I recently came across Tracey Stewart’s book, Do Unto Animals – How Animals Live and How We Can Make Their Lives Better. The book contains a chapter regarding pit bulls that brought me to tears.
It’s a beautiful, inspiring, informative book about caring for and loving animals – one of the sweetest I’ve ever seen. Not to mention beautifully (stunningly!) illustrated. You can read my review of the book here.
watch my video: how to help pit bulls
For the Love of Pit Bulls
I felt compelled to share it on my website, and to promote the ideas she shares so that more people can learn how to help pit bulls. I hope you’ll do the same by sharing this article with your friends and on social media.
Here’s Tracey’s chapter on Pit Bulls:
“Clearly, certain dogs are more physically powerful than others and can be visually intimidating to some people. If you choose to share your life with a larger dog, in addition to the extra-large portion of love you’ll get, you need to be prepared to accept an extra-large portion of responsibility.
People may be tolerant of a little dog that is a lot out of control, but often have no tolerance for a larger dog that is even a little out of control.
You owe it to your dog, who by no choice of his own may be judged more harshly than his smaller, less fearsome-looking counterparts, to teach good manners and sociability. Who knows, perhaps your dog can be an ambassador to change perceptions.
To date, five dogs that would be described by many to be “pit bulls” have joined our family: Enzo, Shamsky, Monkey, Lil’ Dipper, and Scout. Each has touched our hearts and enriched our lives profoundly. I can’t imagine never having had the joy they’ve all given us.
Misinformation about this breed abounds. Here are some facts you may not know and that you can share with others to spread the good word about these dogs that too often are stigmatized without cause.
FACT: Three breeds of dogs are officially considered pit bull terriers (a mix of bulldog and terrier): Staffordshire bull terriers, American pit bull terriers, and American Staffordshire terriers. Anything else is not a true pit bull, but rather a mix of some other kind.
FACT: Experts have found it impossible to accurately assign a breed label or predict future behaviors based solely on a dog’s appearance.
FACT: In the beginning of the twentieth century, pit bull-type dogs were among the most popular family dogs. They were even referred to as “nanny” dogs.
FACT: In the 1980’s, pit bulls became the dog of choice of drug dealers, dogfighters, and gangs. These people raise dogs in deplorable conditions and purposely incite fear and aggression in them for their own deviant purposes.
The result has been unspeakable injury, suffering and cruelty for canines and humans.
FACT: The disproportionate number of pit bull types in shelters is more due to irresponsible and prolific breeding than the misconduct of individual dogs. The large number of these dogs in shelters should not be interpreted as a negative reflection of their adoptability.
FACT: Media outlets have always salivated over a good fear-instilling animal story. Some believe that pit bulls became the victim in 1987 when Sports Illustrated published a cover with a snarling American pit bull terrier and the headline, “Beware of This Dog.”
Rolling Stone also published a graphic article about “teenagers, inner-city gangs, violence and the horrific abuse of pit bulls.” Pit bulls became the new easy breed to plug into the vicious dog story.
FACT: Many shelters euthanize a dog just for looking like a pit bull either due to their own ignorance or because they think that prejudice will limit the dog’s chances for adoption regardless of the temperament or soundness of the individual dog.”
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Pretty Sad, Don’t You Agree?
When I read this I pictured a young, male pit bull at the local shelter saying, “You mean I have to die today because of the way I look? But I’m a good boy!”
This dog likely gives unlimited, unconditional love to humans, most likely behaves well as it is an intelligent breed, and would, I have no doubt, give his life to protect its owner (especially a child).
Tears. That’s what the misperception and mistreatment of pit bulls creates for me. Profound sadness, sympathy, and tears.
Ways to Help Pit Bulls
Training for Pit Bulls
Pit bulls need extra help with training because, as unfair as it is, they have to behave almost perfectly just to be accepted by society.
Sadly, they can’t get away with minor misbehavior or mistakes that every dog breed makes – they tend to be crucified for the smallest infractions.
Also, it’s true that the bigger the dog, the more risk there is of serious injury to people or other dogs, regardless of the breed.
The best dog training program I know of is The Online Dog Trainer, created by well-respected dog trainer, Daniel Abdelnoor (known as “Doggy Dan”). His dog training website is by far the best, and fastest growing dog training website available. You can read my review of The Online Dog Trainer HERE.
