Customer Reviews

Pit Bulls For Dummies

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I own an American Pit Bull Terrier, and read several books on the breed prior to picking up this particular one. Ms. Coile covers many of the basics concerning the breed that any responsible, right-thinking dog-owner-to-be should consider prior to purchasing/adopting an American Pit Bull Terrier (or any dog, for that matter), and provides this in a well-written, easy to understand format. By no means should this be the only book anyone considering bringing an American Pit Bull Terrier home should read ~ because of the modern controversy and circumstances surrounding these courageous, loyal, and amazing dogs, any potential responsible owner should read every book on the subject he/she can get his/her hands on.

I find it unfortunate that the lawyer from Denver, CO, who ~ to my knowledge ~ was never educated in any form of animal behavioral science or canine anatomy, wishes to use this particular forum to spread his own ill-informed political agenda. It strikes me that the prosecutor's office in the city of Denver might better spend it's time actually putting murderers, rapists, thieves and thugs in prison, than trying to work the constituency into a frenzy over the latest media-hyped "monster."

A decent book, with some good advice, and some good PR for the breed. However, this author is the same one who has written several other 'Breed for Dummies' books, and apparently hasn't had a lot of experience with all of them. This book would've been much better had it been written by someone with a lot of experience in the breed, like Stratton or Jessup. The training section with simplistic and very biased, the author didn't even mention alternate training methods, and gave no suggestions for what to do if this method doesn't work. The breed specific information in this book can be found on many websites and most pit bull books, and the non-breed specific information is available in any all-breed dog book. This book probably isn't worth the money.

This book spells out the true nature of a Pitbull. To M. Adamcik, did you read the book or did you use this forum to just vent?? I recommend you read Fatal Dog Attacks, the Stories Behind the Statistics, as this will open your eyes and show you documented facts that precious Golden Retreivers, Dachshunds and even the ever popular Yorkie and Westie can and HAVE killed. One of pits extreme qualities is their ability to please. They will do anything and everything and turn around to their owner with a look "Did I do good?? HUH?? HUH??" That is the appeal to the "hoodlums" that exploit and abuse these dogs for their own pleasure. The book is clear, concise, informative and unbiased.

We need more books about dogs than at any time in my experience, because folks seem to have forgotten their roots and live in cities and lose touch with all animals, dogs included. This book is refreshing, truthful and quite helpful about dogs in general and about the BREED in specific, one with which I have lived for over twenty years. It sure cuts past the hoopla and the image of the slavering murderous beast, which has so lately populated the media and driven politicians to new lows in pandering. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who is considering a large and powerful dog...There is no breed more rewarding or more loving, more humorous, the spirit of PETE THE PUP of OUR GANG COMEDIES lives on in each one of them. I would have to give this book highest recommendations.

This is a refreshingly accurate book compared to all the ones that seem to be written by dummies and filled with old wive's tales. It is a great book for pitbull owners.
I don't know what the earlier reviewer is talking about. I looked through my copy and found none of the problems mentioned. Maybe he is confusing it with another book?

Yes, it is true there are Pit Bull books out there that tell you tons more about the breed than this one does, however these books I speak of do not tell you much about general dog care while this one tells a great deal.

This book gives you enough information on the breed to help you decide if you want to own one and it contains plenty of information to help you succesfully raise and care for your dog.

Find it amusing that the most "negative" review of the subject of this book was written by someone who has a vested interest in the legislation against them. Sort of like Nathan Hale's mother reviewing The White Man's Bible, is it not? This is far from the worst book written on the subject, and the frequent mention of the "not for everyone" -ness of this breed is a statement that could be made about chows, German shepherds, and a dozen other breeds. It takes an open mind to see that, and to benefit from books that at least attempt to put the responsibility of dog ownership on the supposedly more intellectual of the dog-owner paradigm. Not the dog for everyone indeed, nor is Colorado the state for everyone, it seems!

I think this book has one of the scariest titles I've yet seen in the '...for Dummies' line. To sum up quickly, anyone who would consider themselves a "dummy" on American Pit Bull Terriers, or other Bully breeds, should not even consider owning one.

