Pit Bull vs Homeowners Policy

[REDNAX]

A recent property inspection revealed this:

A list of our breed restrictions are as follows.
>
> * Rottweiler
> * German Sheppard
> * Doberman Pinscher
> * Pit Bull Terrier/Staffordshire Terrier
> * Chow
> * Spitz
> * Akita
> * Additional breed restrictions could apply and be property specific.

And I fail to understand why owners blame "bad owners". I've "met" example of each breed that I liked. But numbers are the insurance companies forte, and statistics bear telling.

I figure concealed carry is more for dogs than people. Damned if I'm going to see my family, friends or self carry some rips or worse from a loose dog especially from bad breeds where there is a known threat.

I would add any breed to that list where the original intent was control of human-sized problems; Great Danes for example.

Once it is out of the gate or off the leash, better figure that doggie gone bye-bye.

[SteSpot]

It is my feeling that the owners are responsible for their dogs.....we live between 2 dog owners....one is a responsible dog owner and the other is not and his dog barks at everyone and everything....luckily we have been able to talk about it with that neighbor and he is "trying" to control the barking....and it is better than it was.

Now, we just adopted a 2 year old male rescue boxer (from a boxer rescue organization). We are using a dog behaviorist to teach us what to do (it has been 10 years since our last dog) and he says that we must become the leader of our pack and that until we do, not much training will be done. And he says the way to become the leader of the pack is through the only pack activity we can engage in which is walking the dog on a controlled leash with a correction everytime he tries to lead or go after a cat, squirrel, etc. He is a sweet, smart dog and not agressive but definitely had not been trained or controlled by his former owner. We are determined to control and enjoy this dog.....please wish us luck in this endeavor. paula

[Stefrobrts]

Originally Posted by REDNAX

A recent property inspection revealed this:

A list of our breed restrictions are as follows.
>
> * Rottweiler
> * German Sheppard
> * Doberman Pinscher
> * Pit Bull Terrier/Staffordshire Terrier
> * Chow
> * Spitz
> * Akita
> * Additional breed restrictions could apply and be property specific.

'Spitz' is an interesting addition, because it is not a breed, but a word used to describe a group - like 'hound'. Spitz actually covers almost any dog with prick ears and a tail curled over their back. That includes my eskimos, as well as pomeranians, samoyeds, and akitas (which are on the list separately), and many many others. That sounds like a poorly thought-out list.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by SteSpot

.....please wish us luck in this endeavor. paula

Paula,

Your approach to the situation is paw-fect, you will do fine. Keep us posted on your progress.

[Airstream25]

Originally Posted by enduroryda

Such a bummer that pits get such a bad rap.

In my opinion, pit bulls deserve a bad rap because of the many occurrances of them attacking and severely injuring innocent passers by. My step daughter was a victim. At another time and place, my wife's horse was a victim.

We will not have another tenant with a pit bull.

Anyone looking for a family pet has many other choices.

[COArgosy78]

1st of all - Paula, you are one step ahead by just caring enough to rescue that boxer Your trainer is very right, the leader of the pack will have the best control over the behavior. I have seen many "rescued" dogs go from a scared, cowering mess or snarling, nasty, scary to best family member ever. The best example was many years ago when my boys were small. Our neighbors across the street adopted a VERY large Rottweiler. I was extremely concerned as the boys were of course "interested". I don't think the dog came off as overly aggressive, but the "name" implies many visions. The owners care and patience made that dog a wonderful addition to our area, with never a complaint. But, I also know that the owners were ever vigilant about the known tendancies of the breed. I also feel very strongly that, unless a dog is extremely well trained to come on voice command, they should be on leash while in public. My very first dog (she was a shy, sweet Yorkie)was lost to us when out one day with us in our front yard. A German Shepard w/out owner ran into the yard, grabbed our little girl by the head and used her as a play toy. She was dead before we could even respond. It was devastating. It could have been a young child.
Lastly, when there is enough abuse of, or lack of responsibility, in most any situation, there is going to be an authoratative crackdown to try to curb it. The unfortunate part of that is that the responsible suffer along with the rest. Just my 2 cents.

[SteSpot]

Originally Posted by COArgosy78

1st of all - Paula, you are one step ahead by just caring enough to rescue that boxer Your trainer is very right, the leader of the pack will have the best control over the behavior. I have seen many "rescued" dogs go from a scared, cowering mess or snarling, nasty, scary to best family member ever. The best example was many years ago when my boys were small. Our neighbors across the street adopted a VERY large Rottweiler. I was extremely concerned as the boys were of course "interested". I don't think the dog came off as overly aggressive, but the "name" implies many visions. The owners care and patience made that dog a wonderful addition to our area, with never a complaint. But, I also know that the owners were ever vigilant about the known tendancies of the breed. I also feel very strongly that, unless a dog is extremely well trained to come on voice command, they should be on leash while in public. My very first dog (she was a shy, sweet Yorkie)was lost to us when out one day with us in our front yard. A German Shepard w/out owner ran into the yard, grabbed our little girl by the head and used her as a play toy. She was dead before we could even respond. It was devastating. It could have been a young child.
Lastly, when there is enough abuse of, or lack of responsibility, in most any situation, there is going to be an authoratative crackdown to try to curb it. The unfortunate part of that is that the responsible suffer along with the rest. Just my 2 cents.

Sorry about your poor little dog. And yes, we see owners walking their dogs off leash every day. It is scary for me because I don't know what might happen when me meet....I am trying to walk on the wider streets so that I can keep our distance but on the narrow canal side sidewalks that is not possible. We do know that we have some learning to do but we did see a beautiful voice controlled elegant looking boxer that was next door to us when we took our new 68 Ambassador to Malibu for our first trip out....that dog stayed in their trailer without the door being closed and was under perfect voice control. So we know it is possible. And actually that boxer caused us to look into the boxer breed. The boxer rescue organization rescued our Bandit from the pound and tested him for agression (he is not agressive) and friendliness to kids (he is friendly to people and the neighbor's dogs) besides giving him his vacinations, neutering, and chip. Thanks for the encouragement....sometimes I wonder what we signed up for....and then he does something that is so cute.....and he is crawling into my heart......paula

[COArgosy78]

Ohhhhh, this is, I don't know, off the charts. I'm afraid this guy would not be able to get Life insurance, for sure. I hope he never falls into the water