Stop Fearing Pit Bulls. They Are NOT Vicious Dogs!

Why is it that every time a “pit bull” kills someone it’s such a huge deal that is all over the news and everyone gets in a big uproar about it? I understand it isn’t a small thing and it obviously should be reported, but why is it that you only ever hear about the pit bulls and not other breeds? Oh and let’s not forget about all the humans killing humans every day.

When you look at some statistical facts by the numbers it doesn’t seem like it should be so newsworthy when a pit bull type dog kills someone…

In the United States there are only around 26 people killed on average by dogs each year — That’s ALL dog breeds, not just pit bulls. At the same time there is an average of around 17,000 people murdered by other people every year in the USA. And more than 200 women kill their OWN children in the United States each year!

Taking those numbers into account, you are MUCH safer sitting in a room full of pit bulls than you are sitting on the couch next to your own mom!

Oh and let’s not forget that somewhere around 15,000,000 dogs are killed by humans every year! Yes, that’s 15 MILLION. It’s no wonder they get a little pay back every once in a while.

Fact: According to the American Temperament Testing Society (ATTS) for dogs, the American Pit Bull Terrier receives a passing score of almost 87% — That is better than Beagles, Poodles, Golden Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, Collies, German Shorthaired Pointers, Pomeranians, Shih Tzu’s, St Bernard, Vizsla, Weimaraners, and many other breeds that people typically consider to be “friendly” dogs! The pit bulls score is also BETTER than the average among ALL dog breeds.

Also, according to the CDC there are about 4.5 million people bitten by dogs each year. Almost 1 in 5 of those who are bitten — a total of 885,000 — require medical attention for their dog bite related injuries. In 2006, more than 31,000 people underwent reconstructive surgery as a result of being bitten by dogs.

So, that means every day about 2,425 people are bitten seriously enough by a dog to go get medical attention for it. How many of those did you hear about today? I’m guessing it was ZERO — maybe one or two at the most. But I bet the next time a pit bull sends someone to the hospital you will hear about it. That’s the only time the news cares enough to report it. Which is exactly why they get an undeserved bad rap perpetrated by the media.

I would be willing to bet that every person who reads this has been around a pit bull at least one time in their lives. How many of those same people were bitten by that “vicious killer” of a dog while they were around it? I’ll guess NONE!

I’ve been around thousands of dogs in my life — many of them Pit Bulls, Rottweiler’s, German Shepherds, Dobermans and all the other breeds people say are killers — and the ONLY one that has ever attacked me was a cute little Beagle! I don’t hear anyone saying how vicious Beagles are, and I certainly don’t think they all are just because that one was.

Please don’t fall into the trap of false fear and myths perpetrated by the media!

Still don’t think the media is at least partially to blame? Then, check this out…

An article from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) states:

“Animal control officers across the country have told the ASPCA that when they alert the media to a dog attack, news outlets respond that they have no interest in reporting on the incident unless it involved a pit bull. A quantitative study by the National Canine Resource Council (NCRC) of dog-bite reportage in a four-day period proves that anti-pit bull bias in the media is more than just a theory — it’s a fact.

1. August 18, 2007 — A Labrador mix attacked a 70-year-old man, sending him to the hospital in critical condition. Police officers arrived at the scene and the dog was shot after charging the officers. This incident was reported in one article in the local paper.

2. August 19, 2007 — A 16-month-old child received fatal head and neck injuries after being attacked by a mixed-breed dog. This attack was reported on twice by the local paper.

3. August 20, 2007 — A six-year-old boy was hospitalized after having his ear torn off and receiving a severe bite to the head by a medium-sized, mixed-breed dog. This incident was reported in one article in the local paper.

4. August 21, 2007 — A 59-year-old woman was attacked in her home by two pit bulls and was hospitalized with severe, but not fatal, injuries. This attack was reported in over 230 articles in national and international newspapers, as well as major television news networks including CNN, MSNBC and Fox.

Along with over-reporting, false reporting is a major contributor to the public relations nightmare currently facing pit bulls. There is an emerging tendency for all short-haired, stocky dogs to be called pit bulls—and when a dangerous dog’s breed is unknown, the media is not above assuming that the dog involved must have been a pit bull. The National Canine Resource Council terms this phenomenon “Everything is a pit bull, whether it is or not.” In the rush to publish, the pit bull label is often inaccurately applied—and even if a correction is later made, the damage is done. Not all media bias is necessarily intentional, but it forms an impression on the public and on legislators nonetheless.”

