We went for a walk! A very short walk!

[gracielove]

I grew up with a Boxer as a child so the look of a normal sized Pit Bull didn't bother me. The American Staffordshire Terrier is an AKC recognized breed. One of my daughters has two. The little female is right around 40 pounds while the male is quite a bit bigger. They are rescues. I love the female she is such a sweetie. The male is built like a brick wall. I have degeneration in my knees so when he walks into me it can be painful. But they are both really sweet dogs and have been around kids regularly. Their ears are not cropped so they look more like a Lab mix than a "Pit Bull."

I have heard of all the dog fighting that goes on with them but I have never gone to their web sites or read their stuff. I don't think I could take it. During the 50's it was the German Shepherd, 60's was the Doberman. Then they got their hands on the Rottie and ruined them. Now they want the Staffordshire Terrier because it has such strong jaws. Sick people. There is never a shortage.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by gracielove

I grew up with a Boxer as a child so the look of a normal sized Pit Bull didn't bother me. The American Staffordshire Terrier is an AKC recognized breed. One of my daughters has two. The little female is right around 40 pounds while the male is quite a bit bigger. They are rescues. I love the female she is such a sweetie. The male is built like a brick wall. I have degeneration in my knees so when he walks into me it can be painful. But they are both really sweet dogs and have been around kids regularly. Their ears are not cropped so they look more like a Lab mix than a "Pit Bull."

I have heard of all the dog fighting that goes on with them but I have never gone to their web sites or read their stuff. I don't think I could take it. During the 50's it was the German Shepherd, 60's was the Doberman. Then they got their hands on the Rottie and ruined them. Now they want the Staffordshire Terrier because it has such strong jaws. Sick people. There is never a shortage.

I just love the Staffy - such a gorgeous animal. They really are beautiful.

Remember that 70's movie called the Daring Dobermans? Dobies were considered so vicious & scary during that time & you heard bad stories about them a lot on the news. We had 2 during the 70's & sweeter dogs never lived. But boy, has their reputation ever been redeemed! I would love to see the Pitbull's future to go the way of the Doberman.

[concretegurl]

Originally Posted by gracielove

I grew up with a Boxer as a child so the look of a normal sized Pit Bull didn't bother me. The American Staffordshire Terrier is an AKC recognized breed. One of my daughters has two. The little female is right around 40 pounds while the male is quite a bit bigger. They are rescues. I love the female she is such a sweetie. The male is built like a brick wall. I have degeneration in my knees so when he walks into me it can be painful. But they are both really sweet dogs and have been around kids regularly. Their ears are not cropped so they look more like a Lab mix than a "Pit Bull."

I have heard of all the dog fighting that goes on with them but I have never gone to their web sites or read their stuff. I don't think I could take it. During the 50's it was the German Shepherd, 60's was the Doberman. Then they got their hands on the Rottie and ruined them. Now they want the Staffordshire Terrier because it has such strong jaws. Sick people. There is never a shortage.

Pit got their name "pit bull" because they were bred to fight bears and have been fought in pits since the 30's.

It used to be legal you can google pics of American Presidents at pit fights.

Anywho our best friend (my dogs here) is a Staff she's 110#. Beautiful Hawaiian brendal.

Great point about the jaws being extra strong (due to the enlarged wrap around muscle)...too many people beleive the myth of "lock jaw"

[Jennyms319]

Originally Posted by kjc

One day I took Peek a Boo and my GSD (now departed) for a walk. I heard barking when we started past the neighbor's houseand looked over to the neibor's house, when I saw their Pitbull push out the upstairs screen and jump out the window, touch off on the little roof overtop their front door and land in a dead run on the sidewalk, running straight at us.

My dogs didn't see her coming, Thank God I did... OMG what to do... what to do??? OMG! I saw a bush 2 feet away....I ushered them both behind a large bush blocking them from her and their sight of her, trying to stay calm and not alert them to the panic racing through my entire body. I looked back to see where the dog was... she had made it half way to us.... still flat out running straight towards us....

With my heart and stomach in my throat, I stepped out to the ends of their leads and told them 'Stay' (like they were going to be suddenly obedience trained, lol), and waited, thinking what could I do? What could I do to stop this dog? Mental images of a horrible dog fight raced through my brain...

