Re: Pit Bull Attacks
^ what he said regarding breeding...
Pitt's, AmStaffies, and Staffies are medium breeds. Their max normal weight is nominally >75 pounds with heights of >24". They are not big dogs. Muscular, yes. Quick, heck yeah. Lots of heart and what we call 'gameness'*, yes.
CJ, your dog knew that was a good individual doing work, and my guess is he had seen both you and him together amicibally before that day, and hence saw a non threat that was 'ok' according to 'Alpha'.
It's funny, many say oh these dogs get out adn they are dangerous. I keep Bulleit's collar on when we are out in teh yard because sometimes the gate gets left open. His normal behavior should he see this and no one is looking? Go screw woith the hunting dogs across teh draw through their fence, drop down to say hi to the neighbors if they are out, then come running when he hears his whistle. Now he is trying to figure out why someone is whistling for him from the tree out back...seems a mocking bird has decided that is a fun whistle to mimic. Ya ever see a smart dog, sitting on his haunches, looking up into a tree with that wtf look? Frikken priceless!
No one breed of dog is any more, or any less vicious than another. No one breed is bred for this behavior. It is a learned behavior based upon circumstancial experiences both trained or untrained. A good dog of any breed will respond to training, and not be vicious when trained properly and well on a regular basis, however, dogs do not like being touched from above. This is the reason for self protection toward people, it has been published time and time again that dogs, like YOU and I, do not like hands in faces. The proper way to aproach is hand turned palm upward, under the dogs chin, stopping so the dog can accept YOOU, get your scent, then allow you to proceed. If the dog does not want you there, they will turn their face left or right and try to ignore YOU. If you persist, well, you have been given warning, most will go away, not too smart will persist, and if not supervised get that warning growl...you put a hand in my face and I don't know you , you get a warning growl and if yu touch my face in a manner I do not like, you will get attacked...same things, same behaviors that we all know. Dogs and people respond exactly alike in this one manner. Several other traits are also learned that are similiar. Do YOU not sit happily when the promise of food is ready to be eaten, waiting for you rmistress to set yur plate down in front of you? Thought so
* this is what many falsely say is the ability to lock the jaw. The fact is this is not possible. It is the 'spirit' within the dog to not give up, a very Marine like characteristic. In point of fact, Rottweilers have the same trait and eons ago earned the nickname 'Iron Jaws'