A bull terrier tried to attack my Badger!!!

[flutterby]

Originally Posted by Annie&Badger

Thank you very much for your insight and I look forward to seeing pics. What you say about the prey drive is totally true. I see it with Badger all the time. My husband pointed out that if he were ten times the size, we'd have a potentially dangerous dog on our hands which makes total sense. Out of interest, what did you do with them that made them more docile with other dogs? When you say they are aggressive on the lead, is that just the way they are? That doesn't necessarily mean they want to attack every living thing right? And can you suggest any steps I could take if, for instance, one were to get hold of Badger? (given your experience this past weekend - which I'm sorry to hear about. Hope they're okay) I'm not asking to be funny but if I kind of get some sort of positive advice, it might put my mind more at ease...

To fight them off.. Don't grab their testicles, they'll just more than likely turn around and grab you because it will feel like another dog.. Dumping water on them won't stop them, and grabbing their nose won't help either. I use Ceasar Milans type of "actions" by puffing up and making myself look bigger (and at the same time, I had an 880lb dog going nuts because he was worried about me). I can keep them under control with no problem and I'm a whopping 110lbs and 5'1. It's just that some people get too "lax" with them and try to use them for their reputation. Not all pitbulls are aggressive on leash. Sometimes I question myself whether its aggression or curiosity killing them, but I'm not going to bother finding out. I would say to take a 1 1/2in think stick about two fit long with you just for your protection. [b]IF[b], and hoping this will never happen, one would grab onto little Badger, you would jam the stick into its mouth and pull downwards like a lever. It would be called a Homemade 'Break-Stick'. Every bully owner should have one if they have a bully and any other dog living in their house. My pitbulls won't start fights but they will finish. My youngest pitbulls 1st birthday was last Thursday and they had a little party. My retriever was being pushy and wouldn't wait his turn. He attempted to jump on my youngest pitbull and get the cake and then grabbed him by his neck and started fighting with him (my retriever grabbed my pitbull). All it took was for me to grab my retriever and give him a tug on his collar and whistle at my pitbull. Both of my pitbulls know the difference between my whistling commands. Certain whistles are recalls from far off, some for "check in" while hiking or "exploring", some for downs, sits, pay attention, etc etc. It all boils down to, How much control do you have and How much does your dog respect you? The terrier (who is actually my bf's sisters) will snap at anyone, anything, and just be a royal P.I.T.A (pain in the arse)!! He has no respect for anyone but me because I made it clear that if my pitbulls don't bite back on commands, neither will he. Good bully breed owners are few and far between.. thats why we hear so many stories about Pitbulls killing.. They are wonderful family dogs.. Here are some pictures. This is Toby. He's my American Bulldog/Pitbull Mix. He just turned a year old and weighs anywhere from 80-85lbs.

[chachi]

Originally Posted by Connie

I guess I am one of the ignorant people, but I don't care how gentle pit bulls are...they have been known to turn on their owners...and not necessarily irresponsible owners. These dogs have attacked humans including children who, if not killed in the attack, have to grow up disfigured...some missing limbs...enduring the mental and physical scars of being attacked by an aggressive pit bull that it's owner states, "He wouldn't hurt anyone!" I've read countless times where yorkies have been mauled and killed by pit bulls. I'm sure there are some that get through life without becoming aggressive, but I would NEVER have one or have my yorkie or grandkids around one. I say they cannot be trusted and I'm sure not going to chance it because their owner says he won't hurt anyone. I'm not about to find out! Sorry if I upset anyone, but it's how I feel.

I agree!!!! I am one of the ignorant people too because there is not one pit bull I would ever trust. People have them in my neighborhood and they are all vicious.

[flutterby]

Here are a few more.. The chocolate one is Sid.. He'll be two on July 16th and he weighs about 65-68lbs.

[browniesmom622]

but its not just pitbulls its all large breeds
i saw on the news once they were saying a pit bull attacks its owner they showed the dog and it was a rotti i think most of the dogs that "attack" are not identified right


i got this from a site
"From 1965 - 2001, there have been at least 36 different breeds/types of dog that have been involved in a fatal attack in the United States. (This number rises to at least 52 breeds/types when surveying fatal attacks worldwide)."

There seems to be an ever growing expectation of a "behaviorally homogenized" dog - "Benji" in the shape of a Rottweiler. Breeds of dogs with greater protection instincts or an elevated prey-drive are often unfairly viewed as "aggressive or dangerous". No breed of dog is inherently vicious, as all breeds of dogs were created and are maintained exclusively to serve and co-exist with humans. The problem exists not within the breed of dog, but rather within the owners that fail to control, supervise, maintain and properly train the breed of dog they choose to keep.