The book itself does its part to combat the myths and incorrect stereo-types surrounding Pit Bull Terriers and other Bully breeds, but a good deal of the information is incorrect. Its clear the author has not had much direct experience with Pit Bull Terriers. There are references made to certain characteristics of the breed that have nothing to do with the quality of the line as the author would have you believe. Plus, the author lumps other breeds (such as the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Bull Terriers) as being Pit Bulls, despite the different lineages and standards between them. The only dog that can properly be referred to with the term "pitbull" is the American Pit Bull Terrier and none of the other Bully breeds. If you are writing a book on a subject you should understand your subject matter.

It was obvious the author was familiar with other breeds and how to relate to them, but treating an APBT in the same manner as you would a Golden Retriever will get you one disobediant APBT. The book does state that Bully breeds may not be for everyone and require a certain type of owner, but I think that the author's lack of work with Pit Bulls and the Bully breeds mentioned shows in the writing. These dogs are remarkably headstrong when they want to be. Being stubborn is almost second nature and this turns many would-be owners into giving up their Pit Bulls to shelters. They require determined, consistent owners who can not only be firm when dealing with the dog but deal with the ignorance of others in regards to their new friend.

The book was not all bad. The author was correct in showing the warm personalities of Pit Bulls and other Bully breeds. I think for PR purposes the book did a great job in trying to clear up some of the nonsense surrounding Pit Bulls. And as most of those holding to the ignorant rhetoric and outrageous "facts" about these dogs could be summed up as "dummies," maybe the book will do good in reaching that part of the population.

As having dealt with American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and Bulldogs for the good portion of my life I can tell you with experience how truly wonderful these breeds are and can be. Though if you are interested in any Bully breed it is important you do your homework! Know what you are getting into by reading books from experienced authors and actually going to speak with breeders and fanciers. Do not read only one book and do not visit only one breeder. The information you find in this book you'll find in others and not be confused by some of the misinformation it has.

But I'm only here responding to the clown in Denver who thinks that they should be killed on the basis of "SHOULD THEY ATTACK." So by that we should all be in jail or killed because we all have the potential to commit a crime, kill someone, turn to a sexual predator? This is ridiculous, the clowns running Denver are wrong for having these great dogs destroyed. To those of us who own them we view them as trusted members of our family and these dogs are just as loving as any other breed if not more. It's true that they are aggressive towards other animals if not socialized properly while growing up and I too used to be one of the idiots that bought into the stereotype that these dogs are born mean that is until I became the owner of one. I now have three. My entire family has come to love my dogs as members of our family and the dogs return the love as well.
What breed are you going to ban in Denver next? Rottweilers? Dobermans? Akitas? Chows? Denver animal lovers should unite and vote you clowns out of office and have that law repealed because the breed they own could be next.

first of all, all bulldogs come from the same line (pits, english, american, etc.). What made the pits fight like they do is mixing in TERRIER BLOOD !!! Terriers are bred to hunt down little animals, rats, mice, etc. that is what they mixed with pit bulls to make them PIT BULL TERRIERS!!! I have a pit who lives with two other dogs, a cat, and a number of small rodents and birds that are our pets, and children; he is a therapy pet, a service dog, and a wonderful companion. I think you people in denver are not addressing the situation properly. Its not the breed you should be attacking, but the horrible owners who abuse them into thinking that they should attack. All the people in Denver are going to do is find another dog to use. There are plenty of other types of dogs that are much more aggresive then pits, pits are just cheaper. What about Presas or Cane Corsoes, bet you didnt check them, they are much bigger and more dangerous than pits.(Nothing aginst Presa or Corso folks, im just making a point.)
Anyone who wants a breed banned is missing the big picture, the people who are training these anamails ! The people who are training them to fight are NOT the USA's finest to say the least, THEY ARE YOUR TRUE PROBLEM ! You could make a golden or a lab attack to kill of you try hard enough! DOGS, EVEN PITS, ARE NOT BORN TO HUNT DOWN HUMAN BLOOD ! IT'S REALLY CRAPPY PEOPLE WHO MAKE THEM THAT WAY !
*my last final words are*
"All creatures on earth should be respected"
&
"No matter how poor you may be, having a dog makes you rich."

AND FINALLY- focus on the real problem, not the indivdual dog breeds, but the horrible people who train them to fight.