Changing minds

I think every pitbull owner at some point is faced with others prejudices against their dogs. I have faced this issue many a time. Usually, it is people crossing the street/lane/path and hurrying past while giving us horrible looks. On occasion, it has been a person to stop and reprimand me for having a pitbull because I am putting society at risk. Most recently, it has been neighbors who have been making their children go indoors anytime Topaz is outside.

I always use the moments to try to educate others about the breed. In the case of those who choose to stop and speak to me whether to ask questions or simply to reprimand me- I get to have a conversation with them. Inform them that the way media presents pitbulls is not the way that majority of pitbulls behave. I get to educate them about pitbulls past- prior to their most recent past as being a top choice in dog fighting rings. I get an opportunity to explain why they are a top choice for dog fighting rings currently- not just for their strong, muscular build that contains powerful jaws; but for their loyalty to humans. The willingness to do anything for their owner so long as the owner is pleased with them. AND a major trait that dog fighters look for in their fighters is that the dog shows NO human aggression. Dogs that expressed human aggression were culled because the last thing someone wanted was a dog in the pit that would turn around and attack them if they had to go in and grab the dog. I also suggest other sources for them to look into to seek more information about the pitbull- shows like pitbulls and parolees and pit boss; facebook pages such as my pitbull is family, stubby dog project and many more; books; etc.

However, Topaz and I are also educating those who allow their fear and prejudice to prevent them from talking to us through our actions. Having a well-behaved pitbull in public, interacting with those she knows and strangers, other animals, etc.- plain out just doing normal things that dogs do with their families educates people. It counter acts the stereotypes that media presents to people. Since people fear what they do not know and media is taking advantage of peoples lack of education about pitbulls- it is a breeding ground for creating mass hysteria about pitbull type dogs. Something that media has been taking advantage of since the 1980's.

Most recently, the way we have educated those unwilling to voice their concerns to us is by walking down the lane to our mailbox nearly every day. Since our house is the last house this requires going past all of our neighbors houses. It did not take long to determine that our neighbors had concerns about us owning a pitbull. However, instead of giving her a chance, talking to us, meeting her, etc.- they simply instructed their kids that anytime Topaz was outside their children had to be inside.  I know because anytime we come outside their kids hang their heads, slump their shoulders and shuffle towards their house saying "Come on, we have to go inside that dog is outside". After walking Topaz to our mailbox almost every evening since we moved (nearly a month and a half) last night instead of making the children come in, the adults came outside and watched. While their dog barked, growled and lunged at the end of it's chain (I have been warned by some neighbors that the dog is dog aggressive); Topaz walked by. She did not bark once, she just did her happy dance and bounced down the lane.
 
Hopefully,  as we continue doing normal things with our dog that our neighbors and others observe we will continue to teach others that pitbulls are not the monsters at the end of leashes that media represents them as.