Pit Bulls in the Dog Park - Part 3 of 4

Hi everyone!  Last week I left you with some questions to share with your family and friends, sorta like a little "pop quiz" and I am excited to hear how you did on the answers. 

Just as a refresh, here are the questions, along with the answers:

1.  TRUE OR FALSE -- "Smart Socializing" involves setting your dog up for only positive dog-dog interactions.

TRUE! - The more positive interaction ANY dog gets with other dogs, the more likely he will develop and maintain dog-tolerant behavior for life.
Right: This female puppy's all-positive exposure to this well-socialized adult dog was planned for her benefit. She grew up to be a 'Dog Selective' adult meaning, she's easily offended by rude behavior from strange dogs, but she enjoys many trusted dog friends for play and socializing fun.
- See more at: http://www.badrap.org/node/98#sthash.SVY1Z54l.dpuf

TRUE!  The more positive dog-dog interactions your dog has, the more his chances are increased that he will be dog tolerant.  Even a dog that starts out with selective tolerance for other dogs can be trained to be dog tolerant by intentionally setting him up with positive dog-dog play time.

TRUE! - The more positive interaction ANY dog gets with other dogs, the more likely he will develop and maintain dog-tolerant behavior for life.
Right: This female puppy's all-positive exposure to this well-socialized adult dog was planned for her benefit. She grew up to be a 'Dog Selective' adult meaning, she's easily offended by rude behavior from strange dogs, but she enjoys many trusted dog friends for play and socializing fun.
- See more at: http://www.badrap.org/node/98#sthash.SVY1Z54l.dpuf

TRUE! - The more positive interaction ANY dog gets with other dogs, the more likely he will develop and maintain dog-tolerant behavior for life.
Right: This female puppy's all-positive exposure to this well-socialized adult dog was planned for her benefit. She grew up to be a 'Dog Selective' adult meaning, she's easily offended by rude behavior from strange dogs, but she enjoys many trusted dog friends for play and socializing fun.
- See more at: http://www.badrap.org/node/98#sthash.SVY1Z54l.dpuf

2.  TRUE OR FALSE -- Dog parks are a dependable place to begin socializing your dog.


FALSE!  Dog parks are a great place for dogs to interact and run off their energy.  But, the dog park is not a good place for all dogs, and that doesn't mean there is anything wrong with your dog.  The dog park is definitely not the place to train your dog to be sociable.  The tricky part about a dog park for dogs that aren't yet well-socialized is that it forces the dog to come face-to-face with situations that make him feel uncomfortable, and this may trigger defensiveness and other reactions that break into a fight.  And as I said before, if you want your dog to be properly socialized for life, you really don't want him to ever be in a fight if you can avoid it. 









3.  TRUE OR FALSE -- My dog is really good with the other dogs in my home, and with my cousin's dog that lives close by.  Doesn't that mean he will be fine with all other dogs he meets?


FALSE, FALSE FALSE.  Your dog's reaction to canine family members can be very different from his reaction to dogs who are not part of his family.  There are many situations where 3 dogs can live together in perfect harmony, all with different levels of "social."  They can be "dog social," "dog tolerant" and "dog aggressive," but never show their differences to each other in the comfort of their own home.  It is important to know your dog's individual social limitations so that you don't set him up for failure.  Here is a great link from our friends at Bad Rap that talks more about this topic:

http://www.badrap.org/node/97






4.  TRUE OR FALSE -- It's OK to wait until your dog experiences his first fight to know it's time to begin managing and training him about good doggie citizenship.


FALSE. You want to avoid at all cost your dog ever getting into a fight with another dog.  Dogs learn from their bad experiences just like we do, and a bad fight will likely leave him with a lasting impression that will affect his future tolerance for other dogs.

A dog’s first fight is always the one you want to avoid. Why? A bad fight can make a huge impression on your dog and cause him to have a shorter fuse the next time a dog-dog conflict comes up. Dogs learn from their bad experiences just like we do, so it’s best to protect them from conflict. - See more at: http://www.badrap.org/node/98#sthash.SVY1Z54l.dpuf

5.  TRUE OR FALSE -- A good way to socialize a dog is to let her walk up to other dogs she doesn't know while on her daily walk.


FALSE.  The tension that builds at the end of a leash can lead to very intense "arguments" between two dogs that don't know each other.  Also, allowing your dog to participate in this type of greeting can set the stage for him pulling wildly on his leash the next time he passes a dog on a leash that he wants to meet.  It can also lead to a fight (and that's not something you ever want to happen).

I used to be very leash aggressive and still have my times when I need to be reminded how to behave.  My mom got this crazy idea from some book that she read and she started giving me treats every time we would see a dog approaching us on a leash.  Not just any treats, but my favorite, all time, best ever, good girl Annie treats.  Cheese, bacon, and chicken lead the list of things she carries around with us when we go for a walk.  Sometimes I think she is crazy, but it is working.  I am almost at the point where I think I will be able to pass another dog on the same side of the sidewalk and not pitch one of my little frantic fits.  (I have it down really well now that I don't pay any mind to other dogs if we are on the other side of the street.)  Also, it's important to share with you that my "leash behavior" has nothing to do with how I act toward other dogs (or any other animals) when I am off leash.  I am a very good girl at the dog park, and really hate it when other dogs get into brawls.  Makes me sad, and sometimes I run through their little group just to break them up (and it usually works!).

