What pit ownership means for me...

Pits are...

1) Friendly
2) Stubborn

If you are considering adopting a pitbull or pit cross-

Be prepared! You MUST be firm but fair with this breed!! Give them an inch and they take a mile...if you know what I mean. I am a novice pit owner and I was too soft, and fell short in certain areas of his training, and now that he is 80 lbs. I regret letting him have his way, because I am paying for it now.

I will share my experience, to give you a good idea of what I mean...

Letting him meet people and other animals on walks, thinking this was was "socializing" was a big mistake! Now he wants to socialize with everyone, including people who look like they'd rather not meet him. He pulls and pulls and pulls until we reach them and then he jumps all around, pirouettes, prances
around in circles on his hind legs and clowns around (he thinks he's showing off) making a total nuisance of himself.

I am amused by these antics, but to others, I know it's not so charming. I don't let people meet Duke so much anymore, unless I am certain that they are tolerant of big, hyperactive dogs, jumping and slobbering all over the place...

Luckily for Duke, there are some people who welcome his antics with gusto! And the love is flying all over the place!

Dogged Doggone Dog!

Duke is fully grown now, at two and a half years. In May he will offically be an adult dog. His training is coming along nicely and he is developing some wonderful house manners.

I wish I could say the same for how he behaves outdoors-

I am proud to say he has the ability to ignore other dogs that may be barking or approaching, and that is impressive to me.

BUT...

He will chase cats, or people, dragging me along helplessly.

When we walk alone on a quiet street, he does well enough, but if we encounter other humans...LOOK OUT! He's outta control, hyperactive, and does what he pleases. He has not stopped jumping, walking on his hind legs, or pulling on the leash. He weighs around 80 lbs., and that's a LOT of dog for me.

Once we reach person/cat after 30 mile per hour persuit, I quickly assure person/cat by saying something apologetic like, "I'm sorry if he scared you. He's very friendly, and he just wants to meet you." Then I explain that he is still a puppy, and hasn't yet learned his manners.

This is usually where the cat bolts like a bat out of hell.

Or, in the case that it is a person, this is the point where they are clearly thinking something like, "You call this monster a puppy?"

-Not very good PR for a pitbull cross!

I hang my head in shame as I feel like I have failed Duke and Pitbulls everywhere.

Aggression and the Pitbull

People need to understand that "dog agression" and "human aggression" are two very different, and unrelated things.

In the historical, regulation dog fight, the two dogs were matched together, by size. Their handlers remained in the ring with the dogs. Several times in a match the handlers would step near the dogs and seperate them, before releasing them to engage in the fight again.

Pitbulls, bred for the fighting ring, needed to be two things, sound and game.

Gameness, to engage with another dog of equal strength, and endure until he victored his apponent, a feat which could be very long and tiring-

and soundness, to be disengaged from his opponent, without biting his handler.

It is with this regard that pitbulls should be evaluated. A well bred pitbull, will be a balanced animal and very sound. He will have a desire to engage in any kind of work, and will be a friendly companion to his caretaker and his caretakers' family.

That being said, you should also know that a pitbull comes with a strong determination of mind, and can be willful, if he does not respect his caretaker. (Picture a friendly dog, who will engage in play, and be affectionate, but who will steal your belongings and run around the house with them, with a "you can't catch me" attitude, a dog who will not come when you call, a dog who will always push limits and usually get away with it, and you get the picture.)

The pitbull is not for the novice dog owner, or a meek handler. Gaining a pitbull's respect early is crucial. You must be firm and consistent. Do this and you will earn a tremendously obedient, and capable companion.

Every pitbull owner should be aware of thier dog's breeding history. Be wary of their tendancy toward "dog aggression" due to their history as a fighting breed. When introducing your pitbull to other dogs, be relaxed, your dog will read your emotions, but always be prepared to separate your dog, and pay damages.

(This is not so much of a concern for pit mixes, but do always look out for that tendancy. Also note that a purebred pitbull may not be "dog aggressive". Look into its line and see how far removed it is from its ancestral pitfighters.)

Get the Mail (According to Duke)

Today, my guardian tried to show me a new trick. "Get the mail" First she walked me on leash to the mail truck, and asked for a "sit" I sat, but my tail was gyrating so fast, at the discovery that their was a friendly person inside the mail truck that my butt elevated and hovered just above the ground. Then my guardian said "Get the mail" I stood up and the friendly mail lady tried to feed me a stack of paper. I didn't know what they wanted me to do, so I just kept licking the mail lady's hand. Can you help my guardian teach me how to "Get the mail" from the mail lady?

What Gives?

There are many who criticize this breed, and discriminate against American Pitbull Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and similar breeds such as
Bull Dogs, and Bull Terriers. Many of the same people who do this, are merely regurgitating out of ignorance, the media induced, sensationalized hype that
created the animals' bad reputation in the first place.

