Dog Health Questions: Has American culture in terms of dog training changed?

I have been told that pit bulls used to be "the" family dog. I work with pit bulls at my shelter so I can see how that could be true, however I also know that pit bull problems tend to come from people who buy them and expect them to train themselves, so I was wondering if people used to be more diligent and educated about their dogs than they are now. I know that in decades past there was more emphasis on the family and traditionally mothers would stay home, which would make a difference in at least the dogs wouldn't be left home alone all the time, but I haven't seen very many depictions of the stay-at-home mom's working as dog trainers for breeds with dominance issues. What is the difference between now and then in terms of how pit bulls behave?

My parents are in their 50's and both grew up with dogs their whole lives, but when we got our first dog they were clueless, and 15 years later still are. They had no idea what to feed, how to train, how often to exercise, nothing. Neither set of my grandparents have dogs anymore so I don't know how much they know about dogs, but I doubt they were picking up the slack. And in case anyone didn't read that thoroughly, I am not saying pit bulls are inherently bad dogs now. I just know they need a certain level of attention and training in order to be happy and well behaved, as any dog does, though perhaps for this breed a bit more since they will happily dominate if allowed. I was just wondering why it was seemingly so much better handled then than it is now.

The Importance of Dog Training

Recommended Answer:
Pit bull type dogs were originally bred to be dog aggressive. The ones that had the SLIGHTEST amount of handler aggression were not tolerated because during a dog fight the handler would have to hold their dog and be in the ring with them.

Now reputable breeders are trying to breed out the dog aggression in them, and hold on to it's good temperament with handlers. There isn't any difference between then and now other than that. AmStaffs are actually known as "nannies" because they are so good with kids. But the media doesn't realize this and messes the whole thing up.

So You Want a Guard Dog, Eh? (Basic Dog Training)

• Because people are no longer using dogs for their designed purpose. Such as herding dogs (collies and heelers) that are now kept as pets and are not given enough exercise. People don't bother to look up the breed's information, then they get angry with the animal for doing what it was bred to do such as running, barking, or chasing animals. People are lazy and ignorant about their pets. I'm not saying everyone is, but I wish people would take the time to find out about the animal before getting it.


• the problem with dogs in general stems from a lot of changes. dogs used to be kept in yards, or even free roaming b/c there weren't close-by highways with cars going 50-75 mph. they were treated as dogs to say the least (and usually given jobs, like on farms herding). secondly, there are a lot more dogs in general. so now we have been taking more and more animals (poorly/overly bred), and putting them in our homes, leaving them bored and understimulated, thus causing it to seem like there are more bad behaved dogs when in fact its just that there are higher numbers and more kept as indoor fashion accesories (not that i advocate leaving dogs in yards or free roaming, but i def advocate exercise, space, and a job to do).