Here's a little tip for when someone tries to approach your dog with their dog on a leash.  Just smile and step in front of your dog and say politely, "sorry we are in training.  We are not ready for a meeting right now."   


How did you do?  I would really love to read your comments and ideas.

Also, I would really like to say that I am really glad that the dog park rules say that dogs can't be in the dog park with their leashes on.  Never, nada.  Dogs don't always show their true colors when they are at the end of a leash (me!!!) and if your dog doesn't do well off-leash around dogs, then either you need to work with your dog a little more in a smaller group, or he isn't cut out to be in the dog park at all.  He's still a great dog, but his social circle just needs to be a little smaller.  I would volunteer to be part of a small play group with any dog that is having trouble at the dog park.  Just comment here and we can make a play-date!



 

Pit Bulls At The Dog Park (Part 2 of 4-Part Series)

It's Part 2 of my 4-part series on the Dog Park, and I can't wait to tell you what happened this week!  Are you ready?  Momma took my sister and me to the Dog Park and we had a great time.  Whew ... I wasn't sure when I was going to get to go back, but it finally happened.  I love our dog park and I think the people who worked so hard to build it must really love dogs ... a lot!!!  I just wish people would behave themselves at the dog park.  Yes, I said people.  I think following the rules at the dog park is a great way to say thank you for all the hard work that went into making the dog park a reality for all of us.   

Do you know why I decided to call this little series "Pit Bulls at the Dog Park"?  There are actually several reasons:  (1) I am a pit bull, and I love the dog park; (2) there are a lot of people who don't understand me and my breed, and I want to raise awareness of what's true about us; and (3) there have been some really bad situations at our dog park that reportedly involve pit bull type dogs poor judgment being used by individual dogs that are not properly socialized.

I have a theory about why so many people lately have been complaining about pit bulls in our dog park here in Warren County.  You know me -- when I have a theory (aka opinion) I'm probably going to share it with you.  Here are a few of my thinkings:

There are a lot of pit bull type/ pit-mixed breeds in our county -- a lot more than you think.  We have lived behind closed doors for a long time because there has not been an off-leash area where we can run and be free until just last year, and in many cases our owners don't routinely take us places because of the troubling comments and gestures that we experience when we are go out in public (it's embarrassing).  In some households, dogs (not just pitties) are not exercised or stimulated on a regular basis, and have never had interaction with other dogs on any level since they were adopted.  In many cases, this is a "perfect storm" in the making, and taking ANY unsocialized dog to the dog park with no advance preparation is a recipe for disaster, and it's not fair to a dog who thinks he's just doing what he's s'posed to be doing.    

How is a dog owner supposed to know how their dog is going to act around other dogs if they have never been around other dogs?  Is the dog park the place to first get this question answered?  Lordy, no!!!  What if your dog has herding tendencies with other dogs and you have never taken the time to discover/address/manage this issue before opening that gate to the dog park?  What if your dog (who has never been around other dogs) is big and burly and is irritated by a smaller dog running around his hind legs and jumping up trying to sniff his butt say hello? How is he going to react?  Are you a gambling person who wants to wait to find out the answer to that question after you are in the dog park with 25 other dogs?  What if your dog is a terrier -- boston terrier, pit bull terrier, westhighland white terrier -- and, like many terrier type dogs, has a strong chase drive?  If she has never been around another dog (other than a family dog she sees everyday and who is not a good test of a dog's tolerance for other dogs), what are you going to do when you open that gate to the dog park and your terrier with years of pent-up energy and no effective behavior management chases after a little Yorkie, picks him up and shakes him like a rag bone?  Is that your dog's fault, or is it the result of poor owner management?  


I wish that all the people who use the park knew how to use common sense when it comes to dog-dog meetings.  Momma says that most people are smart and have common sense, but the few that leave their brains at home when they bring their dogs to the park are the ones who cause us to have to leave before we are done playing.  

I have come up with a few true/false questions I want to share with you.  Do you know the answers?  I hope they can be conversation starters in your family this week and I will give you the answers to them next week.

1.  TRUE OR FALSE -- "Smart Socializing" involves setting your dog up for only positive dog-dog interactions.

2.  TRUE OR FALSE -- Dog parks are a dependable place to begin socializing your dog.

3.  TRUE OR FALSE -- My dog is really good with the other dogs in my home, and with my cousin's dog that lives close by.  Doesn't that mean he will be fine with all other dogs he meets?

4.  TRUE OR FALSE -- It's OK to wait until your dog experiences his first fight to know it's time to begin managing and training him about good doggie citizenship.

5.  TRUE OR FALSE -- A good way to socialize a dog is to let her walk up to other dogs she doesn't know while on her daily walk.

That's it for this week.  I can't wait to see how many humans pass this basic Good Owner Management Quiz.  Will you get 100%?   I know you will!!! 

