The Pit Bull - Not a Natural-Born Killer
Author: Carol Stack
"Hey, Dad, I've just adopted a Pit Bull and I'm bringing
him home." Jim's heart sank. Aren't they the most dangerous
dog in the world? After all, Pit Bulls are killers, right?
Actually, Pit Bulls are not natural-born killers. They are
one of the powerful dog breeds, along with German
Shepherds, Rottweilers, and a few others. Powerful breeds
need an owner who has a lot of energy. If the owner or
handler has low energy, the dog knows it and tries to
assume the role of pack leader, the dominant role.
With some dog breeds, such as Yorkshire Terriers, it will
not matter so much if the owner lets the dog take over as
leader. The dog will not be as happy and content, but no
one's life will be in jeopardy.
Powerful dog breeds, however, require a strong, high-energy
handler. If the dog becomes the leader, he could become a
threat to other dogs and even to people.
If you are more of a submissive type, don't despair. You
can learn to be dominant. To start, hold your head up and
walk like you own the world. Project a feeling of energy,
believing you are in control.
Consistently maintain that stance of having confidence,
energy, and leadership. You don't want to appear weak, even
for a minute, and with Pit Bulls and other powerful breeds,
it is even more important that you maintain that leadership
position.
Some Pit Bulls, as with all dogs, are born submissive.
These will be easier for you to dominate. Others, though,
are born dominant, and these dogs will require more effort
on your part. You will have to take the dominant role as
soon as the dog comes to live with you, and be ready to
defend that role at all times.
How do you assume that dominant role? It's not a matter of
yelling, beating, or threatening your Pit Bull. In fact,
those actions will make you look weak and turn your dog
into a neurotic mess. Those are the Pit Bulls who attack
people and other dogs.
Being dominant is a matter of internal strength, of
confidence, and what Cesar Millan calls "calm-assertive".
He believes there is a shortage of people with that
character quality.
Calm-assertive means relaxed but in control. It takes
energy, but it's much better than the alternative – letting
the dog become the one in control. If you don't have the
energy to maintain dominance over a powerful breed like a
Pit Bull, you need to consider getting a different breed
that doesn't require as much energy.
When a Pit Bull is with an owner who has learned how to
lead, he will feel at ease and be happy to follow. Dogs
need to be in the submissive role to be happy. That does
not mean he needs to be beaten and broken. It means he
needs an owner who can assume the position of leader with a
calm-assertive, self-confident energy.
Pit Bulls want and need a strong leader. They will not be
happy with an owner who does not assume the role of leader.
They also need a lot of attention, and someone with the
time to thoroughly exercise them every day. A dog worn out
from a good run is a happy and content dog.
It's sad when Pit Bull attacks happen. The attacks could
have been easily prevented if Pit Bulls and other powerful
breeds were handled by people who knew how to take over as
leader and exhibit a calm-assertive energy. There is no
need to ban certain dog breeds. There is only a need to
train people to be leaders.
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Carol Stack enjoys writing about dogs. She lives with her
husband, children, four dogs, and seven cats in the United
States. Carol and her daughter Christy have created a web
site for dog lovers that offers tips on how to select, care
for, and train a dog. Please visit the site at
http://www.christysdogportal.com
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