How late is late enough to not encounter other dogs?
Posted by KawaiiDere@reddit | plano | View on Reddit | 29 comments
My family has a medium size pitbull that isn't good around other dogs (he used to be okay, had a bad dog park experience, now he tries to bite if he sees other dogs) (he's kinda heavy and has slipped out of a harness/muzzle before, so it's important we don't put him around other dogs; wildlife is probably fine). We usually run him at my grandma's because she has a big yard, but apparently walks on pavement are supposed to keep the nails more trim (I heard from my mom who heard from the vet). I'm a night owl, so a late night walk sounds amazing anyways, but I would be worried about taking him too early. Around what time should guarantee no other dogs will be out? Near Independence and Spring Creek area btw
DoctorBAH2002@reddit
If you love your dog, seek training. Otherwise, it’s not a matter of if, but when. And that may not end well for you or your dog.
KawaiiDere@reddit (OP)
Please recommend one, that sounds like a good idea. (Also, family dog not mine specifically. We just drive him to run in a yard now, checking to ensure there are no dogs on the street, so his risk of encountering other dogs has already been minimized)
raw2082@reddit
I took my fearful reactive pit bull mix to cosmic canine for training. They did a great job with him. They’ve expanded their location you might give them a call to see about training.
altagato@reddit
You're liable regardless. You have a known bite risk dog and let it run off leash... You even posted about it! Either he goes to a contained yard under absolute supervision or he's on a harness with a muzzle. Otherwise you chance him being put down and your being sued.
Cu77eR@reddit
If you're taking on the responsibility of walking it regularly, it's your dog.
Mysterious-Read-5154@reddit
It’s a pit bull. It’s not even a when, it already happened.
Txag1989@reddit
I lived in the neighborhood southwest of this intersection until recently. I was out as late as 1-2 am and usually saw others out walking. And the morning walkers/runners start as early as 5 (if not earlier). I would occasionally see people/cars that would raise my hackles for some reason. I saw coyotes all the time and was occasionally followed by one. Also, the dogs can see rabbits, bobcats, and domesticated cats that you can’t, so if you have trouble controlling the dog, keep that in mind.
123Pisces@reddit
In my opinion it really depends on the area you’re in but maybe someone else can help. One of my dogs is pretty reactive to other dogs. I used to live in Austin and in an apartment and no matter what time I went out there was a dog everywhere I turned. This made taking him out such a pain.
I recommend a martingale collar instead of a harness. It was recommended to me by a dog trainer and I was able to get much more control of my dog than when he had a harness.
KawaiiDere@reddit (OP)
Ah, I think we got a martingale collar since the last time we walked him. We definitely need to look into training though
Realistic-Pay-6931@reddit
You can always double secure the dog... martingale and harness too.
karmaapple3@reddit
Your dog is a danger to the community. You should hope he never gets loose and hurts another person or animal in my vicinity.
getaway_car13@reddit
r/banpitbulls
Regular_or_BQ@reddit
Take your dog to a trainer please. As the owner of a well trained Rottweiler, seeing out of control dogs dragging their human down the street is annoying af and far too prevalent in this area. Your dog can be rehabbed but you are the one responsible for doing that.
KawaiiDere@reddit (OP)
He doesn’t drag me, but we’ve had issues with the leash securing properly. (I think he might’ve dragged some family though, my mom has less counterweight. I know proper restraints shouldn’t have issues with proper grip/stance/etc, but he squeezes in a way that makes properly setting them a bit difficult especially when his exercise is handled as a family.) Just putting out feelers for if it would be possible (my mom does some stuff impulsively and I wanted to be prepared), but probably best to just stick to the current exercise program (which we’ve been doing for a couple years anyways).
Who would you recommend for training and how much does it cost? That definitely sounds good, but more information would help me better grasp what implementation would look like. (He’s a family dog my parents got for my sister, so he’s not my sole responsibility or anything, but definitely good for me to make sure he does okay)
Regular_or_BQ@reddit
Second on Butler from what I've heard from friends with rescue pitts and cane corsos.
If there is tension on the leash, the dog isn't well trained. You should be the alpha and the one calling the shots and if they're pulling at all even to sniff something, you're not in charge in their minds.
I grew up with small dogs and when my husband was in med school we adopted a fully grown male rottie lab. I was afraid of him at first but he was a total love with me after some training. That said, I had no fear walking him past shady people bc I knew he'd take a bullet for me.
The issue specifically with pitts is that they have a wide jaw and an average bite grip of 235 psi.
Cornualonga@reddit
Hilton Butler is good with reactive dogs.
BigSmoothplaya@reddit
Is your dog neutered?
Paulsur@reddit
There is no guarantee. I have worked late, came home took my mini-schnauzer out 10 pm. Got up 0600 in the AM and gone then. Obiedience school is a good idea. You will train with others and their dogs, that wil help your dog develop good habits.
bionica@reddit
If you’re a night owl late night walks make sense. After 10pm? Early walks, before the sun rises.
KawaiiDere@reddit (OP)
Yup. My mom gets really misplaced anxiety if I’m out after dark, so idk what the area is like late at night (she’s always worried about crime or something she sees online despite the area being so safe and uneventful, calls me if my phone is below 15%, makes me keep a tracker app on my phone, etc). I should probably just sneak out or something though for a solo walk.
babyitsgoldoutstein@reddit
Tell her the pitbull will easily maul anyone that tries to crime you.
scooteristi@reddit
Crime? In Plano? 😂🤣😂🤣
Crime in Plano is mostly porch pirates and domestic 🐂💩. And if you’re walking a pit bull no one is gonna crime you, even you’re in a high crime city.
Razor1834@reddit
It’s not possible for a dog to slip out of a correctly placed harness and muzzle. You need to learn how to do that and get great at it. It doesn’t matter how late or early you go, you are putting your dog and others at risk if you don’t make this effort.
Mysterious-Read-5154@reddit
Having the most dangerous dog while being a shitty owner not properly restraining it. I wonder why people hate pit bulls
SoyEseVato@reddit
OP, I’ve never understood why people like you are dog owners.
KawaiiDere@reddit (OP)
Because my family got him, wasn't my decision for this one.
UKnowWhoToo@reddit
We have used a gentle leader petsafe brand for a few years with our 70 lb lab and my 50 lb kid can control her with it. With a standard collar or even one of the collars that pokes on the side of the neck we couldn’t get compliance.
hungeechicken@reddit
I think it’s more important that your dog is properly restrained than it is to try to time his walks to when others aren’t around. I’m sure there are other night owls who wouldn’t be happy to encounter a dog who escaped his harness. The martingale collar, as suggested already, is a good idea because it applies continuous pressure without choking.
femslashy@reddit
I agree, I see people walking their dogs pretty late at night and often without lights. Walking a reactive escaping dog at any time is a risk