Smart Socializing involves setting your dog up for success with only positive dog-dog interactions. - See more at: http://www.badrap.org/node/98#sthash.SVY1Z54l.dpuf

Smart Socializing involves setting your dog up for success with only positive dog-dog interactions. - See more at: http://www.badrap.org/node/98#sthash.SVY1Z54l.dpuf

Smart Socializing involves setting your dog up for success with only positive dog-dog interactions. - See more at: http://www.badrap.org/node/98#sthash.SVY1Z54l.dpuf

Pit Bulls at the Dog Park

FIRST OF A 4-PART SERIES.

I love the Dog Park, and can't wait to start going there again.  It's my favorite thing to do and every time I see my momma get her shoes on I think we are going there and I get very, very excited.  There's just one problem, though -- we haven't been there in a very long time.  Momma has been trying to figure out when is a good time to go back and she can't figure out the answer, so I decided to write about it.  I think the solution is going to come from everyone who uses the Dog Park putting their heads together and coming up with a solution.  I love my readers, and I just know that together we can come up with the answer (which will make this little pittie a very, very happy girl).

The reason I haven't been to the dog park recently is that my momma has seen some really poor choices being made by humans when they bring their dogs to the park, and she doesn't want me and my sister Zoie to be involved or injured when things go badly.  Momma is a pretty calm person and when we get hurt she doesn't get too upset -- after all (she says) dogs will be dogs and scuffles happen.  That's not what's bugging her and it's not just a little scuffle here and there that has me and my sister sitting on the sidelines right now. As much as I hate not being a part of what's going on at my very own the dog park, I agree that things need to change, not only for me and my sister, but for all the dogs that deserve to enjoy the freedom of an off-leash park.  Here are some of my thinkings that I want to share:

No matter the breed of your dog, it might not be a good idea to take him to the dog park. Ever. 

Yep, that's right.  Some dogs don't like the dog park, and some dogs don't belong there even if they seem to like it.  Forget about the breed of your dog or the dogs you see when you go to the dog park.  Look at how YOUR dog is acting and you will know if he likes it or if he belongs there at all.  Dogs, like humans, have good days and bad days.  If you get to the dog park and your dog is having an "off" day, leave and come back another day.  Or come back in a few hours when a different mix of dogs are in the park. Or it might be that you should not ever come back  There is nothing wrong with your dog if he just simply doesn't like the dog park.  It might be his age, his individual temperament or just the day.  Only you know your dog well enough to answer the questions that must be answered in order to keep him and others safe in the dog park.

My big brother Sampson is a great example of a dog that does not belong in the dog park -- never, ever.  At home he is a big marshmallow (and a goofball), but at the park he is timid (I call him crazy) and likes to keep to himself.  Kinda funny for a guy that weighs 157 pounds, huh?  He runs around the perimeter of the fence and doesn't really want anything to do with other dogs.  If a dog approaches him while he is in the park, he barks and snarls and sounds really scary, like the lion on the Wizard of Oz.  That's all fine and dandy, until he did it to a dog that took issue with his Unacceptable Behavior, and there was a fight.  No blood, just a brawl.  Momma doesn't take Sampson to the park anymore.  This is a picture of my brother, Sampson.  He's a Giant Goofball.  

Yes, it is a full-sized couch and he takes up all the room.

 
The dog park is NOT the place to teach your dog to be sociable with other dogs.  

This is the one that's got me sitting on the sidelines right now.  Almost every time we have been to the dog park, my momma hears people talking about how they haven't had their dog around other dogs in years and they are so glad that our county has a dog park because now they can bring their dog to the park so they can be socialized.  Holy crap on a crackerOh my goodness, those are some short visits to the park when momma overhears stuff like that.  She can't get my sister and me out of the park fast enough when she hears that we're in the park with dogs that haven't been taught how to get along with other dogs. One thing that really gets momma's goat is when people say they just adopted a dog from the shelter and the next day they have them out at the dog park, sometimes even after being told by the shelter staff that the dog is not dog friendly.  That's a whole 4-part series all by itself.       

If you take your dog to the dog park and he's not ready to be there, or doesn't belong there, you are setting him up to fail, plain and simple.  At the dog park, adrenalin runs high and excitement is the theme of the day.  Taking your dog to the park without FIRST properly socializing him is like sending someone to take a test when they have never taken the class.  If you think about it, it makes perfect sense.

Now, I know right now you are scratching your head and wondering if I'm out of my pretty little pittie brain.  Nope, I'm dead serious.  Teach your dog to get along with other dogs BEFORE you bring him to the dog park.  Here are some ideas from our friends at badrap.org about how to do that ....

"Creating fun socializing opportunities for your dog starts with finding other conscientious dog owners. Find them by signing up for obedience classes, meetup groups or dog sports ...to meet potential play partners for your pet. Another way to socialize your dog is to sign up as a foster home for a local rescue group.

Some maintain small play groups for their neighborhoods dogs in backyards, fenced in ball fields and small, low traffic parks. If yours does not, see if you can't find one or two dog owners in your area who might be willing to start a small social group.

Our dogs benefit from building up a large list of 'dog friendships,' much in the same way parents seek out good playmates for their small children.  If your dog just isn't fond of other dogs - No sweat. He gets the fun of enjoying play time with you all to himself. Dogs don't have to have other dog friends in order to be happy."

