends, and visitors. Good effing luck with that. Way to ignore your instincts and fail to protect your children. Great mom!

EVERY dog is capable of biting. Having a dog means being okay with that. Treat the dog well, and it will not happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your.
Kids.
Should.
Not.
Have.
To.
Walk.
On.
Eggshells.
IN THEIR OWN HOME.

I didn’t get that from OP’s post at all. Sounds like they’ve taught the kids to observe the dog’s body language and stay away if the dog doesn’t want to be bothered. Sounds like dog ownership 101 to me.

". They know not to approach him on his bed and to never bring friends or strangers around him." WTF.

Strangers inside his home is his big trigger, especially if they try to approach him to give him unsolicited attention. Since we know this, why would we force the issue on him? It’s not a big deal to not be allowed to give a random dog unsolicited attention.

He sleeps in our sunroom off our living room and runs in there whenever people come over. As long as they don’t approach him, it’s all good. He doesn’t care. If they try to come into “his room” in order to pet him, then yeah he barks and growls to say “stay away.”

The kids’ friends know he is not a stranger friendly dog and they are all old enough to follow the rules in someone else’s home. Our big rule is: don’t go near the dog. I don’t see what is wrong with that. The kids don’t care. No one has ever tried to force the issue. My husband or I am always home to make sure that wouldn’t happen anyway.

He is capable of getting used to people (like some of our extended family members and the staff at his daycare) but it takes a long time and repeated exposure.

All this blah blah blah justification doesn’t cover up the fact that you know, deep down, this dog is capable of biting family, friends, and visitors. Good effing luck with that. Way to ignore your instincts and fail to protect your children. Great mom!

EVERY dog is capable of biting. Having a dog means being okay with that. Treat the dog well, and it will not happen.

Hmmm, I wonder why we aren’t seeing more posts on this topic, then? Why is it that most dog owners don’t seem to be fearful that their dogs will bite their kids, friends, visitors, etc.? And while I certainly wouldn’t want to be bitten by a lab, a terrier, a poodle or a chihuahua, I’m not sitting here yammering about it on DCUM to justify to myself that all is well when my gut is telling me it’s not.

[Anonymous]

Your dog isn't viewing you as the pack leader/alpha dog. YOU set the boundaries. A quick Google search will tell you how to become dominant over your dog. it's not that hard, they have "pack mentality ".

the number of people on this board that are so quick to re-home the dog, you are part of the overcrowding of shelters. Pets aren't people! Take the time to work with the dog and get the help of a reputable trainer
Do you rehome your children if they do something wrong?!? Give the animal a chance, for God's sake.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, try to ignore the knee-jerk reactions you are getting. You know the situation -- your family, your dog -- better than any of them. Trust yourself. I've read all your posts and it seems to me you are doing a good job.

OP’s gut is telling her something. That’s why she’s here.

Do you get that?

[Anonymous]

If be more nervous about the Chow in him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If be more nervous about the Chow in him.

Are you a Chow expert? Just wondering.

Chows are less aggressive than aloof. They are famous for their aloofness. I had a chow chow who was not very expressive--he wasn't a bounding furball of joy, but he also never reacted when all the neighborhood dogs used to bark at him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your dog isn't viewing you as the pack leader/alpha dog. YOU set the boundaries. A quick Google search will tell you how to become dominant over your dog. it's not that hard, they have "pack mentality ".

the number of people on this board that are so quick to re-home the dog, you are part of the overcrowding of shelters. Pets aren't people! Take the time to work with the dog and get the help of a reputable trainer
Do you rehome your children if they do something wrong?!? Give the animal a chance, for God's sake.

Children > pets. If a pet does anything that gives you the slightest pause regarding your child’s safety/well being then the pet should go. No second chances.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your dog isn't viewing you as the pack leader/alpha dog. YOU set the boundaries. A quick Google search will tell you how to become dominant over your dog. it's not that hard, they have "pack mentality ".

the number of people on this board that are so quick to re-home the dog, you are part of the overcrowding of shelters. Pets aren't people! Take the time to work with the dog and get the help of a reputable trainer
Do you rehome your children if they do something wrong?!? Give the animal a chance, for God's sake.

