 | |
| Powered by Click2.com Australia |  LinkXchange  Dogs Cats Horses Birds Fish Pet care |
 Click here to make Auspet.com your default home page |
|
|
 Auspet - Message Boards
 - Dogs - Pit bulls
 Just for conversation (Page 2)
|
 UBBFriend: Email This Page to Someone! This topic is 4 pages long: 1 2 3 4 |
next newest topic | next oldest topic |
| Author | Topic: Just for conversation |
|
goob unregistered |
posted 03-04-2003 10:10 PM
Shmoopie, even if you only follow some of the "guidelines" in that program, you'll probably still see some improvement in his behavior. A friend of mine's family has a huge, super dominant lab x, who commonly growls at them, and even snaps at them when he doesn't get "his way". I noticed he listened a lot better for me when I simply made him sit for petting and before he was taken out. This was a dog who would growl at me for not "sharing" my food with him (I'll share my food when and if I want to share it, thanks, and NO dog is going to be deciding that for me, lol), and who I have no doubts would have bitten me if he thought he could get away with it or if I had just "confronted" him and tried to show him I was boss. Pitbull_princess, it's not so much about earning "love" as it is earning priveledges. You can still lounge with them on the couch first, they just have to "ask" first. Many (definitely not all) dogs that act dominant are actually acting that way because no one else did (their owners just let them do as they pleased, so they took charge), and actually seem GLAD to not have to have all the "worry" of being in charge anymore. I don't usually don't use much from the NFL program, just sitting before getting leashed, sitting while I eat (they usually get scraps when I'm done) and several of them already sit to get my attention so I call them up onto the couch, though I don't make them. They still know that they are "loved", even if you're not fawning over them every second  . And it DOES make your praise/attention much more important to the dog, so it's great for those times when they get in a "funk" and decide to ignore you. IP: Logged |
|
PITBULL_PRINCESS1979 Member  Posts: 414 |
posted 03-05-2003 09:07 AM
I have to say I agree with you Goob.I make my dogs sit before I put there leash on to go outside and when I am eating also. What I found that works for me is,when I get home,one at a time I take them all outside to go potty.We play for an hour.Then its time to do our homework.Every dog goes back into their crate.I work with one at a time for about 10 to 20 minutes.We go thew all of our commands.I have a chart and I mark beside the dogs name,who is having trouble with what command.That way we can work alittle harder on it. Then we go for our evening walk.They really love that.When we get home ,we play for about another hour.Then they know its time for me to relax.They lay on the couch or play with each other. It is really funny to watch them interact with each other.They also know when it is about time for bed.3 of my dogs are already in their crates by 10:00 asleep. I also rotate out who gets to sleep in the bed with me.That way know one feels left out. The way I train my dogs is not for everybody,but it sure works out good for me. IP: Logged |
|
shmoopie Member Posts: 361 |
posted 03-05-2003 01:07 PM
I think I confused everyone with my dogs problem. He is a complete suck...he's never growled at anyone...he barked at that lady when she squirted him in the face with the water bottle, but he didn't growl and certainly did not try to bite her. His only problem is with long snouted dogs such as GS or Goldens and Roti's..but he certainly doesn't have issues with people. I am probably confused. What I mean by dominant is he is very pushy....he'll come over and cry for a half hour if I don't pet him when he wants me to or he'll cry when he wants me to play with him, but he has never tried to bite me or growl at me or anyone else I know. I also make him sit when were going outside...this makes it much easier to put on his leash and muzzle....it used to be me running around the house to catch him...I've changed that. Also, I make him walk with me in a heel the entire time were outside....sometimes I let him out of the heel when he wants to sniff and stuff...but mostly when were walking through the neighborhood he's in a heel. There's a lot of things that I do on that list...He's getting better....I think part of the problem is the fear I feel when I see another dog...I get really tense and just want to get away fom that dog and hide. I know it's a signal to Duke and I'm trying really hard to work on it. I take him out for two walks a day and I try to go places there is the posibility of no dogs being around. I've always loved dogs, but since I've seen my dog be attacked by every dog breed other than a PB...I really don't trust them anymore...especially when the irrisponible owner yells at me for owning such a creature....my baby. IP: Logged |
|
PITBULL_PRINCESS1979 Member Posts: 414 |
posted 03-05-2003 02:08 PM
I have a fear of using a muzzle on my dogs.I feel that if another dog decides to jump on one of my dogs and there is nothing I can do to brake it up.I want my dog to be able to defend it self.That is just me...I know alot of people us them,and I have no problem with that.I just don't think I could. Shmoopie,I seen the pic of you baby..and I would never have thought of him bitting any one..He just looks to sweet.He is very beautiful.It looks like you have done a great jobs with him.Keep up the great work. IP: Logged |
|
goob unregistered |
posted 03-05-2003 03:58 PM