There are as many different reasons as there are breeds of dogs why some many dogs don't do well around other dogs, at home or at the dog park.  It's OK --there is nothing wrong with your dog.  He just needs you to understand him as an individual.  It's that simple.
 

What's up with the people that never have any issues with their dogs at the dog park?  

Dogs that have no problem playing and interacting with larger groups of dogs in rowdy play sessions are generally younger dogs.  But, as that same dog starts to get older and "feel his stuff," it's actually pretty normal for him to be less patient with other dogs' uninvited advances and rude behavior.  And it's all about perception.  What seemed like play and fun rowdiness to him at an earlier age may become very annoying to him as an adult dog.

No matter how much good socializing and training you've done, your dog's tolerance can still disappear if he's triggered into conflict by another dog's challenge, a tussle over a toy, a tug-o-war game or even a friendly wrestling match that gets a little "too exciting."

You NEVER want your dog to fight at the Dog Park.  Wanna know why?
  
In addition to the obvious reasons of your dog being injured or causing injury to another dog, big vet bills, problems with law enforcement, and liability concerns, there's another BIG reason you don't want your dog to ever fight another dog:

If you want to increase the odds of your dog remaining dog tolerant forever, NEVER let him get into his first fight.  According to experts, "whether or not your dog starts it, many a dog is forever changed by his first fight and may never be the same around other dogs again." 

And finally, on a personal note, for all pit bull families out there, during this time of breed prejudice, please remember that even the smallest display of bravado involving pit bull type dogs is going to set off alarm bells in onlookers and tarnish the reputation of our breed more and more.  It's not fair, but it's the reality we're facing right now.   Take your dog to the dog park and help him to enjoy it to the fullest  Be present with your dog and be his leader at all times while in the park.  Correct "snarly" or "rowdy" play BEFORE it escalates.  There is nothing wrong with teaching your dog an appropriate level of play when engaged with other dogs.  Save the snarly stuff for rag bones and tug of war with you at home.  He can be taught to understand the difference and he will love you for it. 

Wanna be a hero to your dog?  Be a fair player at the dog park and teach your dog to do the same. If it doesn't work for your dog, tell him it's OK to just stay home.


See you next week for Part 2 of our 4-part series on "Pit Bulls in the Dog Park."  Have a great week!!!

My Friend Cookie

I hope it's OK with all my fans and readers, but I would like to take a week off from giving my advices and opinions and tell you about a very special girl named Cookie who has found her way into my heart.

Cookie is a pittie (just like me) at the Humane Society of Warren County (where I used to be) and she has been there a long time (just like me before I got my Furever Family).  Here's the most important part -- she is really tired of being at the shelter and does not like HATES her kennel (just like me!)  She needs everyone's help to find her way out of the shelter.  I'm helping her send out her S.O.S. so she can find her Real Family very soon.

I feel like I'm the right girl to tell you about what Cookie is experiencing because we have so much in common, and I know she just wants to feel like herself again.  I think Cookie is one of the most beautiful dogs I have ever seen.  She is beautiful inside and out, and if you could really see her when she is outside or on an outing with Jessica (her Good Buddy), she is full of charm and energy and personality.

But in the shelter these days she doesn't really seem like she is very interested in entertaining guests or chatting with passersby, at least not while she is in her kennel.  She has been at the shelter since September 2012 and she is bummed that it's taking so long to bust out.  People walk by her kennel and say things like "Look at that sad girl."  But that's not the real Cookie.  When her Good Buddy Jessica comes to visit (twice a week as faithful as the sun and the moon), Cookie blossoms into her real self.

  

Cookie loves all of her special humans at the shelter, but she has the most fun and adventures with Jessica.  She gets to go outside and play games and learn new things.  Good Buddies have lots of time to spend with just their one lucky dog, and Cookie really loves her Good Buddy time because it gives her a chance to be herself.  Sometimes Cookie enjoys just hanging out at the shelter and playing with her special toys.  Other times, she goes on car rides (and on very special days she goes to Wendy's for cheeseburgers).

There are some days that she is just pooped after doing so many fun things, and all she wants to do is lie in the cool, green grass.

 And after running and playing ... and running some more ... sometimes Cookie just likes to close her eyes and take a snooze.  

 Cookie will very honestly tell you that she would strongly prefer to be the only dog in her Furever Home.  She grew up with kitties, but since she has been at the shelter for so long now, and she doesn't always feel like her normal, happy self, she doesn't like cats as much as she used to.  I think she could get used to cats again, with no trouble at all.  I know how it feels to be so stressed in the shelter that you don't have patience for other animals.  I was the same way after I had been there for a long time.  But once I got to my real home, (and I could tell it was my Furever Home almost on the first day), I started being really nice to the other dogs and cats in the house.  Some dogs don't like other dogs, and some don't like kitties either, and that might just be Cookie.  I just wanted to share a few of my advices on how I felt when I finally knew I was never going back to the shelter.  It makes a huge difference when you know for sure it's your Furever Home and you start to breathe and relax and trust, and there's someone in your life that loves lives to give you belly rubs as much as you like to get them.  It's the best.

