So my mother is getting a pit bull!

[Chip]

As I may have mentioned a few hundred times, I opened a pet shop a little over a year ago. One constant when you have such a store is people trying to place animals, from guppies to primates. Well, a little old lady came in to buy a collar and talk about food a couple of weeks ago. Her son had given her an "American Staffordshire Terrier" and it was one of the coolest puppies I have ever seen. Really beautiful pup, solid brindle with a black muzzle and incredibly aloof for an 8 week old puppy. I couldn't get over the eye contact and patience of such a young puppy. Last week, she was told by her apartment owner that that breed was prohibited and told me she had began keeping him in her car! I told her it could stay at the shop during operating hours and my mother or I would take turns taking it home at night from time to time until he found a home.
As luck -for good or for ill, would have it, my mother has totally fallen in love with the puppy. It follows her everywhere she goes, and just sits until she finishes bagging a fish or whatever, then follows her to the cash register and again, sits by her feet. I think this might be a special animal, and am happy that my mom, who lives alone, has a companion. My only concern is that she's 64 and getting a very powerful breed. The owner brought the registration papers yesterday and they were American Dog Breeders Association papers, not AKC. And the dog is a registered pit bull, not the "knock-off" Staffie. I have an English and American bulldog, the latter being incredibly athletic. She's taken my legs out from under me and I'm 6'1 and strong! Anyone either experienced with the breed or who knows an older person with a powerful dog? I really want this to work out, but if I need to tell her she doesn't need a dog like that, now's the time.
I'll post photos of the pup as soon as I get some -I've had my camera at home for a couple of days to post up some pics of my Nic boas and haven't found the thread! Happy to post pics of my own bulldogs too, if anyone cares to see 'em.

 

[jenneses]

It's been my experience that pit bulls can be very gentle dogs. It's really the training that matters. Seeing how your mom and this puppy have a bond already, she should be able to train him to recognize her as "boss". With any dog, training is really essential, but especially for the larger dogs where bad habits can be more harmful. If you know of a good trainer, maybe your mom can bring the puppy for classes?

 

[Hypancistrus]

Agree with Jennesses-- training is critical. Get the dog and your mom enrolled in a qualified positive reinforcement obedience class ASAP.

 

[whippet]

Yep...Training is key. My grandparents had dobies until their late 70s. It's all about training and getting control of the dog quickly.

 

[Chip]

I'm signing him up for "puppy socialization" classes that start next week -IF I decide I shouldn't beg her to let someone else take him. He has really bonded with her. We were trying to pull two five gallon buckets out from each other today and it got between us and barked at me! I see it being so potentially good, but I'm sure you understand my reservations.

 

[NFS07]

Training. Training. Training.

Also, barking at you is not something that should be allowed by you or your mother. Anything that looks like it might hurt someone needs to be as calm as it can be. So no barking, lunging, growling, rough playing, or any thing else other dogs might get away with. The "dog" rules are not the same for pits, its really sad but its where Americans have put the breed.

Good luck!

 

[Chip]

I'll train the dog. That's not my concern here. It's really whether a 65 year old can handle a 50-odd pound (he'll be neutered) pit. This is going to be *her* dog! I have a 70 pound American that I had to be quite forceful with at times. Here's a snap when I got her:

In two years she was a whole 'nother beast:

At six months she would run down and kill squirrels. At about ten months she hopped the 6 foot fence and killed a wild turkey. I thought my girlfriend and I were going to have to give her up. I finally took a hybrid of Kohler and Monks of New Skete approach and took a stronger hand with her and she's a model citizen now.
My English bullie has never shown aggressive interest in anything but perhaps my sandwich. I would never allow aggressive behavior toward myself or anyone from my dogs, just sharing an anecdote that this dog seems to love Mama Red!

 

[Calift]

Aww you're dog is beautiful! I love "bully" breeds, but they can be a handful and do require a firm hand in training. Don't think I'll ever own one simply for the high-prey drive alone. Have you ever tried "NILIF" training? It stands for nothing in life is free and is basic pack-order training. Kind of common sense to most people, but the basic idea is to make your dog work for rewards and acknowledge you as the alpha leader...with no hitting/yelling of course. I'm sure that little pup will turn into a wonderful dog, as long as your mother is willing to put a little extra work into training consistent with training. I'd suggest she google apbt's, there is a lot of good info from rescue groups out there about their care. Good luck, and post pictures of the little guy soon!

 

[Jessicat]

Pit Bulls are my all time favorite breed. Make sure your dog is VERY socialized. Take it to public areas and pass him/her around. That's what I did with Oliver and he was great.

I honestly think that the reasons Pit Bulls were chosen as fighting dogs is because they're so attached and loving of their owners they're willing to die for them.

Here's me and Willy back in '86 or '87. The breed has remained in my heart ever since. I'm a dog lover in general, but I just feel like the bond you can create with a Pit Bull is like none other.

