Brave Paw Alpha Pits

Some of the most common reasons dogs become aggressive include:

• Fear: This is one of the most common causes. A frightened dog may growl, snap, or bite if it feels trapped or threatened.
• Pain or illness: Injuries, arthritis, dental disease, neurological conditions, or other medical problems can make a dog more likely to react aggressively.
• Protecting resources: Some dogs guard food, toys, sleeping areas, or even people.
• Territorial behavior: Dogs may become aggressive toward unfamiliar people or animals entering what they perceive as their territory.
• Poor socialization: Puppies that aren't exposed to a variety of people, dogs, and environments during their early development may be more fearful or reactive later in life.
• Past experiences: Dogs that have been abused, neglected, or repeatedly frightened may learn to use aggression as a way to protect themselves.

Today's pit bull is a descendant of the original English bull-baiting dog - a dog that was bred to bite and hold bulls, bears and other large animals around the face and head. When baiting large animals was outlawed in the 1800's, people turned instead to fighting their dogs against each other.

Immigrants brought this “pit” fighter to the Americas in the mid-to-late 1800s, where they worked as general farm guardians and pets.

After the formation of the Unite Kennel Club (UKC) in 1898, the American Pit Bull Terrier was officially registered as a breed.