Cookie is a smart girl.  She is a quick learner and a lover of people.  When she is out of the shelter, she is vibrant, bright and animated.  She is a young girl with a long and happy life waiting ahead of her. She wants her own spot on a couch, she wants her own window to sit and watch the joggers go by, and she wants her own mailman to bark at (OK, well ... she'll probably have to learn not to do that).  She really wants her own family with her own spot in the family SUV, so she can go on real family vacations.

Cookie would like to invite you to a special bake sale being held in her honor at Walmart in Front Royal on May 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It's called "Cookies for Cookie."  A bunch of Cookie's very favorite humans have organized this event to help more people get to know more about Cookie so that she can find her Furever Family very, very soon. 

There are lots of ways you can help my friend Cookie to find her Furever Family.  Maybe you are her Furever Family.  If you are, then come and meet her at 1245 Progress Road, Front Royal, VA  22630.  The shelter is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. everyday except Wednesday.  If you need a little time with Cookie to decide if it's a good fit, there's this thing called "Foster to Adopt."  (That's how I got my chance to use my disarming charm on  my "foster" parents ... it worked even better quicker than I thought it would).  Or you can share her pictures and her story in this blog post so that more people get to read about her, and then they will share, and pretty soon the whole world will know about my friend Cookie.  That would make me very happy.

Thank you for getting to know Cookie a little better.  She is a very sweet girl.  We're kinda like soul sisters.   

Please Just Call Me A Dog

Dear Annie,

If you could choose something to tell people about yourself, or about pit bull-type dogs in general, what would it be?

Signed,
Curious

Dear Curious,

Wow, I'm flattered and bewildered all at the same time.  I'm not really sure where to start.  I think first of all I would like everyone to know that I am not perfect. 

I am still learning good doggie manners.  I work on them all the time, and I'm a good girl, but I still have my weaknesses.  For example, I guard things.  I don't know why, and I am getting much better.  I don't do anything about it, I don't make a noise, or show one bit of aggression.  I just guard.  My food, my bed, the gate at the dog park, my toys, the pot roast in the crock pot, whatever seems important to me, I guard it.  Until one of my parents catches me doing it, and then I stop because I am "reminded" that I'm not supposed to be doing it.  I don't like it when I get  The Look or when my mom makes that funny noise that means "stop right this minute."  My mom says it is called "resource guarding" and I have to stop doing it.  Lots of dogs do it, but it doesn't make it right.  I don't do it as much as I used to, and I've almost broken the habit, but it has taken a long time.  It's very hard to break bad habits.   

I think it must be really hard for people to break bad habits, also, and I think people are in the bad habit of saying things about pit bull-type dogs that make us look bad, even when they don't realize that what they are saying might be harmful.  My least favorite thing for people to say to me is "Annie, you are the most well-behaved pit bull I have ever met."  Arrrrgggghhhh.

It's not that I'm not well-behaved, thank you very much, but what are they comparing me to?  What would be music to my ears is "Annie, you are the most well-behaved dog I have ever met."  Now that's what I'm talking about.  My parents did not have to train me any special way because I am a pit bull, they just had to teach me basic doggie manners and how to share and how to trust.  How I turned out had nothing to do with my breed, it had everything to do with the fact that I am a good dog.  And I am a dog that didn't get a really good start in life, so all this learning business had to come a little later in life.   

When someone tells me that I am the "best pit bull" they have ever met, what are they saying about my friend Cookie who is still waiting at the shelter?  Cookie is a very good dog, and she loves the outdoors and will never turn down a good game of fetch.

She loves the outdoors.

And she loves to get her belly rubbed.

It makes her smile.

My mom has a friend who recently said that when she hears someone say "she's the nicest pittie I've ever met," it sounds the same as if they were saying "she's the nicest felon I've ever met."  Now I know things come out wrong sometimes, and no one who has ever tried to pay us a compliment by saying this has ever intended it to come out wrong, but it sends a message to those who really don't know our breed very well that this "good pittie" is not the norm. And that's just not the truth.

So now, you wanna see some more really great pictures?  Our shelter has these really wonderful photographers (named Sue, Anna Marie and Franzi) and they spend time with all my brothers and sisters at the shelter and take pictures of them that make them look like movie stars.  Here's just a little sample of their work ....

This is Bella.  She came to the shelter as a stray and has Good Buddies who are teaching her to walk like a lady on a leash and other basic and important manners. I'm kinda jealous how she gets her one ear to do funny things.  I think it gives her a style advantage.

This handsome young boy is Dakota, and while we don't look alike, we actually are a LOT alike.  Remember, I told you about my parents having to teach me about not guarding things I love?  Well, this boy is going to be working really hard with his Good Buddy on basic manners and obedience to overcome some guarding/herding tendencies of his own.  Good luck, Dakota, I know you are going to be fine.  You just need to get your mind on other more important fun stuff.

This is Grace and she is simply beautiful.  Her Good Buddies are Joe and Amber and they are the answer to her prayers.  Grace really doesn't like the shelter, and it makes her anxious (boy, do I know that feeling).  This Saturday, Grace gets to go to the place where I get my nails done for a total beauty treatment.  She is going to get her furs all cleaned and brushed, her nails trimmed, the whole works.  I can't wait to hear how much she likes it. 

This is Genesis, but her best friends at the shelter call her Ginny.  (See her ear ... I am sooooo jealous!)  She works with 2 Good Buddies, and she is doing great, learning manners, and charming her Good Buddy Tom with kisses on his cheek.  That's the way to do it, Ginny ... keep up the good work!

