Are Pit Bulls Naturally Aggressive Pt3 | Dog Behavior Trainer Breed Info

Experience vs Perception

The Dog Whisperer of MN, Robert Cole 

Continuing from “Are Pit Bulls Aggressive Pt2 | Dog Behavior Trainer Breed Info

It is important because of perpetuated notions or conditioned ideas develop through a lack of understanding or blatant ignorance. This data is important because it is not singling out a breed as aggressive or not. It includes many breeds and has a decently high sample size as well as testing dogs from variable backgrounds, blood-lines and combining both pure bred dogs and cross or mix-bred dogs of the same “breed”. Also, as a side note, with cities, communities are becoming more and more rigid about breed bans/declaration-consequences etc. also because of breed-specific dog legislation and negative publicity associated with many breeds of dogs, temperament testing has assumed an important role for today’s dog fancier. The American Temperament Test provides breeders a means for evaluating temperament and gives pet owners insight into their dog’s behavior. It can have an impact on breeding programs and in educating owners about their dog’s behavioral strengths and weaknesses as well as providing a positive influence on dog legislation. Below are some experienced based and statistical facts regarding the Pit Bull and similar “type breeds”

Breed Temperament Testing Result Information: Updated from March of 2011

American Pit Bull Terrier: 804 tested; 86.4% passed
American Staffordshire Terrier: 627 tested; 84.2% passed
Staffordshire Bull Terrier: 117 tested; 89.7% passed
Total: 1548 tested; 85.8% passed

To add perspective and Qualify Pit Bull and similar “Bully Breeds” as not inately aggressive or dangerous
Of all the breeds tested: 83% passed (Totalling 30,876 dogs)

Honorable Mention (Common Family Dogs Today)

Collie: 856 tested; 79.9% passed

Cocker Spaniel: 227 tested; 81.9% passed

Australian Cattle Dog: 187 tested; 79.1% passed

Beagle: 72 tested; 80.6% passed

Golden Retriever: 764 tested; 84.9% passed

2009 was the year of the previous study

2009 spanning through 6/2010

Pit Bulls and similar “Bully Breeds” achieved a combined passing score of 85.7%.

Some Specific breeds outlines below:

American Pit Bull Terrier:  772 tested; 86% passed

American Staffordshire Terrier:  608 tested; 83.9% passed

Staffordshire Bull Terrier:  115 tested; 89.6% passed

Total Bully Breeds Tested: 1,495; 85.4% passed

For additional perspective, consider the following:

Total Dogs Tested:  30,468; 82.4% earned a pass

Chihuahua:  38 tested; 71.1% passed

Dachshund:  181 tested; 77.8% passed

Collie:  846 tested:  79.7% passed

Golden Retriever:  746 tested; 84.6% passed

Things that make you go, Hmmmm.

Pit Bull breeds, earned a better score based on the tests from the previous study two years in a row. Golden Retrievers went up in overall score; 84.9% in 2011 from 84.6% in 2009. Pit Bull Breeds went up as well from 2009 at 85.7% to 85.8%.

More Specifically, American Pit Bull Terriers: 2009: 86% to 2011: 86.4% | American Staff Terriers: 2009: 83.9% to 2011: 84.2%.

Both of these popular breeds for fighting, scored higher in the temperament test than the Average of all dogs tested. Note that this is during the “Pit Bull Fighting Phenomenon” In 2011 they even scored higher than America’s beloved Golden Retriever. Still a great dog, don’t get me wrong. Just a point to consider.

Now some fun facts and perceptions of this horribly misrepresented breed of dog.

*Do know that this type of information and even some more in-depth information can be found all over the internet by doing a little research. This is just a small list.

Fact: No conclusive research exists that implicates breed (or breed mix) as a cause of dog bites. In most bite cases, it is impossible to distinguish the dog’s background based on appearance. When breed is unclear, it’s all-too-easy to apply an arbitrary label for dramatic effect.

Fact: All dogs, including Pit Bulls are 99% the same genetically. Chihuahuas included.

Fact: Pit Bulls are among other things: tenacious, loyal, sensitive to human energy and will give 1000% to accomplish what they perceive their job to be. No matter what the job is.

Fact: The fact above is the reason why Pit Bulls are used for fighting. Not because they are more dangerous then another dog. A Boerboel could probably kill a Pit Bull Easily.

Fact: With all the intensity inherent within the breed, the personality of a balanced Pit Bull is calm, relaxed and at times even lazy. Only jumping to excitement when being called upon to accomplish a goal/do a job.

Fact: Dog Bites are at an all-time low.There are around 78 million pet dogs in the US, and an average of 30 dog-related fatalities per year. According to studies (more information below), a person is more likely to be killed by a human family member

Fact: Pomeranians and Shi Tzus have put more people into the hospital over the last several years then Pit Bull and similar breeds.

Fact: Tan, unfixed Male English Cocker Spaniels have more reports of injuring people based on police reports at the time of hospital intake. Putting them atop the “most dangerous dog list” source: Applied Animal Behavior Science Report Published by: Anthony L. Podberscek and James A. Serpell

Fun Fact: There are around 78 million pet dogs in the US, and an average of 30 dog-related fatalities per year. According to studies (more information below), a person is more likely to be killed…

- by a falling coconut

- in a bedroom slipper-related accident
- choking on a marble
- drowning in a 5-gallon bucket
- getting struck by lightning

…than by a dog of any breed.

And for the other sides’ common and popular beliefs of Pit Bull Type Breeds, are as follows:

Pit Bull Breeds Bite Force/Power is over 2000 psi

Pit Bulls are naturally more aggressive than any other breed of dog

Once a Pit Bull becomes aggressive, it can never be changed

Pit bulls have locking jaws.

