Dog Information and Advice

Pit Bulls: True or False?

There is a lot of controversy surrounding the “bully breeds” (usually collectively referred to as Pit Bulls) these days because of some highly publicized incidents in recent years. Unfortunately, these negative stories and rare incidents can tarnish the reputations of an overall friendly, stable, loyal, and amazing breed of dog. There are many myths surrounding Pit Bulls and other related breeds so I want to clear some of them up for you.

I know I have already written about some of these pit bull myths before but I think it is a very important topic, so I wanted to talk about a few more false assumptions as well as some truths about this wonderful breed.

Here are 10 things you may not know about Pit Bulls that are either true or false…

1) Pit Bulls Often Serve as Therapy and Service Dogs.

This is true.

Pit Bulls have long served as therapy dogs for people in need. In fact, Helen Keller had a Pit Bull for her canine helper. Organizations such as the Chako Rescue Association have Pit Bull therapy dogs all across the country.

2) American Pit Bull Terriers Can Lock Their Jaws.

This is false.

Expert scientific studies prove that the jaws of Pit Bulls are no different than any other breed of dog. There is no evidence that any kind of locking mechanism exists in the American Pit Bull Terrier or any other related dog breed.

3) Pit Bulls Brains Swell and Never Stop Growing Until they Go Crazy.

This is false.

This is a myth that began a long time ago with the Doberman Pinscher and has now grown to include many game-bred dog breeds. The assumption of a dog’s brain continuing to grow or swell until they become violent is a complete myth.

4) Many Well-Known Celebrities Own Pit Bulls.

This is true.

Here are just some of the known celebrities who own or have owned at least one pit bull…

Madonna, Brad Pitt, Humphrey Bogart, Pink, Jessica Biel, Jon Stewart, Ken Howard, Alicia Silverstone, Adam Brody, Jamie Foxx, Rachael Ray, Joey Porter, Jessica Alba, President Theodore Roosevelt, President Woodrow Wilson, Kevin Federline, Ira Glass, Fred Astaire, General George Patton, Michael J. Fox, Jan Michael Vincent, Jack Dempsy, Thomas Edison, Bernadette Peters, Sinbad, Linda Blair, Usher, Mel Brooks, Ann Bancroft, Jan Michael Vincent, Eliza Dushku, Kelli Williams, and Rachel Bilson.

5) Pit Bulls are Mean and Violent.

This is false.

According to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS), Pit Bulls pass their test with flying colors. In fact, the Pit Bull scores a little over 85% which is better than many dog breeds that people consider to be friendly or nice.

To put that score into perspective, it is better than the Beagle, Cocker Spaniel, Collie, Golden Retriever, Pointer, Pomeranian, Poodle, Shih Tzu, Vizsla, and most other dog breeds actually. The average score of the general dog breed population is only around 77% so the Pit Bull scores much better than the average.

The ATTS test focuses on and measures different aspects of temperament such as stability, shyness, aggressiveness, and friendliness as well as the dog’s instinct for protectiveness towards its handler and/or self-preservation in the face of a threat. The success of Pit Bulls in this series of tests proves they are not naturally mean or violent.

6) America’s First War Dog Was a Pit Bull.

This is true.

The first official war dog in the United States was a Pit Bull named Stubby. He served in World War I and was honored with medals and even got to visit the White House. He then went on to inspire the United States Military K-9 Corp.

7) You Shouldn’t Adopt a Pit Bull from a Shelter.

This is false.

When looking to adopt a dog, you definitely should not exclude the Pit Bull. Reputable shelters and animal rescues will not adopt out any dog that shows signs of aggression. It’s always a good idea to bring your entire family to the shelter when considering adopting a dog of any breed. Talk to the rescue organization about your concerns and ask questions before adopting any dog. Most Pit Bull adoptions are very successful. An adoptable Pit Bull will make a wonderful pet and companion for you and your family.

