Ask a Question
or
Create a Poll
  1. Home /
  2. Questions /
  3. Pets And Pet Care
  4. / Dogs
  5. / Training

by Vesper on January 9th, 2007

Vesper

Question

Help answer this question below.

Are pit bulls always really mean or can they be trained when they are small to be good dogs? What do you think of them?

  • Like
  • Report
Share:
Other

Answers. 26 helpful answers below.

  • by AnnBeverhasuen on January 10th, 2007

    AnnBeverhasuen

    I think what alot of people misunderstand is when they refer to a dog reverting back to what it was org bred for they take the "fighting" and think that means they were bred to fight, everything and anything.
    If you research back into the history of the dogs, they were also bred to to be EXTREMELY HUMAN FRIENDLY.
    With any breed of dog you must fulfill the entire cricle of needs for that animal, even the small tiny pocket dogs that people like to carry around, many times people report the tiny dogs as being mean and bitters, however they dont act as if they are a threast because of their size, why do you think those dogs are that way? because they do not get what they need, people assume that a walk ar little jog around the house will give them what they need, VERY WRONG.

    I have raised all 5 of my children from 22 years all the way down to 15 years, with the Pit bull Terriers, NEVER did i ever feel my children were in danger.
    I never set my dogs or my children up to fail, I made sure that each species respected the other, I gave my children what they needed to thrive , ie: Activities , food, boundres, rules & affection, and we gave the dogs the same.
    Dogs were treated as dogs, respectfully so. and humans were treated as humans.respectfully so.

    Contrary to what SO MANY people think, dogs are not Humans, and should never be treated like such.

    • Like
    • Report

    3 comments | Post one | Permalink

  • by stubborn9 on January 9th, 2007

    stubborn9

    I have a full blooded pitbull 5 yrs old and a black lab/pit mix 10 months old.I started there training at 4 wks old.It's easier for me to train them than other breeds.Once they learn and understand that i'm the alpha male in the house and i remind them constantly .This breeds highly intelligent and they will try to walk all over you and see how far they can push you and THEY WILL TRY.If you let them do that.Your gonna have bigtime problems.Be consistant in the training and stand your ground with the do's and dont's of what you expect of them.They have a bad rap but more ppl got bit by chihuahuas in the U.S last yr than all other breeds combined.The pic is of my grandaughter and 10 month old pit shadow.The reason we named him that is,it's her dog and he doesn't let her out of his sight and i mean never.

    • Like
    • Report

    1 comment | Post one | Permalink

  • by staffie on January 9th, 2007

    staffie

    i truly believe that any dog can be trained when young to be a perfect loving pet. there are idiots about breeding dogs and then tormenting them to be aggressive and this is what give the dogs a bad name. some dogs are bread for fighting which is wrong but not all dogs are the same, sorry if i seem defensive but i believe strongly about my opinion on this :0)

    • Like
    • Report

    3 comments | Post one | Permalink

  • by gonzogirl on January 9th, 2007

    gonzogirl

    Actually, a true pit bull is wonderful with children. While they may not get along witho other dogs, it is a myth that they are "ferocious" with people. I would be curious to know where asairel got his/her information ...

    "Pit Bull" is a slang term used to describe three breeds; the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. In recent evaluations by the American Temperament Testing Society (www.atts.org), these three targeted breeds achieved a combined passing score of 86.6%, a higher passing percentage than the Golden Retriever's 83.6%. In the hands of responsible owners, "pit bull" dogs make excellent companions!

    For real information on the breed, see http://www.badrap.org/rescue/myths.cfm and http://www.animalfarmfoundation.org

    Don't believe the hype. Educate yourself before you discriminate.

    • Like
    • Report

    2 comments | Post one | Permalink

  • by Redhawk on January 30th, 2007

    Redhawk

    I've worked training dogs and horses for over 30 years. One fact to keep in mind is that ALL DOGS BITE. It's really a matter of WHAT will cause a dog to bite.

