Life's the Pits... Bulls that is

Teach Your Dog to Speak

2012-01-18T17:00:00.000-08:00

We already talk to our dogs enough, and many studies actually show that we talk to our dogs more than we talk to our spouses and significant others. Now, it's time to teach our dogs to speak back... Well, sort of...

Dogs bark anyway, so why not train your dog to bark on cue. It's a fun trick that isn't that hard to train. My Pit Bull caught on quickly, but watch out training your dog to speak if you're sitting at the dinner table. It didn't take long and Mia was barking at us while we ate whether she was asked or not, and again, it didn't take long for her to realize she only got a treat if she was asked to bark.

Anyway, you may find an easier way to train your dog to bark on command, but here is a simple method of training your dog to speak.

You'll want to first figure out what's the easiest way to get your dog to bark. Is it going to be having someone knock on the door, teasing him with a favorite toy or treat, ringing the doorbell, etc. Once you've figured out an easy way to get your dog to bark, do it.

You will want to entice your dog to bark, and when he does, praise and treat him. When your dog barks, give a cue so that you're beginning the cue and behavior association.

If you want to make sure that your dog will stop barking on cue, you'll want to entice him to bark, praise, and treat him, and once he's finished swallowing his treat, give a cue to have him stop. Some may choose the 'Shh' gesture, giving it right in front of your dogs face, which will startle him and he'll stop. Praise and treat immediately.

You'll want to repeat the process several times. Eventually, you'll probably start to notice that your dog will bark once and stop, expecting your to 'Shh' him immediately, so you'll want to vary it a bit. You don't want your dog to learn to bark and stop with one cue. You want him to understand what his 'quiet' cue means, so vary up the number of barks preceding the 'Shh' cue.

Once your dog starts to figure out 'speak' and 'shh,' you'll be able to have your bark on command, as well as be quiet when he becomes a nuisance.

Train Your Dog to Fetch

2012-01-13T16:56:00.000-08:00

If your dog just can't get the grasp of fetching, then you can teach him. Not all dogs automatically understand the game, but that doesn't mean that they can't learn how to play.

There are different ways that you may consider training your dog how to fetch, here is just one method of training your dog.

Make sure that you have a few toys or items that your dog can play with. It's best to have some of your dog's favorite toys. Once you have the toys ready, it's best to start in a room with little distractions, which means no other pets, foods, toys, etc. Tease your dog with one of the toys until he grabs at it. If your dog gets the toy and tries to run off, that's fine; you'll want to hold up another toy. When your dog loosens grip or drops the one toy, praise and hold out the toy in your hand.

Next, you'll want to wiggle the new toy to make it enticing to grab. Let your dog grab at the toy, while you pick up the other toy on the ground. When the dog drops the one toy, make him reach for the one you've just picked up and let him take it.

Let your dog run off but when he's coming back in your direction with the toy in his mouth, you'll want to praise and hold up the second toy. When the dog drops the toy in his mouth, praise and throw the toy you have at him, and retrieve the one that was just dropped.

Call your dog back to you, and then he gets close hold up the toy you have, when your dog drops the one in his mouth, praise and throw the toy you have past him so he has to run out to get it. Continue repeating this process passing the toys back and forth. Eventually, your dog will start to drop the toy at your feet so that you can throw it.

You don't want to over stimulate your dog. Like any training session, if you make it too much like work, then your dog will quit, so watch for signs of fatigue. The entire process may take days, depending on how fast it takes your dog to grasp the concept of dropping the one toy so to run after the other that you've thrown at him.

Mark Buehrle's Dog is Banned from Miami-Dade County

2012-01-07T17:01:00.000-08:00

Mark Buehrle just signed a four-year, $58 million deal with Miami, but one of his four dogs isn't welcome to live in Miami-Dade County. Slater is Buehrle's 18 month old American Staffordshire Terrier, and he falls under the specifics as a 'pitbull'.

Miami-Dade County has had their pit bull ban in effect since 1989, which Buehrle wasn't aware of when he signed his contract with the Miami Marlins. He has said that he wouldn't have signed with the Marlins if he hadn't been able to find a housing alternative for Slater and the rest of the family.

Mark Buehrle was headlined at wishing Vick hurt, but like any other dog lover, he avoided the ban by moving to Broward County. There's just a longer commute to the field, but Buehrle gets to keep his beloved blue dog.

Buehrle speaks out against pit bulls bans, saying "it's kind of ridiculous that because of the way a dog looks, people will ban it. Every kind of dog has good and bad, and that depends on the handlers. If you leave a dog outside all the time, it'll be crazy. Slater would never do anything harmful.''

Jamie and Mark adopted Slater after Mrs. Buehrle fell in love with the pup while working with an animal rescue group. Slater fits in wonderfully with the three Viszlas that the family has- Diesel, Drake, and Duke.

Slater even fits in well when he's taken to various stadiums where his dad plays.

This case had a happy ending where Buehrle did not have to give up his beloved dog, but only moved to a county that accepts his dog.

This is one more case to bring attention to unnecessary pitbull bans. Not everyone has the ability to find a nearby county that will accept their dogs, but for those who can, it's much easier to move than to lose a beloved pet who has not done anything to deserve the hatred that it receives.

Train Your Pit Bull

2011-12-18T15:12:00.000-08:00

Pit bulls are not the best dog for all owners, as not all owners know how to train, socialize, and care for the dogs. These are very powerful dogs, much like Rottweilers, German Shepherds, and Mastiffs. The power behind the muscles that these dogs have is tremendous, and it is very important that you properly train your dog.

You don't want to end up like Rachel Ray, having to make the decision of whether or not to put your dog down because she bit the ear off another dog while on a walk. Although, this happened back in 2010, it's still a concern, as this was the third incident that the dog has had.

Unfortunately, there are just some dogs that aren't with the right owner, and this may be the case with Rachel Ray and many pit bull owners.

There is truly a home for every dog, and in some cases, dogs are mis-homed and suffer.

If you've decided to take on an American Pit Bull Terrier, make sure that you know what you're doing. The breed is not a first time dog breed.

You'll want to make sure that you start training and socializing the day that you bring the dog home. Whether the dog is an 8 week old puppy or a 3 year old dog, you want the new canine to learn you and your rules from day one.

Never change the rules because of the one time it's ok. When you change the rules, you set your dog up for future failure.

Rachel Ray may still have her dog, Isaboo, but that doesn't mean that your town or state will allow your dog multiple dog attacks. There are many areas that have a one bite rule or a three bite rule. Basically, one bite and the dog gets put down, or up to three bites and it's mandatory euthanasia.

Not all pit bulls are going to attack every living and moving thing, but as the human in the house, it is your responsibility to take care of preventing any attack at all possible costs.

Pitweiler - Pit Bull Rottweiler Mix

2011-10-17T12:21:00.000-07:00

There are so many different dog breed mixes, so it's not uncommon to find funny names for some of the more common mixes. One of the popular pit bull mix breed dogs is the Rottweiler Pit Bull mix, which is more commonly referred to as the Pitweiler, Bullrott, Rottbull, Prott, RottPit, and various names in-between. But, when it all comes down to it, the Bullrott is nothing more than a Pit Bull Rottweiler mix.

This mix of dog can be a powerful dog. This mix will be an emotional dog, loving, and affectionate. This mix will be loyal, noble, and very goofy. The Pitweiler will have a great temperament, especially as long as it is socialized at a young age.

A Pit Bull Rottweiler will have a tendency to have high energy and dominance concerns. Being that both breeds are great with children, you'll find that the mix will also be great with kids, but with any large breed dog, you'll want to make sure that you don't leave any young child unsupervised with this mix.

As for looks and the overall appearance of a Rottbull, you'll find that as a mix, the appearance will vary. The overall appearance, will be strong, powerful, and pronounced. The dog will weigh about 45 to 100 pounds, and will have short hair, large muscles, and large feet.

The health issues will vary, as this is a mix breed dog, but you can average the health concerns by those of the parent breeds- Pit Bull and Rottie. Hip dysplasia, chicken allergies, and dry skin, are potential health problems to keep in mind.

The average lifespan will vary between 10 to 15 years.

If you think that you want to bring a pit bull rottweiler mix into your home, check your local shelter for something like what you're looking for. As with any dog breeds and mixes, shelters and rescues are always going to be your best place to look first.

Buy Costume for Pit Bull

2011-10-13T15:23:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for cute costumes for your pit bull, you'll want to make sure to check out those that are featured below.

There are many different costumes that you can choose from, ranging from superheros, classic characters, princesses, and more.

If you can't find exactly what you're looking for, there's always the option to make a costume, but if you're not all that crafty, find a costume that is similar to what you're looking for and just alter it a little versus from starting from scratch.

Remember that no matter how cute your dog may look in his/her costume, these are not long-term outfits. It is not the best idea to keep your dog in a costume for hours and hours.

Halloween Costumes for Pit Bulls

2011-10-06T09:06:00.000-07:00

It's getting that time, so if you're going to dress up your Pitty for Halloween, you'll want to go ahead and get started thinking of the ideal costume.

Last year, I dressed Mia, my three legged Pit Bull, up as a pirate with a peg leg. She even won a costume contest. I don't have a picture of her on hand, but I have included several cute Pit Bulls in Halloween costumes.

Just remember, when dressing up your Pit Bull for Halloween, you'll want a costume that can be easily removed and is safe. Never compromise your dog's health and wellfare for a cute costume photoshoot.

Kelly's Pit Bull Hazel

Tim's Pit Bull Bowser

Amanda's Pit Bull Titan

Juliana's Pit Bull Allie

2012 Pit Bull Calendar

2011-09-15T07:52:00.000-07:00

When preparing for the upcoming year, you'll need a calendar to keep all of your dates and appointments on schedule.

There are many different calendars that you can choose from, but why not pick one that features your favorite breed.

It's time to go ahead and browse what's available so that you can grab your favorite calendars before they go out of stock. You'll find the Pit Bull calendars can be quite popular, so you may want to go ahead and buy one for work and one for home before it's too late.

Dog Fighting Paraphernalia

2011-09-10T14:20:00.000-07:00

Not to make light of dog fighting, but no matter where you live, it is important to keep an eye on what is considered dog fighting paraphernalia.

The paraphernalia may vary, but the most common types of dog fighting tools will include treadmills, exercise wheels, breaking sticks, hanging devices to strengthen and condition the dogs, steroids, pain-numbing drugs, syringes, weapons, and large amounts of cash on hand.

Do keep in mind that not all people with dog treadmills or break sticks are fighting their dogs. In some cases, people use dog treadmills to elicit regular exercise for their dogs. People with busy schedules may use dog treadmills to ensure that their dog gets proper exercise. Breaking sticks can also be used people people with multiple dogs, no matter the breed, as their are ideal at breaking up a dog attack, bite, fight.