And this is Karma.  She is a very young girl with lots of energy and enthusiasm.  Her Good Buddy is teaching her basic manners as well as impressing upon her that nibbling on fingers (even gently, as a puppy will do) is not a good way to make new friends.  Now tell me, if you saw this picture of Karma in the kennel, would your heart have fluttered like it did just now, or do you agree these pictures really tell you more about the individual dog?   

I love these pictures, and yes, most of them are pit bull types.  But they are ALL dogs. 
I love these pictures because they save lives.  And so do you when  you share them, and for that I thank you.

See you next week. 

Ask Annie (March 24, 2013)

Dear Annie,

I have read a lot about certain states and municipalities who make laws against pit bulls and even want to ban them.  They say that banning pit bulls will help reduce dog bites and fatal attacks.  What do you know about this and why is this happening?

Signed,
Pibble Lover

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Dear Pibble Lover,

What you are referring to (best known as "breed specific legislation") could better be described as one-big-gigantic-waste-of-time-and-money.  Not only are these laws very expensive to enforce, they are also difficult to enforce.  There is zero evidence that BSL (that's what my mom calls it) makes communities safer.

 The way I see it is this:

You've got a community filled with pet owners, and many of their companion animals are pit bull types, but others have poodles, German shepherds, chihuahuas and golden retrievers. Among all these breeds of dogs, you have a full-range of types of owners, from very-very-responsible to sorta-average-responsible, to not-very-responsible.  Let's just say that 10 percent of these dogs are tied out on a chain attached to dog house 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (I have had neighbors like this, it happens!)  No matter the breed of these chained dogs, they are most likely going to develop aggressive tendencies -- toward people and other animals.  Somewhere between the average-responsible to not-very-responsible dog owners, you are going to have people who choose to forego licensing, micro-chipping, proper socialization and proper veterinary care and all of these issues have consequences related to public safety and health.  Some of these people are the owners of pit bull type dogs, but this lack of care is not restricted to the owners of any type of breed.

Now, let's look at the majority of all of these dog owners.  The majority of them are good, loving guardians of their dogs and treat them like family members. If BSL aimed at pit bull type breeds comes into a community, it is going to apply to all of the pit bulls, even if their only crime in life was that they got little pibble hairs all over the clean sheets in the guest room right before Easter weekend (yep, it happens happened).  Then what, you ask, happens to the dogs that are tied out in the rain, sleet and snow, scorching heat and deadly cold?  The ones that never get walked or taken on outings to socialize with other dogs and stretch their legs?  The ones that stay in a crate all day, everyday, and get treated like a piece of furniture in the house?  The ones who are never taught how to act or how not to react to unfamiliar experiences?  These are the dogs that, regardless of their breed, are more likely to bite/attack/snap without warning, even though the warning signs are all there, not in the dog (at least initially), but in the way the dog is being treated by their owner.  

 The "bad" owners get to keep their dogs (as long as their dog is not a "pit bull") and their dogs continue to suffer ... dog after dog after dog.  Bite statistics do not diminish in these communities, because BSL does not get to the bottom of the real problem, which is bad owners.

What if we lived in a world where humans who did not take good care of their dogs were not allowed to have dogs?  What would that legislation be called -- Human Specific Legislation, or HSL?  Kinda funny, but kinda not-so-funny, eh?

Here is a quote from a September, 2010 issue of Parade magazine:

"BSL causes friendly, properly supervised and well-socialized "bully dogs" and their owners to be punished. Such laws also impart a false sense of security, because limited animal control resources are channeled into enforcing the ban rather than focusing on enforcement of non-breed-specific laws that have the best chance of making our communities safer, such as dog licensing, leash laws, animal fighting laws, and anti-tethering laws. Recognizing that the problem of dangerous dogs requires serious attention, [many lobbying and animal rights groups] seek effective enforcement of breed-neutral laws that hold dog owners accountable for the actions of their animals." (Emphasis added.)

It makes me sad to know that many pit bulls end up in shelters because their guardians' landlord, or their HOA, or their municipality said they could no longer have their pit bull.  Not because of anything the dog had done, but because of what some other dog who had a bad owner did, and that dog just happened (unfortunately) to be a pit bull.  If I could, I would ask the people who make those laws what they are going to do when those same bad owners go and get another dog, this time a boxer, or a golden retriever, or a Boston terrier, and chain them up in the backyard, don't get them proper medical care, and don't teach them the basic things a dog needs to know, and those dogs bite or attack someone, then what's going to happen?  How many breeds will have to be banned before we start "banning" the behavior of the humans that abuse us and mistreat us and neglect us?

I wish more people would ask questions and get involved, like my readers.  Ask "why" and "how come" when things don't make sense.  Get involved.  Write letters.  Check out websites like badrap.org.  Read all you can about the true background of pit bulls and how brave and strong and smart we are.  And did I mention that we are among the gentlest of dogs when it comes to how we treat people?  Here's a great place to start if you want to read more true information about us.  