A pit bull is more likely to bite me than another dog.

Pit bulls do not get along with cats.

Pit bulls do not get along with other dogs.

Pit bulls are not good with children.

Reality Check:

Who’s really responsible for dog bites? Humans. In almost every case where a person died because of a dog bite, there were steps that someone could have taken to prevent it. Responsible ownership influences good behavior, and every dog deserves to be set up for success!

More resource information:
http://www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com
http://www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/dogbites/whatisadogbite/
http://www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/dogbites/the-problems-with-dog-bite-studies/

Smiley Pit Bull says: “Life is about equal chances to impress potential owners, not by the shape of our heads, but by the shape of our character!”

Don’t take my word for it though. take a day to volunteer for a local bully rescue and see what your time with them will teach you about this breed. A rescue pit bull is a handful, but with patience, can be the dog it was meant to be. Like all dogs, they are meant to have rules and boundaries enforced on a consistent basis to provide a suitable environment for developing or maintaining limitations. Pit Bulls and the similar breeds should be owned by someone with experience in handling dogs. It is not a breed for the “first time dog owner” no matter how pure the persons intentions. It takes a firm level of control and direction giving to ensure the proper development and understanding of their role socially, otherwise you can have a pit bull breed that is very similar to the ones that the “haters” incorrigibly project to anyone willing to listen, developing a negative sense of what this breed represents.

Allow a DOG a chance to feel Love and live Life as a well trained and balanced family member! Pit to Pom. 

Information compiled by ATT, learn more about the  American Temperament Test Society testing and results, please visit http://www.atts.org

Also visit http://www.fortheloveofpits.org/Education/Library/Society/ATTS.htm for charts of past years and more great Pit Bull information.

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Are Pit Bulls Naturally Aggressive? | MN Dog Behavioral Trainer Insight

When having a career in Minnesota in Dog Behavior Training for as long as I have,  I have developed a pretty accurate sense of individual perception and undertones in dealing with social unbalance, be it human or dog. Social Behavior and tendency is universal for social creatures.  Below is my angle on the use of statistics and how a biased source manipulates their truth for a specific gain, effectively creating a mob mentality by the use inception. Ultimately developing this generalized and standard belief violently swerving out of the lines into its own reality.

Through years of consistent work, Cesar my Pit Bull is still balanced and safe for anyone of any age

My opinion is my opinion and in my opinion most statistics are perpetuated based on the wantingness to sell an idea to a specific or generalized social environment or group or to allow people to justify an opinion. Everything has a statistic, a formula developed by a person or group of people designed to fulfill a desire or need to feel secure or safe or what ever the reason. Gangs use this system to recruit members, same with Nike, Double Mint Gum, Pepsi, Abercrombie, Budweiser and the government… the list goes on and on. 

It’s the business like approach to grow a belief of a certain item, person, stigma, event, etc appear to seem necessary, be better than another or create  bias in one direction or another (on purpose) ultimately creating value in different ways for the particular thing the statistic is focused on. Beverages, Public Service Announcements elections, clothing brands or automotive companies, all do it. A sample size equaling 10 or less percent of the total number of consumers, believers or seekers; formulated by people paid to make them seem right in their statement, commercial or belief. Lacking tangible or practical experience they feed this this to a society of yes men and women. Ask a sales rep at Verizon wireless who their cell phone plan is through, more often than not, I bet it’s not Verizon. I bet some of  the Apple Corp employees use a Kindle Fire HD or have a Samsung Galaxy S4 other than Iphone 12 or what ever it is at nowadays. Do you think LeBron James really only drinks Sprite or the weird Gatoraid series? Before during or after games?

My point is, don’t necessarily believe what you see, hear or read about the topic of the day, month, year. Go through it yourself and decide based on what you experienced, not popular belief. With food,  cars,  rides, dogs or vacations!

Honestly, am I the only one bored of Kim Kardashians weddings or weight gain woes or triumphant weight loss? You think she got bigger than “expected” during pregnancy not because she just ate too much or to keep the baby full but maybe, just maybe…  to *GASP* sell an amazing new summer diet program or smoothy drink?? Although over priced, proven 100% effective 4% of the time and even better, money back guarantee! But results aren’t typical… But Kim did it right??? If Thats true, well now so can the 100 million people who believe it! America will no longer have an obesity rate rising year to year at a staggering 8% (now at like 60%) and our children, whom 57% are suffering from this disease called obesity. The sell is made and the goal of a 10% sale rate was made. 10% of 100 million people, 10 million or so, where 60% of adults and 57% of kids are obese, over 315 million people in America as of 2013… So (((.1×60)+57)+10)x100,000,000/315,000,000x$ 500=

Screw it… Its math, so it’s gotta be true right? I mean Math guys are super smart and only do this because hold and believe in an ethical code of giving the most accurate information available so no one person will be broken or emotionally shattered by failing to lose that extra 120 pounds in 9 days. I mean, how could 768 trillion people who bought it and lost the weight in America be wrong? Wait, the products came out 11 days before fashion week in Milan, Italy? Hmmm…. There could be at least more than about 32.6% truth to that. But if they become broken souls, there is a great new depression medication out there that 4 out of 5 doctors agree will help. I mean,  80% of those Doctors agreed! B- average will still get you into a college right? Well,  yes,  just not a Harvard caliber anyway. Personal Standards? Meh, personal standards are for…  Successful…  People? 

Thinking about this in this way makes me wonder all those stats about pit bulls,  both positive and negative….  Where is the basis coming from? Are Pit Bulls Naturally Aggressive Part 2 should shine some light on the concrete positions some people have on this subject matter.