Is Your Dog Depressed? Get Him A Treadmill!

It’s actually very common for dogs to become depressed, stressed, and anxious. This is usually due to lack of exercise and also stimulation of their mind and body. They need to be able to release their built up energy. If not, they can easily become bored and when that happens for extended periods of time it can lead to depression or many other problems. Dogs are similar to humans in many ways and that is one of them.

The more intelligent the individual dog is the more stimulation it needs or it is more likely to get depressed. They need some form of work or activities that can keep their mind active. This is usually done through long walks, training sessions, or playing rigorously.

This is actually one of the main reasons why dog training is so important. A dog that is well-trained will get a lot more stimulation in life by pleasing its owner. It will also have a true pack leader that it can look to for security and guidance. Every dog should be trained properly and training should continue throughout its lifetime. It’s not just something you do when they are a puppy!

Often the weather in the area we live in can be a huge obstacle when trying to keep a dog active. The cold winter months and shorter daylight hours make it difficult to exercise the dog. The scorching hot summer days can be just as bad for going on walks. Then, you have to factor in busy schedules and so many other things that life brings our way. It can be very easy to overlook the exercise needs of your dog.

Luckily, there is exercise equipment for dogs just as there are for humans that can be great alternatives in these conditions. Most people are unaware that there is such a thing as a dog treadmill. Yes, they do exist, and they can be very useful in helping you get your dog the exercise he (or she) needs no matter what the conditions are like outside or how tired you are after a long day at work.

Some people that do know about them seem to think that dog treadmills are cruel to use or bad in some way. It’s actually quite the opposite if they are used PROPERLY and safely! They can be a great stress reliever for your dog and give him the exercise he needs. Top trainers and dog experts around the world use and recommend them.

Treadmills can also be perfect for people who live in apartments, elderly, people with disabilities, someone who is unable to take their dog out for walks at night due to safety reasons, or anyone else with a dog that needs more exercise. Even the fittest person in a great neighborhood with a fenced in yard can often benefit from the conveniences of a treadmill for dogs.

Side Note: Just letting your dog out in a fenced yard does NOT give him (or her) the exercise and mental stimulation he needs. That is a huge misconception among many dog owners. Yards are great for letting your pet out to go to the bathroom but they still need long walks, proper exercise and training!

To get the convenience and assurance that your dog is healthy and happy, and free of depression or stress, a K9 treadmill could certainly be exactly what you need. I recommend looking into getting one right now if you can. Just remember to use it properly as directed. Also, don’t substitute a treadmill for all the exercise needs of your dog. You should still take him on walks when you can, play with him as much as possible, and give him all the love and attention he deserves for being such a loyal and loving companion!

Well Trained Dogs Do NOT Get Hit or Punished!

Successful dog training is all about positive reinforcement and firm consistency. You must establish yourself as their leader but do it in positive and respectful ways. When you hit a dog, use forceful methods, yell at them, or punish them other ways for bad behavior they do not respond to it. Those things do not work!

If you use negative methods (hitting, yelling, punishments, etc…) to train your dog, you will end up with a pet that is afraid of you and will most likely have worse behavior problems than before. You will not end up with a well trained dog at all. They don’t understand the way you might think they do. No true dog training professional or expert dog trainer would ever recommend using force to train a dog. So why do people do it anyway? It makes no sense.

When you see a well trained dog that listens to its owner and seems to be perfect in every way, I can assure you it was trained properly via positive reinforcement. Chances are it has NEVER been hit or punished for doing something wrong. Dog training is not easy and it does take a lot of time and work, but if you do it right the first time it makes life with your pet much easier and happier!

Karelian Bear Dog

karelian bear dog The Karelian Bear Dog is a Finnish or Karelian breed of dog and in its home country; it is regarded as a national treasure. It is a very functional breed that was bred to ward off bears, moose, and other large game. They are still used for that purpose in parts of the world today.

They will hunt any kind of animal but it was their ability to hunt and protect against bears that earned the breed its name. This dog will chase a bear off or attack it with great tenacity to the point of sacrificing its own life for its master, if needed. The Karelian Bear Dogs quick reflexes and fearless nature have also made it very popular for hunting other large or aggressive game, such as the wild boar.