8) Pit Bulls Have Made Many TV, Movie and Print Appearances.

This is true.

The faithful dog on the TV show “The Little Rascals” was a Pit Bull named Petey. He spent countless hours with children day after day on the set of the show. It has been said that he was one of the most intelligent dogs in Hollywood. Pit Bulls have also been in many other television shows, movies, and music videos over the years.

Also, the Pit Bull was so respected in the early 1900′s that the military chose an image of a dignified pit bull to represent the country on WWI propaganda posters.

The pit bull is also the only dog breed to have graced the cover of Life Magazine three different times.

9) Treadmills are Only Used to Train Pit Bulls for Dog Fighting.

This is false.

Many responsible dog owners, especially those in cities, use treadmills to help exercise their dogs, regardless of breed. Pit Bulls are naturally athletic dogs and responsible use of a pet treadmill is a great option for having a happy and healthy dog.

10) Banning Pit Bulls Will Cure the World of Dog Biting Incidents.

This is false.

The United Kingdom banned pit bulls in the 1990′s and afterward a study showed that the number of dog bite cases remained the same even though the number of pit bulls in the country had steeply declined.

11) A Pit Bull named Weela saved 30 people, several dogs, horses and a cat during a flood in Southern California.

This is true.

After a dam broke on the Tijuana River stranding several dogs and a cat on an island, Weela crossed the river to take food to them for an entire month until they could be rescued. She also led a rescue team to a bunch of stranded horses and ran back and forth barking to warn a group of 30 people of the deep water they were attempting to cross. For her bravery, Weela was award the Ken-L-Ration Dog Hero of the Year in 1993.

12) Here are a few more facts about some various Pit Bulls that you might want to know:

* A pit bull named Dakota is a search and rescue dog that searched for the remains of the astronauts who lost their lives in explosion of the space shuttle Columbia.

* A pit bull named Popsicle, who police found in a freezer during a drug raid, is now famous for sniffing out drugs for the DEA.

* A rescued pit bull in South Los Angeles was County Fire Station 14′s mascot for years.

So, as you can see, pit bulls are not the evil beasts they have been portrayed as being in recent years. If you ask any dog expert or knowledgeable dog breeder they will tell you that the American Pit Bull Terrier is a wonderful dog breed that does not deserve the bad reputation it has been given.

Cats vs. Dogs

Which is a better pet, cats or dogs? This is something that dog lovers and can’t lovers have been arguing about forever. I am going enter the battle by giving my opinion on the subject.

Yes, I know this is a dog blog and it’s obvious that I love dogs so my opinion might be a little biased. And I’ll admit if I had to choose between the two I would almost always choose a dog. However, I do own a cat that I love very much and I think she is amazing! I couldn’t imagine not having her.

Anyway, here is my opinion on the cats vs. dogs battle…

1) Dogs can protect you as well as your home and family, and usually will if the situation arises. Even a small dog that can’t do much against an intruder will at least alert you to possible danger by barking. Cats have nothing on dogs when it comes to this. Dogs get 1 point for this.

2) Dogs are great companions because you can take them just about anywhere and they love it. Cats will usually freak out if you take them anywhere. Give 1 point to dogs for this.

3) Dogs go to the bathroom outside so you never have to smell it in the house or clean a litter box. But the fact that cats go in the litter box is nice because you never have to worry about letting them out or cleaning up accidents. I’ll give them both a point for this.

4) I don’t know if dogs really do love their owners more than cats but they definitely tend to show the love more. My cat is actually one of the most loving cats I have ever seen in my life and she still doesn’t seem to care about me as much as any dog I’ve ever owned. Another point for dogs.

5) Cats don’t listen to what you say like dogs do. Some people like the independent nature of cats but I would much rather they listen to my commands like dogs do. They might do some things you say but for the most part they really don’t give a crap. It’s pretty easy to see that dog training is a lot easier than cat training. One point for dogs.

