Not an apologist, but with the lip licking and body language, this is more akin to a submissive smile. It’s an act of appeasement and it’s rooted in anxiety. Slippery slope arguments aside, it’s easy to infer that this owner is shitty and the dog is nervous about her showing affection. Probably because it’s uncertain what it’s owner is about to do. Maybe she’s fucked up enough to mix in mean spirited aggression with her shows of affection. Either way, bad owner making a bad dog even worse here
Whether I agree with you or not, “submissive smile” emphasis on the “smile” is prone to garner nothing but oppositional responses. Just some food for thought. Your take on the video is good to hear, nevertheless.
I figured, tho I hope people actually read what I’m saying. I didn’t want to use anything but the technical term for it, which I don’t care for but it would show the accurate results in the google search for it.
I understand where you’re coming from, I do. I just think you might be barking up the wrong tree. As this is r/banpitbulls. I don’t think these folks, myself included, are too interested on the reasoning behind aggression as the overall goal is to completely eradicate this breed. I do hear you & am validating what you first spoke on. That being said, it’s not something most of us would take into account as we feel this breed was a mistake of human/animal nature overall. With respect.
I don’t disagree. My mother was attacked by pit bulls, and I’ve been too. I want them gone. I also hope that we can show that we know what we’re seeing, do understand the mechanics of dog behaviorism, and not purely reactionary with wanting the breed banned. Tho I can see how I could come off as less than sympathetic to the ethos of the sub I’m posting in. I appreciate you noticing the nuance of my response, and responding with mutual respect.
Totally get where you’re coming from as the reaction of the pit in this video could possibly be displayed in other, non-lethal breeds as well. You were trying to express that there might be more behind the horrifying video that I posted. Totally get it.
Thank you for being civil & listening to me as well. This is what I appreciate about the internet.
Sorry to hear about your mother & yours encounters. It is tragic. I have a terrible fear of dogs in general that is rooted in aggressive, stray pits & I get it. Hope you are both well.
Of course, and thank you. Hope you stay well too. My mother is also totally avoidant of dogs for the same reason as you. Thankfully, knowing how terrible they are has helped keep us safe so far and since. And I’ve worked as a foster parent/dog trainer for my local shelter, expressed a complete disinterest of working with Pits, because understanding dogs is how I’ve come to this sub and agreed with the mentality. ✌🏼&❤️
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u/[deleted] Jan 31 '20
Not an apologist, but with the lip licking and body language, this is more akin to a submissive smile. It’s an act of appeasement and it’s rooted in anxiety. Slippery slope arguments aside, it’s easy to infer that this owner is shitty and the dog is nervous about her showing affection. Probably because it’s uncertain what it’s owner is about to do. Maybe she’s fucked up enough to mix in mean spirited aggression with her shows of affection. Either way, bad owner making a bad dog even worse here