Here’s a video of Doggy Dan working with Kay, an 18-month-old pit bull.
Best Pit Bull Training!
The best (and maybe only) way to keep your pit bull out of trouble is to make sure that he’s trained so well that he doesn’t misbehave. Doggy Dan is the best trainer there is.
You can have access to more than 300 videos on his website where you can see Doggy Dan working individually with dogs about every dog behavior issue. You’ll often see Pit Bulls in Doggy Dan’s videos.
Doggy Dan offers a 3-day trial of the website for $1. There is no obligation after that. So get on the website and look around for 3 days. I’m sure you’ll be very excited about the things you can teach your dog.
And if you know others who own pit bulls, please refer them to Doggy Dan’s training website. Here’s a link you can copy and share:
https://PeopleLovingAnimals.com/TheOnlineDogTrainer
More Ways to Help Pit Bulls
Remember Their History
Not that long ago, pit bulls were the preferred nanny dog, and they were often left in charge of young children. One of the most famous pit bulls was Petey, the dog who starred in “Little Rascals” films.
There have been a number of famous pit bulls, and they are still one of the top ten most popular breeds in the U.S.
Pit bulls then ended up getting a bad rap when they became the guard dog of choice for drug dealers. Around the same time, dog fighting re-emerged. And pit bulls are not the only dogs who have been marked as dangerous over the years. At various times, German shepherds and Rottweilers were at risk of being outlawed.
These facts alone are strong evidence that it’s not the breed that’s the problem; it’s how they’re treated and used by humans.
Be a Responsible Owner
If you have a pit bull, make sure you have trained the dog properly, and that they get enough exercise. Provide them with boundaries, rules and limitations, and make sure they’re safely socialized with other dogs, people, and children.
Work Against Breed Specific Legislation (BSL)
Many lawmakers are starting to take another look at Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) and are now working on more sensible laws that focus on the behavior of the owners rather than focusing on the type of dog.
Educate
The best way to counteract fear is with education. Together we can keep pressing forward until, one day, pit bulls are once again seen as the beautiful, lovable best friends they’ve always been.
Sad Note: I’m sad to report that Luna, the beautiful Pit Bull featured in this article, passed away on August 5, 2022 of an extremely aggressive bone cancer called, Osteosarcoma.
If you would like to make a donation to The National Canine Cancer Foundation in Luna’s name, please visit them at: https://wearethecure.org/donations/ God Bless You, Luna. We love you sweetheart. xoxoxo
Get the Word Out
Please do your part in helping to get the word out about pit bulls being misunderstood and unfairly judged. This book, “I’m a Good Dog – Pit Bulls, America’s Most Beautiful (and Misunderstood) Pet,” is a great way to start. Read it, then pass it along.
Perhaps even purchase a copy to donate to your local library (or several libraries)! Anything we can do to educate people will help.
Websites and Articles to Help Pit Bulls
ASPCA’s Position Statement on Pit Bulls
Huffington Post – 10 Stereotypes About Pit Bulls That Are Just. Dead. Wrong
GlobalAnimal.com – Pit Bull Discrimination – A People Problem?
I Donate to Animal Charities
Thank you for visiting my website. I hope you’ll help me spread the word about Pit Bulls and how they need people to be educated about the wonderful dogs they really are!
I donate 10% of my earnings to animal charities. You can see a list of the charities I donate to here. If you like this website, please share it with your friends and family who have a pet. Thank you! Debra
As dog owner of my border terrier Indy, and dog lover all around, I felt very connected to your article. As a matter of fact, I also read that Pitt bulls are very protective of children in their families. That’s why I wonder – and here is where I throw my outrageously viewed piece – whether sometimes, when you hear loudly shouted news of yet again another child savagedly harmed by a dog, often a Staf or indeed a pit bull, the blame is to be laid with the dog owner rather than the dog. Yet the ‘natural’ course of events is for the dog to be put down. When that happens, it just breaks my heart!
I agree totally. I think it’s the dog owner’s responsibility to make sure the dog isn’t put in a position where it would feel it has to be aggressive to begin with. I believe there are no bad dogs – just uneducated owners. I hope and pray my article and video help these dogs! Thanks so much for the comment. Debra