6) One big argument for each side is which one is smarter. I think both cat people and dog people have very valid points for why their respective side is smarter. Personally I think they are equally smart in their own ways, which are very different. However, dogs appear to be smarter due to their trainability. Dogs are used all over the world for many different things by the military and police. They are also used as guide dogs, guard dogs, working dogs, hunting dogs, and many other things due to their trainability. You don’t see cats doing any of this. Because of that I am giving dogs another point here.

7) When it comes which is more fun to own, I think a lot can be said for both sides. On one hand dogs can be really funny and cute all by themselves plus they can be taken on walks and a lot of other places as well as playing fetch and other games. On the other hand cats can be very entertaining to watch when they are playing with their toys or running around the house, and you can play quite a few games with them too. Weighing it as evenly as possible overall I would say that dogs are just a little more fun to own. Give dogs another point for this.

8) Cats are certainly easier to take care of considering they are very self-sufficient. Give them food, water, and clean the litter box every few days and they pretty much handle the rest themselves. Definitely a point for cats.

9) In my experience cats are a lot cheaper than dogs. They require less food and supplies, and don’t need to go to the vet as often. They usually don’t cost as much to actually buy either. Another point for cats.

10) Cats aren’t as destructive as dogs for the most part. They don’t typically chew things up like puppies and some adult dogs do. They also don’t ruin your carpet with their muddy paws every time they come inside after it rains. Their claws can be very destructive but those can be removed, thus taking away most of their ability to destroy your house. I say cats get a point for this one also.

Add up the points = Dogs 7, Cats 4

The results are in and dogs win the “better pet” battle. I guess there’s a reason they call Dogs “Man’s Best Friend” and not cats.

If this convinced you to get a dog then I recommend adopting a pit bull from your local shelter.

Okay, I’ve given my analysis of cats versus dogs. What do you think?

Adopting a Dog

I’m a firm believer in adopting a dog when you are looking to get a new one. There are more than enough breeders, pet stores and puppy mills out there adding to the overcrowding of dogs in this world every day. It’s much better to go to your local animal rescue shelter and give a home to a dog in need.

There are plenty of wonderful dogs and puppies to adopt from just about any animal shelter. And you will always have the joy and satisfaction of knowing you rescued your dog and gave him a home when he really needed one. Every dog/puppy I have ever rescued was just as good, or better, of a pet than all the ones I purchased from breeders.

Lately I’ve been thinking about getting another dog, so for the past few weeks I have gone to the local animal shelter several times to find the right one. I have found so many that it’s almost impossible to choose between them. I wish I could just adopt them all but unfortunately I can’t. I enjoy taking as many of them as I can out when I am there and giving them some exercise, love and attention.

Some of the ones I was trying to decide between have now been adopted, which is awesome as far as I am concerned. At least I know they are going to a new home. It’s the ones that have been there for a long time that break my heart every time I have to leave them.

Currently there are three dogs/puppies that I have narrowed it down to and I am going back today to see them again. Honestly, I hope they are gone when I get there because then I know they found a home.

Here are the three that I really want right now and am having a tough time choosing:

1) Two year old female Pit Bull named Jazz. Of all the dogs there she seems to be one of the best behaved. She’s quiet, calm, obedient, and super cute. I’ve taken her out several times and she hasn’t done anything to deter me yet. As far as I can see she is about as perfect a dog as you can get. My girlfriend absolutely loves her so that helps too.

2) One year old male Black Lab Mix named Elliot. He’s a big boy probably weighing around 90 pounds and kind of a brute, but he and I have a bond that started the first day I went in there. I’ve taken him out a couple times and he’s a very good dog.

I feel really sorry for him because he’s so big and when you first take him out he likes to jump on you and pulls on the leash quite a bit. After a few minutes he does calm down and listens really well. I just fear that most people won’t give him enough of a chance to see how good he can be.