Here's fun little trivia fact:  Do you know why the pit bull type dogs are sometimes called "bully breeds"?  Did you know it has nothing to do with mistaking us for being "bullies" in our behavior?  It is simply a reference (at least when properly applied) to our ancestry, in that our descendants were bull dogs and terriers.  As Paul Harvey would say, "Now you know the rest of the story."

Ask Annie (March 18, 2013)

Dear Annie,

This is Harry and he is looking for a forever home.

I have heard that pit bulls cannot feel pain. Is this true?

Dear Dog Lover,
It makes me say "ouch" each and every time I hear this myth being perpetuated, so I am REALLY glad that you have asked this question so I can write about it.
Just let me say, yes, all dogs feel pain. The lie rumor that they don't feel pain is a terrible urban legend started by dog fighters to justify their money-making activity of dog fighting. Seems like they are trying to convince people that if fighting doesn’t hurt the dogs, how can it be cruel? The myth grows more “believable” by fearful people who want to believe in the Hollywood monster myth of the unstoppable pit bull.

I have also seen interviews on television with humans people that train their dogs (usually pit bulls) to fight, and they say that they are doing it for the benefit of the dog, because it is what’s in “them,” it is what “they” are born to do. They say they are honoring the breed by teaching them to fight. These are the very people who say that pit bulls feel no pain. They are full of “it.”

When I tell you that pit bulls do feel pain, I am not telling you what I have heard, I am telling you what I have felt. Before I got my forever family, I lived in a bad place and I got burned. Really bad. It left a scar on my back down by my tail. I'e never seen the scar that it left, but my momma calls it my beauty spot (that is how I know it is still there). I felt it when it happened, though, and I remember the fear and I remember the pain. I remember the people and the place. My doctor (her name is Dr. Brown) is a super-good veterinarian, and she told my mom that the giant scar on my back was from a very bad burn that mostly all healed, but the scar that is left is where the burn was really bad, and it will always be there.

My mom started to get really suspicious the day my dad was drinking from a soda can while I was standing near him. I got really upset when I saw the can and I cried out and laid down on the floor and tucked my head and closed my eyes because I was so scared. My reaction sent my mom onto what my dad calls one of her Google searches, and it took a couple of days, but she figured out that because really stupid people who smoke crack use soda cans for pipes, and where I used to live was full of crack (and cracked up people), she figured out that it might be possible that I reacted like I did because some cracked up person dropped a soda can filled with fire on me and that’s how I got burned. My mom and dad figured out that I was scared of the soda can because it made me remember really, really bad pain.

I don’t mind soda cans that much anymore. My dad drinks Diet Coke all the time, and you can’t live in my house without seeing soda cans going into the recycle bin every single day, so that’s why I don’t mind it anymore. Plus no one in my house smokes anything, and I like it that way. But, it took me a really long time to get used to soda cans.

Do pit bulls (dogs) feel pain? Yes, we do. The pain of being neglected, forced to fight, being a victim of torture, greed and ignorance. We are all dogs. Pit bulls don’t belong in a category of “other” when it comes to being a dog.
But even more important than telling you that yes, oh yes, pit bulls feel pain, there is something I want to share with you about what dogs -- all dogs -- do NOT feel. We do not know how to feel contempt. We do have emotions -- we feel love, excitement, suspicion, joy, fear, contentment and distress. But we do not feel contempt, according to Dr. Stanley Coren, a Ph.D that knows a lot about dogs. We just don't get developed enough to feel hate.

Dogs are smart, but we are not as smart as humans. We are as smart as a 2-3 year old child. We feel love but we don’t know how to feel contempt. We never learn contempt – our brain never develops that far. So, what does a 2-year-old child do to a parent who beats them, neglects them or otherwise abuses them? They try to be a better child. They try harder to please. They feel confused. They fail to thrive. What do dogs do when we are mistreated? We feel sad. We shut down sometimes. We feel shy and confused. We feel distressed. But we continue to love our human. We depend on them for life support. They are the center of our universe. We wag our tail when they come near, hoping they will be nice this time. We keep coming back for more, because we are wired to love and be loved.

I love all the people that helped me get where I am today, and my brother and sister, too. We are shelter dogs that got a second chance. We are dogs, not a breed. We are lovers, not fighters (if we get to choose). We feel pain, but we really prefer to love and to be loved. That is what we are made of. Some dogs/humans don’t crumble as easily as others, but that doesn’t mean we don’t feel pain. Trust me on this one.

Posted with Blogsy

Ask Annie (March 11, 2013)

Dear Annie,

I am thinking of adopting a pit bull and wondered if you had any advice for me? I definitely want to adopt from a shelter, but many people are telling me to stay away from adopting an adult pit bull because they have probably not been raised right, and they could have issues that cannot be fixed. If I get a puppy, then I can raise it right. What do you think I should do?

Signed,

Confused

Dear Confused,

This is a question near and dear to my heart because I am a pit bull, I was adopted from a shelter and I did not have such a great start in life. Thank goodness I landed in a shelter where they evaluate dogs as individuals, and that I was able to charm the socks off of be adopted by my mom and dad, who think I am adore-a-bull! But enough about me.

My mom says she hears it over and over again -- "It's all about how they are raised." Or, "we want to adopt a puppy because we want to raise it right." This plays out daily across our country -- puppies come in to a shelter or rescue and they are adopted within days, but adult dogs, especially pit bull types, are forced to wait for months and sometimes 1-2 years awaiting their forever homes.

