NEED SOME TIPS on A PITT
 

Ok - my neighbor guys are cute - I ADMIT THAT. They're also leaving town for the weekend and 'you know who' volunteered to feed/walk their GIGANTIC (but mellow) Pitt bull named Stink. When I heard they were leaving town for the weekend I couldn't imagine him alone for 2 days......

ok. here's my problem.

WHAT DO I do when I walk into their apartment when his owner isn't home -

So...Do I carry a HUGE TREAT ?
Do I carry TEN Huge Treats and hope he is so grateful he won't eat me ?

do I carry nothing ? Do I just walk in like I own the place ?

He knows me... but he also knows I have 2 tasty little morsels that bark at him like little demons - so I'm kind of worried --- I don't want him getting all protective of his turf

any advise ? oh and ps - my girls will NOT be included on my little weekend job. They'll be pouting safely from behind their OWN door.

ok - where are all the opinionated peeps that LOVE to talk about Pitt Bulls ???

I only have 2 days to get ready for this big guy...and I surely want to walk out of there intact :D:D Not to mention - I plan to walk him outside too.

I must be losing my mind. I'm actually pretty scared of them - but I DID kiss this one right on the nose and I still have my face LOL

IMO I think that in one hand you should carry some pepper spray...and in the other hand, carry some treat bags LOL

seriously tho...I worry because I know a lady who was attacked by her best friends chow...a dog she was around on a VERY regular basis for 6 years. the friend left town, she went over to feed the dog and care for it and it attacked her face. MAJOR damage to her face. so I don't care how well you know a big dog, if it is not yours especially, you are better off being safe than sorry.

so really...go to ace hardware and buy some pepper spray to put on your keychain. don't act afraid when you go over there. be loving but not too playful. I wouldn't get on the floor with them or anything. I was attacked by my uncles 2 pitt mixes as a child because I got too playful. they thought I was playing like my uncle played with them :rolleyes: i am not one to be afraid of dogs....but like i said...better safe than sorry.

dogs can sense fear, anxiety, etc. so just go in like you are supposed to be there but be prepared for the worse....just in case it happens. know what I mean??? oh..and remember the rule of letting them smell the palms of your hands before you go to pet them or touch them :D

good luck :D :D

OMG! Have you lost your mind??? Can you do a practice run while they are there??? Oh, GF! You be careful!!! They can sense fear!! :eek:

V, I only know one thing for certain about this breed ... I am mortified of them. Yes, they smell fear and are unpredictible so please, please be careful. Is there any way you and the owners could conduct a sort of "trial run"? Let them leave or simply hide somewhere and then you zip over there to "pretend feed/walk" Stink? Just a thought!! ;)

Linda ... we must have posted at the same time!! Great minds .... ???

OK my next door neighbors big black mutt is scary and acts like she is going to eat anyone that comes near her. I feed her treats EVERY time I see her and she is no longer afraid of me and she lets me walk her if need be. Treats are a very good thing!

There is a also a very good chance he will just be happy to see you when you open the door!

oh lord. Not all pitts are killers in the making waiting for little old ladies and helpless babies to scarf down- i know its an unstable breed, but there are some really good ones out there. i had a dog that was over twice the height (she was a dalmatian/boxer mix) and weight as a pit, and gentle as a lamb, along with the patience for kids and small animals that rivaled Buddha. there is no need for pepper spray.

you said the dog knows you. what i would do is go up to the door and open it slightly(!!) and call his name, AS YOU ARE opening it, talk to the dog, extend a treat and see how he reacts. TAKE YOUR TIME DOING ALL OF THIS dont act all scared, because dogs sense fear and he may react based on YOUR fear and get scared himself and bite. talk to him for a minute, if he seems ok, pet his head and put one foot in the door... just slowly get in the door. this neighbor should have helped you a few times!!! they should have had you come to the door, knock, come in and pet him. then he would have known it was all ok. there is no need to be afraid of him, just read his body language and noises.

now, if he reacts with growls (like he not only doesnt know you, but doesnt want you on his terrirory) lock the door and go away. wait a half hour or so and come back and try again-i would try a few times but not open the door.. trust me, he can smell you through the door, and should know who you are.