3) Three month old female Pit Bull puppy named Savannah. She’s about as adorable as a dog can possibly be. You can’t help but fall in love with her as soon as you see her. Yeah she’s a little crazy but that can be expected of any puppy. I did some basic training techniques with her and she was surprisingly good for her age. I can tell she will be a great dog in the hands of the right owner.

* Side note: In case you didn’t notice, two of the three I have narrowed it down to are Pit Bulls. Most people cringe at the thought of Pit Bulls, however as a very knowledgeable dog person and overall dog lover, I can tell you that they really are one of the best dog breeds in existence. They only get a bad rap because there are some shitty people out there who exploit their desire to please their owners by making them do bad things. They are not naturally bad dogs, far from it actually. Generally speaking, you won’t find a better dog than you will with the Pit Bull.

Another thing I like to stress to people when giving information about adopting a dog is to go for the ones that are at least a year old or older. I know I have a young puppy in my possible adoption mix right now, but for the most part I try to only adopt non-puppies and I encourage others to do the same.

You can pretty much count on all the puppies being adopted because they are cute and everyone wants a puppy. It’s the older dogs that have less of a chance of finding a home so you can be their savior! Remember, the puppies are going to grow up really fast and before you know it you will have a full grown dog on your hands anyway. Might as well just start out with an adult dog and save yourself some of the headaches that come along with puppies.

Also, when you adopt an adult dog, you already know how big it will be and what it’s going to look like when it grows up. Plus, most of them will already be potty trained and have some other training, and you can get a basic idea of what kind of dog they are going to be once you get them home. There are several advantages of adopting an adult dog that you don’t get with a puppy.

And, if you can, you should go for the specific breeds or individual dogs that don’t have as much of a chance of getting adopted. They need a home too and will be just as wonderful of a pet as the others, maybe even better. These are usually the big dogs, the ones that aren’t as cute, the feisty ones, and certain breeds like Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans, Akitas and others. They all have less a chance of being adopted so help one of them out if you can. Also, black dogs tend to get adopted far less than any other color, I have no idea why but it is a fact, so go for a black dog if you see any needing a home!

I want to add that I’ve owned and/or have extensive experience with several dog breeds ranging from small to large. I am also much more knowledgeable about dogs in general than the majority of people in this world. And I can say without a doubt that Pit Bulls and Rottweilers are my two favorite breeds of dog. Please don’t form a negative attitude about these breeds by listening to people who are uneducated about dogs, or the ignorant media. Trust me, overall these breeds are two of the most loyal, loving, obedient, intelligent, trustworthy, protective, sweet, clean, fun, and all around amazing breeds there are!

There’s no such thing as a bad breed of dog. The only things that are bad are the owners who make the dog the way they are on an individual basis. If you are a good owner who plans to train your dog and care for it properly then you should not be deterred from owning any breed of dog as long as it fits with your personality and accommodations you are able to give it.

Well, I will leave you with that for now. Hopefully I have shed a little light on a few things for you when it comes to adopting a dog. Next time you are looking for a new dog remember that your local animal rescue shelter / humane society is full of awesome dogs that really need your help. You can typically get adoption dogs for much cheaper than anywhere else and they will usually have at least some of their vaccinations done. Even more reasons to adopt a dog!

Learning How to Train a Guard Dog

Learning how to train a guard dog will require special knowledge and skills that most dog owners do not typically possess. If you are like most dog owners, you probably think of your dog as a companion and a friend, and you assume that your dog would defend you if you were in a situation that required it. However, this is not usually what happens because most dogs are simply not good guard dogs or attack dogs. There are countless stories of people being robbed, beaten, or even killed while their dogs were standing right next to them and the dog did nothing.

The fact of the matter is that most dogs wouldn’t do much more than bark at a stranger who attacked their owner or broke into their home, and many wouldn’t even do that. They might make enough noise or sound threatening enough to succeed in frightening the intruder off, but in most cases they will not attack or bite them.