How you raise a puppy is very important, but it does not mean that adult dogs with an unknown or abusive past won't or don't have ideal temperaments. Many adult pit bulls dogs (regardless of their breed) have such great personalities that it doesn't matter where they have been or what they have experienced, they look at the world with nothing but love in their hearts.

"When you meet an adult dog, what you see is what you get as far as personality and temperament," says Marthina McClay, who is a certified professional dog trainer and director of Our Pack, Inc. (a San Francisco based pit bull rescue). She is an Animal Behavior College Mentor Trainer and a certified trainer/observer for therapy dogs, and an AKC certified Canine Good Citizen evaluator. My mom says this lady knows what she is talking about.

She also says, "If you see a dog right now at an adult age, and he is a good dog, it doesn't matter what his history was. It's a moot point."

Marthina adopted one of the dogs rescued from Michael Vick's fighting ring and within 5 weeks he became a certified therapy dog. It is what he was made of, what he was meant to do. His past did not matter after he was removed from that situation, as horrible as it was.

And what about that old saying that you can't teach an old dog new tricks? Hog wash Completely false! Sometimes dogs that are even 6-7 years old learn faster because they are not so easily distracted.

So, I hope I have helped answer your question. When you are looking to adopt a dog, look less for age and more for energy level and how well they will respond to children or other pets in your home. Bring your children and even your existing family dog(s) to the shelter for a meet and greet.

And thank you for wanting to adopt a shelter dog. You are awesome!

Posted with Blogsy

Ask Annie (March 4, 2013)

Have you guys heard the weather forecast for this week?  My mom says it's my dad's fault that we are going to get snow because yesterday he told her winter was over.  I love him to pieces (and he loves me back), and he really is a genious, but I really don't think he can make a blizzard!  That's just me talking, though!

I love it that I have so many readers, and I'm glad to hear you're sharing my thoughts about how good it is to be treated like "just a dog."

Here's the question I picked to share and answer this week and I hope you like it:

Dear Annie:

It's so easy to find things in the news about the bad things that pit-type dog breeds are involved in, but do you have any "good stuff" about pitties to share with your readers?

****

Why yes, and I am glad you asked!  (Of course, right?)

The dogs that are included in the pit bull-type breeds have been famous for a long time for doing good things.  They are soldiers, police dogs, search and rescue dogs, actors, TV personalities, seeing-eye dogs and celebrity pets.  Nipper and Petey were the dogs on Little Rascals.  Helen Keller had a pittie named "Sir Thomas."  Buster Brown used to advertise shoes with a cute little pittie like me.  Sir Walter Scott had "Wasp," and President Teddy Roosevelt had a beloved pittie named "Pete."  A brave pittie named "Jack Brutus" served for Company K, the First Connecticut Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War. 

Bravery runs in our blood.  There is a pittie named Weela who in 1994 helped save 32 people, 29 dogs, 3 horses and 1 cat.  Popsicle is a 5-month-old pittie originally found nearly dead in a freezer, but grew up to become one of the most important police dogs in the U.S.  A pittie named Norton was placed in the Purina Animal Hall of Fame after he rescued his owner from a really bad reaction to a spider bit.  I am proud to share my breed with Titan who rescued his owner's wife who would have otherwise died from an aneurysm, and last but not least in my list of heroes for the day is D-Boy, who took 3 bullets to save his family from an intrude with a gun.


It's amazing that 20 years ago humans used the same words to describe Pitties as they now use to describe Golden Retrievers.  Gentle, smart, brave, loyal, affectionate, loves kids -- all words that still describe most dogs in general, as long as they have not been neglected, abused, forced to fight in exchange for big reward.

My advise for the day -- get to know a dog as an individual.  Regardless of breed.  If she has been well-socialized and made to feel a part of your family in every way, and if you have listened and watched for what her individual needs are, then you've got yourself a true best friend.  And if someone wants to know what kind of dog you have, you can just answer "a very good one."

Ask Annie (February 25, 2013)

It's almost bedtime at my house and I snuck into Mama's room tonight and got into some of her laundry, hoping that she wouldn't see me and I would have a good chance of sleeping in her bed tonight.  Then she reminded me that it was time for "Ask Annie" and I couldn't say no.

After last week's post on that nasty little rumor that pit bulls have locking jaws, another reader asked a super good question, and I wanted to share with you what she asked and the information I found to answer her question.

Dear Annie,

Thank 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.  

Signed Rapunzel.

*****

Dear Rapunzel,

Thanks for reading my column and asking a great question. First of all, here's what I know to be true about dogsbite.org:  It 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!

Ask Annie (February 18, 2013)

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 an erbin lejund a myth going around that somehow "pit bulls" can hold on with their front teeth while chewing with their back teeth.  Whoa!  I can tell you for 100% sure that I can't do that, nor is it possible for any dog, no matter the breed to do that.  My jaws are made just like any other breed of dog.  I might be stronger than some dogs, and there are some dogs that are stronger than me.  We're all dogs.  That's all we want to be.

Thank you for your question -- it was a very good one.  Have a good week.  See you next Monday!