Its Raining!! Thats so awesome!

Its been months, since we’ve had a drop of rain in Los Angeles. And today broke the months long streak.  I’m throughly enjoying the slow rain we’ve had and really wish it would continue a few more days. But I’ll take what I can get.

My now 5 month old puppy Gunnar has never had the opportunity to play in the rain before today. And before I was smart enough to think to get the camera, he was dashing around the back yard, chasing the leaves as they fell from the trees. And then with immense joy he dug his first mud puddle. He was up to his elbows and covered in mud from belly to butt.  Of course I was busy laughting my ass off at him and did not think to get the camera until after I had rinsed him off. Well that pretty much dampened his good time, as he really does not like baths.

Lets make a deal, I'll wipe my muddy paws, and you don't rinse me off again.

What does this trainer think of Pit Bulls?

I was asked what I thought of Pit Bulls.  The question was very generic and vague but it is a good question.  I love my Pit Bulls aka bullies, pitties, AmStaffs, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Terrier or just staffies.  They are low maintenance, generally healthy, live long, have the best smiles and are fun loving doggies.  But they do have their own brand of trouble and those that are attracted to it.

I grew up with small dogs;  we were always being told “to be careful” as we might hurt the dog.  So I decided when I had children I’d have a dog that can tolerate and play with children.  My children grew up with our dog – Spike.  She was an American Staffordshire Terrier, an awesome dog that put up with everything and anything with grace and tolerance. She was the “ugly step mother” that was loved by her human step children and family.  She lived to the ripe old age of 14.

I gave Spike basic training; come, sit, stay, down and walk on a leash.  But she was one of those intuitive dogs that picked up on things – like young’ns should not be on the lawn unsupervised, nor should strangers talk to them.  She was the self-appointed lawn monitor.  If the kids went out to play, you better let her out too or she’d take the door down. Her recovery method was to grab the kids by the pocket of the pants, pull them off the sidewalk and back onto the lawn. Of course I was always watching, but it was awesome to watch her in action.  This is something that can’t be ‘taught’,  it was her natural tendency.

Personality:  Pit bulls are people pleaser’s – they are fun loving.  What ever you ask of them, they will do it to their utmost ability (be the best bad ass or a sweet heart).  They want their people to be happy with them.  What folks don’t realize when they take a pit bull home is that they are adopting an endless source of energy that must be tapped or it will be a problem.  These guys are born body builders; I know you wish you could be that ripped.  Exercise is essential to this dog!  My motto is “a tired pit bull is a well behaved pit bull”

Don’t get me wrong, they love to be couch potatoes and hang out with their people, but that is after they’ve had their daily exercise and playtime.  The energy must be harnessed or it will backfire – and then it’s a problem for all pit bulls and their owners.

Training: Training is essential for this breed.  No getting around it.  If there is no obedience, there will be no control, and this dog will walk, no stomp all over you.  I hate to see it and it happens everyday:  The dog is out in front on a long lead, the owner 6 feet behind, barely on their feet, yelling “fido stop”!  This is a bad scene and could escalate.

Socialization is also a must; get the dog into a group class where they interact in a controlled manner with other dogs. Do you have what it takes to own one? You must be the boss, but not too harsh or you’ll crush the spirit, but strong enough to be respected.

The dog needs a job, something to do for you… I train with my dogs.  I take them out to breed specific or breed friendly events.  We train and work them to harness that energy and really just to have fun.  They excel at agility, Frisbee catching, weight pulling, obedience, and defense of handler just to name a few.

But please do not take your pit bull to the local dog park – too much uncontrolled energy.  All it takes is one slip, one loud bark, or a body slam from your perfect baby and the other dog owner will freak out!  And that leads me to the next issue…

Perception: The perception is that pit bulls are fierce guard dogs or that they are man stoppers.  Genetically this is incorrect.  Pit Bulls are athletes, gladiators, fighters to the end, but  were never designed to protect property or attack people.  These dogs, in their original form, were designed to fight against other dogs or large animals.  And when the fight was over, typically the battered survivor needed mending.  The dog would have to be still for the handler while in pain; If the dog tried to bite the handler, it would have been destroyed.  Originally aggression against people was never tolerated in the breed.  I don’t think the backyard breeder throwing together two dogs takes that into consideration.