ATLANTA, Georgia (AP) -- Rottweilers have passed pit bulls as America's deadliest dog breed, according to a study released Friday.

The large dogs were involved in 33 fatal attacks on humans between 1991 and 1998, the American Veterinary Medical Association said.

Pit bulls, which had been responsible for more deaths than any other breed, were involved in 21 fatal attacks over the same period.

[Smudgers_mum]

Originally Posted by JeanieK

BTW, I love the expressions that you English people use. I have a daughter- in-law from Wales, and it reminds me of her.

I was just thinking this as well, I'm from the UK and as soon as I read a message on here you can tell whether they are from the UK without looking at their profile lol

[flutterby]

Here are four more..

1st pic is Toby drinking tub water and if we wouldn't have been there, he would have been in the bath tub with her! We have to lock him out of the bathroom when we get showers!

2nd pic is of Toby, Sid and my friends pitbull Diogi.

Last two are of Sid in the car on his way to the Pet Store for obedience class and "goodies".. Toby was in the car too, but on my lap in the front seat.

[Annie&Badger]

Originally Posted by flutterby

Here are four more..

1st pic is Toby drinking tub water and if we wouldn't have been there, he would have been in the bath tub with her! We have to lock him out of the bathroom when we get showers!

2nd pic is of Toby, Sid and my friends pitbull Diogi.

Last two are of Sid in the car on his way to the Pet Store for obedience class and "goodies".. Toby was in the car too, but on my lap in the front seat.

Flutterby, thank you very much for your post and advice. It means a lot. I'm assuming I can buy a break stick here but my husband's just told me they're considered dog fighting 'paraphernalia' so it might be hard to get old of one. It might be worth carrying one with me although I hope I never, ever have to use it. It seems very clear that you're an extremely responsible owner and that you've got very good control of your bulls which I think is the most important thing. I know that one of the defining characteristics of all terriers is that they're hard to train and strong-willed so I think the fact you take them to obedience classes is a wonderful indication of your commitment. And those are some great photos. I must admit when I see that bull with the baby my heart skips a beat but if anyone will know, it's that baby and she looks totally content. Bless her! She's so gorgeous too! Great pics and thanks for sharing. Thanks again for the advice - that's very helpful. I've also read on this forum that a good thing to do is grab them by the back legs and lift them up (the attacking dog) because this deflects their attention for a bit. Have you ever tried that?

[flutterby]

To be very honest.. I am extremely lucky and fortunate to have a house full of male dogs and none of them fight (yeah they have their little squabbles but who doesn't when the puppy gets annoying?? lol).. They were all neutered by 7 months of age to avoid as much aggression with other dogs as possibe.. I've never been in the position to grab one by its back legs because my dogs haven't been attacked so far.. But who is to say that the people with the pitbulls up the street will control their dogs better now that I made it aware of what happened last weekend.. I'm on a bulldog forum and I could definitely ask to get some more info on breaking up attacks if you'd like me to since it seems to be a big problem in your area (correct me if I'm wrong!).. I know if I was in the situation I would have popped off at the mouth too although its not the best thing.. Emotions run high and irresponsible owners tick me off! But at my bf's house, my poor pitbulls get beat up by 8 cats! They're such big babies! And the baby is my niece. She lives with me and dies if she cant sleep with Toby. His name was the first word she spoke believe it or not!

Sorry to hi-jack your thread but its a touchy subject for me..

[Annie&Badger]

Oh no, love. Don't worry . You haven't hijacked it at all. I'm glad for any advice and I'm sure everyone else is too. I'd be really grateful if you could ask for some advice on that forum. It's helpful to know what I could do in the event of an attack. Thank you very much! X

[yorkieK9trainer]

Okay, I FULLY understand your issue w/ this bull terrier coming in and going for your baby. I myself also have a Yorkshire Terrier (Nemo is a male also intact)-the Staffie (Morpheus is a male also intact). Further, I have a little female that I've purchased that will be arriving soon.

I avoid making blanket statements about breeds or owns, such as "All" or "Everyone". I would agree w/ you that not enough people have control over there dog(s), PERIOD.

I have NEVER had a problem between any of my dogs, nothing serious anyway and certainly nothing that I couldn't ever control. I'm not stupid, I do seperate the neccessary dogs before leaving my home and always take into consideration the idea that one of those dogs may get out of their crate (has NEVER happened) and so not only are they in their crates, but there are doors between them as well. I enjoy owning any breed I like, working w/ those breeds and having the ability and sense to control them. I can almost guarantee you that you will never see a better behaved staffie or dog than my own.