Dog fighters may, also, have various collars, leashes, chains, and other devices on the premises that may be used to exercise or restrain fighting dogs. There may also be videos, books, pictures, and magazines about dog fighting training and conditioning.

Weight scales, washtubs, buckets, pales, and sponges used to wash the dogs before a fight, may also be lying around, as well as contracts, rules, and written agreements.

Injured dogs, dogs with scars, and emaciated dogs, may also be on the premises. Dogs that are on short 4-6' logging chains placed just far enough not to reach contact, may also be on premises, but many dog fighting rings will have the contestant brought in for the fight, versus living on the premises. Small, cheap doghouses made of barrels or thin wood may also be on-site.

If you believe that someone is fighting dogs due to the amount of paraphernalia in the yard, you'll want to consult law enforcement.

American Dog Breeder Association

2011-09-05T09:09:00.000-07:00

The American Dog Breeder Association is one of few registries that register the American Pit Bull Terrier. The ADBA does not condone dog fighting or any illegal activity, but they will never deny the history of the breed. Starting in England and Ireland, this breed has had numerous names and looks. The Staffordshire Terrier, Yankee Terrier, and now known as the American Pit Bull Terrier, this dog breed has stood by and done nothing more than please man.

The American Pit Bull Terrier has had hundreds of years of selective breeding to make it the dog that it is today, and the American Dog Breeder Association wants to provide a registry that breeders, trainers, handlers, and owners can use to show their dogs.

The ADBA was founded in 1909 as a multiple breed registry, but the residing president at the time, Guy McCord, was an avid fancier and breeder of the APBT. McCord was also a close friend to John P. Colby, who prompted the registration office for the Colby dogs, which is still a long-lived bloodline for the Pit Bull.

Although the registry started as a multiple breed registry, they began to mainly focus on Pit Bulls.

American Dog Breeder Association official website

Today, the ADBA provides many resources for breeders, trainers, and fanciers to collect information on safe dog handling, introduction, socialization, and training. The organization offers the American Pit Bull Gazette that is packed with information from other breeders, trainers, rescuers, and handlers.

When you think you know everything about your favorite breed, you will still continue to learn with the ADBA.

Shortywood Productions - Pit Boss

2011-08-27T11:28:00.000-07:00

Shorty is a former actor and entertainer who has pulled together his closest friends in attempts to saving the dogs who just don't have a chance. Shortywoods Productions, not only works to place entertainers in acting positions, but they deal with Pit Bulls who need saving.

Shorty and his friends work at rescuing dogs who are in bad situations, retraining them, and rehoming them. There have been several episodes that I've seen Shorty and his friends work on training fun tricks so that the dogs could potentially be stars on the big screen.

Shorty not only rehomes needy Pit Bulls, but he has his own. His love for Pits started after his incarceration when he snuck Geisha out of the animal shelter on the day she was supposed to be euthanized. Geisha is working dog who not only aids Shorty, but visits nursing homes, schools, and charity events. Shorty, also, decided to keep Hercules after almost adopting him to a family in 2004.

Shorty Rossi may be a small man, but he has a HUGE heart for these dogs that aren't normally given a chance. These dogs, like Shorty, have a bad rap but are nothing but softies deep down.

Pit Bull Weight Pull Video

2011-08-04T16:23:00.000-07:00

Hawaii's Strongest Pit Bull Competition

Bull-Boxer Pit

2011-07-27T08:51:00.001-07:00

Although the name isn't the coolest or most inventive in the world, the Bull-Boxer Pit is a pretty cute dog. No two Bull-Boxers look alike, and no two should be considered a new fancy breed. These are solely mix breed dogs with a fancy name.

Description: The Bull-Boxer is a large dog breed that will have various coat colors, tail placement, facial structure, and coat length. Overall, these dogs should have a strong-built body with a barrel-like chest. For the most part, the coat will be short, but this can vary, and as for the color, the options are wide and varied. You may see tan, white, black, brindle, red, as well as tan/white, black/white, brindle/white, etc.

Temperament: Given that this is a mix between a pit bull and a boxer, or really a boxer and any bulldog (you may see these as just bull-boxer dogs without the 'pit'), you'll never have a general temperament. All one can do is guestimate on the temperament of this mix based on the temperaments of the breeds that make it. You will find that these dogs will remain in a puppy-stage for about 2 years, give or take. They do enjoy human and animal company and socialization.

Height: On average, males and females, may range from 16-27 inches.

Weight: Females and males may weigh between 35-75 pounds

Lifespan: The average lifespan is between 10-13 years.

Lifestyle: Apartment or home with/without a yard will be sufficient, as long as daily exercise is provided. But, you will find that these dogs can be fairly active, so a yard is more beneficial.

Health: Heart disease, skin cancer, sunburn, and obesity can be potential concerns, as well as hip dysplasia, which are typical health concerns for boxers and bullies.

Registered Kennels: Bull-Boxer Pits can be registered dogs, but they will always be a mix breed. The American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC), Dog Registry of America, Inc (DRA), International Designer Canine Registry (idcr), and the Designer Breed Registry (DBR), will register a 50/50 boxer/pit bull.

If you're interested in owning and raising a bull-boxer pit, you'll want to check out your local kenels and shelters.

Using Sunscreen on Your Dog

2011-07-08T10:22:00.000-07:00

You may or may not realize it, but white dogs and dogs with thin coats actually need a little sunscreen. Dogs can get burnt just like you can, so if you have a white bulldog, pit bull, or other breed of dog, you may want to invest in dog sunscreen.

Epi Pet is a sun screen for dogs. This spray will block damaging UVA and UVB rays that can cause skin cancer. Epi Pet sunscreen for dogs is FDA approved, and no other pet sunscreen product can claim that. The spray is light and is not oily, and the best part is that it doesn't smell bad, as it has a light vanilla fragrance. The spray does not emit any CFCs or other environmentally toxic chemicals. It is waterproof, and you'll find that about 94% of veterinarian dermatologists will recommend this product.

You'll want to use a sun screen when you know that your dog will be outside in the sun for several hours. The sunscreen really can help reduce the risk of sunburn, melanomas and other malignant skin tumors, sarcomas, and mass cell tumors.

It's most important to use for short hair dogs, dogs with white or light colored fur, dogs with pink skin, and hairless dogs. If you shave your dog or if your dog spends the majority of his time outside, you'll want to use sunscreen. Also consider using a pet sunscreen if your dog's breed is prone to skin tumors, such as Boxers, Dobermans, Bulldogs, Pit Bulls, Bull Terriors, Bichons, Poodles, and Schnauzers. If you take your dog camping, hiking, swimming, or on other outdoor events, consider sunscreen!

Your dog's fur will only protect him so far, and a pet sunscreen will provide any missing protection. You do not want to use human-grade sunscreen on any pet.

When using pet sunscreen on your dog, you'll want to make sure that you apply the sunscreen to the dog's head, muzzle, ears, belly, and any area where your dogs hair is thin.

Do keep in mind that even though you've applied sun screen on your dog, you still should not leave him outside for extended periods in overly hot weather. Always provide a clean bowl of water and a shaded area when your dog is outside. Applying pet sunscreen will not prevent a heat stroke, but it can protect your dog's skin. Make sure that when your dog is outside, you take all precautions to keep him safe.

Pit Bull Tattoos

2011-06-20T09:42:00.000-07:00

There are so many people with tattoos, that there's no wonder that some of those people have tattoos of their dogs. I for one, have a tattoo of a Pit Bull on my back, so I know that there are others.

I'm going to showcase a few pictures below, but you'll find that the tattoo pictures that I'm going to offer are not of the viscious Pit Bull, but of just the dog, as a dog.

I know that when I got my tattoo, I did not want a Pit Bull tattoo with the cropped ears or mean demeanor. Some people like that, but it is not a part of the breed to which I wanted on my body. I found a few pictures and flashes, and had a tattoo artist mix and combine. Now, the overall tattoo isn't quite what I expected, as the toes aren't perfect and the ears aren't as floppy as I originally wanted, but I love it, nonetheless.

But, anyway, below you'll find various tattoos of pit bulls. You'll find some with cropped ears and some without. You'll find some with docked tails and some with natural tails. There will be an assortment of tattoos of pit bulls, but you won't find the snarling pitbull tattoo.

Donate to a Villalobos Rescue

2011-06-18T11:07:00.000-07:00

I'm taking donations for Villalobos Rescue Center. I'm hoping to gather enough monthly donations to donate once a month; otherwise, I'll make a donation once every six months or once a year.

I know it's unnerving donating through someone you don't know, but I am a trustworthy person, who will not take a penny of the donations. I am a bully lover, and want to help the center. But, if you don't trust my intentions, there is a donate button on the Villalobos website, which is linked above.

Friends to the Forlorn Pitbull Rescue

2011-06-09T15:44:00.000-07:00

A co-worker gave me a slip of paper the other day to vote for a local animal shelter, so that they can win 300,000. I voted, but after choosing my local shelter, I noticed that there is a Pit Bull rescue in Georgia... I've been voting for them the past few days.

But, anyway, as a fan and advocate for the Pit Bull, I am shocked that I have not heard of this rescue.

When I checked out the site, I was amazed. There are plenty of Pit Bulls and mixes that need homes. I have had the room and money, I would open my heart to one more, that's for sure.

I will be contacting this Pit Bull rescue when I am ready to bring in another Pitty. If you are in the area, and are looking for a bully breed, definitely check out what the rescue has available and who needs a loving home.

If you can't adopt a dog, you can always donate, as any animal rescue needs money for food, supplies, vaccinations, spay/neuter surgeries, routine check-ups, and other necessities.

Everyone can make a difference when sponsoring a dog in need, so if you're a lover of the Pitbull breed, you may want to check out the rescue to see what you can do to help.

Remember that it is better to adopt than to purchase a puppy from a random ad in the local newspaper. When going through an adoption agency, you know that the puppies and dogs have gone through health exams and even behavior tests to ensure what would be the best type of home for the dog. When going through a rescue organization to find the APBT for you, you'll be assisted by loving volunteers and employees who can best match you and your lifestyle with your new dog.

Pit Bulls can be great dogs, and you'll find that there is truly a home for every Pit Bull. Sometimes it just takes time to find the right home for each dog. Do not get discouraged when looking at adoption agencies for a pitbull and do not rush the decision.

***

If you want to check out the available Pit Bulls that the shelter has available, go to their website Friends to the Forlorn Pitbull Rescue.