    Even with my Certified Therapy Dog, my stock answer if asked, "Can I pet him, does he bite?" was always, "He normally doesn't bite, of course you can pet him." This was a mixed Retriever of 110 pounds that stood about 36 -37 inches at the shoulder, who loved everyone. He DID, however, decide to grab the "mighty sword" of a guy (friend of a friend) who was bothering me once at a beach party. Bossco, took hold of it, didn't break the skin..(the guy was wearing loose sweat pants...it was night time) and simply HELD IT firmly, with an expression on his face as if to say..."she said STOP IT...would you like to do that NOW?"

    All the Pit Bulls I've known have been very People friendly dogs. This includes the one I met backpacking once, with his owner, way up in the Rockys. Clearly with the cropped ears and the amount of scars on the dog (plus the owners admission) this dog had been fought. He still bounded over to us on the trail, his entire body wagging like a puppy, thrilled to bits to meet some NEW PEOPLE who might like to pet him, his tongue whipping out over our hands and a look of pure glee in his eyes!

    Dogs, not unlike children, need to understand that there are RULES in life. If you want to create a happy, positive relationship with your dog, you use positive reinforcements to teach them the rules. You teach them ACCEPTABLE behaviors that you can ask them to do successfully when they come up with natural behaviors that you DO NOT agree are acceptable.

    You have to look at not only was a Breed or Type of dog created and bred to do, but what is THIS DOG'S individual Temperament? All animals ACT and REACT to the stimulatives that are going on around them. They do not have the deeper mental agilities that humans possess. (aside from Primates and a few other animal species) They do not plot or plan to piss US off. Angry upset people are FRIGHTENING to dogs. They like routine!

    You also have to take into account the dog's PREY DRIVE. When you add other animals, smaller animals, or children to a dog's life, the prey drive if highly developed, can kick into overdrive with some dogs. "Get it, stop it, kill it!" The dog doesn't think, "Oh look, there's the baby, or I hate that freaking cat!" It simply is doing a behavior that is normal and natural for that dog to do. Unfortunately, that behavior doesn't work for us in our world.

    There are some breeds I would personally NOT ever recommend to anyone who has children. That being said there are always exceptions to every rule.

    Any dog CAN screw up, just as any human can. You have to assess the individual dog, train it with positive reinforcements to learn and do what you wish it to do, and learn to read your dog's body language so that you KNOW if your dog is about to break from doing a desired, requested behavior that you know the dog understands how to do correctly. Always support your dog in doing correct behaviors, and always be aware of stimulations that CAN TEMPT your dog to break it's normal behaviors.

    • Like
    • Report

    4 comments | Post one | Permalink

  • by asairel on January 9th, 2007

    asairel

    pit bulls are not advisable as pets especially with children around... no matter how you'll train them they will be always ferocious.

    • Like
    • Report

    41 comments | Post one | Permalink

  • by Skillit on January 7th, 2008

    Skillit

    They're only considered mean because of the amount of damage they CAN cause. My pitt is 6 now and he's never attacked anyone, but if he did it would probably make the evening news. Unlike a chihuahua, who could be the meanest little bastard ever and still never break skin. I know you hear it all the time, but it really IS all in the way they're raised. You raise a dog to be aggressive and he will be. And if you raise him like he's your baby he will be. It's ignorant and neglectful dog owners that cause these problems, not the dogs. Judge the deed, not the breed.

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Mini_kilt on November 1st, 2007

    Mini_kilt

    Simply put, Pit bulls can be trained to do whatever you like them to do (within reality's structure). They are very willing dogs who are very eager to please.

    They will do whatever you train them to do and give it 110% every time. Thankfuly, they don't judge our breed by what some of us has done to them unlike we tend to do to them.

    • Like
    • Report

    1 comment | Post one | Permalink

  • by Ron Hermione 4ever on November 1st, 2007

    Ron Hermione 4ever

    Pit bull's are not always mean and I'll be extremly mad if you say they are. They can also be nice it depends on how the family treats them. Here are two awesome youtube videos with some of the good. They have a few really sad parts and you may want to cry if your really into this stuff and know alot about it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F__pqya7i18
    and
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJueekvhRDI
    you should REALLy watch them they are SOOO good!