It’s not because they don’t love you as their owner or they are bad dogs. It’s just that most dogs have not been trained to be a guard dogs and most dog breeds are not cut out for guard or attack work in the first place. As a pet, your dog has been taught to have a healthy respect for human beings and not bite them. So if you want your dog to be a good guard dog, he has to be trained that way from an early age. You have to learn how to train him as a guard dog and you must be prepared to treat him as a guard dog first and a pet second.

Before you even think of guard dog training, you need to consider whether or not your dog has the right temperament for being a guard dog. There are certain dog breeds that are highly suitable for guard work and it is evident in their behavior. I used to have a Rottweiler that was very well trained and great with people, but he would gladly spring to my defense if any stranger came close to me or anyone came at me in a threatening manner. He would also guard the yard and house as if it was what he was born to do. His guarding instinct was superb and he needed very little training to bring it out.

Dog breeds that are bred for guarding, herding, hunting and retrieving are called “working breeds” and without a job to do, these breeds can become bored and find things to do which can sometimes be mischievous. If you can learn how to train a guard dog, you can give your dog a job to do. This will keep him happy and out of trouble while keeping you safer and more at ease when he is around. If you have a dog that is suitable for guard work, training him to guard your home can be a big boost to his confidence and happiness. But if you want a truly professional guard dog, you will probably need to consult a professional to either train him or teach you how to train him.

Learning how to train a guard dog and actually doing it requires a lot of work, a great deal of patience, and lots of devotion. It is not so much about teaching the dog to attack or to bark as it is teaching him the difference between “friends” and “enemies” and how to act towards each of them.

Take for example the typical dog’s hatred of the postman or delivery men. What is it about these nice guys that make them enemies in your dog’s eyes? Well, just think what they do. They come up to your house, apparently trying to get in. They may leave something on the porch and go away, or they may knock and have you open the door, but one thing is sure, you don’t ever actually let them in. So they can’t be friends, right? Therefore they must be enemies. This is how a dog’s mind works.

Therefore, if you want a guard dog, you need to train him to know the difference between friends and intruders. This means that you have to introduce the dog to people. Let him see you shake their hands and invite them in. Let him get a good sniff of their scent so that he will recognize them. But don’t have them give him treats. Don’t let your dog start thinking that anybody who feeds him is a friend, or he will be easy for a real enemy to bribe with treats. The dog must only obey commands and accept food from you, his owner and trainer.

Another key factor in learning how to train a guard dog is consistency. You must work with your dog on his training each and every day. Dogs respond well to routines and schedules. Even after he has mastered it you still need to refresh his training periodically. This not only reinforces the training, but keeps their minds working too. In fact, most dogs that are trained as guard dogs attend a training school where they receive intensive professional training and the owners or trainers continue to work with them on training for the rest of the dog’s life.

These are just some tips and information to get you started and help you decide if you really want a guard dog. If you do, and you want to train it yourself without professional help, you will need to investigate the best training systems and techniques so you can learn how to train a guard dog and have a very good understanding of what it takes to do it.

Remember that before you can properly train your dog to be a good guard dog, he must first be obedient and well-trained in every day life. Learn the top secrets to dog training by clicking here.

Why Dogs Attack People

Dog attacks are not pretty and they are definitely no laughing matter. When dogs attack people it can lead to serious injury or even death. Fatal dog attacks are rare but they do occur and even a simple dog bite can be very painful and cause injury. It is estimated that 2% of the U.S. population are bitten by dogs each year. These dog attacks are often the result of the close proximity of dogs to people in every day life.

So, why do dogs attack people?

There are really only four main reasons why dogs attack humans:

1) Protecting their owners or property – Most dogs will instinctively protect their territory. This is usually done by simply barking, but some dogs will actually attack someone who invades their territory. Any dog, big or small, may attack to protect their territory. However this is most common with certain breeds that have been bred and used as guard dogs or attack dogs for many years.