Sorry Shmoopie, I didn't mean to have it sound like Duke has "people issues", I was just pointing out what a difference it made in that particular dog.  Do you always muzzle him when you go for walks? This can also cause stress for him, because he'll feel that he can't defend himself, and actually put on a bigger defensive display (again, possibly an attempt to "scare away" the other dog before IT gets him). I can understand your not wanting him to be able to grab another dog (I deal with the same things with mine), and being muzzled may not even play a part in your "problems", but it is something to give a little thought to. How does he act when he see one of the dogs that he doesn't like? Hackles raised? Tail Up? Tail down? Tail straight out? Does he stare at the dog, or avert his gaze? Growl? Bark? Whine/scream? Shake? Shift back and forth? Lunge? "Rage" at the end of the lead? Does he usually do this in front of you, behind you, or beside you? Will he even take his eyes off the other dog if you say something to him? Also, have you ever tried walking him with another dog that he's comfortable with? This alone may calm him down some, because he won't feel as if he's the only one who can "save" himself. Especially if the other dog is friendly with (or at least tolerant of) other dogs. It might also calm you down some to have someone with you to keep some of your attention off all the things that could happen. This is definitely not something that will help every dog, so no guarantees Pitbull_princess, the problem with letting your dog defend itself if attacked is that in most cases, they'll place all the blame on your dog and it'll be dead within a week. Even if they didn't start the fight, they finished it, and that's what will stick in peoples' minds. There have already been attempts to pass BSL in several nearby cities/towns here, and all it would take to get the "outrage" started again is one incident. That said, if any dog ever attacked one of our dogs, then there had better be an owner there to get them off, or I would do whatever it took to save mine and keep them from getting the blame. IP: Logged |
|
PITBULL_PRINCESS1979 Member Posts: 414 |
posted 03-05-2003 04:10 PM
I understand what you are saying.Pitbulls do get all the blame,but I will not put my dog in the situation where they can not defend them selfs.As for some one having my dog put down,like I said in an earlier post.They will have to kill me to get my dog.I truly meann that.They will have to pry it from my cold dead hands.I do not ave a problem with that. Pitbulls do not always fight to the death.You do know that is just a myth don't you? IP: Logged |
|
goob unregistered |
posted 03-05-2003 04:48 PM
In my case, unless the dog(s) was attacking both of us, I'd probably choose to keep my dog restrained, and do my best to get rid of the dog(s) myself. I'd rather her get a bite or two, and have another couple good years, than have her kill the other dog and be shipped off to AC to be held for months until the legalities were finally over and she was PTS (If you don't believe this has happened, look at some of the news stories, or some owners request for help on other boards... the shelters sometimes have to keep the dogs for months, during which they get little human interaction, until the court/legal proceedings are finally over, and most of the time, the sentence is "death" to the "offending" dog.) It's MY job to defend HER, not the other way around. And it's NOT a myth that in most cases, if two pit bulls (or a pit bull and another dog) get into a fight, the fight will continue until one is dead. Most pit bulls (and some other bully breeds) ENJOY fighting, and in many cases, once they're "on", they will have to be physically seperated (either with breaking sticks, or one of the other methods). Commands will not work... they fly out the window even with the best trained dog as the dogs get more intensely into the fight. You may be able to break it up with voice commands within the first few minutes, but if you don't have them apart within a few minutes, you can give up on outing one (or both) by voice alone. This is something that you will hear from almost any experienced pit bull person, whether they fancy the gamebred dogs, showbred dogs, or plain 'ole pets. IP: Logged |
|
PITBULL_PRINCESS1979 Member Posts: 414 |
posted 03-05-2003 05:04 PM
I am sorry but not all pitbulls will fight to the death..My dogs are prime examples.My alpha male locked up with my stepdads blue tick.My dog thought that the other dog was trying to hurt me.He had this dog by its neck.All I had to do is tell him to "DROP IT" and he did.This has happened to several of my dogs and they all reacted the same way.They do as I tell them to. Do not mistake what I am saying.I am not saying all pit or any other breed will respond as mine do. It is a myth..Just like it is a myth that pitbulls bite harder than any other dog.If you do not believe me go to the A.D.B.A website.They have a hole list of fact and myths about pitbulls IP: Logged |
|
Doc Helladay unregistered |
posted 03-06-2003 04:36 AM
Got some sad news, my neighbor (my friend) ten acres away that has 2 pits, broke through the fence to my other neighbor that has a German Shep. Owner of shep came out and shot 1 of Lisas pit, sheriff called the spca and Lisa's other pit was hauled off. German Shep died yesterday. Now the 1 that was hauled away was not fiting but because it came through with other one. Due to the fight this one is being put down this coming Monday. We do not have a leash law where I am at and I do walk out here in country, I know these dogs because when I walk they do not like me in the road, and they run up and dance and I just tell them go back, which they always did. I have made some phone calls early this morning to the county on behalf of my neighbor. I will keep you updated on this. Doc~ IP: Logged |
|
PITBULL_PRINCESS1979 Member Posts: 414 |
posted 03-06-2003 09:12 AM
Doc, Please give your friend my deepest sympathies.if there is anything I can do to help please let me know [This message has been edited by PITBULL_PRINCESS1979 (edited 03-06-2003).] IP: Logged |
|
Amiela unregistered |
posted 03-06-2003 05:47 PM
I've been following this thread and I want to comment. First of all let me say that I am ANTI-FIGHTING, but I understand a lot about pit bull dogs and the way they work when it comes to dog aggression. . True, not ALL pit bulls will fight to the death, but if you've got one that won't, you've probably got a cur on your hands. Also, you said that your pit locked on a blue tick hound...I can guarantee you if he locked on one of my dogs one would have left in a body bag....regardless of if you hollered "Drop It". Prey drive and gameness CANNOT be controlled by a simple command...the key is to avoid situations all together by properly supervising and restraining your own animals at all times. I rescue pits and have seen my fair share of fights between fosters when I first started. The worse EVER involved my hot headed female and a little rescue pup, Portia. Portia started getting too riled during play and I told my roommate to NEVER let them out together if I wasn't home. So, what does she do? Gets trashed one night and lets them out alone in the yard together. The fight that ensued was HORRIFIC. Lady Red was 2 at the time and Portia was 9 months. They went at it for 20 minutes, with my roommate screaming and crying. When I got home, |