It's hard to believe it's been a week since we introduced our column
featuring the advice of that very wise little pitte named Annie. She
has had quite the week, recovering from being bitten by a doggie playmate when she ran up to him to say hello at a dog park. No hard
feelings, just a sore head and a little hurt pride. She hopes to meet him there again soon and have another chance to be better friends. Annie is healing
nicely and felt it was important to talk about this week's topic, and we
thank her for her devotion to the cause.QUESTION: Annie, is it true that pit bulls have "locking jaws"?
ANNIE: I am glad this question is being asked because it's an important one and can be answered very simply. No. Pit bull type dogs do NOT have locking jaws. Functionally, the jaws of an American Pit Bull Terrier (that's me) are the same as any other breed of dog. This isn't just me saying this, it's been proven by expert examination.
Dr. I. Lerh Brisbin from the University of Georgia wrote an article entitled "Discovery the American Pit Bull Terrier") and he said in his article, "there is absolutely no evidence for the existence of any kind of "locking mechanism" unique to the structure of the jaw and/or teeth of the American Pit Bull Terrier." Whew! That was good news for me to hear, because I always thought I was just a dog. That's all I want to be and it worries me when people start saying things about me that are not true. I'm glad there are people out there like the reader that asked this question, because now you can answer this question when someone asks you, and you will have all the facts straight.
I would also like to say that I heard my mom talking the other day and she said that there is also
Thank you for your question -- it was a very good one. Have a good week. See you next Monday!
Dear Annie,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your fantastic column.
I have a question...
I read on the dogsbite.org website that Pitbull type dogs will bite and shake, causing extensive damage, when attacking another dog or person. Is this true, and if it is, is it characteristic of Pitbulls or will any dog do this?
I can't wait to hear your thoughts.
Rapunzel, thanks for reading my column and asking a great question.
DeleteFirst of all, here's what I know to be true about dogsbite.org:
Dogsbite.org is a website run by a lady named Colleen Lynn. In June of 2007, Miss Colleen was an unfortunate victim of a dog bite while she was out jogging. Because of the dog bite, by a dog that is said to be a "pit bull," Lynn decided to create the website dogsbite.org. She is not a dog expert. I've never met this poor lady that got the dog bite, but I don't like her website and I don't think it tells the truth.
Dogs like to bite, chew and shake their toys, right? I've got a bed full of nylabones and kongs that look like they have fallen into the garbage disposer. All dogs, not just pitties, enjoy biting, chewing, gnawing on their toys, chasing balls, fetching sticks, and when we catch up with our prey we shake it. It is natural for a dog to do this, as it is for a human to use your hands for doing stuff. This kind of play brings out natural hunting skills, even though dogs are domesticated (my mom taught me that word).
A very smart dog expert named Diane Garrod wrote these words about dogs in 2011:
"All dogs have the capability to complete a wild prey sequence of eye, stalk, chase, grab/shake, kill, eat. Toys provide an outlet for what comes naturally, play satisfies. Taking a squeaky toy, shaking it, pulling on it, pulling the stuffing out of it all equate to natural behavior and in fact is a healthy outlet. It doesn't mean the dog will become vicious or go off and kill prey. Dogs have been domesticated for a long time and just as mothers instinctively care for newborns, whether dog or humans, shaking toys is much the same, a natural instinct and something rehearsed without thinking about it. When they discover it is fun to play, then play can be used as a productive training tool and outlet."
She also says that "Letting the dog enjoy this activity with their toy without interruption is important to future development. It allows the dog to release natural predatory instincts on a safe choice, a toy. ... Keeping a dog mentally active releases endorphins into the brain and also creates neural pathways to keep the brain healthy. Toy play should be a part of a healthy day in the life of a dog. It can also be used to teach self-control and as a reward for a job well done."
"Living in a human world can be stressful for a dog, and allowing them the ability to practice safe, rules-oriented shaking of their toys actually can help keep their mouth soft, help with bite inhibition and keep them stress free. It is better to grab and shake a toy, rather than a leg or valuable object in the household. ..."
"In addition to providing proper toys, meeting a dog's needs also includes exercise, mental stimulation, activities and training, outings, proper nutrition and lots of care and attention."
Here's my favorite part of what she says ... "the question then is not why does a dog shake their toys, but why not?"
I hear my humans talk a lot about how important it is to be a responsible guardians of their dogs, no matter what breed they are. One thing for sure about us dogs is we love to play, fetch, chase, retrieve, run, jump, chew, lick, scratch ... well, you get the picture. Give us plenty of opportunity to do these things at the proper time and with the proper toys, and the world would be full of much happier, balanced dogs.
So pretty much, Rapunzel, it's not about pitties, it's about dogs. Never stop being your inquisitive self! You're pawsome!