->  WC> -> You didn't answer this. . . would Spanky dive in to
defend you/your
->  WC> home
->  WC> -> against a sudden aggressive breakin?
->  WC>
->  WC> Can't actually say for certain.
->  WC> Years ago I _hired_ a homeless guy for 5 bucks ( so he could buy beer)
->  WC> to open my door and see howe the dog responded.

-> What if Spanky HAD responded viciously(per leftover training from his
-> previous owner, e.g.)?

You mean my ex-girlfriend Cynthia who was one of the two former owners?
I'd known the dog since he was six months old and I'd even seen him
respond to Cynthia ordering him to attack using his attack command.

Spanky had always displayed and looked fierce but never acted
as the dog exhibits judgement something I've always admired in the
animal.

In the highly unlikely event the dog _had_ moved to attack 
I've a single very short non-word sound he's trained to that means
"stop whatever you're doing" that's never failed.

Before I tried the dog out on ther stranger with his permission
having been advised what to do and what to expect I compensated the
frightened but unijured individual as promised.

Another example of Spanky's judgement.
When first Cynthia and the dog moved in with me I knew
I had to become the alpha dominant personality with the dog.
I did this over a somewhat reluctant Spanky's willingness to take a 
bath.

Prior to my little experiment with the homeless guy Cynthia had
used the dog's attack command in an attempt to get him to attack
ME!                                       
She was very serious and her tone unmistakable as she literally
screamed her attack command.
What may you ask was the dog's response?

Spanky stood there head slunk low between his shoulders
with all four legs very visably shaking.
The dog used his judgement and seeing I'd done nothing wrong
was locked in conflict between his training and his judgement.
I gave Spanky a reasonable alternative and in a very mild and quiet 
tone said "Spanky, go behind the recliner and lay down."

Spanky very promptly complied with my request leaving Cynthia speechless
and quivering in rage.

It also ended Cynthia's unexpected and unexplained outburst against me,
she was completely taken aback the dog refused to attack
deferring to it's own judgement of the situation.

I hold the dog in higher regard and it's why he's still with me
despite my limited resources and mobility issues.
Spanky has NEVER let me down in any way.

->  WC> Spanky greeted the stranger with a display of teeth and
-> impressive
->  WC> snarl.
->  WC> The guy didn't press his luck, came downstairs and I paid him.
->  WC> Color gone out of his face I think he needed the six pack about then
->  WC> 
->  WC>
->  WC> Still Spanky had not advanced to attack, merely warned.
->  WC>
->  WC> That was years ago and I've always stressed Spanky remain gentle.
->  WC>
->  WC> In any case were he to do nothing most recognize the breed and
->  WC> with the media hype I don't see many testing the
->  WC> dog's behavior unless they knew his reputation for gentleness.

-> Right, and up here, the cops would see him and press their luck, with
-> gun ready, just so they can kill something and feel like 'real men'! :(
 
There've been a number of such incidents around here with Pits
whose friends and neighbors all testified were good friendly dogs.
Those dogs are still dead and the officers cleared of wrongdoing :-(

->  WC> Denver doen't see it that way :-(
->  WC> They're euthanizing every member of the breed in the county :-(

-> :(  Not enough of you lobbying/petitioning otherwise? :P
                                                                    
I don't live in Denver County but Pinellas Florida.
One woman however did move out of the county on account of her love
for her dog.

->  WC> It would take so little media time to educate how to make the breed
->  WC> safe
->  WC> but do they take the three minutes to do so?

-> Why?  When hyping up the negativity attracts more attention to their
-> rags than any attempt at educating the willfully ignorant could ever do?

A sad indictment of human nature ain't it.

T.V. too and just a few days ago the local network affiliates were right
up there with closeup pictures of the injuries sustained to two woman
who'd no clue about how to properly maintain a safe Pit Bull.

One dog they'd had five months, the second three and the second had
been feral running loose.
Neither was neutered and no alpha dominance training provided.

What happened was quite predictable and I'd say they got off rather
easily as the both lived, lost no appendages and their injuries 
will heal.

I would never take in a Pit Bull tha had been running in the wild Feral.

BTW, Spanky isn't neutered either but than he isn't broken,
just very gentle, well behaved and absolutely reliable.

I've 15 1/2 years or a touch more experience with this animal from which
to make that observation.
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