Temperament:

The Karelian Bear Dog is a robust, persistent, and powerful dog that is willing to take on virtually any game animal. They are typically loyal, sensitive, independent, intelligent, skillful, determined, and energetic. This breed is also very protective and will protect their owners with their life.

Proper socialization and training is absolutely necessary due to their disposition. They have been bred to be independent but they are very loyal to their masters and make good household companions when they have owners who know how to display leadership and the dog is trained well. This is not a breed for inexperienced dog owners.

They are silent hunters that alert only when they have the prey at bay, and they are very tenacious when need be. They are also very territorial and will alert their master to the presence of any danger, strangers or other animals nearby. They can often be naturally aggressive towards other dogs. True outdoors enthusiasts and dedicated hunters would be delighted with this hard working breed.

They love people and love to play, but are not recommended for a family with small children because of their size, strength, and potential for rough play. It is very unusual for a Karelian Bear Dog to bite or attack a person but they will certainly kill another animal if they feel threatened or the opportunity arises.

Exercise:

The Karelian Bear Dog is a very energetic breed as a whole. This is not a dog breed that can be tied to a chain outside, stay in an apartment, or never allowed to run. They should have an acreage or a farm so they can run, or at least plenty of other exercise. A brisk walk for at least an hour each day is the minimum for exercising them.

The KBD does not like to be confined for very long. They can be kept in an outdoor kennel as long as they are allowed plenty of chances to get out. They are hunting dogs and they need plenty of space to roam free and get lots of exercise. If they get bored, they will dig up the yard or try to get out to go hunting. These traits tend to prevent the breed from becoming popular companion dogs.

Size and Health:

They are a fairly healthy breed. Life expectancy is 10-12 years. Weight is around 50 pounds.

The KBD hasn’t been in the United States for very long but it is gaining popularity. This is especially true in Alaska where their skills are required frequently. If you have the time and experience to properly own a dog of this nature a Karelian Bear Dog might just be the breed for you!

How To Stop Dog Vomiting

Dog vomiting is annoying and messy, and in some cases also damaging for the dog’s health. So how do we stop it? This article considers how to deal with a dog throwing up, and prevent it from happening again.

Many things can cause a dog to vomit. It may be something that they have eaten, and in that case it will probably just happen once. It your dog is vomiting repeatedly, it could be a sign of another disease. This could include distemper, allergies, parvovirus, worms, or something more serious like hepatitis or kidney disease. If you are not sure why your dog is having this problem, it would be wise to take a trip to the veterinarian’s office.

Like diarrhea, repeated dog vomiting can lead to dehydration. In some cases this can be fatal. If the vomiting continues and especially if it is accompanied by diarrhea, see the veterinarian for treatment to prevent dehydration. A small dose of Pepto Bismol works on many dogs but you should only give medications with your veterinarian’s approval.

Some dogs just seem to have a delicate digestion that makes them throw up occasionally. It is likely to happen any time they eat too much or get a little over excited after a meal. Kids often do the same thing. If your dog is like this, try feeding them a little less, with more frequent meals. Do not feed them anything but regular dog food or something very bland like plain boiled rice.

Vomiting in dogs is often caused by eating too fast. This often happens when you have more than one dog in the household. They finish their food as fast as possible so the other dogs cannot compete for it. If this is happening in your house, try feeding each dog in a different part of the house.

You can also watch out for signs that the dog is about to vomit so you can cover floors or furniture. Many dogs will salivate a lot, lick their lips and swallow excessively when they are feeling nauseous. They will then start to heave right before the stomach contents come up.

Stop dog vomiting after the first episode by keeping the dog calm. Help him to rest and relax by speaking to him calmly. Do not show any anger or fear about what he has done. In hot weather, try to keep him cool by encouraging him to stay in a cool place or switching on air conditioning. Remove all food and edible toys from his environment for a few hours, and do not exercise him. If he needs to go outside for potty, keep him on a leash, even in the backyard.

After a couple of hours you can offer ice and see if he wants to lick it. If that does not cause a problem, he will probably be ready for some water after 4-6 hours and a small portion of his regular food after 8-12 hours. This will usually prevent a recurrence of dog vomiting.