A better shot of the handsome boy:
<a href="http://s17.photobucket.com/albums/b78/justanotherhominid/?action=view&current=Willy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b78/justanotherhominid/Willy.jpg" border="0" alt="Willy"></a>

 

[Jessicat]

Crap, gotta get my shiny medallion back so I can avoid embarrassing moments like this...

Here's the second picture I was going to share..

And just cause I had to make a whole other post.. here's Willy as my parent's ring bearer at their wedding!!

I hope that the American public lets up on their relentless villainization of this amazing breed. I can't believe that all the breed haters haven't gotten it through their thick skull that fighting dogs are THEIR creation. They only exist because we made them.:nope:
Needless to say, whenever I see a dog show I always root for the "Staffordshire Terriers", and the APBT if they're present. They never win, but I hope some day to change that... :licklips:

 

[Nanci]

I think the dog will grow up and learn that he can't be too boistrous around your mother. Shoot- look at my pit- she sleeps 95% of the day and night! The forum http://www.pitbullforum.com has a TON of stickies for almost every training situation you could want, and the people there seem very helpful. I think you could use a modification of anti-jumping training to train him not to accidentally crash into her. And there is a very good sticky about training pups not to bite, too, where you esentially convince them you are a big baby that can't stand any teeth at all and they have to be very, very careful not to hurt you. Your mother will live longer if she has a dog.

My boistrous pit, worn out not 15 minutes after waking up by a tiring morning of pottying and eating breakfast:

 

[danielle]

I grew up with dobies and have owned 2 pits in my days both rescues who eventually made the best dogs ever. I won't reiterate the need for socialization with other dogs everyone else has. They are not aggressive with people, but neither one of mne was found of other dogs. They are strong willed and can be so naughty, but if your mom is experienced and firm she should have no problem just leash train that guy immediately!!! My father-in-law was injured by one of mine because he gave a little too much lead and couldn't control him when a neighbor was walking his poodle by. They are big babies and both of mine would have licked an intruder to death, but they are also high energy and need long runs- does she have a big yard?

 

[jenneses]

I understand your concern about the dog being too powerful for your mom. Some aren't attracted to the "hunt and chase". I have the cutest video showing that sometimes they just want to be friends with the small animals:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GB14-uwYXfA

 

[cornspot]

A few years ago I rehomed a staffie cross (dad was half staffie half lab & mom was some other bully mix) to some folks in their late 70s. The people got an easy walk harness to be able to walk her without her pulling them down. Sadie was already socialized and trained, not a puppy, but this was their first dog & they LOVE her and are taking great care of her (though they've let her become a bit too heavy).

 

[Chip]

Thanks so much for all the replies! I'd update further, but I'm all over the links and new forum. I met Mom and "Hank" (other name ideas welcome!) out at the dog park today, and he does really well around other dogs.. except for letting go of a toy, which is to be expected from a ten week old pup. I'm warming to the idea. I just can't let go of this "what if" mentality since my mother is getting elderly.

 

[Nanci]

Hey, she's only 15 years older than me...

 

[Chip]

Hey, you're only ten years older than me! It starts adding up after a while, she's in good shape but is showing signs of aging -arthritis, etc. I know this little fella is going to be really powerful! And, yes, I worry about the word "pit" more than I should. Thanks for the link, I've "introduced my damn self" and look forward to talking to those folks!

 

[carol]

I'll train the dog. That's not my concern here. It's really whether a 65 year old can handle a 50-odd pound (he'll be neutered) pit. This is going to be *her* dog! I have a 70 pound American that I had to be quite forceful with at times. Here's a snap when I got her:

In two years she was a whole 'nother beast:

At six months she would run down and kill squirrels. At about ten months she hopped the 6 foot fence and killed a wild turkey. I thought my girlfriend and I were going to have to give her up. I finally took a hybrid of Kohler and Monks of New Skete approach and took a stronger hand with her and she's a model citizen now.
My English bullie has never shown aggressive interest in anything but perhaps my sandwich. I would never allow aggressive behavior toward myself or anyone from my dogs, just sharing an anecdote that this dog seems to love Mama Red!

10 months is a real late start for a pit. You can start full training at 4 months old and with a big breed, I'd highly recommend it. I just recentley lost my 9 year old Great Dane, but when she was around a 5 year old could have walked her. Danes are more mellow than pits but the key really was that I started her at 4 months and she even entered her first obedience trial when she was 7 months old and placed very high. Starting her young and being very consistant will be the key.

 

[Chip]

My condolences on your loss. I went years dogless after my last fur-kid died, I hope you get a pup soon if you haven't yet, Carol!

 

[carol]

My condolences on your loss. I went years dogless after my last fur-kid died, I hope you get a pup soon if you haven't yet, Carol!

Thanks. It's been hard being dogless for the first time in my life. However, we are hoping to finally buy our first home in the next year so we are trying to wait until after that happens so we don't deal with a move and a puppy. I pretty much dedicated all my spare time to training my girl the first year of her life and she was the best dog ever. I can't imagine doing it any other way now. I know I wouldn't have the time or nerves to be as consistant as necessary in the next year.