if you cant get in there without him being aggressive then dont go in... the neighbor will just have a mess to clean up, and maybe learn a lesson that they should have worked with you in the first place! lol.

well, this is just my 2 cents, and its what i would do- others may have a different approach method..

i agree that there MAY be no need for it....but like I said...my friend was attacked by a dog that she spent several days a week with for 6 years...i'm sure she wished she had pepper spray. same with me and my uncles dogs.

all i am saying is better safe than sorry. i think it is a good idea for a single woman to carry pepper spray anyway...

but i do agree that just because they are pitts, doesn't make them evil. I believe any breed of dog can be a great dog, and any breed of dog can be vicious. but when you are already unsure of the dogs and you are not used to handling dogs that are so much bigger than yours, it is just best to be prepared. V hasn't lived there a REAL long time..so anything could go wrong. I dont think she would have posted this question if she weren't concerned herself.

V,

While the guys are there have them give you the keys and you can go in and out of the apt several times while they are there and once you open the door announce yourself...like hey guys it's me. Then have them come to the door happily to greet you, or you come in slowly and talk calmly to announce yourself and have them show that they are happy that your coming in. Another suggestion is to do that and then when you get in ask Stink if he wants to go for a walk. He has to see that it's acceptable that you are the one to walk him....you should be fine. Not all pitts are bad. If you worry some with the girls then that is fine. In my experience of owning pitts they really don't care about dogs that are smaller than they are. Most are more on alert when it's a dog their size or larger.

:eek:Are you calling Vee a little old lady?! :p Little old ladies do not wear red leather thongs.;)

(I am kidding of course...but only about one of those two statements!:cool:)

Seriously though Vee...Stink? LOL

I agree with others, see if you can do a trial run before they leave.:thumbup: (IF you can quit oogling over their devilish good looks that long.:p)

What if you do some practice sessions while they are still home.. just walk in with them there..then maybe have them go outside and you walk in alone with them behind you.. so he will get to know you coming and going in his..domain. That might help rather than a SURPRISE vist, so he's not :eek::mad:

Edit- I didn't read the responses.. I see this idea was already mentioned.. duh.

Villette...I don't want to ad to the fear factor here but I have to tell you a story and give my opinion.

You're a great person and I know you would do anything for anyone, you have a big heart...and I'd like to see you keep it! LOL! That being said...here's my opinion part...I think you're out of your league on this one. Once 'Stink' realizes he's home alone and his job is to protect that home everything may change in his mind.

Now, here's my story...we had a Cockapoo about 20 years ago...Benji was the cutest, loving little 15 pound ball of fluff that wouldn't hurt a soul...or we thought. We had a life long friend come in to lay carpet while we were gone one day...Benji knew Carl and had known him for years. Well, he let him in but wouldn't let him out and he guarded the doors aggressively when Carl would try to leave...it ended up that Carl had to call us to come let him out of our house. Needless to say we were shocked and totally surprised by Benji's behavior. The point is...anything can happen when the owner isn't there and it can happen with any breed of dog...not just pitts, they just have a more publicized reputation and we all know it isn't a good one.

If you decide to do this please take every precaution to protect yourself and be ready for the unexpected. Is there a boarding place they can take him to or do they even shy away from pitts?

I only have one thing to say - GOOD LUCK!!! We hope to be hearing back from you!! :)

I agree w/ doing some trial visits while the guys are still there.

i also think navygirl had some great advice.

If it was my pit you were sitting for, the only thing you would have to worry about when walking in the door is getting knocked down and licked to death...and maybe peed on..she pees when excited!

LOL !! Thank you - and you guys made me laugh - and yes I DID lose my mind. No one asked but I just couldn't see him all alone for 2 day...they say he'll be fine but all I could think of was GIGANTIC TURDS and a hungry lonely Stink.

He seems to be a big sweetheart but I've only stepped into their apartment maybe 3 feet max - tonight I'll have to start my test runs - that's a great idea!!

thank you - so - instead of treats PEPPER SPRAY ? :( I don't have any and think I'll try some treats I have that the girls won't eat.

no, i said BOTH lol

I think you should carry some anyway (pitt care or no pitt care) but i'm a bit paranoid when it comes to safety :D

Yes, I can see how that just tugs at your heart.

