How to Overcome the Fear of Adopting a Pit Bull

Pit bulls might just be one of the most misunderstood dog breed. These dogs have a bad reputation, but most people don’t even know what a pit bull is. The is used to refer to breeds of dogs with boxy heads and bulky bodies including the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier and Staffordshire Bull Terrier or a mix of any of the four.

Most dogs that exhibit aggression do so because they have poor socialization as puppies with other dogs and people. Pit Bulls in particular are often chained outside and isolated from any kind of social interaction. Due to this isolation, they are more likely to bite people than a dog shown love and affection.

The media also has had a hand at further demonizing Pit Bulls. The behavior of just a few has resulted in the stereotypical tag being given even to those dogs that slightly look like the other breeds mentioned above. An example of such a story that many thought to be true, was that of the Eagles quarterback Michael Vick. A satirical website called Empire Sports first reported a story that Michael had been attacked by a pit bull. Global Associated News then later posted their own version saying that the player had suffered severe lacerations and lost a thumb.

I bet these people never knew that pit bulls were once called the “Nanny Dog,” due to how well they got along with children though! Even breeds like German Shepherds (one of the most popular dog breeds now in the US) and Dobermans, also once held reputations for being “vicious”. Here are five reasons why Pit Bulls are misunderstood, and given below are ways that one can get over their irrational fear of the breed:

1. Interact with them in a shelter

Just like humans, and any other animal, every dog has its own unique personality. You might like a dog that is mellow compared to one that is hyper, or one that is friendly as opposed to a timid one. By interacting with pit bull dogs or puppies in a shelter, you’ll have an idea about which would one would be better-suited to your home environment.

2. Check out how amazing these bullies are!

The Huff Post shared a mashup of Pit Bulls and kids that show how loving they really are, and these two lists of Pit Bulls who saved their owners here and here. You wouldn’t have thought about celebrities in this list, but even they like to show off adorable pictures of their Pit Bulls from time to time!

Pit Bulls even get along great with other dogs people and animals. Take the example of this Pit Bull who saved his Chihuahua friend, this rescued Pit Bull who fosters other rescue dogs, and this one who goes bonkers when his human sings about him.

3. Foster a Pit Bull

(Added an introductory sentence) Fostering a pit bull can give you hands on experience with these dogs, and also allow you to experiment with how life with a pit bull can be. Follow these steps listed out by Pit Bull Rescue Central to become a fosterer:

1. Before deciding to adopt a Pit Bull, you should make sure to screen your foster pup for health problems and temperament. You don’t want the dog to bring home illnesses that it may have picked up from other dogs it may have been housed with.

2. If you already have pets at home, keep them separated from your foster dog until they are ready to get to know each other. You need to spend time getting to know your new dog and let them rest before adding the stress of getting to know another companion animal. Make sure none of your existing companion animals’ toys or belongings are lying around as this will create unnecessary tension and aggression. Separate the two animals with a baby gate at first and do this introduction for a few days till they get used to being in close proximity with each other without showing signs of aggression or discomfort.

3. Training is an important aspect to keep your life stress-free at home. If your foster dog is not house-trained then crate training may be necessary. Give them basic obedience training as this will also help in their adoptability later.

4. Finding a home for your foster dog may take months or even a year. So make sure that you are truly committed to the responsibility before you decide to foster.

Videos to Make You Fall in Love with Pit Bulls

• Pit Bulls Enjoy Special Outing in Cute Video
• 10 Videos of Pit Bulls Being Viciously Cute!
• Hero Pit Bulls Save 10-Year-Old Boy
• These Brave Pit Bulls Stepped In to Save 2 Young Children From Venomous Snake
• Rainn Wilson, Star of The Office Loves Pit Bulls!
• These 4 Amazing Organizations Are Advocating for Pit Bulls and Their Guardians