Hello Reddit! I have had a pitbull pup for a couple of months now, he is absolutely charming. I've never had a dog with so much personality, sometimes it feels like he talks back lol. I've had two Rottweilers and absolutely loved them and had a great experience (my youngest passed away too soon, then this pitbull pup fell into our laps and everyone fell in love with it).
Anyway, aside from some leash training meltdowns Sal is adjusting awesome, we're an active family, we have kids, Sal walks to pick up the kids with me and is happy to see everyone and is great with other dogs.
I started researching what to expect when Sal hits his teenage regression. I stumbled upon the term "game" that's different from a prey drive. It honestly made me nervous, but I've had two amazing Rottweilers around children and I know they get a bad rap too.
Has anyone experienced game like behaviors in your pup? I couldn't imagine this snuggle bug just randomly snapping. Is the internet just out to scare me?
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So there are many different breeds that are called “pitbulls” and they have different behaviors. I have an AmStaff that has zero chase/prey/game whatever drive. He wants his food in a bowl placed at his feet. I previously had an APBT who lol drive was on 100, chase and game. Anything not human was dinner. So breed and dog are both super relevant to your question. Also had a pit/shepherd mix, breeds unspecified, suuuuper high chase drive, mild game drive. What Im getting at is that knowing both parents’ temperaments is necessary to answering your question. Proper socialization can help mitigate the issues, but ultimately genetics will be a huge part of this.
Also randomly snapping is a neurological condition and 99% of people who claim their dog “just snapped” are irresponsible owners who ignored every warning sign.
I just have to give my support to this comment. It is so refreshing to hear this. I was about to write something pretty similar. Breed is so relevant and everyone lumps “pitbulls” together and that’s part of the issue. I have an APBT and a “Pit Mix”, and they are completely opposite in temperament. My Pit Mix has snapped in older age; he is mixed with some intense breeds so I really attribute his regression to that. It’s not really prey drive; he’ll just attack a stranger or dog on sight.
My APBT absolutely has a prey drive like the amazing comment above stated, but he can be diverted away easily and is not aggressive AT ALL in any situation with any living creature (he does hate the leaf blower lol). Obviously each dog is unique but breed is totally important. DNA test your baby if you have not. It’s great to chat with folks on here about their experience and hopefully it can give you some peace of mind moving forward. You want to know what you’re really dealing with, and with that information you’ll get advice from some pittie parents that have come before you. Hope it’s ok that I tacked on to the comment above!!
The previous owner said he was a Red Nose Pitbull, but my son says his long legs look like a staffy. There's so many variations I confuse myself lol. DNA test is a great idea! Thank you for your comments!
Oh my gosh I know! I did so much research to figure out the “flavors” of pitbull. Ok so, red nose is a color not a sub-breed of pit. In my experience “red nose” pits are usually APBT (mine is one!!). My APBT is 60 pounds and not super tall. They’re usually smaller, Staffys are taller and just bigger which your son is picking up on! If you have an APBT, my suggestion is make sure you stay on top of training (of course you already are, but truly make it a mission). Being able to divert your baby from chasing something is huge for APBT. I don’t see mine ever snapping- but I try to be realistic. They are animals, and pits are super powerful. Always wise for us as their owners to always be a little more aware of their body language. Absolutely do a DNA test, we got the wisdom Panel on Amazon and loved it. Your baby looks identical to mine, so wouldn’t be shocked if you get a higher percentage of APBT.
https://preview.redd.it/8b5feux5fv9g1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=df752229833036ce4ddfda041adc30ec39d60da6
Keep us posted and stay on top of any inkling of a “prey drive”!!! ❤️
Awwww! Thank you for sharing. This was helpful
I thought staffys are staffordshire bull terrier, which is quite small and amstaff is american staffordshire terrier which is bigger and more massive, whike apbt's are leaner and most athletic of the 3 breeds.
Mine is half heeler, half APBT. His patience (with food) is exemplary. He’s 14.5, so his senses are fading, but back when he could see them, he would freeze and stare at squirrels on walks, wanting permission to chase.
Sounds like you have a typical pit to me! I’m a first time pitbull owner as well, and my girl is 2 1/2 years old. Around 1 1/2 she became unmanageable on the leash and had no spatial awareness. I was afraid she was starting to show signs of aggression, but really I just didn’t know how to handle her onset behavior. I took her to a trainer and he said there were zero signs of aggression and she just needed some obedience training. I started using a pronged collar and It was a game changer! If done correctly and responsibly, it can be a great learning tool.
In my opinion, it does not sound like you have an aggressive dog. Don’t let the internet scare you into thinking your dog will “snap”. Obedience training is so important and making sure you show your dog lots of love🥰 sounds like you are doing all the right things and educating yourself. Best of luck.
My dog's regression was, I'm scared of fireworks now and I'm going to challenge every command you give me.
His prey drive was the same as he points at things he smells and if he sees it he will give chase until I stop him. I'm assuming that's the Treeing Walker Coonhound in him and not Pitbull.
He lives with and is afraid of his cat brother, I'm assuming that's the Pitbull/Staffy/Bulldog.