Help training my Mom...

I'm so sorry she's doing this to you and Titus. I gues I don't understand why she lets him out after you've asked her not to. You are right to be worried about what parents will say. I'd certainly be upset if my daughter was bombarded by a strange dog no matter what the breed! You mom NEEDS to understand this. If she can't, I'd really be looking to get out of there asap. You love Titus and you need to do the responsible thing for him. Hopefully this is just a temporary living arangement.... Unfortunaltely, becuase Titus is a Pit people may act wrongly against him and you. You poor thing.

Have your mom read the information on the Casa Del Torro website. It talks about the importance of making sure pit breeds are squeaky clean in public. It talks about how if a non pit breed does something it doesn't make news, but if a pit does it, then its national headlines. While it isn't fair, it is how it is. A friend of mine always muzzles his pit in public even though it is totally docile just because he knows it makes people feel better about his dog.

Do you have a crate you can use for the time being? If not, maybe you can borrow one. I would keep him in it if you are not right with him to supervise. Dogs don't mind crates. Ours go in on their own when they need a little time out. That way you wouldn't have to worry about him running out front. Hootie used to do the same thing and scared the cr*p out of the little girl down the block. Dad had seen me leave the gate open with Hootie outside so he thought he could do it. Nice thought except Hootie didn't listen to him and was so excited to see the kids getting off the bus and ran after them. Oh no, killer Akita on the loose! Luckily the girl's family was cool about it. It might be hard for your mom to remember because she's not used to having to watch for a dog. I'm not a big fan of him even being out on the tie out while the kids are getting off the bus. I think he should stay inside during that time so maybe you could crate him before school lets out. You could tell your mom that you're going to make it easier on her and crate him when you're not home so she won't have to take care of him. I agree about the whole pit bull thing. I do feel that Pit owners are held to a higher standard(or should be) because they choose that breed. They should do everything they can to show everyone how great they can be. Hope that helps!

This is tough. I'm so sorry you have to deal with this. This isn't only about the pit image, but he could get hurt just taking off and running like that. Maybe after this incident, your mom will see that. It's so hard to live with someone who doesn't respect your wishes about your pets. I'm sure you've argued every angle to try to get her to listen. We'll start praying you're able to get your own place ASAP!!!

I would sit her down and have a long talk with her. let her know how unacceptable this is. From the website http://www.dogbitelaw.com/PAGES/Indiana.html

It is a Class C infraction for an owner to allow a dog to stray from his property unless the dog was under the reasonable control of a person. Ind. Code 15-5-9-13. This could lead to liability on the ground of negligence (negligence per se liability).

If for whatever reason Titus did happen to bite someone it would fall under her responsibility because it is her home. I am betting her homeowners insurance would drop her if they found out that a pit was there, and would definatly if he bit. They look down on this!

So, for her own protection it would be better that she not let Titus out.

Speaking as a pit lover and owner!

Yeah, it sounds like you need to have a heart-to-heart with her. What types of discussions have you had before? If she understands all the ramifications of what she is allowing Titus to do, then maybe she will stop. Sometimes proper communication can make a world of difference. If you two are fighting about it, she will probably not listen to reason. If you approach her in a sincere, non-confrontational way, maybe she will hear you out.

I have broached the subject peacefully several times. Thus the opening line of my post "counting to 10 isn't cutting it anymore". It's out of frustration that the yelling began. I've explained that her home owner insur. could be cancelled, that she would be liable since she is the home owner and also that Titus's behavior could be taken as agressive meaing he's subject to be taken by IACC and destroyed.