Not too much on TV so I find myself on AP watching the show The Pitt Boss. It's about a little person whose passion is helping pitt bulls. I have watched 1 episode and while I can see that he loves his dogs, his girl pitt attacked and tore up a skateboard and would not listen to stop. I know it was just a skateboard but you worry for that kind of death grip on a living thing.

Anyways, wondering if you've seen the show and what you think? I see that this man loves his dogs a lot. It makes me think more about how I feel about the words pitt bull and the dog itself. It was very sad when he went to the animal shelter and there was this long row of cages with all these dogs looking through the gates...some with their tails wagging. It is sad.

__________________
"Some days you're the dog, some days you're the hydrant."

~Jenn and Leif

I've seen it advertised but like you I'm not a fan of the breed so I've never tuned it in.

__________________

Well, it's giving me something to think about. the few pitts here are mean/sharls at other dogs but the people who own them I am sure are the kind of people who would get pitts because of their reputation and might even abuse the animal to get it to become viscious. I've got to say that after watching a couple of episodes that perhaps it is not as black and white as I have seen it as.

While nothing is ever black & white, neither is real life edited like a television show.

there was one show on AP or nat geo, i can't remember, about a lady running a giant shelter at her home and retraining 'problem' pitbulls to give to good homes. she also would visit schools explaining how it's not the dogs, it's about the owner and how taking care of an animal correctly can change everything. it was a great show.

i've always been scared to DEATH by rotts, pitts, and most dobermans after nearly being attacked by a dobie as a child. it's also probably stereotyping but i almost adopted a pitt from a shelter before i discovered layla. i think in the wrong hands, any dog can have aggression issues. a pitt bull's instinctive deathgrip sure makes me uneasy, though. i think they really are beautiful dogs being so muscular and whatnot, however.

__________________

I watched one show but thought he was not doing the breed justice and breaking laws - or close to it - in getting to the dogs. Every system has a process and he is allowed to break the law for the show.

It's a show, I'm sure he loves the dogs, but he is not educating the public about the good in the breed. But again I'm also not a fan of pitts as they only belong in homes with really involved owners.

I've only seen one episode. It does seem like the guy genuinely loves those dogs and is willing to go above and beyond to help them. I have to admire that.

That said, I'm not a fan of Pit Bulls, either. I've met a couple very sweet, very friendly ones, but I would never trust them and I wouldn't want to live next door to one.
Where the show goes wrong, I think, is that it seems to portray Pits as big, sweet, lovable babies and doesn't address the responsibility and caution necessary for owning one. Maybe they have addressed that in other episodes - I don't know - but from what I saw, it seemed like the message could be a little bit dangerous. I wouldn't like a show that portrayed GSDs that way... I sure don't think it's a good idea to portray Pits in that light!

__________________
Deni
Mom to:
Riley - 4 yrs

Yeah, I understand. I watched 2 episodes in a row and something else that struck me was that they never show another dog around the pitts. (He has 2 pitts and they are together but I mean, say coming across other dogs in public.) Even at this festival thing there were no other dogs around this mans pitt bull. If he wants to change people's attitudes then perhaps he should show that his pitts aren't aggressive towards other peoples dogs that they pass.

I think that they really should take the opportunity with this show to highlight the responsibilities of owning a "bully" breed and what kind of home is best, etc. Unfortunately, a lot of people get their "news" from TV so this could be a way to really reach people that don't care to research further before going to get a PB.

Thanks for bringing this up and for all the comments...I don't have cable (...and don't watch much TV as it is!) and hadn't heard mention of this program.

It's also really interesting to see the variety of viewpoints on breed group needs.

Maybe instead of focusing on breeds...we need a program talking about behaviorally healthy dogs and how to recognize those signs, taking into consideration breed tendencies? One thing I have struggled with is teaching people, especially novice dog owners but even more, those about to get a dog, to recognize behaviorally healthy dogs and understand that is one of the biggest keys to long term success.

Would anyone care to elaborate on the laws the (...I want to say character...but he's not fictional...what's the term I need?!)...person is breaking?

I fully admit to breaking state laws when I'm at the humane society walking dogs...here in OH bullies are supposed to be muzzled (and I think, on a 6ft chain leash. Isn't that pleasant to use when teaching polite walking!).

If anyone has a chance to attend a well-run pittbull specific class...I highly recommend it. From the little I've got to see it was really useful even in thinking about and caring for my own dogs... all dog owners do need to be working towards good public perception of all dogs for sure.