people should be required to have really serious animal rescue and psychology training to get one of these dogs (or else astronomical punishment). most people who get these dogs do so on a whim and because of their own unresolved ego issues.
The best dog I ever had was a pit. Sweet as pie, just wanted to cuddle and love. We chose him because he was a big meaty guy with the most adorable face you’d ever seen, and because he needed a home ASAP. We’d take him on walks and people would cat call him from passing cars, or literally stop us and ask if they could dog-sit. He spent nearly a decade with us, just loving and farting and cuddling and snoring.
He really didn’t need any help to become a great dog, except that I needed to train him that the cat was a friend and not something to chase and put our mouth on. That took all of a weekend, and that was after he’d been abandoned and abused for half a year before we got him. I know it’s not true for every individual, but many times all a dog really needs a a good home with people that love it.
like with every “complex” living being there is of course a large spectrum. But to be on the safe side though anyone who wants to get a pit should be able to fairly certainly understand when a dog is stressed via physical cues and should be able to tell when a de-escalation is needed. And I am not talking about “I had dogs all my life I know what I am doing” kind of thing. More like if you are getting a pit from a shelter you should be required to get some serious mandatory training from a professional. This will (along with fines) will maybe help deter people who get pits for the sake of owning a ferocious dog.
people should be required to have really serious animal rescue and psychology training to get one of these dogs (or else astronomical punishment). most people who get these dogs do so on a whim and because of their own unresolved ego issues.
The best dog I ever had was a pit. Sweet as pie, just wanted to cuddle and love. We chose him because he was a big meaty guy with the most adorable face you’d ever seen, and because he needed a home ASAP. We’d take him on walks and people would cat call him from passing cars, or literally stop us and ask if they could dog-sit. He spent nearly a decade with us, just loving and farting and cuddling and snoring.
He really didn’t need any help to become a great dog, except that I needed to train him that the cat was a friend and not something to chase and put our mouth on. That took all of a weekend, and that was after he’d been abandoned and abused for half a year before we got him. I know it’s not true for every individual, but many times all a dog really needs a a good home with people that love it.
like with every “complex” living being there is of course a large spectrum. But to be on the safe side though anyone who wants to get a pit should be able to fairly certainly understand when a dog is stressed via physical cues and should be able to tell when a de-escalation is needed. And I am not talking about “I had dogs all my life I know what I am doing” kind of thing. More like if you are getting a pit from a shelter you should be required to get some serious mandatory training from a professional. This will (along with fines) will maybe help deter people who get pits for the sake of owning a ferocious dog.