Dog trainer tries to change perception of pit bulls

Raleigh, N.C. — Dog lovers often blame the media for making pit bulls out to be vicious, mean dogs, and certified dog trainers and even animal control officers say there are no bad dogs – just bad owners.

“To judge a whole entire breed on one dog’s actions is discrimination. Just like judging a whole race in the human world on one person’s actions,” certified dog trainer pit bull owner Paige Burris said Friday.

Burris said the media hype on dog attacks only makes it worse for the dogs.

The latest North Carolina victim was 5-year-old Makayla Woodard, who died after being attacked by two pit bulls in Union County on Wednesday. Her grandmother was injured while trying to save her.

“My heart goes out to that family. It’s terrible, but that can happen to any breed,” Burris said.

In a lot of these attacks, “the owners are negligent and never commit to training the dog,” Burris said.

Burris said pit bulls are like any other dogs. They need room to run and want to be included in the family. Owners should also enroll the dogs in obedience training and encourage socialization.

Burris started a non-profit called The Positive Pit Bull, offering pit bull education seminars and organizing weekly dog meet-ups.

“That’s what we’re trying to fight, trying to change perception of these dogs because they really are fantastic family dogs,” she said.

Cary Animal Control Supervisor Shelly Davis said potential pet owners need to do their homework.

“Pet owners basically, bottom-line, need to do research before getting any kind of animal, and that also means before you purchase a pit bull,” Davis said.

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Latest Comments

I wrote to the editor a few months back after seeing another "Pit Bull Attack" story mentioned on the website. This one was a young girl in Florida. I asked the editor why they choose to sensationalize the misguided premise that Pitties are "evil" and didn't get a response that was to my satisfaction. I'm glad they chose to run a positive story, though I disagree with the tone in the story.

landoawd
January 20, 2011 10:52 a.m.

Today I had the pleasure of taking Cricket into several classrooms of students to talk about dog safety and what kind of dogs pit bulls are. I first spoke to 25 3-6 yr olds, and then to 100 fifth graders in Fayetteville, an area in NC known for heavy dogfighting. We talked about the safest way to meet a dog you don't know, and then we talked about pit bulls and whether the kids knew any pit bulls. What type of personalities pit bulls have. One kid asked about the locking jaws. I explained that the locking jaws idea is a myth and that pit bulls have exactly the same jaw structure as any other dog. We talked about dog fighting and we all imagined ourselves in the dog's position. Not wanting to fight, but with our best trait being wanting so much to please your owner, that we'd be forced to and how it would make us feel. The kids all said they'd feel terrible if put in that position. We ended with having the kids some up and how to meet a dog you don't know. A great day!

paigeburris
January 19, 2011 6:18 p.m.

To tell you the truth any breed of dog that has teeth can attach! It does not matter how small or how big the dog is! You get out of your dog what you put into your dog, have you as a responsible pet owner and socialized your dog today with people and other animals? Have you worked on daily commands like sit, stay, lay, or come ??? Not all pits are bad, just like not all chihuahuas are bad!

moonlite31
January 19, 2011 5:03 p.m.

For the past year I have had the pleasure of sharing my home and life with what we were told is a pit bull mix. She has shown herself to be one of the most loving, loyal, and precious pups it has been our pleasure to live with. Before owning her I was inclined to believe the hype, but thanks to her and other owners of pit bulls we have met I now know differently.

arteking
January 19, 2011 11:19 a.m.

rlembo: I genuinely appreciate your posts! First and foremost: There is no intention on my part to bash anyone. Like you, I appreciate and respect opinions that are different from my own. And since you've pointed it out, my wording certainly could have been MUCH better! It's easy to see in retrospect how a reader could take the "foolish" and "foolhardy" comments in a way they were not intended. Also, thanks for clarifying the "misunderstood" and "misaligned" comments. I took them out of context. (I just KNEW I should have paid closer attention in my Composition and Comprehension classes! lol)

I was remiss in failing to mention one topic in my previous posts that will sound contradictory to some: There are a LOT of people out there that dislike & distrust all PB's on sight and assume each are dangerous dogs. It's my hope that Paige's group can help to correct this very extreme and incorrect belief.

4YourConsideration
January 19, 2011 10:28 a.m.