I for one, won't stand for anymore irresponsible reporting, regarding these naturally affectionate, affable, intelligent, highly trainble dog breeds.

These dogs have so much to offer. Originally revered in colonial America as
the favored family pet, as much as the Golden Retriever is today, the media has degraded these highly personable, social animals to vicious man killers with locking jaws.

Because these dogs present such a strong, athletic physique, pitbulls and other similar breed types are targets for this kind of bad publicity.

Last year I set out to purchase or adopt a dog to become our family pet. Originally, I researched many types of smaller house breeds, such as Pomeranians, Papillions, and Jack Russel Terriers.

I considered many types of medium sized breeds, including Austrailian Cattle Dogs, and Border Collies, which I am familiar with and love.

I never considered owning a pitbull, because I did not know much about them, but one day at a farmers' market, a family was giving them away. After observing the parent dogs for an hour I formed an opinion that these are highly sociable, trainable dogs who like to be with people. I took one of the 12 week old puppies home and immediately began my research on the breed. Much to my delight, I learned just how much these compassionate animals have to offer society.

Because of their exceptional intelligence, these dogs are capable of serving the communities they live in in a number of ways. They hold such
jobs as search and rescue dogs, drug sniffing dogs, cancer sniffing dogs, therapy dogs, police dogs, seeing eye dogs, or other assistance working dogs,
companion dogs, and talented sporting dogs. They are fantastic in sports such as flyball and agility.

Perhaps suprisingly, it is the opinion of some, that this breed type does NOT make a good watch dog. Why? Thier general disposition toward people is gregarious. They love people and thier loyalties are indiscriminate. Whether you are a well intentioned human being or not, a pitbull is all too happy to see you!

It is unfortunate that this breed may suffer the consequences of breed specific legislation due to isolated cases, where these animals who are naturally so eager to please, are betrayed by their human counterparts and are neglected or mishandled to the point that any dog would go mad and act out.

All breeds could suffer the same consequences. If you are a pet owner of any breed of dog, socialize your young dog, sensitvely. Help your dog to become confident that in any type of situation, you are trustworthy. Teach your dog to obey you. Always protect your pet. Keep him on leash when he's out with you. Teach your dog how to behave around people.

This does not happen by exiling your hyper-active puppy to the back yard or a kennel. It takes commitment and a great amount time, of practicing manners daily. Say NO to breed specific legislation! Instead, improve the laws that enforce responsible pet ownership!

-Things I've learned along a bumpy road as a novice pit owner.

A-Hem! A Word About Breed Specific Legislation

What is Breed Specific Legislation?

Breed Specific Legislation bears the face of protecting citizens from dogs deemed as dangerous, by state and local legislatures. This "protection" legislature offers, is an effort to appear to citizens, that their tax dollars are doing something to promote goodwill for the community,while it is actually carried out as a form of canine genecide, that any breed, even YOUR pet, can fall prey to.

What happens is this:
A neglegent dog owner creates a problem in a neighborhood. His dog becomes a nuisance, because of incessant barking, or it his constanly loose in the community, because it is not properly contained. This dog typically is not socialized, and has been constantly ignored. Having escaped his less than desireable living conditions, he is suddenly exposed to new and frightening experiences. Due to the lack of structure in his life and having recieved no training, the dog is a very insecure animal. An insecure dog is dangerous for many reasons. They may fight with other people's dogs to ascertain a pack order, or they may bite the friendly, helping hand of a concerned neighbor, out of fear.

Fear biting is a clear indication of a dog that has found people to be unreliable at best.

In the worst of situations, the dog has been tought that aggression is desired, or has been taught to kill other animals, or even people.

In the event that a dog like this does attack, the media is quick to portray the animal as a vicious machine, that is a danger to society. This portrayal makes people wary of any dog that resembles the characteristics of the reported vicious dog. Rumors or reports of other dog attacks emerge, because the clever media realizes they are making headlines, when they say man's best friend is public enemy #1.

The real killing machine is the misinformed owner, neglect, and mistreatment. The true animal is one depraved human being, turning a benevolent and forthcoming beast into an extension of their ill will. Thier dog of choice is the Pitbull, with its well muscled physique and commanding gaze. In the past it has been the Doberman, the Rottwheiler, and the German Shepherd, but it could just as well be any dog, one just like yours.

With the help of the media, citizens cry out for relief from dog attacks.

It is truly a problem for society, and here is our legislatures solution:
BAN all Pitbulls!

This decision doesn't make any sense. What is to stop criminals, irresponsible people, or people with ill will to simply choose another breed?

This is what breed specific legislation looks like in Denver, Colorado:
Pitbulls are banned. Responsible pitbull owners, who have licenced their dogs, are found first. Their dogs are confiscated and then euthanised. Imagine that, their family pet is murdered because somewhere else someone elses dog acted out in violence.

Rather than creating a breed specific ban, our legislature should improve the laws that enforce responsible pet ownership.