Can these dogs REALLY be rehabilitated?

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/02/07/vick.dogs.rehab/

 

I think that their past will always haunt them and it's just not worth taking the risk, wouldn't place them in a home setting.
I do believe they should be able to live out the rest of their time in peace, given love and kindness as well. But not to be placed in a home or out in the general public with people, one never knows when they just might snap due to contact with another dog, an odd noise or unfamiliar surroundings.
Just not worth the risk to someones life, as sad as it is.

 

Are these people professionals?

 

I watch all the Animal Cops and Animal Precinct, etc shows (on Animal Planet @10pm) almost every night and when they get fighting dogs, 9 times out of 10, they have to put down the dogs down. They have a behavior specialist evaluate them to see if they can be re-homed, but usually it is bad news for the poor dogs. Better they are put down than to have them destroy another pet, or God forbid, a child though.

 

I agree with you as far as they have potiential to be a great pet with the exception that they not be around kids, other animals and they get adopted by those people that have had extensive experience with dogs that have been used in the world of dog fighting. I haven't had any personal experience myself with these dogs but have a friend that does and he would not ever recommend placing them in a family home with children/animals. The last dog he had to rehabilitate was an abused Bullmastiff that was used for fighting, he worked on this dog for almost a year, thought he had things going really great with the rehab and then one day for whatever reason the dog snapped and took a bite at his hand, thus his professional recommendations to never place these dogs in the above mentioned environments. The dog remained with him for 3 years and died of cancer, lived out his last days in peace.
I would never take the chance with one of these dogs in my home, too risky but I still believe they deserve a peaceful life somewhere.

 

I've been a dog owner for over 40 years and have been an avid reader on the subject of dogs, origins and training. I do not in any way or fashion pretend to be an expert on dog training but have never heard that "domesticated" dogs view children as prey. Although my friends have the herding type breed that repeatedly would heard my children when they were younger but never viewed them as "prey" for food nor have any of my Bullmastiffs, labs, goldens, pointers, springers or setters. I have heard that wild animals such as wolves, bears and mountain lions are want to view children as well as adults this way.
Could you provide a your reference for this belief? I love to read and this sound interesting.
Thanks, Liz

 

I feel sorry for the dogs but would not want to be around them. If a dog growls or shows teeth I am afraid. Grew up with small dogs, dachshunds and poodles.

In reading the link provided by Cleo I was, also, horrified to read that they pull the female dog's teeth for mating. I just don't understand the thought process on any of this.

Grace

 

Shug, I think they could.

HG's dog training methods are GREAT!







I volunteered me & DH to watch my little sista's lab.

God help me! And the dog. :lol: And Ms. Mattiecat :mrgreen:

 

IMHO, NO! They need to be put down! It is stupid to even try and rehabilitate them.

 

T,

I think the ones in Utah have a lot of land and are doing pretty good. I am no expert but I do think some can be helped but it will take patience, understanding and land.

Grace

 

I like the idea of a refuge where they can live out their days, but strongly disagree with adopting them out to families. You never know if one is going to run away, or wind up in a shelter and be adopted/placed with a family that does not know the animal's history.

 

:iagree:

 

I absolutely agree, not worth the risk to someone's life. Let them live out their life peacefully away from the general public.

 

What you need to do is check out Best Friends in Utah - the place is amazing. I heard about them , then saw stuff on TV - discovery channel or one of them. If anyone can do it - it's them.
And if the dog does get out - by chance, they are in the middle of the desert.

 

Thanks. I had scanned my book collection this weekend and was unable to find anything relating to this. Just glad that in all the dogs we've had, esp. all the hunters, we've never encountered this trait.

 

Your absolutely right. We've always had dogs around the kids and they were taught at a very young age how to respect and treat a dog. We've had dogs for so many years that what comes natural to us is not so for others. My husband is a very big bird hunter and his dogs are treated as well as his children (the kids would say even better). All of our dogs are well socialized, trips to the park, family gatherings etc.. The most recent addition to the family had a little issue with being easily startled, characteristic he just has. I've made sure that since he was a puppy he gets an outing to the park for interactions with large groups of people, seems to have helped a lot even though he still startles somewhat.

 

Pit Bulls are a special breed. If you've ever seen many dog fights with and without Pit Bulls, the difference is obvious. When they latch onto their victim they are there to stay and many times there is nothing you can do short of lethal force to make them let go. If they lose their grip, they will immediately attempt to get it back without hesitation. I have never seen another breed that is more focused and tenacious. There is a reason dog fighters use them exclusively: they win.

Not only do I think Vic's dogs should not be in a home, but I think a license should be required for anyone to own a Pit Bull. They can be some of the friendliest dogs out there, but when things go wrong the results are different from most other breeds. The reason most people don't feel this strongly is because they have never seen an attack on a human first hand. It is horrific to watch.

 

You're right Ken. They were bred to hang onto a bull's snout and never let go no matter what. That being said, from my observations Pit Bulls have retained that instinct better than any other breed. I would love to know why. They are the Energizer bunnies of the bulldog world.

 

Correct. But the American Pit Bull is mixed bulldog and terrier, descended from the English Bull and was specifically bred for bull-baiting. Many would argue that it is a more accurate representation of a true bulldog, by historic accounts, than any other breed. Even for people who disagree I would ask: What better breed is there to go up against a bull? From what I've seen there isn't any better.

My point is that I don't want that much power and tenacity around my kids or my neighbor's kids. If a loyal family pet is your aim, then a Pit Bull is way over the top. I think the large majority of Pit Bull owners, and probably a majority of the breeders are naive and therefore unknowingly irresponsible.

 

Bite force is only part of the equation. A Pit bull will take down any of the larger breeds on most days ...even a Rottie. Even though the Rottie may be more powerful, he will give up first. Most dogs are fighting for rank or territory, but the Pit Bull will often go further and be fully committed and focused on killing. When that happens they won't let up until the job is done. They will sometimes endure being beaten to death without ever giving up their victim.

I've read enough about you and your dogs to know that I wouldn't mind at all living next door to you. If every owner were as responsible and respectful of their dogs this would be a non-issue. I agree with you on the licensing.

Whether Vic's dogs are or will ever be rehabilitated is a very subjective matter. After years of good behavior, some people wouldn't hesitate to let them play with small children. Those are the people who IMHO are too naive to own large animals.