I had one chance to stop her and I swore she'd have to get through me to get to my babies! I guess I could try a command... but what is the best word to use??? Stop, Heal, Go Home, No, no... trying to recall hearing any commands my neighbors had used with her while out in the yard...my mind was racing and I couldn't focus...Is this going to work? I looked back one last time at my two... sitting there with their innocent faces, so unaware of the oncoming danger... then looked back at the PitBull, 12, 10, 8 feet away and closing fast. I planted my feet for the impact and waited till the Pitty was about 4 feet away, and I prayed "Please God make this work!" and then I screamed 'STOP!!! in the deepest, loudest, voice I could muster.

The Pitty stopped dead in her tracks, looked at me like 'What???', then promptly turned around and jogged back up the front yard and sat down on the porch. I quickly got my wits about me and got my two outta there. I was shaking so bad I could barely walk, my knees were like rubber and couldn't barely talk for 3 days.

Funny though, I thought we were safe because she was upstairs...

This story reminds me of my own. I take my GSD Vada out for a walk with my daughter who is 6 she is riding her bike with training wheels. We have only had Vada a few months , she is 2 years old and we got her from a Rescue. Before that day Vada had started to show a few signs of protectiveness towards us while we were in our home which I was glad because I was starting to wonder if she was just going to lick everyone to death.

In neighborhood we live in Rotts and Pitts are the dog of choice. And I have nothing against them but I don't like them loose ( and not a day goes by that i don't see a pitt running by somewhere.

I always keep Vada on my left and I have the leash where she has to be right beside me but just enough slack to where I'm not pulling.

Well we are quite a ways from our house and I notice a lady lets out her pitt from the fence (thinking he would follow her) we are about 4 lots away from them and the pitt sees us and starts running toward us barking. The lady is shouting and all i can do is turn back toward lexia and make her stop pedeling because i didn't want the pit to chase her. When i turn it puts Vada on the side that the pits is comming. I automatically let all the slack on the leash go and Vada gets right in front of Lexia! The next thing I know I hear Vada snarl and the pit Yelp and run off. I couldn't see Vada's face and there was no blood on her but she did something to that pit and I couldn't of been happier!!!!! I was shaking so bad that I could barly walk the rest of the way home.

[kjc]

I almost adopted a Pitbull, I really gave it a lot of thought... just a little too much dog for me, as I am getting old, lol. I also did not want the responsibility of owning a dog that could cause so much damage to other dogs or humans (accidents do happen). I decided I would rather not even 'go there'. And I didn't think it fair to my Peek a Boo. What if something went wrong and he got attacked or killed? There's always times you do take your eyes off the dogs... I couldn't live with myself if that happened.

I also decided that I really love Yorkies, and I fell in love with Biewers, so I got two more Yorkies and a Biewer, and have no regrets.

I am not saying that any Pittie would attack unprovoked... more that Yorkies don't know their own size and will try and start a fight with anything. But bc of their small size, they end up having the worst injuries, many times do not survive.

If I didn't have a dog, I may have adopted the Pittie.

I think it's not so much the dog's fault, but in this case the owners. They have the mindset that it's how they are raised and their dogs are sweet and wouldn't hurt a fly. They did not see their son sic the dog on his friends whenever they would walk out the front door to leave, and laugh hysterically when the dog chased and bit his friends in their butts. Yes, I told her about that, and, no, her son would never do that.

They got a 2nd Pitbull (oh joy!) but when the pup matured, both dogs would get into serious fights with each other. She asked me why are they doing this, I explained about hormones and how some Pitts may be more apt to fight due to their genetics. After all, they are fighting dogs, it's what they were bred to do. They opted to rehome one of them.

I really think my neighbors just don't care. Their dog isn't going to suffer much if it gets in a fight. My dogs are leashed all the time bc mine are small dogs and will suffer tremendously or could be killed if they fight with a bigger dog.

The man's first Pitbull got into a fight with another neighbor's Rottie. Four days later, the other neighbor had his young son and Rottie in his pick up truck (in the front seat), and drove past my neighbor's house, who happened to be outside with his Pitbull. When the Pitt saw the Rottie, he took off running and jumped through the window of the PU truck, over the boy to get to the Rottie. He was ordered by the courts to have his Pitbull euthanized for endangering the child, even though the dog never touched the child. Sad to think a leash could have prevented this, and he still refuses to use one!

One other neighbor has had $3500.00 worth of corrective surgery done to her Rottie, and insists on not using a leash. I asked what if she runs across the street and gets hit by a car? Oh, she won't run away, she comes right back when called. I had Tink on a leash, and the Rottie ran right up to us. I dropped Tink's leash immediately (dog on leash+dog off leash=definite fight) and stepped away, but heard growls and saw teeth, so I grabbed Tink's leash and clean and jerked her up into my arms before any contact was made. Neighbor was still calling the Rottie and running towards us trying to gain control to no avail. She stills walks her dog without a leash... we just avoid them, lol.