🤔 These statements are at odds with each other.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We adopted a rescue dog about a year ago. We were told that he was a greyhound mix but according to one of those DNA tests, he is ~ 24% pit and the rest is Golden Retriever, Chow Chow, and Chihuahua.

Anyway, I'm just feeling a little unnerved by him because of the news about that horrible pit attack on the two babies.

He's a sweet dog but can be skittish around strangers. For this reason, we require our kids (youngest is 11 and oldest is 15) to be very careful about how they approach him or pet him. They know to gently put their hand out to allow him to sniff first and not to put their hands on top of his head. We're careful about observing his body language and respecting his boundaries if he seems tense, if he's yawning or licking his lips a lot, if he's giving whale eyes, and especially if his tail is tucked. They know not to approach him on his bed and to never bring friends or strangers around him. He's very open and affectionate with me and DH, probably because we feed him. For exercise and boarding, he goes to a specialty daycare and his file is accompanied by a warning that he might bite so I don't worry about that too much. They know how to handle dogs like him and he has warmed up to the staff considerably. Daycare has definitely been helping his socialization issues. But how do we know if he is a ticking time bomb at home?

He doesn't have the typical pit musculature or jaw, does that matter? He has a long narrow snout and long skinny legs (which may be why the shelter thought he was part greyhound).

I'm just a little unnerved by this idea that a loving family dog who has been nothing but perfect for years can suddenly snap and maul two kids and their mom.

Why would you want to have / keep a dog like this? I just don’t see why the answer to this is not exceedingly obvious

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your dog isn't viewing you as the pack leader/alpha dog. YOU set the boundaries. A quick Google search will tell you how to become dominant over your dog. it's not that hard, they have "pack mentality ".

the number of people on this board that are so quick to re-home the dog, you are part of the overcrowding of shelters. Pets aren't people! Take the time to work with the dog and get the help of a reputable trainer
Do you rehome your children if they do something wrong?!? Give the animal a chance, for God's sake.

Oh, look, the Cesar Millan ignoramus has showed up. Dominance theory is garbage.

OP, does your dog ever approach your kid's friends after they've been over a lot? Or are all strangers to be avoided? Not saying the latter would be a problem, exactly -- some dogs just aren't minglers. Some are turned into non-minglers by bad experiences. Some lose interest in mingling after a certain age.

Respecting that sometimes a dog wants to be left alone is a skill everyone should learn. Years ago, my sister's kids were obsessed with my dog. They were too young to control their impulses to follow her everywhere no matter how many times I reminded them that when she was in her bed, she needed to be left alone, so after one particularly exhausting Christmas, I started leaving her home with a petsitter. "Oh, the kids will be so disappointed!" my sister told me. "They were really looking forward to spending time with her!" Yeah, I know. That's why she's not here. Not because she'd have bitten them, but because your kids are making her miserable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We adopted a rescue dog about a year ago. We were told that he was a greyhound mix but according to one of those DNA tests, he is ~ 24% pit and the rest is Golden Retriever, Chow Chow, and Chihuahua.

Anyway, I'm just feeling a little unnerved by him because of the news about that horrible pit attack on the two babies.

He's a sweet dog but can be skittish around strangers. For this reason, we require our kids (youngest is 11 and oldest is 15) to be very careful about how they approach him or pet him. They know to gently put their hand out to allow him to sniff first and not to put their hands on top of his head. We're careful about observing his body language and respecting his boundaries if he seems tense, if he's yawning or licking his lips a lot, if he's giving whale eyes, and especially if his tail is tucked. They know not to approach him on his bed and to never bring friends or strangers around him. He's very open and affectionate with me and DH, probably because we feed him. For exercise and boarding, he goes to a specialty daycare and his file is accompanied by a warning that he might bite so I don't worry about that too much. They know how to handle dogs like him and he has warmed up to the staff considerably. Daycare has definitely been helping his socialization issues. But how do we know if he is a ticking time bomb at home?

He doesn't have the typical pit musculature or jaw, does that matter? He has a long narrow snout and long skinny legs (which may be why the shelter thought he was part greyhound).

