Reply #65: What a coincidence. [View All]

[LWolf]

There was a pit bull lurking around my trash can when I went to pull it in from the street last evening.

Only 2 trash cans, mine and my neighbors. Only 3 houses on the road, and I'm at the dead end. No other homes within a mile or so.

There she was; a half-grown pit with a pink collar. Her head and her body were hanging low as she watched me suspiciously. I crouched down about 6 feet away and spoke softly; she rushed up eagerly to receive scratches and to huddle against me.

I examined the collar; no tag. My neighbor has a lab, which was not in evidence. Their front gate, as always, was open. I've never seen this little pit before, so I wondered if they'd gotten a new dog, or if she'd strayed.

I gave the dog a final pat and grabbed my trash can, ready to drag it the 100 yards down the driveway back to it's accustomed spot. She trotted along behind. That concerned me, because waiting behind a gate at the end of my driveway is my own dog, an aussie. A very territorial, possessive aussie when it comes to other dogs taking her mom's attention. I didn't want a brawl, especially with a dog with jaws the size of that pit. So I tried to discourage her following. Nothing worked, so I went back to the street. I started up my neighbor's drive, and she raced along happily ahead. No one was home, but I saw the open gate on the empty dog run. She ran ahead and sat by the door, waiting for me. I praised her for going home, gave her a final pat, and she watched me head back to my own place.

Notice that, while I was concerned about the damage the pit's jaws could do my dog, I was more concerned about aggressive behavior from MY dog. She's never bitten another dog. She generally just "herds" them away from me, letting them know that she's open to playing with them as long as they keep their distance from me. A young, insecure dog looking to me for safety was not a great match for a playmate.

Any dog can be aggressive. Many dogs are inherently territorial, and many will hunt or chase other dogs. All dogs need extensive socialization with adults, children, and other animals, and to be on leash in populated places.

My dog is often off-leash in public, out on the trail with me. We very rarely see other people. When we hear voices or sight others, I leash her. She is non-aggressive towards people, but will not stand by my side, or by my horse's side. She is compelled to be in front of us, keeping herself between us and others, and "pushing" them back (tail wagging, nudging) if she thinks they are too close. So I leash her.

Since you asked, I don't think the pit owner in your story was "bad." Irresponsible in taking off the leash, but not "bad."