D.A. aka Dog Aggression:  This will be or can be an issue with the breed.  It can be an issue, but it does not have to be.  I’ve known pit bulls that live with many other dogs without any problems.  And then I’ve met and owned bullies that just can’t be around another dog of the same gender.  Then some that  must be in a home as the only dog and sometimes the only pet.  You must know your dog and plan accordingly.  If you can’t stand the idea of never owning a second dog, think about another breed.  You have to make the commitment to care for and protect your dog, from itself, if necessary.

They attract the wrong crowd:  There are those that have taken the pit bull and in their hands warped it into something evil.  Remember, this dog will try to be the best at WHATEVER you ask it to do.  Horrible people make monsters out of sweet dogs, crop their ears with kitchen shears, run them endlessly on treadmills to build muscle, starve them, poison them, douse them with lighter fluid and set them a flame, fight them in pits, kill them when they won’t fight, use live bait to entice them to kill etc.  Or they are left to wither away in a back yard on a damn chain with NO interaction with people.  Then the dog escapes, and is tearing through the neighborhood… would you allow yourself to be caught and returned to that situation?  Unfortunantly there is usually a small child or elderly person that gets hurt in the scenario.

Due to over breeding, poor breeding, in-breeding, and cross breeding the breed has been changed- and not always for good.  Some dog aggression may have been bred out, and that is a good thing.  But the opposite is also true – those that breed this powerful compact people friendly dog to larger breeds that tend to be people aggressive, have created some very dangerous dogs.  But to the untrained eye they’re all pit bulls.  That is very bad for real pit bulls and those that love them.

What I think of Pit Bulls is that I will always own at least one or more.  There is always one that will need to be rescued or rehabilitated and loved.

How can you not love that face?

Tired… puppies are too much work

My new puppy Gunnar got a bad case of the squirts. Wow, I thought dirty baby diapers were nasty. But this is worse, because he doesn’t wear a diaper! His crate, his bedding, the floor around his crate and the other dogs crates all got a dose of gunnar. Nasty nauseating business. And the crates are in my house… so everywhere I went I smelled puppy poop. Of course this all happened with the first attack at Sunday 12:45 AM! Then 2:00 AM and then again at 3:30 AM. After that I ran out of crates, bedding and patience – all the dogs were put outside to rough it in the 65 degree night.

So Tuesday first thing we went to the vet. As Gunnar is not acting even remotly sick, no loss of appetite or energy, we can’t really determine the cause; could be change in water (Gunnar stayed for a bit with a friend), stress of the change, or a bug. So for now he’s on a wide spectrum anti-biotic and FortiFlora. This is a canine nutritional supplement – supposed to help digestive tract health. Activia for dogs?

My house got a dose of Lysol, floors mopped, carpets vacuumed and lots of Febreez. Crates were taken out and washed and bleached – bedding still coming out of the dryer – thank you Gunnar very much.

Puppies… gotta love them. Its kara; my punishment for not adopting from a rescue.

I hope everyone enjoyed their long weekend and the slightly cooler weather.

The Happy Pit

Overexterion… it can be deadly. Take extra care in the heat

I am working Peter towards our first attempt at French Ring level Brevet.  We work  two times a week with a decoy who specializes in French Ring.  Peter has lots to learn about Defense of Handler, but his obedience is great.  We went for our training session,  it was a very warm day, but we worked in the shade for the most part and I supplied him with water.    I also had two other dogs with me, both working on general obedience and defense.

I worked Peter first for about thirty minutes, not any longer than normal.   He behaved normally, in fact I stopped his lesson before he was ready – he let me know by continuing to bark and stare at the decoy, so I assumed all was well.    I walked him for about 10 minutes, offered him water (he refused) and then I put him in his crate so that I could work the other two dogs.  He was still panting when I put him up.

I worked the other two dogs for about 20 minutes each, watered them, walked them for a bit and put them up too.  I took Peter out of the crate, let him pee then put him in the car to get ready to go home.  Its about a hour drive home in good traffic.  That day it was two hours to get home.

When we finally got home,  I put the dogs out to potty.  One of my dogs is a 4 month old puppy so I followed him out to praise him for going potty in his spot.  I turn around to go back in the house and I see my Peter peeing what looked like pure red blood.  To say the least I was stunned.

I called the vet and said “I”m bringing Peter in, he just urinated blood”.  Twenty minutes later Peter was in the examining room, they drew blood urine etc etc to do tests.  I was certain he had somehow ingested poison as I had never seen a dog pee blood.  The  vet came back to me to say he was coagulating so she was pretty sure poison was not the culprit.  But she was being safe and giving him Vitamin K injections.