My Pit Bull Jumps Up

2011-06-03T18:20:00.000-07:00

There are many dogs, no matter what the breed, who have a problem jumping on people. They get excited; they're not trained otherwise; and it's generally a rewarded behavior.

What you may have realized is that bully breeds are rather strong, and even though your dog may jump on you without harm, he may jump on a stranger, child, or another unsuspecting person and could accidentally hurt them. You don't want your dog to send your grandmother flying across the room.

The key is going to be consistency. If you do not want your dog to jump on you or anyone else, you'll want to create a consistent rule that everyone is aware of, even those who don't mind your dog jumping up. You don't want to confuse the dog. If you've made the decision of keeping all fours on the floor, then everyone must abide. If someone tells you that it's ok that he jumps on you, you want to respond with, 'please do not pet him until he sits. I would rather teach him to wait to be petted.'

Perfect sit to be petted

When teaching your dog to keep his feet on the floor, you'll want to make sure that you know the signs before he goes to jump. Because each dog has different signs, you'll want to pay attention to yours. Once you've figured out the behaviors, you can try a few different things to help discourage your dog from jumping up.

When you know that you're dog is going to jump up, move slowly away while yawning or just looking away.
Turn away when your dog is about to jump, showing him your back, and praise when he stays on the ground. Ignore him until he calms down.

What you're going to have to do when working on this, is entice the dog to jump so that you can correct him. I know it doesn't sound fair for your dog, but he's got to learn somehow. Have the dog on the leash and invite someone over (make sure they're aware of your training); when the dog tries to jump, give him the command to ''sit" before he can attempt to jump. Praise the dog and have the newcomer treat and pet the dog. You want the dog to realize that he gets lovin's and treats when on the floor, not standing up.

You can also get the dog excited, when just you and him. Have him run around and play-play-play, then stop. When the dog continues to try to play with you, he'll probably try to jump up, walk away and ignore him.

You can also implement the "off" command, which is different than "down," which tells the dog to lay down. You want to keep doing this over and over, rewarding the dog with treats, toys, and/or pets when he stays on his fours.

Some people will gently knee the dog in the chest as he jumps up, which will cause the dog to step back. Or, others may step on the dog's back toes as he goes to jump, causing him to step back. If you choose this method, use the 'off' command as he's on his way back down, and always remember to praise the dog once he's on the ground.

NEVER PET YOUR DOG WHEN HE JUMPS UP ON YOU! This entices the behavior, as you are rewarding him for jumping. Always wait until the dog sits before petting.

Mouthy Pit Bull

2011-05-19T15:10:00.000-07:00

There are many puppies who go through the mouthing stage, where they want to nip at everything, whether it's your hands, toes, or clothes. Sometimes, they can grow out of it, but sometimes the mouthy puppy will grow into a mouthy dog.

More often than not, it's been noticed that if you punish the dog for being mouthy, it will grow up with a biting problem. Whether you choose to yell, hit, or hold the dog's mouth, when it becomes mouthy with you, that's considered forms of punishment. If you just ignore the dog, it will eventually grow out of the stage and be a non-biting adult.

That said, it's important to realize that a puppy actually needs to bite and nip in order to learn to inhibit the bite. When play biting with littermates, the puppies give feedback to the other puppies as to what is acceptable and what is too much. A puppy who bites hard will find out that the other pups won't play with him anymore, which is where the "ignore method" comes into play, as your best strategy when dealing with a mouthy puppy is to be as passive as you can be and to ignore the nips.

Some trainers and behaviorist will suggest a high-pitched "Ouch" right before the dog's teeth connect. If you can't get the timing properly, redirect the dog's attention with a toy instead of the 'Ouch.'

Another thing to consider is getting up and leaving the puppy in the room by himself for quiet time. Go back to the room, ignore the puppy for a few seconds even after he approaches you. Then try to engage in light play.

You'll want to consider what causes the mouthiness:

Were you overstimilating the dog, and he didn't know to stop?
Were there too many people in the house?
Were you too rough with him?
Were there a lot of people running around, causing overstimulation and over-excitement?
Was the dog tired?
Is the dog getting enough mental and physical stimulation throughout the day?

By finding some sort of similarity with each time your puppy tries to get too nippy and mouthy with you, you will be able to figure out how to avoid those situations or to correct what is happening. By changing your behavior, you'll find that your dog will easily change his.

You may find that your dog is more prone to nipping and being mouthy when people bend over to pet him, people are too forceful upon greeting, or when the dog is snuck up on.

It is very important to figure out when your dog is the most mouthy, so that you can figure out a solution.

Just keep in mind that ignoring the pup when he becomes too mouthy, can alter the behaviors.

If your dog is a little mouthy in play, you will want to immediately stop playing fetch, tug, etc. when you feel teeth on skin. As soon as you feel teeth on skin, take hte toy away, and walk away. The dog got over excited and did not think about controlling himself. It is very important that all dogs learn how to control their behaviors no matter what the situation is.

My Puppy Chews Everything

2011-04-30T13:00:00.000-07:00

If you have a puppy that is teething or just feels the need to chew on everything in your house, it's time for you to figure out how to correct this issue.

First off, make sure that you remove anything off the floor or away from the dog's reach, while he's in this stage. When your dog is reliable about not chewing your things, you can start to introduce these items back to their places, but while your dog doesn't know better, you're setting him up to fail, leaving everything as is.

You want to make sure that you keep your dog well exercised. A dog that has mental stimulation and the proper exercise that he needs, will not feel the need to chew to release that energy.
Provide plenty of chew toys, treats, and other items that are appropriate for your dog. You want to make sure that you do not give him anything that could resemble something you don't want chewed. For example, if you don't care that your pup chews on an old slipper because you have new ones, you'll need to make the old ones different than the new ones. Same with socks; tie knots in socks to make them different from good socks you do not want gnawed on.

This phase can last up to two years, depending on the dog, so keep that in mind. You will need patience.

When you catch your pup with something that he's not supposed to have, and you will catch him at some point or another, you'll want to quickly reprimand him and give him a safe toy or a treat. Make the toy very exciting, as you'll want the dog to think whatever you're trying to give him is better than whatever he currently has.

If the problem is more when you're not around the dog chews, that's is even easier to help.... All you'll need to do is put the dog in a crate or outside when you are not home. This will prevent the dog from chewing your things when you cannot reprimand him.

Choosing Pit Bull Puppy

2011-04-20T16:22:00.000-07:00

You've talked to other Pit Bull owners, maybe a few dog trainers, and you've done your overall research. You've read up on the history of the breed, and you've asked all the questions that you need to. Now, you are ready to make the step at finding a breeder.

Once you've made the decision to bring a Pit Bull into your home, you want to find a responsible breeder, which generally does not include hunting the free classifieds of your local paper. Be patient, and do the research. You want to ensure that the puppy you bring home comes from good breedings and a healthy line of dogs.

You'll want to able to ask the breeder to make suggestions as to which puppy's temperament will be best for you and your family. You don't want to let the puppy tell you, as you may come home with a puppy that is more dominant than you're prepared to work with. You'll want the breeder to find a dog that will fit into your schedule; for example, if you're an outgoing person in regards to physical activities, consider a more active dog.

It's a good idea to choose a puppy that is going to be outgoing, friendly, and curious about what's around him. Statistically, puppies that are shy and fearful can turn into adult dogs who may bite out of fear.

Each bully breed has their own health issues, which is why it's important to find a breeder who is willing to talk to you about past litters and adult breeding dogs and their overall health. A good breeder will inform you of any health issues that he/she has seen arise in their dogs.

You want to make sure that you can spend time with the parents, as the demeanor of the Pit Bull parents can tell you a lot about how the puppy will be when he grows up. Although, that's not always the case, so you'll want to make sure to question the breeder about any aggression or dominance issues that may have been seen in any of the puppies.

When choosing a puppy, you want to find one that not only fits your ideal image of a Pit Bull, but that will fit into your family's lifestyle. Pit bulls can vary from very active to couch potatoes, and every one is different. If you have a low-key family, I wouldn't suggest a high energy dog.

When picking out a puppy, it is more than just picking the one you like. It's about finding a responsible Pit Bull breeder who can help match you and your lifestyle with the perfect puppy.

Bully Breeds

2011-04-13T16:54:00.000-07:00

Most people think bully, and they think Bulldog or Pit Bull, but that isn't all that there is. There are more breeds in the bully list than you may think, and you may find that some dogs that you thought were bullies, aren't.

Your bully breeds, are going to include:

American Staffordshire Terrier

Origin: United States
Group: AKC
Weight: males- 55 to 75 lbs; females- 40 to 55 lbs
Temperament: courageous, tenacious, affectionate, sensitive, intelligent
Energy Level: very active and athletic
Lifespan: 12-14 years

American Pit Bull Terrier

Origin: United States
Group: UKC, ADBA
Weight: males- 35 to 60 lbs; females- 30 to 50 lbs
Temperament: strong, confident, eager to please, enthusiastic, powerful
Energy Level: moderate to high
Lifespan: 12-14 years

Bull Terrier

Origin: England
Group: AKC
Weight: males- 55 to 75 lbs; females- 40 to 65lbs
Temperament: silly, energetic, outgoing, devoted
Energy Level: high
Lifespan: 10-14 years

Miniature Bull Terrier

Origin: England
Group: AKC
Weight: 20 to 35 lbs
Temperament: silly, energetic, outgoing, devoted
Energy Level: high
Lifespan: 12-15 years

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Origin: England
Group: AKC
Weight: males- 28 to 38 lbs; females- 24 to 34 lbs
Temperament: outgoing, devoted, can-do attitude
Energy Level: moderate to high; training is a must
Lifespan: 12-14 years

American Bulldog

Origin: United States
Group: UKC, ABRA, NKC, BBC, CKC, ABRA
Weight: males- 75 to 125 lbs; females- 60 to 100 lbs
Temperament: brave, confident, family oriented
Energy Level: medium
Lifespan: 11-12 years

Olde English Bulldogge

Origin: England
Group: NKC, CKC, BBC, ARBA
Weight: males- 60 lbs; females- 50 lbs
Temperament: stable, loving, docile
Energy Level: medium
Lifespan: 11 years

Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog

Origin: 17th century England; rescued from extinction in the Alapaha River region of Georgia, US.
Group: ARF, ABRA, DRA, BBC
Weight: males- 90 to 130 lbs; females- 70 to 90 lbs
Temperament: active, athletic, intelligent, powerful
Energy Level : medium
Lifespan: 10 to 12 years

Puppy Food for Pit Bull Puppy

2011-04-08T10:56:00.000-07:00

Just like starting off a baby, you want to make sure that your Pit Bull puppy is being well fed. You want to choose a high quality puppy food with few to no fillers and a high protein count.