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by LaughingBadger on January 30th, 2007

    LaughingBadger

    I like pit bulls, and they can be as loving and gentle as any other dog. Even abused adult dogs that have been used for dogfights can be rescued and re-habbed. Teaching a child to be gentle and to move slowly is a no-brainer for most folks.

    Talk to the people who have owned/bred/shown these animals, and you will see they are really just dogs - no better and no worse than any other dog.

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Firebrand on January 9th, 2007

    Firebrand

    I love big Dogs and have always had German Shepherds, a dog that needs good training . I regret to say that even though i am used to dogs that are also considered to be dangerous on occassion( which if untrained they can be) I would personally never feel completely at ease with a child around any Pit Bull trained or otherwise. They are dogs that have been crossbred for generations to attack and fight and I would always worry that a child could do something that would set off the inbuilt fighter in the breed. It is not the dogs fault the breeders are the people that have cause to regret

    • Like
    • Report

    2 comments | Post one | Permalink

  • by Sodapop on February 13th, 2011

    Sodapop

    I used to be afraid of them for their demeanor, but my family actually has a blue nosed pit now and she's very very good with children. Very loyal and attentive. Doesn't snap or act aggressive at all. And she listens better to my instruction than any of the other dogs. We rescued her from a kennel when she was a pup and she has been so attached to the family since then. She'll crawl in my parent's bed and rest on her belly in the middle of them. She gets uncomfortable when she's held for a long time, but she'll lick your nose and face if you let her.

    It's given me a complete 180 on the dog breed. I hated them at one time, now I adore them. They ARE an aggressive breed, but I do feel under the right household with a firm hand they can be raised to be good pets. :)

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by pitbullsrock on February 13th, 2011

    pitbullsrock

    You know, Pit Bulls are so genital and sweet. All of you idiots train your Pit Bulls to do horrible things. I'll say that if you think Pit Bulls are mean than your wrong they are the sweetest things. FYI ALL OF YOU PEOPLE ARE IDIOTS FOR THINKING THEY ARE TERRIBLE AND YOUR ALL IDIOTS FOR ABUSING THEM. IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT. THE TRAINERS ARE THE MEAN ONES NOT THE PIT BULLS. GO ON ANIMAL PLANET.COM AND LOOK AT THE SHOW PIT BOSS. I'M PRETTY SURE THAT SHORTY HAS SOMETHING TO SAY.


    DID YOU KNOW? MORE PEOPLE ARE BITTEN BY GOLDEN RETRIEVERS THAN PIT BULLS.

    TELL ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS THAT PITS ARE NICE, SWEET, LOVING ANIMALS. AND TELL ALL THE IDIOTS TO STOP TRAINING THEM TO BE MEAN AND AGGRESSIVE.


    THANK YOU,
    EMMA PIERSON

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Jess on November 22nd, 2009

    Jess

    I love them with all of my heart. So what if they are strongly built, they have hearts of gold. They are forced to fight. I have never met a mean "pitbull" aka Staffordshire Terrier

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Anonymous on April 8th, 2008

    Anonymous

    well,
    my sister had a friend over this weekend and she is moving and we are watching her pit bull and we might adopt it! its new to our family, about 9 months old, and is like really nice to my baby brother and my family! personally i think that pit bulls are just like other dogs! i thing you should<big><big>band the deed not the breed!</big></big>i LOVE pit bulls and i thing they are really sweet and loving dogs that love to cuddle!

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Imowned on January 21st, 2007

    Imowned

    Pitbulls are not mean at all and cant be trained either. Why is that? Because their intelligence amongst all the other dog species is the lowest. That is what makes those dogs dangerous. their stupidity. More muscles - less brain. Usually those dogs are prefered by owners who have the same intelligence with their dogs... Just try to get some other dog famous for their intelligence and leave pitbulls alone.
    Personaly i dont like pitbulls for one reason. Because they are ugly. Their face makes me wanna crash them with my car and i dont let that opportunity when i see one roaming in the streets. Ops sorry! it just run over my car, it was an accident:P

    • Like
    • Report

    4 comments | Post one | Permalink

  • by psychotikid on January 19th, 2007

    psychotikid

    A dog,pitbull or otherwise is only as mean as it's owner. on the AKC list of 40 dogs most involved in attacks or bites to people, you will not find the american pitbull terrier on that list.contrary to popular belief the pitbull actully is considered to be a very good dog to have for a family. the incidents of attack are few in number, however, due to the severe damage these dogs can inflict when they do attack it often makes for sensational news reporting,which causes public opinion to form misconceptions about the breed that is not deserved.