I'm just a little unnerved by this idea that a loving family dog who has been nothing but perfect for years can suddenly snap and maul two kids and their mom.

I am unnerved about all the considerations and modifications you have had to make.

+1

I can’t believe you make your kids live this way in their own house. My God. Way to teach them where they rank to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If be more nervous about the Chow in him.

Are you a Chow expert? Just wondering.

Chows are less aggressive than aloof. They are famous for their aloofness. I had a chow chow who was not very expressive--he wasn't a bounding furball of joy, but he also never reacted when all the neighborhood dogs used to bark at him.

BS. I had a chow snap at me while I was merely sitting at dining room table at a friend’s house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your.
Kids.
Should.
Not.
Have.
To.
Walk.
On.
Eggshells.
IN THEIR OWN HOME.

I didn’t get that from OP’s post at all. Sounds like they’ve taught the kids to observe the dog’s body language and stay away if the dog doesn’t want to be bothered. Sounds like dog ownership 101 to me.

The dog’s moods and feelings matter more than the kids, got it. The kids cannot be themselves and be carefree and comfortable in their own home; got it.

We had dogs growing up. We were certainly respectful and observant and responsive to their needs, but not out of fear of bites or being mauled.

The two older boys are a little more hesitant because he’s growled or barked at them more in the past but they’re not scared of him. They’re just more careful about paying attention to his body language and respecting it. Our daughter was 10 when we got him and he is very tolerant with her in a way that he wasn’t with the boys early on.

But it’s getting much better. When we picked him up from overnight boarding yesterday, he got into the car next to my oldest son then laid down and put his head on his lap. Of course DS was thrilled. We all love the dog and would be heartbroken to give him up. He’s lying right next to me on the couch right now with his head pushed up against my leg. He is learning to be affectionate.

We’re doing our best to make this work. He’s our first dog so this has all been a learning process.

“He is learning to be affectionate.”

And your children are learning that the dog is more important than their comfort and ability to be carefree in their own home. We had dogs, and learned to be respectful, responsible, responsive and observant. But never—not for one minute—did we feel anxious, afraid, unsettled or unable to be totally at ease in our own home because of our dogs. Thank you to my mom and dad for putting us first, always.

+1

I genuinely wonder about what this is teaching OPs kids about what they are expected to tolerate from people who claim to love them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your dog isn't viewing you as the pack leader/alpha dog. YOU set the boundaries. A quick Google search will tell you how to become dominant over your dog. it's not that hard, they have "pack mentality ".

the number of people on this board that are so quick to re-home the dog, you are part of the overcrowding of shelters. Pets aren't people! Take the time to work with the dog and get the help of a reputable trainer
Do you rehome your children if they do something wrong?!? Give the animal a chance, for God's sake.

Oh, look, the Cesar Millan ignoramus has showed up. Dominance theory is garbage.

OP, does your dog ever approach your kid's friends after they've been over a lot? Or are all strangers to be avoided? Not saying the latter would be a problem, exactly -- some dogs just aren't minglers. Some are turned into non-minglers by bad experiences. Some lose interest in mingling after a certain age.

Respecting that sometimes a dog wants to be left alone is a skill everyone should learn. Years ago, my sister's kids were obsessed with my dog. They were too young to control their impulses to follow her everywhere no matter how many times I reminded them that when she was in her bed, she needed to be left alone, so after one particularly exhausting Christmas, I started leaving her home with a petsitter. "Oh, the kids will be so disappointed!" my sister told me. "They were really looking forward to spending time with her!" Yeah, I know. That's why she's not here. Not because she'd have bitten them, but because your kids are making her miserable.

Really? You clearly haven't had many dogs. You absolutely let the dog know who is in charge. Find me a reputable site that backs up your claim that it's "garbage".

OP, aggression is any dog is born out of fear. And there are many things you can do to correct the behavior. Dogs need training! I am amazed at the number of people that just say "get rid of the dog". For starters, you can muzzle the dog when your children or visitors are around. If the dog is approached by someone and doesn't growl, reward with positive reinforcement. Lots of praise! This is just one of many things a good trainer can help you learn and implement.