Remember that puppies do need higher fat content than adult dogs, but you don't want an obese puppy, either.

When choosing a puppy food, you'll want to make sure that you first decide between dry, canned, or homemade.

Dry food is generally going to be better to choose, as it helps regulate the digestive tract, regulizes bowl movements, and aids healthy teeth and gums.
Canned food generally has high protein and moisture content, but it can cause soft stool and higher frequency of potty breaks.
Homemade food ensures that you know every ingredient that your puppy is consuming. This is an alternate to regular commercial food. This diet is a little more complicated, but can be considered healthier, as long as you're able to create a balanced diet.

Sticking with the basics of canned and dry kibble, you'll want to know how to read the label to ensure you're choosing the best puppy food.

Choosing Dog Food by Reading the Dog Food Label

Essentially, you want to make sure that the meat is the number one ingredient. You want to avoing foods that have fillers such as grains and corn within the first three ingredients. Watch out for brands that use additives, such as food coloring. Just because it may look more appetizing to you, that doesn't mean that it is any better for yoru dog.

If all else fails, avoid Alpo, Ole Roy, Beneful, Pedigree Puppy Chow, and other cheap brands. After looking at the ingredient label, you'll quickly find out why.

Find dog food that is all natural.

Adopt a Pit Bull

2011-04-05T13:18:00.000-07:00

If you're thinking about bringing a Pit Bull into your home, you want to make sure that you think everything through. Bully breed dogs are not for everyone, but they are worth saving. If you have done your research, you'll want to consider checking out local shelters for any APBT's or mixes that may be available for adoption. Check kill shelters and no-kill shelters. Also, make sure to see if you can find any Pit Bull rescues you're willing to drive to.

If you don't have a current dog, you'll want to make sure that your have a few things prepared before starting to find a dog.

Make sure you have a fence or an outdoor kennel to place the dog when you are not home.
Dog proof your home by removing all breakables, cleaning chemicals, and other things that you don't want a dog to get into away from the ground or a dog's level.

Go ahead and get the dog bed, dog crate, a few toys, chew items, dog bowls, etc.

You'll want to make sure that you have everything prepared in case you find that special dog to bring home.

It's also a good idea to make sure to have a vet so that you know who will care for your dog with he is ill.

If you already have a dog at home, you want to make sure that you know how to properly introduce the dogs. Even if your dog is good with other dogs, you'll want to make sure that he is properly introduced to the new dog. Bad introductions can cause heightened friction.

If you do already have a dog, make sure that you visit the shelters and call around to find dog-friendly dogs. You'll want to make sure that it is ok for you to bring your dog with you when you visit the shelter. You want to make sure that everything goes smoothly, as if there is any raised hackles or teeth shown, it may not be the best idea for you to bring home that particular dog.

If you have young children, or other pets, do not rush the situation. Not everyone is ready to bring home a pit bull or another bully breed dog with what may already be going on in their life. If you do not have any experience with these dog breeds, you'll want to make sure that you are well knowledged in the average temperament and training of these dogs. They can be quite dominant if not trained and socialized properly. These dogs are prone to being stubborn, as well, which can cause a training concern if you're not ready or don't have the patience.

Think about all aspects of bringing home a dog.

These dogs need saving and rescuing, but if you're not capable of providing a safe home for you and the dog, you may want to wait.

Donate to Bully Rescues

2011-03-31T15:25:00.000-07:00

Any rescue organization is going to be short on funds, supplies, volunteers, and foster families, which means that there are things that you can do.

Make a financial donation. Any dollar helps out. Just because you may not be able to donate hundreds of dollars, that doesn't mean that hte organization won't accept your $10 bill.
Sponser a dog. There are many animal shelters who have sponser programs that you can sign up for an help with the medical care and general needs of a special needs dog or an older dog.
Donate supplies. Most shleters are more than willing to accept dog houses, crates, leashes, collars, dog food, treats, toys, plastic pools, towels, grooming supplies, bleach, and more.
Foster a dog. Many animal agencies are desperate for foster families, which may be long-term or short-term, depending on the case.
Assist with home checks. Every dog rescue can use a set of eyuues and hands to help with potential adopters.
Help with transportation. If you have a van that you can help transport dogs to and from the shelter, adoption fairs, or even to pick up animals from the city pound.
Assist with training. We all know how bad of a reputation bully breed dogs have, so if you have the experience, I'm sure any pit bull rescue would love to have someone to help train basic obedience to the dogs for adoption.

And, if you live in a town where bully breed dogs are legislated against, you may want to write a letter to your local government to help change the policy and spread awareness about these dogs.

If you don't have the time, money, and energy, to adopt another bully into your family, there's no reason why you can't help out a dog rescue organization.

If you don't have the time to volunteer, or the supplies and time to foster, you can still donate money and supplies. If you can donate anything, the more bullies that the organization can save, and it only takes a little bit of your help.

Celebrities with Pit Bulls

2011-03-26T13:16:00.000-07:00

It's easy to think that so many celebrities have the small, cutesy dogs, but there are plenty who share their home, love, and life with bullies.

* Jon Stewart owns two pit bulls: Shamsky & Monkey.
* Ken Howard was saved by his pit bull Shadow during a medical crisis.
* Alicia Silverstone owns a rescued pit bull named Samson.
* Adam Brody gave girlfriend and O.C. co-star Rachel Bilson a pit bull named Penny Lane as a birthday gift.
* Jamie Foxx owns two pit bulls.
* Rachael Ray owns two pit bulls.
* Pittsburgh Steelers Linebacker Joey Porter owns two pit bulls.
* Jessica Biel has a pit bull named Tina.
* Jessica Alba owns a pit bull.
* President Theodore Roosevelt
* President Woodrow Wilson
* Kevin Federline
* Ira Glass
* Hellen Keller
* Fred Astaire
* General George Patton
* Michael J. Fox

Jimmy Carter with Bozo - 1937

* Jan Michael Vincent
* Jack Dempsey
* Thomas Edison
* Madonna
* Brad Pitt
* Bernadette Peters
* Sinbad
* Linda Blair
* Humphrey Bogart
* Usher
* Mel Brooks
* Ann Bancroft
* Pink
* Eliza Dushku
* Kelli Williams

* David Spade

* Robert Ferguson

* Shannon Elizabeth

* Anthony Robbins

* Molly Price

* General George Patton

* Fred Astaire

Pit Bull and Rabbit

2011-03-17T09:29:00.001-07:00

My Pit Bull isnt' the only one who likes small, fuzzy animals, and if you've kept up with my blog, you've seen Sharky before. He is one of the more popular Pit Bulls on YouTube.

Pit Bulls just aren't vicious... Ask Sharky

Mia and Rats

2011-03-08T13:20:00.000-08:00

I was thinking about this video today when talking to a few coworkers... My ball python will not eat the most current rat that I purchased for him. I am not stuck with a male rat... I haven't had pet rats in years, but I love him.. I'm secretly hoping the pet store won't take him back; I have been calling all day, but so far, no answer.

But, anyway... This is an old video of MIA with my three rats.

Alternatives to Breed Bans

2011-03-01T09:55:00.000-08:00

Breed bans have been introduced all across the United States and the rest of the world. They've also been proven not to work. Scotland, the United Kingdom, and Toledo, have all rewrote their breed ban and dangerous dog acts after deciding that they haven't caused any significant changes in public safety or dog attacks.

But, what are the alternatives?

Strengthen current dog laws in regards to leash laws and dog confinement laws.
Make laws stricter for dog abuse and dog fighting.
Make stricter regulations for dogs left unattended for over 24 hours.
Create dog breeding regulations.
Create low cost spay/neuter programs, as well as low-cost or free dog training and care programs.

There are many things that local, state, or national governments can do to create long-term changes toward public safety improvements in regards to dogs and animal attacks. It's just the matter of creating the fix versus the easy way out.

Rules In An American Pit Bull Terrier's House

2011-02-24T09:48:00.000-08:00

I found this super cute rules sheet that I think Pit Bull owners should all post on their door. It is a simple listing of rules that should be kept in mind for those who have a Pit Bull.

You may not know what to expect when you check on this listing.

A sample rule includes:
"It's true I don't like other dogs, but it's not because my relatives were fighting dogs <eyeroll>. THE REAL TRUTH is I was supposed to be Lassie and some stupid Collie who couldn't act got the part. WHAT AN INSULT. Now I don't like other dogs. I like humans, except criminals (too dangerous), politicians (who need to grandstand) and media (always want sensational headlines)."

This print is similar to "An American Pit Bull Terrier Bit*h Lives Here." The print is 8.5" x10" and is printed on a heavy parchment paper.

Michael Vick Therapy Dog

2011-02-16T13:34:00.000-08:00

Below is a cute video of Leo, one of the Michael Vick dogs that was rehabilitated. He is now a pet therapy dog in the South San Francisco Bay Area.

As you can see, these vicious killers can do good even after a hard start in life.

Update on Michael Vick's Dogs

2011-02-13T09:39:00.000-08:00

Michael Vick has served his time, but some of his dogs will never know anything other than a kennel, and others (although a few) were euthanized. But, there were many who have been rehabilitated and rehomed, yet this is still such a small feat for the future of fighting dogs.

Pit Bulls are Not Inherently Mean - Update on Michael Vick's Dogs

Some of the Vick dogs have become pet therapy dogs, whereas others are just residing in homes with other pets and people.

Canine Good Citizen Guidelines

2011-02-13T08:23:00.000-08:00

If you're interested in having your bully breed dog certified in the Canine Good Citizen test, you'll want to be prepared as to what your dog will need to know in order to pass the test.

Personally, this is a great test that all bully breed dogs need to take, and pass, because it just helps to prove that not all bullies are bad. It helps prove that these dogs can behave properly upon command and they can be good dogs.

Not all bully breed dogs are vicious killers, and it is our job to show people that.

The Canine Good Citizen test will not 100% show people that your Pit won't rip them to shreds, but it will help show that your dog does behave when asked and commanded.

The CGC test involves the following:
* The dog must accept a friendly stranger.
* The dog must sit politely for petting.
* The dog must behave well when groomed and touched.
* The dog must walk nicely on a loose leash.
* The dog will have to walk through a crowd.
* The dog will have to show that he can sit, lay down, and stay with command.
* The dog will have to come when called.
* The dog will have to prove he can behave well when another dog is present.
* The dog will have to prove he can deal with distractions, which may include a person on crutches or in a wheelchair, sudden opening or closing of a door, dropping a pan or chair, a jogger in front of the dog, a person pushing a cart, and a person on a bike.
* The dog must behave well with supervised separation, where you (the owner) will be out of site.