Well, I guess I am just another overprotective Yorkie mommie. Maybe I am asking too much to feel safe when out and about with my dogs. I wanted to get a gun and train to use it, but DH thinks it's for reasons other than safety on walks, lol. The state lets you fill out an application, but very rarely approves anyone. Tasers are illegal in Maryland last time I checked, except for the police. So I was thinking along the lines of a flare gun, or a knife, IDK.

Sorry about writing a book...

[concretegurl]

Bear mace.

Will definitely stop anyone or any animal dead it in's tracks...you can get it nationwide at sporting goods stores-we never go for a hike or camping without it...and we don't really anticipate having to use it on bears, big cats or coyotes...

[yorkietalkjilly]

Golly - this story gets worse & worse. That neighbor is not to be believed. He has no control of his big, powerful dogs. It's more serious than I thought. Jumped out an upstairs window - jumped in a truck with people in it to get to a dog?!?! These dogs' prey drive is totally mindless & extremely dangerous. It probably won't be long before there is a bad incident on that block. Did you contact Animal Control & tell them about that dog escaping out the window of the house & coming for you & your dogs? Plus the history of the other dog? I would immediately as this is a public safety issue.

If it is windy in your direction or even a sudden burst, you may get the full force of Mace - not the attacking dog - that's the downside of sprays. You can drop yourself & then have the dog on you because you're down & helpless. Those that know how to stop an attacking Pit tell me for a woman, small & untrained in mortal combat, a taser or a knife is pretty much your only chance - unless you are willing to chance a gun & possibly shooting wild. They love the idea of a fear-based deterrant like the big, auto-open umbrella to avoid escalation to attack but say don't bet your life on it with an out-of-control Pitbull on the loose. If you choose a knife to carry for protection, they say stabbing the eyes or the face or actually cutting the throat is all that will stop a fully-engaged Pitbull quickly and that a body stab(you'll only get time for one thrust) takes time for effect, if any. (Yes, it is a grisly subject.) I'd rather break the law & carry a taser than me or my dog winding up dog bait if I lived in a neighborhood with dogs this guy has/had. I can't advise you to. When your own life & your dog's is possibly at stake, it is time to think outside the box. Pay the fine, do the time - whatever - at least you & the dog stand a chance should an attack occur if you have a true self-defense tool. Boy, I wish you luck & safety in trying to walk your dogs. Be careful & take all precautions that you can. I'm praying this guy will take his dog & move!

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by kjc

I am not saying that any Pittie would attack unprovoked... more that Yorkies don't know their own size and will try and start a fight with anything. But bc of their small size, they end up having the worst injuries, many times do not survive.

If I didn't have a dog, I may have adopted the Pittie.

I think it's not so much the dog's fault, but in this case the owners. They have the mindset that it's how they are raised and their dogs are sweet and wouldn't hurt a fly. They did not see their son sic the dog on his friends whenever they would walk out the front door to leave, and laugh hysterically when the dog chased and bit his friends in their butts. Yes, I told her about that, and, no, her son would never do that.

Well, I guess I am just another overprotective Yorkie mommie. Maybe I am asking too much to feel safe when out and about with my dogs. I wanted to get a gun and train to use it, but DH thinks it's for reasons other than safety on walks, lol. The state lets you fill out an application, but very rarely approves anyone. Tasers are illegal in Maryland last time I checked, except for the police. So I was thinking along the lines of a flare gun, or a knife, IDK.

Sorry about writing a book...

Oh, gosh, I had nightmares about your story last night! It was so scary I guess I went to bed thinking about it! I kept thinking about when Jilly was attacked & your Yorkie's close call. They really are defenseless when a big dog attacks them.

I know what you mean about the Yorkie starting fights. That's how Jilly got attacked. She lunged growling with bared fangs when the 65 lb. Dalmatian approached us, probably trying to protect me - all 3 fragile, little pounds of her! That big dog instantly was on her & sent her to surgery that evening & many weeks of rehab. Had I known then about Yorkie body language, I could have sensed her concern, hopefully had time to scoop her up before the big dog got to us - though I didn't see it coming until it was only 6 ft. away & running fast when she went into action! Since I'm not very fast, it might not have made any difference had I seen her tense up. I was used to watching big dogs for body language & such, but just didn't expect true protectiveness from a Yorkie at the time.

