People these days

Amaya-Mazie-Marley · 05-29-2007, 11:48 PM

I am so mad right now. I have a friend that won't even come to my house anymore because of my APBT and he wouldn't hurt a fly! He pulled up in my driveway and wouldn't even get out of the car. I was like omg he won't freakin hurt you. I had him on a tight leash even though Marley was sitting there wagging his tail and not even paying attention to my friend. I am sick of this Pit bull nonsense. Just because my dog is a pit bull doesn't mean he will rip you apart. My 18 pound dog would be more likely to bite anybody than my APBT. I just don't udnerstand this. Am I doing something wrong here? Is there any way to make my dog look less mean? Even though he doesn't even look mean at all. UGH

Cassie Nova · 05-30-2007, 12:11 AM

Put a big pink bow on his head?

Honestly, if they're set in their ways, that's that. I wouldn't force it on them, as that will make it worse.

When I walk Scamp, people will come up and say "aww how cute!! He's so cute! I LOVE HIM!!!" and "what kind of dog is he? I want one!" but when I walk Cassie, they go out of their way to get out of mine. The funny thing is, Scamp is growly and short-tempered, but Cassie is sweet and lick lick lick! She wouldn't hurt a fly, but Scamp growls at me when I hug him. Most people are just very dog-ignorant and don't understand that little does not equal innocent.

ScareCrow · 05-30-2007, 12:14 AM

I know what you mean. I never realized how many people could be scared of dogs until we got Annie. There have been times when we were out for a walk and people would literally scream when they saw her. Annie is a sweetheart, even worked as Santa's helper when she was at the animal shelter and she wouldn't harm a soul. You can fix ignorance but you can't fix stupid is the best answer I can give.

sillylilykitty · 05-30-2007, 12:23 AM

I know it is so bad the way people think of Pit bulls. But thats the way the media portrays them, so people are going to keep thinking they are life killers until who knows when. Personally I dont know what looks cuter than a pit bull wagging its tail with that huge smile on its face, I just love their smiles

As for making your dog look less "mean" you cant really. Except maybe putting a bumble bee costume on him! Or any kind of costume.

Amaya-Mazie-Marley · 05-30-2007, 12:33 AM

Does he seriously look like he would hurt anybody?

sillylilykitty · 05-30-2007, 12:39 AM

Oohhhh! He is sooo cute! How could anyone be scared of him?!

Amaya-Mazie-Marley · 05-30-2007, 01:06 AM

My thoughts exactly!

Dorygirl · 05-30-2007, 08:24 AM

I have a 9 pound cockapoo (who looks like a little stuffed animal) and some people cross the street when they see her coming. One friend came to my house and asked if I could put Dory in her crate while she visited because she was bitten by a dog when she was a kid. The dog was a collie.
Some people just don't like dogs. Or have a fear of them. It's not a personal insult toward the owner. Try to be considerate and keep the dog away from someone who is afraid. Just because you don't understand that fear doesn't make it "stupid".

Jen D · 05-30-2007, 08:29 AM

I have to agree with Dorygirl some people are just afraid of dogs and most are not going to change. He is so cute I myself would not be afraid but he does look like a pit that he is and i think if you push it you might drive your friend away.

very_vizsla · 05-30-2007, 10:18 AM

when i walk my vizsla, there are some people in my neighbourhood that will cross the street. jersey is the sweetest, most non-threatining dog that i know. i also have 2 pits, which people are terrified of. they are the sweetest, most harmless dogs that i know. some people are just really afraid of dogs, no matter what they look like.

LeRoymydog · 05-30-2007, 10:24 AM

People are just afraid of pitties. period. I don't think there is a way to change them except education. The more people like us put in good words, write the local paper about the good stuff your pittie does, the more people would be educated about them. Pictures say alot of words, also. Get out in the public, and teach.

(Just my 2 cents)...

Snowshoe · 05-30-2007, 10:35 AM

Yeah, I feel your pain.

People think that Orchid is some kind of chow chow when they see her, and most parents seem to think that she will kill and eat their children.

IMHO, just prove them all wrong. Make sure your dog is the best, friendliest, most well behaved dog in the entire neighborhood.

bluesbarby · 05-30-2007, 10:38 AM

I have to agree with the other posters. Some people are just afraid of dogs. I was one of them, still am to a certain degree because I was once attacked (not by a pit by the way)and have a nasty scar to prove it. I walk Riley every day and we usually meet up with a pit named Felon. If Riley shows no fear than I don't and they have become great friends. The only dog Riley has shied away from is a hybrid beagle/coyote which we totally steer clear of.

sillylilykitty · 05-30-2007, 10:39 AM

I dont think this will ever change really. Some people are just closed minded. I tried my absolute hardest to change a friends mind that pit bulls jaws dont lock and with all the proof I got on the internet (many many MANY sites!) he still dismissed it as if everyone is wrong.

I just dont think its possible to get people to understand the pit bull if so many people dont even understand dogs. Maybe we could change some minds but there is always those few who want nothing to do with it.

onyxdaily · 05-30-2007, 10:41 AM

I agree totally with LeRoymydog. People are scared of Pitt Bulls. I think it's because of all the media stories everyone hears. Personally, the only news stories about Pits that I have seen or heard have been scary stories about children / adults / other animals being attacked or mauled or killed by Pit Bulls. I cannot recall ever seeing a news story with a happy "feel good" Pit Bull store. Maybe if the media portrayed Pits some way other than "killers", peoples attitudes would start to change.

Chloef_2799 · 05-30-2007, 10:48 AM

There is a guy who lives down the street from us and he has a bull terrier and an american pit bull terrier and they are wonderful dogs. They are so friendly and well behaved and gentle. They are actually some of the very few dogs that Chloe will hapily run up to and lick and say hi and whine. Most of them she just tries to tear limb from limb (which is going to stop because I have a behaviouist/trainer comming over today to help me start helping her to overcome this issue of hers). This guy is a great guy to he is so nice and full of information and always tries to show people the good side of his dogs. He actually helps people overcome their fears of dogs with his two.
I agree with you SillyLillyKitty, I get so frustrated when people are afraid of dogs for no reason. Yes I understand dogs bite, heck I have been bitten by LOTS of dogs but not all of them are mean, bad dogs. I used to get mad when people shied away from Maggie, our old shepherd. She was a sweetheart and people would cross the street or pick up their dogs and walk the other way. My dad once had a friend and his wife over and the wife asked my dad to please muzzle or crate Maggie because she didn't trust dogs. My dad ended up taking them onto the back deck and put Maggie into her run and Maggie just layed there chilling and the lady eventually said he could let her out because she seemed very nice.