With these tests, the dog must show no signs of shyness, resentment for being ignored, anxiety, or aggression.

How to Register a Therapy Dog

2011-02-10T16:28:00.000-08:00

If you're thinking about turning your Pit Bull into a therapy dog, you'll want to make sure that you follow all the guidelines and regulations. You want to make sure that your dog shows the true colors of the breed. You want yoru dog to be a mascot, as when people see well-behaved and friendly Pit Bulls out in public, they see one more reason to allow these dogs their rights as pets.

Because Pit Bulls are very loving, intelligent, and people pleasing dogs, they make great therapy dogs. Although, not all Pit Bulls are ready to walk into a nursing home or into a hospital with sick children, there are many that who have the ease and temperaments to make perfect therapy dogs.

If you think that your dog is one of those dogs who will be calm, perform fun tricks, and entertain and ease people, then you'll definitely want to consider turning him into a pet therapy dog.

You'll first want to contact a local dog trainer who can perform a "Canine Good Citizen" test on your dog. Basically, the dog will need to know basic obedience, like sit, lay down, and stay. If you are having trouble finding someone, you can check out the Delta Society website to find someone locally who can certify your dog with a CGC certification.

Once your dog has earned his CGC certification, you'll want to have him pet therapy certified. The Delta Society, or another pet therapy program like Therapy Dogs International or The Foundation for Pet-Provided Therapy, will need to certify your dog for therapy.

Once your dog has been certified, wait for the proper badges and vests to come in the mail, and you're ready to take your dog to hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and hospice centers.

Dog Blog

Pit Bulls Make Great Therapy Dogs

2011-02-02T15:40:00.000-08:00

Even though Pit Bulls and similar bully breeds have a bad reputation, they actually make really good pet therapy dogs. These dogs are loving, intelligent, gentle, and happy to please.

When it comes to proper training and care, you can make a Pit Bull a great pet therapy dog that will behave wonderfully and bring large smiles on the faces of the sick, elderly, and young.

If you are interested in turning your Pit Bull into a therapy dog, there are a few steps that you must follow to have your dog properly certified, but the most important thing that you can do is to train and socialize your dog properly.

dog guide

As long as your dog knows what he's supposed to be doing, he'll be great.

Keep in mind that these dogs are very goofy dogs, so it always brings a smile to anyone's face, if you can get your dog to do a cute and fun trick.

Pet therapy dogs are there to help bring some relief, love, and a stress-free time in the mind and life of someone in a nursing home or hospital. At times, these dogs may go to schools, libraries, or other events.

Pit Bulls make great pet therapy dogs, as long as they're in the hands of capable owners. These dogs are not always killers, and that's what the public needs to see.

Pit Bull and Roomba

2011-01-20T16:45:00.000-08:00

This is probably one of my favorite videos, and I love sharing it with Pit Bull lovers.

I can't believe that I haven't thought to post it here, but since I have, here I am.

Please watch and enjoy this poor Pit Bull, a cat, and a roomba vaccuum.

You've gotta love Sharky. He's such a patient Pit Bull.

Pit Bull Decals

2011-01-13T08:54:00.000-08:00

I love my Pit Bull, and find that the breed is probably my favorite (as tied with a Yorkie... Yea I know...). I am not a big fan of vehicles slathered in decals, and I'm certainly not a huge fan of the family decals or monogram decals that are so popular on cars. But, I do want to show off my love and affiliation to the Pit Bull breed.

And, if you have never had a Pit or a bully, you just don't know what all the fuss is about, and it's certainly hard to explain.

But, for those of you who know the deal and love their dogs, you may want to purchase a car decal featuring your favorite breed.

There are many different sellers and option on eBay for Pit Bull car decals. You will find whole body stickers, head only, cropped ear Pit Bulls, and natural ear Pit Bulls. There are so many different options and variations of Pit Bull vehicle decals, that you may find yourself hunting for the perfect one.

A Pit Bull’s Plea

2011-01-06T16:39:00.000-08:00

You made me what I am today,

Courage at its best.

You wanted me to know no fear,

A cut above the rest.

Not only did I master that,

I’ve thrown in loyalty too.

Look past my eyes into my soul,

You know I’d die for you.

I’ll watch you kids and your house,

Your praise will be my crown.

Ask what you will I’ll do my best,

I’ll never let you down.

But some of you don’t like me,

I’m sure I don’t know why.

The only thing I’m guilty of

Is courage, love, and try.

But still they want to see me go,

They want my breed to end.

Will you sit idly by,

You whom I call a friend?

You made me what I am today,

you never saw me waiver.

I’ve done my best to keep you safe.

Won’t you please return the favor.

Training A Pit Bull

2011-01-03T16:08:00.000-08:00

When teaching basic commands, you want to make sure that you have your dog's attention. You want to elliminate any and all distractions from the room. Avoid other animals, people, toys, sounds, and smells. You want to have your dog's full and undivided attention. If there are other things around to distract your dog, you are setting him up to fail.

You want to start with one command at a time. When you think that the dog has mastered the command, you want to add one distraction-a simple one, and work through that.

When you think that the dog has mastered one command, add another.

The key is to have short training sessions several times throughout the day. When you train for hours a day, you set your dog up to fail. Dogs are like children; they get bored easily. When they get bored, they don't listen, which will definitely frustrate you and then them.

Remember that Pit Bulls and bully breed dogs are stubborn and hard headed. You want to be stern, repetitive, and consistant when training a bully. They tend to catch on faster with positive reinforcements, love, and treats.

Air Kong Squeaker Toys

2011-01-01T16:05:00.000-08:00

Kong toys have always been a favorite toy among tough chewers, but the Air Kong toys just aren't as durable... They're still great toys that will entertain your pet for a good time.

These squeaker toys tend to entice dogs to play because not only are they a ball, but they squeak like fun plush toys.

My Bull Mastiff loves these toys. She has the football and the large tennis ball. They are probably her favorite toys.

2011 Pit Bull Calendar

2010-12-30T11:51:00.000-08:00

If you haven't gotten your 2011 calendar yet, you need to check out one of the below calendars. I can admit to owning not one, but two Pit Bull 2011 calendars. I have a mini one for work, and a wall calendar for home.

You just can't have enough of these calendars. What is neat, is that after the year is over, you can cut out the images and make a collage.

happy holidays

2010-12-25T20:47:00.001-08:00

Give your bullies hugs, kisses, and toys today.

It is a holiday for all.

Children and puppies!

Happy holidays to all.

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Deer Antler Dog Chew

2010-12-21T17:15:00.000-08:00

MIA loved her natural deer antler, but unfortunately it did upset her stomach. I think that if she had been given the antler during the day, versus before bed, she would have been fine. In most cases, deer antlers do not upset the tummies of our pups, but MIA has a weak stomach due to her chemo treatments.

This is a normal chew that will replace rawhide and any bone. These do last longer than any other chew that you may provide your dog.

These natural dog chews are great because they last a long time, are packed with minerals, and they do not shatter. Deer antlers, elk anters, and other natural antlers are great chew bones, and no animal has to die in order to provide this great treat for your dog.

Antlers are shed naturally.

MIA loved her antler, but because it did upset her stomach, the next time I giver her one, I will not let her chew on it as long. We have to treat her and her tummy really carefully these days.

Michael Vick Christmas Cartoon

2010-12-17T07:32:00.000-08:00

I'm all for forgiveness and second chances....

Vick got his. He's back in the NFL.

Should he really be allowed to get a dog?

Personally, no. Legally, he can't, and it should stay that way. I'm sorry, but he had his chance at the love of a canine companion.

Beabull - Beagle Bulldog Mix

2010-12-15T06:57:00.000-08:00

By far the cutest dog that was at the place, but seeing this puppy and the price tag that was associated, ruined my night.

A Beabull is a mix of a beagle and a bulldog. Where some of the designer mix breed dogs were meant to capture certain traits of either breed in attemps to create a better dog, I can't quite figure this one one. Maybe they wanted a bulldog with the beagle's non-aggression or dominance issues; or maybe they wanted to create a bulldog with less underbite issues.

In general this bulldog mix is meant to have less of an underbite and fewer wrinkles. They're supposed to have similar style ears as the Beagle, but not as long. Strong muscles and jaw; strong, sleak body like a Beagle with hips like a Bulldog; bulldog feet; short coat that is soft on the sides and coarse on the back.

These dogs will shed a lot.

This mix creates an intelligent dog that takes to training well and can be easily house trained. They love to cuddle, play, fun, jump, play tug-of-war, and relax. This mix breed dog can be a bad chewer who jumps really well.

Being that the Beabull is a mix with a Beagle, they are great with kids and people. Do be leery of the Bulldog's tendency to be stubborn, dominant, and self-assured.

Health issues may include digestive problems and gas, which you may need to purchase special food for. The wrinkles can be prone to infections, which will need to be cleaned regularly. Breathing problems may occur from the Bulldog side of the mix.

In general, you may wonder what this 35-50 pound dog will cost you?

Well, Petland is selling the dog for over $2000! $60.72 a month for 36 months.

The good thing is that you can easily find a Bulldog mix breed at a shelter or local pound for a minimum adoption fee, covering shots that are up-to-date, spay/neuter, and a microchip.

I do not agree with buying mix breed dogs for a high dollar just because they have a fancy name. The dog is still a mix!

Designer Dogs aka Mixed Breed dogs are registered by a select group of kennels. There are only two that actually recognize the Beabull.

IDCR = International Designer Canine Registry
DBR = Designer Breed Registry

If you are interested in a mix of this sort, please contact your local shelters to see if they have anything that may fit the bill. Do a search for Bulldog specific rescues. You may find just want you're looking for without the huge bill attached.

Otherwise, make sure that you find a backyard breeder who is able to answer all the questions with the right answers. Make sure that the Bulldog parent of the mix was test for hip problems. Make sure that the Bulldog parent is free and clear of any breathing problems.

You never know what you're really going to get with a mix breed dog. You could get all the great traits from either breed or all the bad traits. You may see good traits from the Beagle parent, but all the bad traits from the Bulldog parent, or vice versa.

Do you research. Contact shelters before paying hundreds or thousands for a mix bred Beabull.

MIA Eats an Antler

2010-12-11T18:09:00.001-08:00

A friend of mine found an antler the other day and grabbed it for me. It isn't a freshly shed one, but it isn't too old- only a year.

MIA wasn't sure about it at first, but quickly realized it was good.

My flash wasn't working because my cell phone battery was low, but I got a few good pictures on my camera that I will upload and share soon.

These antlers are packed with calcium and minerals that dogs love

While she was gnawing on it, I swear she was cracking teeth, but all is well. I didn't let her eat the whole thing because I didn't want her to get sick since it was her first and sometimes she gets an upset stomach, but that is not surprising from a dog who has gone through chemotherapy and leg amputation.