More questions… Did he work hard today? I told her about our workout session. Starting with OB, then move to defensive work. Yes it was warm, but we were working primarily in the shade. Peter was not acting sick at all, his normal happy self.  After he worked out I put him in his crate. Yes he was still panting, but I’ve put him up a little warm before.

The vet ran a blood panel and most of the numbers were right on, but his Red Blood count was high. This leads the vet to think that this has to do with Myoglobin.  And the color of his urine was a dead giveaway that his Kidneys were working hard to get the toxins out of his system.

Taken from a Medical website “Myoglobin is a protein in heart and skeletal muscles. When a muscle is exercised, it uses up available oxygen. Myoglobin has oxygen bound to it, thus providing an extra reserve of oxygen so that the muscle can maintain a high level of activity for a longer period of time. When muscle is damaged, the myoglobin is released into the bloodstream. It is filtered out of the bloodstream by the kidneys, and eliminated in urine. In large quantities, myoglobin can damage the kidney and break down into toxic compounds, causing kidney failure.“

Peter spent a night and two days in the hospital with IV fluids to flush his kidneys. The vet says since I brought him in so fast she is certain he has lost no kidney function. But they ran tests the next morning to be certain. Thankfully Peter came out of his ordeal without any lasting damage.  And the dang dog never even acted slightly sick.  But he did lose 4 pounds – he wouldn’t eat in the hospital.

Lesson learned, NEVER EVER put your dog up hot or warm even. From what I have read, this happens to race horses when they are not cooled down properly. When the animal rests while hot, the muscle begins to break down and then the Myoglobin gets into the blood stream and then its the Kidneys job to filter the toxin out.

Now when I work Peter I take lots of water or a misting can with me.  If its very warm (and this year, it seems its always very warm) I wet Peter down before we work and I’m wetting him down as I walk him after working.  I offer water before and after but usually he refuses if he is panting very hard.  But I walk and wet him until he’s done panting.  Then and only then do I put him up.  If there is room and shade, I let him pace on a long line.  And I still wet him down until he’s cool.

Thank goodness for Pets Best Insurance – Yes Peter has medical insurance that costs me $33 dollars a month.  The total bill was $1480 and after deductible my refund was $1070.

Remote Collar Training

In my opinion the remote collar is the most effective dog training tool that has been developed since the leash.

Without a doubt low level stimulation training is 100 times more humane and more effective than using a “CHOKE COLLAR or PRONG COLLAR.” In fact remote collar training eliminates the need for these other harsh training tools all together.  And for those of you who have used food lures (Myself included) you know what happens when the dog is full – no more attention.  If you use a toy as a lure (Myself included), you have to have perfect timing to pay that dog or you’ve lost the effectiveness of that toy lure.

The remote collar aka shock collar (I hate the term shock collar) has been given a very bad rap. It DOES NOT shock the dog at all. Perhaps 30 years ago it was a shock very much like the hand held devices cops use on unruly out of control suspects.  But in the products sold currently there is NO SHOCK involved – AT ALL.  It is a muscle stimulation that causes a very irritating twitch. You can not harm your dog with the remote collar, you can startle him, but you can NOT HURT him.

Now the Pinch Collar and the Choke Collar CAN HURT your dog. You cut off air to your dogs lungs forcing him to comply…and you think thats more humane than a muscle twitch? Pinch collars when used correctly can be effective but still the opportunity to harm your relationship with your dog is very possible.  And if your dog is aggressive and you use a Pinch collar on him, you can have more than you bargained for if he turns his aggression to the handler.

Back to today’s Remote Collars.  They are humane, they are not damaging, yes they can be used as a way to discipline your dog but that is not the intent.  Okay Stop:  I know you’re thinking it, it happens.  Yes there are people who abuse these collars.  Lets think on this, regular collars left on too long too tight can and do damage the dogs neck.  Ever see a puppy where the owners have left the baby collar on until he’s near full grown?  I have.  The collar has to be literally cut out of the dogs skin where the muscle and tissue has grown around it and all the while the dog is constantly choking.  Its disgusting.  But alas, we still have regular collars because most people use them correctly.

How about long lead chains – they should be banned because unschooled people leave their dogs on chains  24/7.  Ever see a dog that has hanged himself jumping over something while chained?  I called the police on a neighbor who’s dog hanged itself.  He never meant it to happen, but it did.  But the practice of chaining dogs 24/7 is still allowed.