Vee, good luck with the pup! I think you will do fine.... I would keep treats and pepper spray, just in case.....
Its not just the pitt tho, any dog could be aggressive... I doubt this one will be, sounds like a baby....
have fun!
d

Vee just don't be scared. When people are scared around dogs you know it makes them nervous. Do the trial runs and see how that goes. Your a great person for doing it for them.

My pitts were so sweet that we always said if someone broke in they would show them around like grand hostess and host they were and cuddle and watch tv with them. The only time you had to watch them is if you were raising your voice or being nasty to us. They would immediately sit at attention and watch your behaviour towards us.

We might be getting a pitt in the summer....not worried in the least for my zoey monster.

I feel bad that they thought it would be acceptable to leave him home for two whole days on his own.

Tugged enough for me to offer to take care of him for 2 days

see what happens when I drink too much coffee ??? :D

V, Id ask the owners to keep his food at your house for the weekend so if worse comes to worse and he is not happy to see you, at least you could fill a bowl with food and another with water and quickly open the door, drop them down and shut the door so the dog won't starve at least! :)

I have very little fear of dogs... most of them Im fine with. I get a bit nervous around Rotties... I was bit (VERY MINOR) awhile ago... someone was walking a Rottie around a park and we were all playing a game, well I was one of the first ones out so I was petting the Rottie, but as more players went out they came over, soon there were about 10 people around him and I was the closest since I was first and he because nervous and kind of grabbed my hand in his mouth. It hurt a little bit, but since then Ive always been a little more nervous around Rotties even though I love them! My brother has 2 pitt mixes and 2 of his old roomies had a pitts. All 4 of them are FINE. None have EVER hurt or touched anyone. My bros big girl (90lbs and 7 years old) she is pitt/chocolate lab mixed, she plays with my boys all the time and I have NO fears of her EVER hurting them. My brother has her trained sooo well! She loves children and our friends feel 100% comfortable bringing kids around her.

Don't fear it too much. Im sure Stink will be fine! I love his name! haha

I don't know if this has been posted or not, but when you go into the apartment DO NOT act afraid, I'm sure you know this already, that dogs can sense fear. Also, I would ask your neighbors what you should do when you walk in, if others have watched their dog before and how they would be with the dog. They know their dog the best!

I don't really fear Stink - it's the fear of walking into HIS house without his guys home.

I think he's a really nice dog - but you know they can be unpredictable. I've given him toys - treats etc ,,,but usually thru the dad. I should have handed them to him myself and will start tonight when I get home. (I have a stash for him)

I'll be on my own island walking into Pitt Bull Territory and THAT's why I asked how to handle it best....and yes - I'll walk in like I OWN the place. Just hope he's nice to DA INTRUDA

Awwww poor Pup being left alone for two days locked up in an apt.
That alone I would think would make him an unhappy camper.

The trial run sounds like good advise and keeping the food at your
house incase it dosen't work out is also great advise. At least you
can open the door slightly and throw it in:p if necessary.
I think that dog will be so happy to see you he's going to be your
best friend. Just be careful. I know I would be scared silly and not
so sure I would have offered to be honest.
How about just opening the door and let him come to the door,
leash him and go for the walk without entering into the apt.
Then when you come back go in. Having spent time with him
he'll be comfortable I would think. Feed him, pat him on the
head and leave.
Good luck,

I think this is a great idea!

I like the idea of having the pepper spray

Is this for real:confused:

yes - for real. My neighbors are really good guys and he's a very well behaved dog but he's HUGE. I don't worry when they're standing right there with him - but in this case I'll be alone and am not sure what the best way to take care of him would be -

I'm hoping to go INTO the apartment so I can change his water and walk/feed him - it's just not right to leave him for 2 days but what can I say ? They're grown men

I would carry a big steak on a long stick.....

You don't let Stink (love that name) near your girls do you? I know pits can be sweet, but they can also be unpredictable.