Anyway, when I took it away, she hauled butt after me trying to get it back. Apparently deer antlers are yummy.

I will try to get better pictures uploaded soon.

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Prepare Your House for a Puppy

2010-12-11T13:22:00.000-08:00

Do not leave trash or chemicals lying around for a puppy to get into!

When you're preparing to get a new puppy, you will want to make sure that you prepare your home. The most simple thing to do, is to go ahead and remove things from the floor and lower shelves that you don't want a puppy to get into. Move chemicals and cleaners into cabinets, move fragile and breakable things to a higher shelf, etc.

You'll want to find a few rooms where the puppy will have the most access to. Remove the rugs in those rooms, tie up anything that may hang or move, and basically put away anything that may look attracting to a puppy. You can figure out what to move or store away by getting down on the floor and looking around at a puppy's level.

It's best that you use rooms that do not have carpet as the puppy's main room. Consider the kitchen as a good room, as if accidents occur, they're easier to clean up. Plus, carpet seems to be an attractant to soil.

You want to go ahead and set up puppy gates in doorways and at stairs.

Purchase bitter spray for furniture, but do not spray all furniture with the spray just yet. You really want to wait until you have the puppy, so that you can test out the flavor and brand that you purchased, as for some dogs, bitter cherry may not taste too bad, whereas bitter apple may be horrible, and vice versa.

For the most part, you'll want to puppy proof your house, just like you were preparing for a child.

Choosing the Right Puppy

2010-12-10T13:00:00.000-08:00

When thinking about getting a new puppy, you need to make sure that you evaluate your lifestyle. Not everyone needs a puppy, and not everyone can handle a Pit Bull puppy.

Pit Bulls are strong, assertive, stubborn, intelligent, loyal, and loving. They can be dominant.

Pit bulls require strong training and socialization throughout their life, as do most dog breeds, but this breed just isn't for everyone.

If you are thinking about getting a Pit Bull or mix, make sure that you keep in mind other pets in the house as well as children and elderly. You want to keep in mind that these dogs can be very protective of their owner and home. They can be territorial, and if not trained, they'll do whatever they want.

This doesn't mean that Pit Bulls are bad, nor does it mean that they should all be put down because they're not perfect. It just means, that if you're thinking about getting a Pit, you want to make sure that you know what you're getting into. Don't get a puppy just because your buddy has one or because your family member just got one and it's cute.

These dogs take a lot of work, but you'll find that if you're willing to put in the work, it is well worth it.

The Breed
When picking out a puppy, you want to keep in mind a few things, especially if you're not sure which breed you want.

1. Money. Larger dogs require more money, as they eat more and have a higher price at the vet.
2. Size. Not only do larger dogs cost more to take care of, but they are bigger than small dogs. If you don't have the room for a medium or large size dog, then you may need to bring home a small breed dog, instead.
3. Grooming. Dogs with more hair need to go to the groomer more often. If you don't want to pay a groomer, you can bath and trim the dog yourself, but this will cost you time, that you need to consider. Regular grooming for any dog will include nail clipping, baths, and dental care; hair cuts will vary depending on the dog's coat.
4. Training. Some dogs are easy to train, whereas others can be more stubborn. Although, the Pit Bull is a very intelligent breed, they can be stubborn and need constant training and regular routines.

When choosing the right dog breed for you, you'll need to really keep in mind the temperament traits and health traits for the breed, you're looking at. Pit Bulls have no prone health problems, although larger individuals can be subject to hip dysplasia. The breed is dominant and stubborn, which are considered flaws if you don't know how to train the dog properly.

Adoption
When it comes to choosing the puppy, consider adopting, as about 60% of dogs in shelters get euthanized a year, so it's a good idea to check out your local shelters to see what dogs are available needing homes. You may be surprised how many pure bred dogs are in shelters.

The Puppy
You want to make sure that you pick the right puppy for you and your lifestyle. In some cases, shelters will perform temperament tests and classify a puppy on what lifestyle he/she would fit into best. Breeders will also try to best fit a puppy to the potential owner.

You should still perform your own little tests.

If you want as dog that will be more laid back and submissive, you'll find that in puppies who will let you roll them over and remain on their back without too much struggle.

A puppy that is more controlling will pull at their paw and chew at your hand, whereas a more who doesn't mind being controlled will let you hold onto their paw and gently tug it.

Puppies that are more needy will want to stand or sit right next to you when in a new room, whereas a more independent puppy will prefer to walk around and explore.

A puppy that may have a little bit of separation anxiety will whine, bark, paw at the door, pant, etc when you walk out of a room, whereas one who doesn't have an anxiety problem will not mind you being gone.

A puppy that is food aggressive will growl, snarl, bark, or snap at you when you try to take food or a treat away.

Generally, you'll find that a younger and more active couple can happily raise a more active puppy, whereas a couple with children need a more laid back puppy.

Finding a Good Breeder

2010-12-09T12:49:00.000-08:00

When looking for a new puppy, you have the option of getting a puppy from a shelter or from a breeder. If you're more comfortable with a breeder, then you need to do the research so that you find a reputable breeder.

So many people breed Pit Bulls just because they can, and it's not uncommon to have aggressive dogs bred just for money (not necessarily for producing fighting puppies). If you don't know what to look for or what to ask, you may end up with a puppy from bad breeding and not be prepared for what is to come.

When searching for a Pit Bull breeder, you want to start with friends and family. If you know anyone who has purchased a Pit Bull that they've been happy with in regards to health and temperament, ask who their breeder was.

If you don't know anyone or those breeders aren't breeding anymore, search online for breeders in your state.

You'll want to look at all the pictures on the website and read all of the information. Narrow down your options and contact the breeders.

A good dog breeder will make it known that they're breeding to better the health, temperament, and trainability of the breed, not to make money. They will make sure that their puppies are going to good, loving, and permanent homes. Good dog breeders will ask you questions, just like you'll ask them.

When looking for a dog breeder, you'll find that reputable dog breeders will be able to help you pick a puppy that will best match for your lifestyle. A good dog breeder won't just let you grab any pup you think is cute, especially if they feel that pup's temperament will not be a good match for you.

A reputable breeder will let you come over to see all of the adults and puppies. This will definitely help you make your decision, as you'll be able to see where and how the dogs are being kept.

When you are ready to bring home your new puppy, a reputable breeder will share information about their current feeding, potty, grooming, and training schedules. You will also be provided with information from any vet trips, such as for initial shots and deworming.

A real dog breeder will offer samples of the puppy's current food, as well as something old (such as a blanket or toy from the whelping box) to bring home with the puppy which will help make the transition easier.

When asking questions, make sure to ask anything and everything that you can think of. Make sure that the breeder gives you the 100% right answer.

Pit Bull Holiday Ornament

2010-12-08T12:13:00.000-08:00

Holiday ornaments make great gifts, and you can find them in so many different styles. If you know someone who has an American Pit Bull Terrier, these holiday ornaments will be perfect.

Ebay has a wide assortment of ornaments that feature pit bulls. You can find them ranging from cropped eared to natural ear; brown, white, black, and blue; full body or just the head; in dog houses; with wings; on plates; in gold; or made of porcelain.

There are many different pit bull ornaments to choose from, that you shouldn't have any problem finding something that will make the perfect gift or that will add that something special to your tree.

Cat Attacks Pit Bull Video

2010-12-07T12:08:00.000-08:00

Sharky the Pit Bull is a popular APBT on YouTube. There are tons of cute videos of him with guinea pigs, rabbits, and even iguanas, but this one has to be one of my favorites.

This cute cat doesn't like to be bothered while cleaning, and poor Sharky is just in the way...

Socializing Pit Bull Puppy

2010-12-06T09:15:00.000-08:00

Because Pit Bulls can be very high-strung, it's important that you start socializing and training as soon as you bring the puppy or dog home. You want your dog to be used to new people, sounds, and things. Otherwise, you may end up with a dog that is scared of everything new, or aggressive to strangers.

MIA, my blue APBT is a little bit of both. You can place a broom on the floor, and she's terrified; she's never been hit, chased, or harassed by a broom. Stack boxes in the corner, and she's hiding under the table until she's ready to get used to it. New people come over, and she's barking and backing up. Although, MIA was socialized for the first year, we seemed to back down on her training after that.

When you bring a Pit Bull into your home, you want to make sure that you start training early and you continue it.

Like many dogs, when Pit Bulls are not socialized, they can become a little unpredictable. You want to make sure that your dog knows what pots sound like when they fall or what a vacuum sounds like. You want to socialize your dog with objects and sounds, not just children, adults, and elderly people.

When you bring home a new puppy or dog, it's important that you set up ground rules, restrictions, and training schedules. Start small, introducing one thing at a time. If you swamp your dog with tons of new concepts all at once, you won't get the end result that you were hoping for.

It's very important that you socialize your dog early. It's thought that a puppy needs the most exposure between the age of 3 to 12 weeks. That means, you want to find a breeder who is reputable and knowledgeable. If you're looking at shelters, you'll find that there are many shelters who have volunteers and paid employees who spend time with the puppies, socializing them with new concepts.

Don't stop the training when you get home, and don't stop the training just because your puppy or dog may be older than 12 weeks. Old dogs can learn new tricks.

Without any experience with strange people, objects, or noises, you just don't know how your dog will react when he comes across this situation.

Introducing a Pit Bull puppy with a pet rat

Canine Flu

2010-11-26T11:06:00.000-08:00

Just like people, you dog can get the flu during the cold season, and you want to make sure that you watch out for the signs of dog flu.

Signs of the dog flu include:
* A soft, moist cough
* Low grade fever
* Yellow/green nasal discharge
* Rapid breathing of difficulty breathing
* High grade fever in severe cases

The canine influenza can cause mild to severe illness that may last 10 to 30 days. In most cases, the canine flu will act like any other viral infection, but there have been some cases of fatality caused by the virus.

It is very important to have your dog tested if you think that he has the flu. If you have more than one dog, you want to keep them separated, ad the dog flu is a highly contagious viral infection that is easily passed from dog to dog.

The virus is commonly misdiagnosed as kennel cough, as there is no 100% reliable test to prove the flu. But, there are serologic testing that can test for antibodies for the canine influenza virus as early as 7 days after seeing the first signs of illness. In some cases, blood will be taken within the first week and then within the second week to test for any changes in the antibodies.

If your vet thinks that your dog may have the dog flu (which is in no way related to the bird flu), he may set your dog on a course of antibiotics or just wait it out. It is a case-by-case basis as to how each vet treats each case.