Want to see inhumane – check out what happens to dogs that are left forgotten on chains, now that’s inhumane. http://www.unchainyourdog.org/FactsPhotos.htm

Okay lets continue:   The intent is to have a method of training that removes the emotion and frustration that we humans have when handling our dogs.  We want our dogs to listen to us, we talk and talk… what does your dog hear?  Blah Blah Blah (insert dogs name here) Blah Blah.  If dogs understood and spoke English we wouldn’t need any training tools at all.  We’d just talk them through it all.

What we do need is a way to keep our dogs attention and then we can teach them anything and that is what a properly used Remote Collar can do.

If you want to know more about Remote Collar training for your dog, check out my links.  Or if you’re in the local area send me an email for a demo.

Suzanne Golden

Dog Training Classes.. Are they for your PitBull?

The article below was copied from Jason Mann’s “The Pit Bull Lovers Gazette” – January 2009 Issue .  He is very passionate about Pit Bulls and the BSL laws that are being forced upon us.  Remember, today its Pit Bulls, then it will be Rotts, then German Shepard’s… maybe Cocker Spaniels will be next, who can say what breed will be deemed dangerous.  I’m just saying…

At any rate, Jason Mann puts out a monthly, now becoming a bi-monthly newsletter for the Pit Bull enthusiasts.  You can read the entire newsletter at http://www.pitbulllovers.com/pitbullgazette/jan09.html#article3.  I’m taking just the portion of the letter that is stating a good case for getting your pittie out into society, get him trained and be the wonderful example my favorite breed needs!!  Of course I agree that every pittie needs to be socialized, put into group classes, walked down busy streets, and all the while under control of the owner.  I don’t want to see you being dragged down the street like a kite on a strong wind.  You must be in control of your dog at all times - more so than any other breed – and if you can’t be in control of your dog, please select a different breed for your companion.

I am of course an advocate of the Sit Means Sit method of training and communicating with your dog.  Big or small this technique works and there are no excuses – it just works.

Dog Training Classes
Are They For Pit Bull Owners?

Pit Bull owners often email me asking of they should attend a dog training class. Most often the question is something like, “Jason, I am thinking about getting involved in a dog training class. Do you think this is a good idea since I have a Pit Bull?”

My answer is the same, Yes. Get involved in a dog training class. Why wouldn’t you get involved in a dog training class? After all, getting Pit Bulls out into the public around other dogs and more importantly, dog owners is one of the ways we can start to change the publics perception of our dogs.

If you happen to run into a flat out retarded dog trainer who does not allow “Pit Bulls” in her class, seek out a trainer who is smarter. I really hope one of those short bus trainers reads this article because I despise ignorance.

SIDE NOTE: I mention trainers who do not train Pit Bulls because in my area there are a number of trainers that refer Pit Bull owners to me because they “don’t work with dangerous dogs.” Ignorance annoys me to no end.

Dog training classes are a great option for well trained Pit Bulls too. If your Pit Bull is trained to the hilt get involved in a beginner class to start proofing (or maintaining) their obedience around untrained dogs. This is also a good way to show your dog off to dog owners who might otherwise think your dog is straight out of the Hounds of Baskerville novel.

I also encourage you to seek out sport training like agility or protection sports. Yes, I said it, protection sports. Don’t have a moo-moo. Protection sports are a gateway to some of the highest levels of obedience on the planet. Ever see a highly trained sport protection dog? It is a thing of beauty to see a handler and dog working in complete partnership.

SIDE NOTE #2: Working a dog in a protection sport can be rewarding but there are pitfalls you want to avoid. Using harsh methods stinks. Don’t do it. Putting your dog into defense and fight drive are to be avoided too. Of course this is my opinion but I know one can train a dog in protection sports without doing that. Using prey drive and making the bite work a game, much like tug of war, is the preferred path for Pit Bull owners. Again, my opinion. Proceed with caution when seeking out a trainer to help you. DO NOT try to train bite work yourself.

Agility, fly ball, dock dog jumping, Schutzhund, French Ring sport, are many of the sports that American Pit Bull Terriers excel at. Don’t limit yourself or your dog. Get involved and have fun.

In the end, any chance you have to get out there and show the world what real Pit Bulls are capable of is opportunity you should not pass up. Take advantage of those opportunities every chance you can.

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Side note, Sit Means Sit does not discrimate against any breed.  We look at each dog individually.  What we can’t handle we’ll tell you up front its not safe for our trainers.  And it will not be based on breed.  I’ve been nipped and snapped at by more pocket dogs than any other breed on the face of the earth!

