We found a dog yesterday!

[OnionPatch]

She came wandering into our yard and wouldn't leave. We live next to a big, wooded park and I called the park office. They said she was wandering around there all day yesterday and they thought she might have been abandoned. The weird thing is that she is fat and shiny and has on a pretty collar. Her toenails are perfectly clipped. She sat on command. She's so friendly and sweet. I can't imagine that she's a stray! Another clue: she looks very young, hardly a year old but you can tell she had puppies. I don't think she's still nursing but she looks, you know, stretched out. I'm guessing the litter was recently weaned.

She looks like a pit bull but hubby thinks she's half lab. I don't know, her ears are not clipped so maybe that's why she looks part lab but I think she's all pit bull.

I put signs all over the neighborhood. I don't know what else to do. I think my husband wants to keep her if no one claims her. I'm a little leery. She is the friendliest, sweetest thing but I have a four-year old. I'm a little worried about the pit bull reputation. We have a German Shepherd who is wonderful with my daughter, so I know it depends a lot on the dog. (The dogs like each other already, too.)

Any advice? Experience with Pit Bulls?

[Longhorn]

1. Our newspaper runs "found" ads for free. You might check yours out.

We've found dogs and put ads in the paper and located the owners. Also, you may be able to call your pound and tell them you have the dog and all the details without bringing the dog in. Then if the owners call or come looking for her, they'll give them the information.

As far as pit bulls, my daughter has a very sweet pit bull mix who has never attacked a human but she's still nervous about him when he's around children. I think he has growled or even lunged or snapped in the past. Now, he doesn't live with children, which could make a big difference.

The fact is, German Shepherds also have a reputation but yours is obviously a good one with children. I grew up with a German Shepherd and he was a big sweetheart! So I think you're right that it depends on the dog.

Good luck!

[OnionPatch]

2. Thanks

Yes, our shepherd was raised from a puppy right next to my daughter. I had read up on them and learned that the key is socialization when they are young. That's why I would be a little worried about a dog that I don't know. She seems to like my daughter very much. I think she may have been around kids. She must belong to someone though the park seems to think she was dumped.

I called the pound and left the info.

She's such a sweetie! :loveya: I'm trying not to get attached!

[xultar]

3. Pit Bulls have a horrible reputation thanks to their irresponsible owners

They are loving pups who love their family. You'll find that she'll become protective of you, your hubby, and your child.

Pit bulls aren't overly aggressive, they are very strong. The reputation of pit bulls is directly related to owners using them as fighting dogs. If she has no wounds that indicate fighting or abuse you should be o.k.

Pit bulls need training and they should always be trained to be submissive to you, your hubby and your child. The dog needs to be crate trained immediately.

I'd suggest taking her to a vet ASAP just to verify her overall well being. Then taking her to a dog trainer for a temperament test. I bet a local PetSmart trainer will do it for you right there in the store for no charge. Especially if you are thinking of keeping her.

[RebelOne]

4. Pit bulls have a terrible reputation, but they are wonderful dogs.

I have had two pit bull terriers and they were the best of dogs. It's sad that they have such a bad rap because of bad owners. I have a Rottweiler and she is a sweetheart. I don't care what anyone says, it is true that there are no bad dogs, only bad owners. If you decide not to keep her, please do not take her to your local animal shelter because she will be killed. Most animal shelters will not adopt out pit bulls, but will release them to licensed animal rescues.

[OnionPatch]

5. I don't think she's been mistreated

In fact, she looks like she's been very well taken care of and seems to be in perfect health. She's been nothing but sweet (and somewhat submissive) to all of us but not to the point where she is shy or nervous.

My husband has a friend at work, a good guy, who already has two mixed pit bulls and takes good care of them. He said he would take her if we can't find her owners and don't want to keep her. He's got a huge yard.

I would never send her to the pound. I would probably have found a pit bull rescue first. She's going to be a wonderful pet, I can tell. As much as I like her, I'm tending away from thinking we'll keep her. I'm just too nervous having a strange dog around my daughter. If she (daughter) were a little older I wouldn't hesitate at all. She's the sweetest. I wish I could post her pic but I don't have a website. (yet)

[auburngrad82]

6. Another thing you can do...

Take her to a vet clinic and have them scan her for a microchip. Also, you can call the vet clinics in the area and see if any of them recognize the dog. If she's well-taken care of then she's probably been to a vet somewhere around there.