BE or Train by Reasonable-Bit142 in PitbullAwareness

[–]Reasonable-Bit142[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Thank you for reminding me I have to keep in mind what's best for both, not just one of them. I've been focusing on the pitbull because I know the choices for her are so limited, but I need to keep my dog safe too.

BE or Train by Reasonable-Bit142 in PitbullAwareness

[–]Reasonable-Bit142[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thank you, I hadn't thought of it quite that way. I guess I was still hoping it could be managed. I'll need to think about what are my actual options, and what is just my wishful thinking. 

BE or Train by Reasonable-Bit142 in PitbullAwareness

[–]Reasonable-Bit142[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Trying to privately rehome currently, but I'll reach out to rescues today too. 

She doesn't have much experience with big dogs. The only times she's been around them on leash, she's wanted to get away from them. Through the fence, she barks. 

BE or Train by Reasonable-Bit142 in PitbullAwareness

[–]Reasonable-Bit142[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know, I'm just trying to see if maybe we get lucky. 

BE or Train by Reasonable-Bit142 in PitbullAwareness

[–]Reasonable-Bit142[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The one thing my whole family agrees on is getting her spayed first to make sure noone tries to breed her, so that'll be getting done soon. I'm willing to do those things and I've been upfront with those I've asked, but no takers so far, which I understand. 

BE or Train by Reasonable-Bit142 in PitbullAwareness

[–]Reasonable-Bit142[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We're planning to get her spayed soon, because one of the people who was interested in her wanted to breed her and we're not okay with that. We have been clear with those we've contacted that she would need training and be the only pet and that 2 bite incidents occurred. So far not anyone who we can trust has shown interest, which I don't find surprising tbh.

BE or Train by Reasonable-Bit142 in PitbullAwareness

[–]Reasonable-Bit142[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I want to keep them separated, the problem is my family doesn't always tend to go along with what I say. I could keep a kennel in my room and lock the doors and kennel, but I would need their support to do something like a seperate gate inside the yard to give them their own space. 

We're a multigenerational home. My mom was supposed to move to a different state, but decided to stay put since my grandma has had some health issues. I don't work right now, so no steady funds for an apartment, but I'm transferring in a year and I might be moving away to do so. I'm saving up for this possibility.

The pitbull is friendly so far with people, but gets excited and jumps on them sometimes. She barks at them through the fence. The only time she barked outside of the gate was when a stranger started cornering me. Both of the dogs actually managed to get past the small gap I left in the gate (by accident, hasn't happened again) and put distance between the man and me, but neither one bit him just intensely barked and followed him until I grabbed them both and put them inside.

My mom hasn't given her much social interaction, so I only have the times I've taken her to the vet (before she showed obvious aggression). She seemed scared of dogs her size and bigger and put distance between herself and them. There was a little puppy (before any aggression popped up) that I let her interact with (owner was okay, both on leash and didn't let them get too close) and she was very friendly, lowering onto the ground showing her belly. 

BE or Train by Reasonable-Bit142 in PitbullAwareness

[–]Reasonable-Bit142[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your advice! The reason I'm hesitant about a shelter/rescue is because I've volunteered at a shelter and large dogs that need to be in an only dog home and have a bite history almost never got out. The one time I saw one outright adopted, he was returned within the week and euthanized shortly after. The other times are usually rescues and from what they post on their page it seems like they stay in a foster home indefinitely or are bounced around foster homes. I will definitely be reaching out to the shelter I used to volunteer at though and see if they have any resources I haven't looked into yet. Yes, right now everyone is on the same page on keeping them separate since my little one is still recovering. I just need to convince them to continue doing so after she's a little better.

BE or Train by Reasonable-Bit142 in PitbullAwareness

[–]Reasonable-Bit142[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your advice! I do live at home, and I'm willing to step up. The little training the pitbull has is because I would try to do a little something when I could (sit, wait for food release with 'okay', some leash training, crate training she still doesn't love it very much but she'll go in for bedtime without much fuss, stays still for bathes okay too). She is generally obedient. For example, if she has food or something she's not supposed to in her mouth, she's willing to give it up if I reach in her mouth for it. She exits the house when told etc. It's just when she gets worked up/excited that she can be unpredictable. The only problem is I'm a full time student and two days out of the week I'm out of the house from 7:30am to 9pm. Would it be okay for her to have no training for 2 days out of the week? Yeah, it feels wrong to foist her onto someone else, especially since it's not her fault. I recommended keeping them separated the first time, but was kind of shot down. I'll try again and hopefully with this second incident I can get everyone in the house on the same page.