Living with my elderly Aunt and my AmStaff

I’ve heard the stories where certain breeds of dogs are more sensitive to the elderly and the young.   And I’d never had any experience with this.  But now,, now I actually can say I have.

My Aunt Jean is 72 years old and very weak and unsteady on her feet.  She loses her balance, falls into things and has spent several hours on the floor when no one was around to help her.  It was decided due to her last time on the floor for who knows how many hours, she could no longer live alone.  This past Thanksgiving she moved in with me and my husband.

We have (or had) three pitbulls, Peter – a American Staffordshire Terrier, Jessie – American Pitbull Terrier, and Honey – a young bulldog / pitbull mix.  At first they were very curious about Aunt Jean, following her around, staring at her, and even barking at her due to her ’slow and unsteady’ shuffle and cane.  Oh and they’d bark at her walker too.   But that all passed in a few days; I let them sniff and check out the walker up close so they no longer considered it scary.  And in a few more days they got used to her shuffle and cane.

Soon after Jean moved in Peter started this very irritating high pitch whine.  I could not figure it out, he’d never done it before.  I just figured it was due to a lack of attention; being jealous of my time with Jean.  So I would reprimand him for it and send him away.  But no longer. 

Recently, I helped Jean go to bed, around 9:00 PM, and then I went upstairs to watch some TV with hubby and get ready for bed myself.  Around 1:00 AM Peter came up to my room and started this ear aching whine.  I told him to get out and I closed the door in his face.  He whined at the door for a while longer, but eventually he stopped.  I woke up at 6:30 AM and went down stairs to get breakfast ready.  And to my horror Jean was lying on the floor in her room.  She was cold, thirsty and tired but otherwise unharmed.  She had been lying on the floor since about 1:00 when she had tried to make it to the bathroom. 

Peter had tried to tell me and I shut him down… poor baby had been so worried.  Jean says she remembers him trying to kiss her, and she told him to stop.  He laid down near her, and then he would leave.  She assumed to potty or drink, but  I know he had tried to get my attention. 

Well I no longer shut the door when I sleep, and if Peter is whining I get moving.  Just this morning, I woke to him sitting at the foot of my bed, ears pinned to his head, whinning in that ohh so irritating pitch.  I hurried down stairs to find Jean struggling to get out of bed, and frustrated that she could not get her balance.   All was well, but had she continued her efforts she would have probably fallen.  Thank heavens Peter is so smart

Earlier I said we have (or had) three pitbulls.  Jessie, my sweet chocolate female, had to be put down.  She nearly killed two small poodles that lived in my neighborhood.  She had gotten out the front door by accident.  It just so happens at that moment an older woman with small two poodles came walking by.  Jessie hurt both the dogs; thankfully we got them to the vet and they were fixed up.  But it cost me $1000 to get them fixed up.  And I knew the lady, I am very lucky she has not sued me.  But that was not the last of it.  A few weeks after that happened, she attacked Honey – they were just out in the back yard one second playing,, the next second Jessie had her in a death grip.  I did not mean too, but I really hurt Jessie in my efforts to get her to let go of Honey. 

I took them both to the vet, and we could have had the damage repaired – regardless the cost, but would this just happen again.  She had a cracked canine that would need surgery, a tear on her mouth, and her shoulder was pretty torn up from where Honey had gotten a grip on her.  And me shaking Jessie while hanging from her hind legs only made the tears worse.  Honey had some pretty deep punctures on her throat, face , ears and legs. 

Sadly, we decided Jessie was just too much of a risk; we loved her, and she loved people,  but dogs seemed to be fair game, even those within our home.  We miss her.  It was a sad day.

Respectfully,

Suzanne Golden

Happy New Year

Happy new year everyone.   Wow, can you believe it… 2009.  I was just getting used to writing 2008 – how time flies when you’re having fun or getting old; whatever applie in your case.  

I am actually very excited about 2009.  I plan on this being the year I fully commit myself to my personal goal of leaving my corporate job and doing  fulltime what I love to do… Dog Training.  

I’ve been told by more than one person that this is not the time to leave my job of 10 years for self-employment.  Not very encouraging to say the least.  But I am confident that I can do this.  I have the tools, the system and the drive to do what it takes, so I’m going to take the chance.

Check out my website www.nomatterthebreed.com

Be good to your dogs!!

Suzanne Golden