    • Like
    • Report

    5 comments | Post one | Permalink

  • by anonymous on January 19th, 2007

    anonymous

    My uncle had a Rottwieler that was professionally trained. One day it reflexively snapped on him when he was petting it, but it then quickly began licking him as a kind of sorry. Point is any dog can be trained to be a good dog, but certain dogs have a naturally aggresive natures, Pitbulls being one of them. They might snap on someone because it is in there nature to be aggressive and dominate. Even if they are trained very well and have good human interaction and are in a good home environment. Personally I like Pitbulls, but for me I am slightly cautious around ALL dogs.

    • Like
    • Report

    1 comment | Post one | Permalink

  • by Wild_Rose on January 19th, 2007

    Wild_Rose

    Any dog requires a lot of commitment regardless of breed but Aggressive breeds, like the "Pitbull" require more. Personally, I like the breed but anytime I see one on a chain, hooked up to a doghouse in the backyard, I cringe. It's too easy to 'put off' the attention & training these dogs need when that's a permanent living enviornment for them. They are people friendly, that's true, but can quickly become aggressive towards humans if not exposed to them constantly and in a positive manner.

    To put it simply, it's a breed that needs a lot of care, training & will require a lot of your time. You are never past the 'typical' training stages with this breed (If you become lax, so will they). If you can't do that, for them, then this is not the breed for you because it's never right when a dog has to pay for a humans mistakes, which this breed so often ends up doing.

    • Like
    • Report

    1 comment | Post one | Permalink

  • by lakky1 on January 27th, 2007

    lakky1

    Ok my opinion :) everyone who owns a dog should watch cesar millan the dog whisper and then there would be no more bad owners and the dogs would always remain good dogs :) dogs no matter what the breed are animals and the breed is what we see on the outside and all dogs are good :) we just have bad owners with lack of knowledge that don't know how to take care of higher energy dogs and that's what makes a dog aggresive :)

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by C. on March 29th, 2011

    C.

    Oh, and yes, he IS friendly.

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by C. on March 29th, 2011

    C.

    Mean dog? Untrainable? You decide after looking at this photo.

    And, yes, they're all mine.

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by cmarnold on November 19th, 2009

    cmarnold

    it depend on the owner if the owner is agressive and treats the dog mean and the is how the dog will react. what u do is wat u get

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by WilAtHart is DONE on November 22nd, 2009

    WilAtHart is DONE

    pitbulls are very loyal dogs, that only grow temperamental when they are protecting something. i think that they are great dogs if you need protection. they can be okay if they are raised around more than one person, but an addition to the family might not go over very well, since they are very protective. but yes, training any dog early on is a good idea.

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by BSL is the PITS on November 22nd, 2009

    BSL is the PITS

    Now I'm hungry, dagnabbit!

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by curlysue on November 19th, 2009

    curlysue

    My neighbor rescued one.sweet dog loved everyone.however i think ignorant people are ruining the breed.the pittbull was once considered too be the best family dog when my mom was a child.i would be very cautious of the breeder.I think a good dog is part training and part good breeding.

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

Want to attach an image to your answer? Click here.

Did this answer your question? If not, then ask a new question or create a poll.

More Questions. Additional questions in this category.

You're reading Are pit bulls always really mean or can they be trained when they are small to be good dogs? What do you think of them?

Follow us on Facebook!

Related Ads

Related Questions

Professionally Researched

ANSWERBAG BUZZ

Are pit bulls mean
Are pitbulls mean
What does pitbull mean
Are pitbulls really mean
Are pit bulls really mean

Answerbag

a Demand Media company