Pit Bulls Do Not Belong At Dog Parks

[MeSheLL]

Pit Bulls Do Not Belong At Dog Parks
Generally speaking, pit bulls are not "dog dogs." That is, they do not particularly enjoy the company of other dogs. Some pit bulls are dog-aggressive; it goes without saying that dog-aggressive dogs of any breed do not belong at a dog park, period. However, just because your pit bull is not dog-aggressive does not make it okay to go to a dog park.

Even if your pit bull does not start a fight at a dog park, that doesn't mean your pit bull will never be in a fight at a dog park.

Not very many people like pit bulls, and those that are sort of "okay" with pit bulls usually harbor a secret fear that "the pit bull could snap at any moment." The mere sight of your pit bull being involved in a dog fight, even if the involvement is minimal and no one gets hurt, confirms this fear. It is enough to knock most fence-sitters firmly over into the "pit bulls are vicious" camp.

Guess which dog is going to be blamed for a fight should it break out. You got it—the pit bull. Guess which owner will get the support and sympathy in a lawsuit stemming from a fight between a pit bull and some cute "family" dog—yes, the "family" dog's owner. Guess which dog is going to be declared "dangerous." Well, it won't be the "family" dog.

Is it fair? No. But that's the way it is.

Dog fights are not always minor scuffles that are easily broken up. Some pit bulls will not start a fight, but have no problem finishing the fight. Generally speaking, pit bulls are large, strong dogs. One or both dogs can be seriously injured or killed. These sorts of stories almost always make the news.

And the consequences of a fight between a pit bull and another dog are not just limited to those two parties, either. The repercussions have a ripple effect, and ultimately impact all pit bull owners and their dogs. The end result could be increased animosity toward pit bull owners in general, or increased media coverage of incidents involving pit bulls, or breed-specific legislation.

But all of these dangers and serious consequences can be avoided. Simply put, do not take your pit bull to a dog park. It will be safer for everyone, especially you and your dog.

Alternatives to Dog Parks and Off-Leash Roaming
For people are not sure how to socialize their dog without taking the dog to a dog park or letting their dog off leash, there are a few excellent alternatives.

Form small "playdates" with other responsible dog owners; hold the playdates in someone's backyard or in a reserved public place (so strangers can't just wander in), and keep your focus on the dogs' interactions. Limiting the playdates to a few dogs at a time keeps things manageable; hanging out with known dogs and responsible owners will prevent the transmission of disease—and bad habits.

Join a socialization or obedience class. These classes offer socialization and training under controlled circumstances. As an added bonus, your dog will learn to pay attention to you and obey commands even in the presence of other dogs.

Participate in canine sports. Depending on the sport, this usually requires quite a few initial training classes. Once the classes are done, and your dog has proven his or her ability to obey even in highly distracting situations, you can move on to competition. In addition to being surrounded by lots of other dogs and people, your dog bonds closely with you as you work together in the sports routine despite distraction.

Take your dog to on-leash places or events. Examples include dog-friendly restaurants, benefit walks, festivals, and parks. Interactions between dogs should be controlled, assuming everyone follows the rules and keeps their dogs on leashes. This is a great way to teach your dog proper leash manners, and a well-behaved pit bull on a leash at a public event does a world of good for the pit bull's reputation.

With all these safe, positive alternatives to the dangers of off-leash roaming and dog parks, there's no reason to put you and your dog at risk. Keep you and your dog safe, and keep the pit bull's reputation from further tarnishing—keep your dog on-leash and out of dog parks!


source: http://www.happypitbull.com/ownermanual/leashes.html