So, since you have a Yorkie, the best I can say here is try to use whatever deterrent you can that will keep you & your dog personally safe but have a legal defense tool if that Pitbull continues to live in that neighborhood. Perhaps you could get a judge to issue you an emergency license to carry a taser solely in the circumstances of a dog walk if you could appear before one & present your side. I would check it out through a local judge's clerk. Be sure to pick one who has a female clerk - preferable one with small dogs! My Pitbull source suggests not walking the dogs at all for a while, if possible, but failing that, not walking by that dog's house so as not to let it sight you two or leave a scent trail, perhaps driving a block or two away to walk. Take care.

[gracielove]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

I just love the Staffy - such a gorgeous animal. They really are beautiful.

Remember that 70's movie called the Daring Dobermans? Dobies were considered so vicious & scary during that time & you heard bad stories about them a lot on the news. We had 2 during the 70's & sweeter dogs never lived. But boy, has their reputation ever been redeemed! I would love to see the Pitbull's future to go the way of the Doberman.

I have often said I am against government regulation concerning many things in this country but when it comes to the abuse of animals at any level I think animal lovers everywhere need to insist on stiffer laws concerning the exploitation of animals. Animals that are abused by breeders as well as those that are used for fighting and other abusive activities need more exposure to our legislators both local and at the state level. Too many of these criminals are actually finding protection and representation politically. It is nonsense for an entire breed to suffer because of the criminal activities of humans.
The German Shepherd and the Doberman are wonderful animals when owned by responsible people as is the so called "pit bull." It's the humans that need to be regulated. I see the wrong approach being taken in so many ways concerning animals these days.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by gracielove

I have often said I am against government regulation concerning many things in this country but when it comes to the abuse of animals at any level I think animal lovers everywhere need to insist on stiffer laws concerning the exploitation of animals. Animals that are abused by breeders as well as those that are used for fighting and other abusive activities need more exposure to our legislators both local and at the state level. Too many of these criminals are actually finding protection and representation politically. It is nonsense for an entire breed to suffer because of the criminal activities of humans.
The German Shepherd and the Doberman are wonderful animals when owned by responsible people as is the so called "pit bull." It's the humans that need to be regulated. I see the wrong approach being taken in so many ways concerning animals these days.

Agreed. Those ferocious, vicious Pitbulls are nothing more than Frankenstein's monster & a product of human intervention in irresponsible breeding & unthinkable bait/pain/aggression training. Go after the Dr. Frankenstein's!

[YorkieMommieof3]

Sorry that happened. If youblivebin a neighborhood that you pay hoa dues to I would contact them that a vicious dog was in the neighborhood. I would also contact animal control and the Sheriff in tour area. The police department is very little help in these cases. Check to see if there any laws in reference to aggressive dogs. There have been a lot of cities and towns that have passed laws that may help get that dog out of the neighborhood

I always take pepper spray with me when I take my little ones out. It will work on dogs as well as humans. I also take my phone I case I need to make a SOS call. My little ones wear hamas vest so I can grad the vest quickly in an emergency

[gracielove]

I know the terror of being attacked by a dog. I had the unfortunate experience when my other dog was still alive. I have lived most of my life with no fear of any animal since the time I was a very young child. My parents used to be very frustrated with me when I would make friends with a strange dog although I had been warned to stay away from any dog I did not know.
Now decades later I walk only in areas where I am fairly sure there is little chance of encountering another dog and my heart does flip flops as I grab my dog into my arms in fear when we do come upon a dog. It's a new condition for me. Fear. Not something I am used to. I am not afraid for myself but for Gracie. I know these little ones have characteristics that bring out the primal instincts of even the most domestic of dogs. And as has been mentioned many Yorkies are fearless and have no idea of their size. I'm not taking any chances. There are too many foolish humans out there that think it is funny to make a dog aggressive not to mention the various characteristics of the dogs themselves.
I wish I had pepper spray with me the day we were attacked! It was a mixed breed medium sized dog that got us. Not any particular scary breed. It was the owner that was scary.

[kaytee21]

wow this post had my heart beating fast while I was reading it. Good thing everything turned out ok. Good job! and Quick thinking on your part

[ironmike86]

Originally Posted by Lilymo

Good for you. Pit bill deserves a reward for obedience also.

^Yup. Also Carry Fox pepper spray it will stop not so obedient Pitbulls or other dogs.