Did you know October is Pit Bull Awareness Month?

In talking with a new friend this evening, we hit on two hot button topics: loose dogs, and pit bulls. When it comes either, I don’t mess around. (Before we go any further, let me say that this is a pit bull friendly post!)

Loose Dogs

I don’t mess around with loose dogs (off leash dogs not under the direct control of a responsible handler). If a loose dog approaches me and my dog(s), I do everything in my power to make it clear their presence is not welcome. I stand tall, get in front of my dogs, and use my body language to claim my space.

In my experience, that’s been enough to deter nearly all loose dogs. Most dogs aren’t looking for conflict. Of those that will keep coming toward you, most will veer off course and circle around you instead of charging right at you (which can be problematic if you don’t pivot around with them). That leaves just a few who will actually charge you after all this. In my opinion, in a situation like this I’ve got just one chance left to defend myself and my dogs, and I’m going to take it.

Why so strict about loose dogs? It could save a life, for starters. It could also save a whopping vet bill, and lengthy insurance paperwork. Finally, it gives my dog(s) peace of mind. If I’m dealing with the charging dog, they don’t have to. That means not only do they begin to trust me (and defer to me) in similar situations, but they also remain less anxious while out and about. For a dog who’s forced to deal with the oncoming dog, just that one bad experience can result in some newfound paranoia about other dogs. Do you want your dog paranoid (read: anxious and heading toward reactive) while out on the leash? No way! That’s why it’s important for you to handle any potential conflicts.

Be Careful With Pit Bulls

If you have a pit bull type dog with you, the stakes are even higher. Keep reading before you make any assumptions – I don’t mean what you think.

Pit bull dogs are amazing dogs, for starters. They hold a very special place in my heart. Perhaps that’s why I’m so careful with them; though, I’d argue that anyone with a pit bull type dog ought to be more careful.

When I say “pit bull type dog” I mean any dog who visually appears to be a pit bull. If your pit bull type dog gets into an altercation with another dog, he/she is very likely to be pinpointed as the aggressor, or held responsible in some way whether or not he/she is actually responsible for the fight. Yes, this is an outrageous breed bias! The most common objection I hear from owners of pit bull type dogs is “yeah, but she’s registered as a XYZ mix, not a pit bull.” That’s smart, but when a fight breaks out, it really doesn’t matter. This isn’t my opinion – watch the documentary Beyond The Myth if you think that a boxer/lab mix, for example, is beyond the reaches of BSL (hint: it isn’t).

When I’m out and about with pit bulls, I take that responsibility very seriously. Not because I think pit bulls are inherently dangerous (I have never seen this to be true), and not because I think they are capable of doing more damage than the average dog (although this may be true). I take this responsibility seriously because the stakes are so much higher than they are for the average dog. Pit bull type dogs face an enormous breed bias. If a loose dog charges my pit bull(s) and a fight breaks out, it could cost them their lives. Not necessarily because of the fight, but because of whatever legal actions may follow.

Whenever I take any dog’s leash, I view it as my responsibility to protect them, not the other way around. It is my responsibility to be aware of my surroundings, avoid conflict whenever possible, and handle conflict whenever avoidance isn’t possible. This goes double for any dog who could be labeled a “pit bull.”

I hope you feel the same way.

If nothing else, protecting my pit bull type dogs means I give the naysayers and the media one less chance to incorrectly label such a loyal, fun-loving breed. Did you know the American Pit Bull Terrier was once known as “America’s Dog“? It’s true!!

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Pit Bull Resources:

• BadRap.org
• Pit Bull Rescue Central 
• The Unexpected Pit Bull
• Documentary on Breed Specific Legislation: Beyond The Myth

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I’m a dog trainer in the DFW area. I provide in home dog behavior training to dogs of all breeds, ages, and issues. I can help you with leash manners, dog aggression, human aggression, anxiety, hyperactivity, fearful behavior, basic manners, basic obedience, and more. Contact me for more information!