There is a vaccine for the dog flu, and some vets will actually recommend it, especially if you have more than one dog in your household. Speak to your vet about the vaccine if you have any further questions.

If you're worried about other pets (non-canine) and people, keep in mind that canine influenza H3N8 has not been proven transmissible to other animals or humans. Dog to dog transfer is the only way the virus is transmissible, but you can actually carry the virus from one dog to another, which is why proper hygiene is important. Wash your hands before and after handling and caring for each dog, as you can carry the virus from your body to another dog without actually contracting the illness.

Be Thankful

2010-11-25T11:39:00.000-08:00

The past few years have been rough, not knowing how MIA's appointments would turn out, and even know it's still nerve-racking when we have to go in for her full exam and chest radiographs to check for cancer growth and spread.

Well, this year, we've made it through another year. It's time to be thankful that MIA has survived nearly two years, which has well surpassed the doctor's expectations for her. For that, I am thankful.

There are many big and little things to be thankful for this year, and it's time that you sit down and figure out what those things are. Did you get a new job this year? Did someone you know overcome an illness? Were you able to pay for treatment for your dog?

What happened during 2010 that you can give thanks for?

Sick Day with MIA

2010-11-24T09:18:00.000-08:00

I had to take a sick day yesterday, as my sinuses are acting up terribly and I'm quite under the weather. While trying to recoup in attempts to be better by Thanksgiving, I spent the day on the couch with my MIA.

At first, she was curled in the recliner, but when I started squeaking the arm of the stuffed toy I was laying with, she decided to come lay with mom. And, for the rest of the day, there we sat....

This is MIA eyeing me and the stuffed toy that she can't have... (I sent my boyfriend on an errand to buy dog food for me while I was at work on Monday, and he came back with a toy and dog food. How sweet. Ha. The toy was for me... Not the dogs...)

Eventually, she came over to see me. It was all in hopes to get a hold of the toy, which didn't happen, even after a few attempts.

I was able to snap this cute picture while she slept. I was quite surprised that she didn't wake up and tear through the house with the toy... She must have known that mommy was sick. :-(

Dog Jackets for Winter

2010-11-23T06:31:00.000-08:00

It's getting winter again, and that means it's time for jackets and sweaters for everyone. We need to bundle ourselves, our children, and some of our dogs.

Generally, you don't want to dress your dog in clothes, as the clothes hide body communication between dog to dog and sometimes between dog to human.

Clothes can hide razzled fur and aggressive postures, but sometimes, putting a coat on your dog may really help him keep warm.

Smaller dogs, older dogs, and dogs with thin coats can easily freeze and get sick.

You don't have to put clothes on your dog for short periods outside, but if you're going on a long walk, you may want to consider putting on a coat. Just be careful of leaving your dog in clothes unsupervised.

Some dogs will fight their clothes, and may get an arm stuck if you're not watching. You don't want any harm to come of your dog while wearing dog clothes, so make sure that you don't leave jackets and sweaters on your dog long-term without supervision.

Buy Deer Antler for Your Dog

2010-11-22T08:01:00.000-08:00

If you're looking for one of the best dog chews that you can offer for your dog, then you want to purchase deer antlers.

These are great because of so many different reasons:
1. They don't splinter
2. They don't have a strong odor
3. They don't leave a stain
4. They are all natural
5. They contain many minerals

Plus, what may make these dog chews more appealing is that antlers naturally fall off every year, to allow the deer to grow new antlers, which means that no deer have to die in order to give your dog a great treat that will last him longer than any pig ear, baked bone, or bully stick.

Supplements for a Growing Puppy

2010-11-19T08:48:00.000-08:00

Vitamins and minerals are great to add to your puppy's daily diet, but it's a concern as to which one to buy? Well, when MIA was a pup, I saw the K9 Puppy Gold in the APBT Gazetta that the ADBA publishes, so I knew it has to be good.

I bought some, and MIA loved it. The vitamin is a simple powder mix that you add to the puppy's food. It's also good for pregnant and nursing female dogs, as well.

If you're just not sure what vitamin to buy for your puppy, you'll want to consider multi-vitamins that contain Vitamin A, fatty acids, and Vitamin D, but be leery of vitamins that contain Vitamin C, as in puppies, Vitamin C can cause different physical conditions, such as liver disease, kidney disease and several types of bone diseases.

You don't have to supplement your puppy's diet, but no puppy food is going to be 100% full of essential nutrients that your growing puppy needs. An extra vitamin will help ensure that your puppy is growing with healthy bones, muscle, tissues, and overall immunity.

You can always ask your vet which puppy vitamins he prefers, as there may be something that is better that what you've found to date.

Just remember that you want to look for a multi-vitamin that contains at least 8 essential vitamins (Vitamin A, B-complex, D, and E). You want a multi-vitamin that contains minerals that will balance out your dog's health and diet, as well as a vitamin that your dog will eat without putting up a fight.

A good puppy multi-vitamin will contain zinc, magnesium, calcium, fatty acids, and iron. If you can't find a vitamin that contains everything that you're looking for, you'll want to supplement your dog's diet in some other way. For example, non-fat dried milk is a good source of calcium and liver is a good source of iron.

Tough Toys for Pit Bulls

2010-11-18T07:50:00.000-08:00

Not all Pit Bulls are tough chewers, and not all bullies like to destroy their toys, but I have one of those dogs. I have a Pit Bull who thinks that if it squeaks, she has to dissect it to find what makes it tick.

Rubber gets chewed like gum, plush toys get autopsied, and tennis balls get shredded. That's just what she does, so buying toys for a dog who destroys everything you give her is hard. I started buying cheap toys from jefferspet.com so that when she tore it up, I knew I only spent a few bucks on it versus full retail price from the pet store.

But, that's not always fair when the other dogs get new toys, and she gets stuck with a cheap toy from my closet.

I did find that ropes last the longest, so when the other dogs get cute toys, MIA the pit bull gets a big rope to play with. She loves it, even though she still power-chews the ends and the notes and frays the rope.

If you have a dog like mine, who loves to chew and destroy toys, you know my pain. I mean, it stinks when Petsmart has a sale on holiday toys after the holiday, and I can't buy my girl a big spider toy for $3.00. I will still buy the spider toy, but I'll give it to a friend who has a pit mix, who just loves on toys and plays normal without destroying them.

Where MIA isn't like Sammy, your dog may be like MIA. If that's the case, all you can do is try tough dog toys and see if the toy can hold up to your dog.

The rubber tires are supposed to be great for tough chewers, but after a few days, MIA's become chewing gum.

The canvass toys and plush toys made of thick materials for medium to heavy chewers didn't last long either. She loved on the toys for a while, but as soon as she made the first tiny hole, it was autopsy time.

For the most part, all you can do is buy something that is recommended for tough toy chewers, and hope your dog doesn't destroy the toy. Otherwise, talk to friends and see what they've tried with their dogs, and maybe your dog will follow in line.

If all else fails, consider ropes, cheap toys that won't hurt your feelings when they're destroyed, or Kong toys.

Deer Antler Chews for Dogs

2010-11-17T07:14:00.000-08:00

The newest craze for dog treats and dog bones is surprisingly deer antlers. Because deers, elk, and moose naturally shed their antlers not animal has to come into harms way in order to provide your heavy chewer with a nutritious treat.

These are natural so you don't have to worry about any chemicals or additives.

Antlers make great dog chews because they are long-lasting; they last longer than bully sticks, which have been popular for years.

Deer antlers are easier on the dog's digestive track, unlike rawhide chews which just turn into glue when in the intestines and stomach.

Antlers do not have an odor or residue, so you don't have to worry about staining your carpets or rugs after your dog has sat and chewed on an antler. Pig ears and many bones will leave a greasy, brown stain on carpets that antlers won't.

Deer, elk, and moose antlers are rich in mineral, they don't splinter, and they come from a renewable source (highly populated animals). Because these animals shed their antlers every year in order to grow a new set, it's perfectly safe and harmless for your dog and for the deer.

These treats are great for heavy chewers and for dogs that just power through most other chew treats.

* 100% natural
* Rich In Minerals
* Doesn't Splinter Like Cooked Bones
* Long Lasting
* Great for Teeth and Gums
* Not a By-Product of a Meat Processing Facility

Elk Antler for Dogs (Buy antlers for dogs by clicking on the above images.)

Pit Bull Paintings

2010-11-16T13:02:00.000-08:00

There are tons of paintings featuring American Pit Bulls and other bullies on eBay. I love the watercolors by David J. Rogers. He is able to portray Pit Bulls in so many different colors and personalities that it becomes hard to pick which one I like the best.

Let me know if there's an artist that you like who portrays bullies in their art. I'd be interested to hear how many artist like to paint, sculpt, photograph, or use bullies in their art in some way or another.

BARF Diet for Dogs

2010-11-15T08:35:00.000-08:00

The raw food diet is becoming more and more popular these days, as there are more dog food recalls released every time you turn around, so when you opt to feed your dog a raw diet, you know what your dog is eating.

The BARF diet, is a Bones And Raw Food Diet, that essentially brings dogs back to their roots of raw meats. The problem is that domestic dogs are not like wild wolves and wild canines; their dietary needs have changed a little.

If you opt to feed your dog on a raw diet, you want to make sure that you follow the components of a raw food diet carefully, so that you ensure that your dog is getting all of the nutrients that he/she needs.

BARF: Bones And Raw Food Diet
Components of a Raw Food Diet (BARF Diet)

I have seen Pit Bull owners use the BARF diet and swear that their dogs are healthier than any other dog on the block. But, those that I've met are in denial, as their dogs are super skinny and malnourished. The raw diet can be very healthy and nutritious, but only if you do it right.

If your dog is losing weight, you need to evaluate the situation.

Don't let your Pit Bull become skin and bones because you're in denial that there's anything wrong. Just because you think you're doing good by getting the bones and leftovers from the butchers, that doesn't mean that is going to be sufficient for your dog's daily needs.

Terrible Article About Bad Dogs

2010-11-15T07:24:00.000-08:00

I am slightly perturbed by this article... I will admit that I didn't read the entire thing, but the parts that I got were ridiculous and unresearched.

* "These dogs are notoriously instinctive about not letting go once a bite is in progress. And also very likely to vigorously shake the head while maintaining the bite hold. This causes pronounced ripping and tearing durning a fight, a bite, or an attack. I speculate these traits are due to centuries of selective breeding, seeking these specific traits, and to collective memory within the breed."

The breed was never bred for specific physical traits. They were bred on the basis of temperament, will, strength, and the overall want to fight and please the owner. These traits have no indication of what the dog will look like. In many cases, a terrier was bred to a lab, or a retriever was bred to a mutt. They didn't care what the dog looked like, only how the dog's will and fight was. So, the shape, size, or appearance of the skull has no factor into the dog's temperament.