2) They are not properly socialized – All dogs need to be socialized and learn how to act around humans. Dogs that have had very little or no human contact are much more likely to attack a person that gets close to them.

3) Trained to attack by bad owners – There are lots of crazy people out there who actually train their dogs to attack any and all people. This is different from a properly trained guard dog. These dogs have been raised to be mean and don’t differentiate from a friend or an intruder.

4) Protecting themselves – Dogs can and will protect themselves if they deem it necessary.

People who are uneducated about dogs often blame dog attacks on certain breeds of dogs but the truth is that most dog attacks are due primarily to the actions or inactions of the dogs’ owners. Or they are because the dog was protecting its home, family, or itself.

Dogs are not inherently mean or prone to attacking humans. Some dog breeds are better for protection and guard work but even those breeds aren’t going to attack humans for no reason. There is no such thing as a “mean” or “bad” breed of dog and no dog is born aggressive. Furthermore, no dog breed is more prone to attack people than any other breed.

Most of the time dog attacks are the result of human behaviors, especially by people who are unfamiliar with dogs (often children). Dogs usually don’t respond to these behaviors with aggression but sometimes they will, and certain dogs will do it more than other dogs of the same or different breed.

These human behaviors include:

* Challenging the dog for food – Removing food from a dog or getting between a dog and its food, even when it’s an accident, may trigger aggressive behavior in some dogs.

* Attacking a dog, its family or companions – Dogs will often instinctively defend themselves from an attack or perceived attack. They may also defend those they consider their pack, which can be their human family or dogs and other animals they live with.

They may also be triggered by behaviors that are perceived as an attack. Examples of this would be a sudden and unexpected approach or touch by a stranger, inadvertently stepping on the dog or part of its body, or startling a sleeping dog unexpectedly.

* Invading its territory – Many dogs will fiercely defend their territory, which usually includes their house or yard and other places belonging to their family or areas that the dog thinks of as being theirs. This is especially true for breeds that are typically used as guard dogs.

It should be noted that the territory a dog recognizes as its own may not be the actual property lines that its owner and the legal authorities recognize, such as the neighbor’s yard or a place that the dog visits often.

* Failure to recognize fear – Dogs that are afraid or fearful of something or someone may turn and defend themselves against perceived threat, just as humans do. People who don’t have much experience with dogs will usually not recognize the signs of fear so they approach and trigger an aggressive reaction.

* Getting between a dog fight – A human stepping in between two dogs that are in a fight may be badly bitten. It is not the intent of the dog to attack the person but in the heat of the moment it often happens.

* Showing threatening body language – Staring directly into a dog’s eyes or a person the dog doesn’t know getting very close to their face may be seen as a challenge or threat. Looking directly into a dog’s eyes is most dangerous when on the same visual level as the dog or when the human is a stranger to the dog.

* Prey behaviors – Dogs have many predatory instincts that are imbedded in them, including the chasing of prey. Running away from a dog or behaving in a way that shows weakness can cause a dog to chase you or get overly excited and attack.

* Intruders – A trained guard dog or attack dog will most likely attack or act aggressively towards an intruder without warning.

Remember that any dog can attack unexpectedly given a certain situation. There is no such thing as a certain breed of dog that will attack or not attack humans. Most dogs will never hurt anyone, but it can happen and knowing some reasons why dogs typically attack and warning signs of it can save you from being injured. Hopefully this post has answered your question as to why dogs attack people and will help prevent you or someone you know from being attacked by a dog out of ignorance or neglect.

One final thing I want to stress… Don’t believe all the crap you hear about Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans, German Shepherds (or any other dog breed) being vicious or dangerous. It’s NOT true! There is no such thing as a vicious or dangerous breed of dog. It’s all a bunch of media hype and myths, and any dog expert can attest to that. Any dog, of any breed, at any time, in any place can attack a human for many reasons, and it has nothing to do with what type of breed they are. That is a fact.