I think it should be a goal of every pet owner (at least) that has a bull breed to try their best to make a good breed "ambassador" of their dog. It should be taught to mind and be a shining example of what everyone would want to own if they were to search for a bull breed!

I've been in your shoes though out in public where a dog has gone after one of my own (not a Yorkie, but still small enough to pick up) and not only did I grab my dog up, I also managed to beat the hell out of the other dog (not a bull breed, actually a labrador) until the owner came around. She had the audacity to accuse me of injuring her dog, I told her what had actually happened and told her that I would've continued my attack on her dog if she hadn't stepped in and the only way this could've been prevented is if she had been responsible in the first place and to walk away before I did more damage!

jm2c

[Tashasmom]

Originally Posted by MeganS

I don't think its your opinion that hurt her feelings, but probably that you said things like, "they're useless dogs, they're no point. I think they should all be destroyed..." etc. I realize that's just your opinion, but you have to realize how much it hurts the people that own them. Tashasmom in perticular, she thinks of her dog as her other baby. and seeing things like that probably really hurts. I do feel terrible bad about your baby, and I hope you never have to expierance that again. But I don't think you should say such harsh things when people on this site own and love them...JMO.

Thank you megan. That was the point I was trying to make but got sidetracked saying other things. It does hurt to hear someone say they should all be destroyed. My Nikita fought hard to beat cancer but it was too late for her. And while she was alive she brought so much to me and my family. I miss her more than you could imagine..we all miss her. My kids still talk so much about her and how much they loved and miss her. And to have someone say something so gentle should just be destroyed because of another persons dog and the ignorance of people just kills me.
And to OP..staffordshire bull terriers are Pit bull terriers. AkC wanted them to change the name because of the bad rap that others were giving this wonderful breed. During this process they changed their looks somewhat. Stafforshires have longer legs and a leaner body. American Pit bull terrier has a shorter body that is stockier. But same temperment same qualities.

[Tashasmom]

I too understand your fear. My son was bit my a german shepherd over a year ago. Thankfully it wasn't bad. But has it made me hate all GSD's..no but i will say I too now have a little fear of them. So I understand you totally. All I'm asking is give the ones that do raise them right and the dog themselves that are good dogs their due credit. I"m not asking you to get over your fear that is your choice. I'm also not asking you to love them and go out and buy one. I"m just asking you to realize that not ALL are bad and that ALOT of us love our big breed dogs.

[sashajade]

Originally Posted by Tashasmom

I guess I'm one of those stupid people because I owned and loved a pit bull. Her name was nikita. She died of cancer and I TOTALLY RESENT STEREOTYPES OF ANY KIND. I think what happened to you was wrong and I"m sorry for this I really am. But just because a few dogs have had bad owners and weren't raised properly DOES NOT mean that all bulls and bull owners are bad. There are bad dogs in all breeds just like there are bad owners.

its the silly i want to look hard yobs that have the bull breeds that give the dogs a bad name and when the dog bites someone cos of the waste of space owner its the poor dog thats put to sleep when it should be the owner! like i said my sisters got a mastiff and shes lovely.

[Tashasmom]

I do agree it's the owners fault to some degree but i will also so that from bad breeding some dogs are just bad. I think if a dog attacks and continue to attacks for the safety of humans and other animals the dog should be euthanized. And you don't have to sing the praises of bull dogs to me. I have been a proud owner of one and my brother is the proud owner of two..his mom owns 2 and I could go on and on..about people that i know that own bull breeds or big breed dogs. We have the death penalty for people that commit rape murder and other henious crimes as we should have laws concerning dangerous dogs. But we don't call all humans bad nor should we call all dogs bad..

[Annie&Badger]

Just to be clear, Staffordshire Bull Terriers are a completely separate breed from American Pit Bull Terriers. There is some confusion over this because I think the term 'pit bull' refers to any of the fighting bull breeds in America. In the UK, the Staff has been registered for quite some time as a breed unto itself and is completely different in appearance from the American Pit Bull. The American Pit Bull is banned here. I also think you're being less concilliatory than you should to be honest. I've made an attempt to be nice but it seems to me that you're still intent on grinding the same old axe and not even demonstrating the simple courtesy of responding to my post. Once again... I'm not ignorant, nor am I cruel. I stand by my opinion that bull terriers have a higher than average capacity to kill (both in terms of temperament, as well as size). I'm happy to give them the benefit of the doubt as you have gone to great pains to insist I should whilst not knowing anything about me or the dogs I have to encounter every day. I will indeed reserve my judgement whether that may be an 'irrational' fear or not. There are a lot of people on here who have cited instances where their small dogs have been attacked and yet you persist in taking a defensive tack and ignoring their tragedies and trying to turn this into a 'small vs. large' forum argument. It's a bit of a shame really