Ex-Fighting Dog Expert Required

Over-enthusiastic play wrestling or getting a bit intense in play aren't really behavior problems, and actually very normal dog behaviors. If he doesn't have actual anxiety problems, that might explain why psych medications weren't a good fit for him - they tend to reduce impulse control, which can lead to an excited dog getting excited faster and doing more impulsive things, like biting too hard.

Honestly, I think you'll see a lot of progress just by working with an experienced trainer to help you with impulse control and basic commands so you can manage him more safely and understand him better. ccpdt.org has a 'find a trainer near you' function and only lists trainers that meet their standards of dog behavior education and hands-on experience. Many are now offering remote training options due to the pandemic, so you aren't even restricted to someone super close by.

A good start, then, but I'd still be seeking a second opinion from another qualified professional. I don't see anything in the behavior you've described that is outside of normal bully-breed behavior - heck, most of it could be applied to my 30lb curly-coated water dog. Happily playing with another dog, even if it got over the top, is the exact opposite I'd expect from a dog with a fighting background.

If you feel like he's outside your ability to manage or a poor fit for your family, that's totally understandable. There's no shame in reaching out to a rescue to help him find a home, and it doesn't diminish the good work you did taking him in and getting him healthy again. I just don't see the point in labelling him as an ex-fighting dog without much more robust and conclusive proof than what's been described here.

It's difficult because we can't see this dog in person or witness your interactions. Your descriptions sound like a lot of behaviors I'd expect from a high-energy, intense bully breed - low impulse control with play, getting too mouthy, jumping. You're right that these are inappropriate behaviors that need to be worked on, but they're not behavior problems in the sense that they don't sound extreme, abnormal, or dangerous (in the sense that they indicate he will attack you or another animal, obviously jumping and climbing on people or getting too mouthy can cause injury).

Maybe I'm getting the wrong impression because, again, I'm not seeing him or these behaviors, but it's hard to offer advice for something when my impression is that some foundation training and/or lifestyle adjustments would improve things, but the person living with the dog is saying the animal might be dangerous. That makes me reluctant to give advice along the lines of "try this training protocol" in case I'm wrong and the dog does have a more serious issue that needs special handling, which is why I try to suggest in-person trainers in that situation, or a new trainer if the one you're using hasn't been able to help you effectively address the issues.

I do wish you luck, and I hope BFAS helps you work out the best plan for your and your dog. Again, you did an awesome thing taking him in, and it's obvious you care for him.

I think it has already been well stated that the behaviors don't sound (in text) to be abnormal per se but that the inability to see the dog in person is a barrier to giving safe training advice.

But I want to pose some questions for you to consider, answering not required.

If this dog was not a pit bull type dog and showed these same behaviors, would you be as concerned or having the same reaction?

If you did not know where the dog was found and in what condition but rather, say, adopted him from the local city shelter with zero background info, would you be thinking bait dog/dog fighting?

I ask these things because I have seen over the years a LOT of people jump to the conclusion of "bait dog" or dog fighting training as both excuses for and worries about a pit bull type dog's behavior while in reality, even in places where dog fighting is still common (and it is to a degree here), MOST dogs who end up strays or being treated poorly are not connected to dog fighting.

Even old scars can be from getting into a regular fight (not human caused I mean), from wire fencing, from tangles with bad tie-outs, etc.

I have met dogs who had been seized as evidence from dog fighting cases and in my limited observation, they ran the full spectrum of behavior towards other dogs and people. I have also known well young and exuberent pit types who were basically wild and crazy and climbed people and grabbed with mouths and shredded toys and grew with training and time to be wonderful dogs.