* "I do not believe these dogs are a safe breed to have around children, other animals, and sometimes even the dog's owner."

These dogs have always been great and loyal with children. Even the fighting dogs were great to have around the family children, and were often retired as house pets. There weren't many who survived to a fighting dog's retirement age, but for those that served their master with a good history, were rewarded with home life. Any dog that showed signs of aggression to people were culled from breeding and fighting, as human aggression was far from the intent of this dog.

* "I do not believe the "bad rap" this breed of dog has is due to anything other than the truth about them, and I encourage all pit bull owners to spay and neuter their animals."

There is no denying that the breed can be dangerous in the wrong hands with the wrong training and with improper socialization, but media plays a huge role in the fear around the breed. So many articles and news reports assume a pit bull type dog did the attack, but when reports are that the dog that bit or attacked a person wasn't a pit bull dog, there's never a retraction. In some cases, there are articles where the title is 'pit bull' attack and the meat of the article uses the true breed that caused the attack.

Here's the hub that caused my issues this morning: About Bad Dogs

Here are a few articles that declare breed bans are worthless:
Chicago - Where Pit Bulls Are Banned, Dog Bites Rise
Kansas City, MO - Animal Advocates: Dog Breed Bans Don't Work
Denver - Do dog breed bans work?
Dearborn - Council seeing better law, not breed ban, as answer to pit bull problems
Toledo - Toledo replaces breed specific law with one aimed at responsible pet ownership
Miami - Two decades of BSL has produced no positive results

Sloppy Pit Bull Kisses

Dogs Help Veterans Copewith PTSD

2010-11-12T11:49:00.000-08:00

A coworker sent me this video, and it tore at my heart. I wanted to share with you in case you missed it.

David Sharpe's adopted Pit Bull who saved his life and helped him work through his PTSD and mild depression.

As mentioned in the video, sometimes it's just easier to talk to your pet than it is another human being.

18 veterans a day commit suicide
4 million sheltered animals euthanized a year

Match some of those 4 million euthanized pets with the 6500 veterans who commit suicide a year, and it really is like match.com, except saving lives...

The dogs have physical scars on the outside, and the veterans have mental scars on the inside, which make shelter dogs and veterans the perfect match.

This video, truly tore at my heart.

Where to Adopt a Pit Bull

2010-11-12T11:20:00.000-08:00

Believe it or not, Pit Bulls are one of the more popular dogs to have as pets. They are loyal, loving, protective, and willing to please their owners. This breed is very intelligent, yet can be quite stubborn at times. The breed doesn't have any health problems that are specifically prone to the breed, like many dog breeds, but these dogs just aren't for everyone.

No matter how great they sound, they're not for the inexperienced.

People who want to own a pit bull needs to have some sort of knowledge in training and socializing dogs and puppies, as these guys can be very stubborn and dominant, at times.

If you have the knowledge and experience, or maybe you're just looking to add another Pitty to your family, consider adoption, as there are many Pit Bulls and mixes available for adoption in animal shelters around the country.

If you're not sure where to start looking, here are a few suggested places to get you started.

* Pet Finder
* Pit Bull Rescue Central
* Pit Bull Rescue

When adopting a pit bull or mix, you'll want to make sure that you ask the shelter volunteers and workers all the questions that you need to in order to feel comfortable with the process. If you already have a Pit Bull or another dog breed, you should see if the shelter will allow you to bring your current dog(s) to make sure that they will all get along.

Pit Bulls are a Part of the Family

2010-11-10T11:27:00.000-08:00

No matter how much you don't want to admit it, your dog is a part of the family. The dog is like a child; you constantly have to keep on him/her for behaving properly and not getting anything that he/she shouldn't.

Cafepress has tons of cute products that are great for a family with a pit bull. I've picked out a few of my favorites, hoping maybe you'll like them too.

I bought MIA the cutest shirt from CafePress when she was a puppy. She wasn't able to wear it long, as the shirt was too big when I got it, and then a few weeks later, the shirt became too small. I kept the shirt anyway, as with all of her puppy clothes.

You can easily see that there are super cute dog clothes on CafePress that you can buy, you just have to look for them. I've included some of my favorites, though.

Your home just isn't a home until you've had a pit bull in your house.

Pit Bulls and Babies

2010-11-09T09:51:00.000-08:00

So many people think that Pit Bulls are baby-killers and they're prone to just attacking anything that moves. Well, check out these Pit Bulls with their human babies.

Breed Bans Do Not Work

2010-11-08T08:28:00.000-08:00

It is unfortunate that there are breed bans in various cities, states, and countries. I mean dogs are animals, they are going to be unruly at times, and they're going to need training. The only person at fault here, is the human who doesn't train or properly socialize their dog.

Dogs are commonly treated and thought of as mini-humans and children, but they're not. They are animals that have been domesticated through thousands of years of training and socializing with humans. They are still animals that can bite and attack children, teenagers, adults, and the elderly.

By banning certain breeds, the bans do nothing more than cause another dog breed to be higher on the lists of annual bites and attacks. If we ban dog by classifying them by their breed, it's just like classifying people by race, gender, religion, age, etc.

Not every dog in a breed is going to be prone to attack, and not every black guy is a lazy thief.

The statistics and reports on countries and areas who have implement breed specific legislations have reported no drastic changes in bites. Some have even found that the bulk of the bites were from non-restricted breeds, and some areas have reported a rise in dog attacks.

There are better alternatives to breed bans, such as education and other restrictions, such as leash laws, spay/neuter programs, containment laws, etc.

What is Breed Specific Legislation? Will it Stop all Pit Bull Dog Attacks?

For instance, one of my dogs is an American Pit Bull Terrier, and she is great. She's went through bone cancer at the age of 18 months, and is not 3.5 years old. She is has had her confrontations with other dogs, but is such a people loving dog it is unreal. Why should I be punished because I own a "bad dog breed"?

MIA's Vet Appointment at Auburn University

2010-11-05T13:58:00.000-07:00

Mia had her monthly visit today at Auburn. She's been acting puny, but apparently all is well. I'm thinking it was just the food. I got the wrong flavor (turkey instead of red meat), and she's not been eating it.

She had her bloodwork checked out, as well as medicine refills for chlorambycil, piroxicam, and rapamycin. She didn't need the famotidine, a she still has some left over, since that's an as-needed medication for her stomach.

Mia will go back next month to repeat this visit, and then the following month for her big exam which basically adds a physical and radiographs of the chest.

Pit Bulls and Cancer

2010-11-04T17:13:00.000-07:00

The American Pit Bull breed is lucky to be one that is not prone to any definite illnesses and diseases. The reason behind this is in the origination of the breed, different dogs were bred for one thing only, which wasn't a shortened muzzle, curly hair, or blue eyes. Pit Bulls were bred for dog aggression, and whichever dog seemed to fit that bill was the one that was bred.

Becauase these dogs were not bred for any particular bt-pearance trait, they were less in-bred, which in turn created a breed that is not prone to any particular health issue.

But, yes they can still get sick. They can still have diseases, cancers, and health problems.

Larger bBTs can develop hip displaysia, and some can develop cancer.

At 17 months old, I took my blue and white Pit Bull to the vet for lumps on her front, right leg. I opted to go for the biopsy to go ahead and remove the lumps in case they were just cysts, but a few months later, I received a call saying that my puppy had cancer.

We went through chemo drips, medications, oral chemo, and a few extra trips to the vet. (More on her cancer treatment later.) Mia went through all of this with the expectation that her odds were only 6 months, as only 50% of dogs with an osteosarcoma make it to 12 months. Because of her age, and the fact that she had two tumors in the same leg, her prognosis wasn't good.

Well, Mia is now 3.5 years old. She goes for another apointment tomorrow for blood work. She hasn't been feeling too great, so they will definitely check that out.

Wallace the Pit Bull

2008-12-14T15:42:00.000-08:00

Check out Wallace the American Pit Bull Terrier. He was once on death row, but now he's a champion!

Pit Bull Wears E Collar

2008-11-08T13:07:00.000-08:00

Elizabethan Collars for Dogs

As, you can see your dog can wear his/her e collar and still play with other dogs. MIA had no problems playing with that little blue heeler mix puppy. But, you always want to be careful about letting your dog play while wearing an elizabethan collar. Just make sure that the play is supervised.

Spay and Neuter Your Pit Bulls

2008-10-19T08:55:00.000-07:00

I find that it is very important that dogs that aren't meant to be bred (IE non-champion bloodline) and dogs that aren't going to be bred (typically pure human want not to breed), should be spayed or neutered. There are so many reasons as to why you should spay or neuter your pit bull that you really need to take into consideration.

Spaying Your Female Dog

Neutering Your Male Dog

Of the many reasons as to why you should spay and neuter your Pit Bull, here are just a few of them.

1. Pit Bulls already have a bad reputation, and by breeding "pit bulls" that are not of champion lines, you're probably not doing the breed any favors by releasing more puppies that may have bad temperaments bc you don't really know the full bloodline.
2. If you don't spay your female Pit Bull, you may end up with an unwanted mix-breed litter, which means more "pit bulls" are released into the public, which means the higher potential for mishap since you don't know the other dog's lineage and temperament.
3. Pit Bulls are already one of the most pupular dog breeds out there, which means there are tons of them whereever you look, and by having one more litter, you're putting more puppies out there who can have puppies and more puppies, etc. which can in turn create a worse reputation becuase you just don't know what all of hte puppies are doing.
4. It's just healthier for the dog to be spayed or neutered. You are preventing other illnesses, or at least lessening the risk for other illnesses and complications.
5. You are reducing the amount of estrogen and testosterone that your dog has running through his/her body, which means less chance for temperament problems, given that you have and are socializing and training the dog.

There are other reasons, but these alone should be enough to want to get your dog spayed or neutered. I mean if you really love your Pit Bull and you really love the breed, you'll do it.

Female Dogs in Heat

2008-10-18T11:03:00.000-07:00

When you've got a female dog, one of the more important decisions that you can make is getting her spayed. Unless you plan on breeding your American Pit Bull Terrier, there is absolutly no reason to let her go through a heat cycle.

Tips for a Female Dog in Heat

And, in reality there is no reason to breed her unless she is of champion bloodlines on both sides of her lineage and she is a show quality Pit Bull. If you are wanting to better the breed in terms of the breed's appearance, temperament, intelligence, and overall build, there is no reason to breed the dog.

And, if your APBT is not of champion lines on both sides of her pedigree, you really aren't bettering the breed in any way. I mean, yea your female Pit Bull may be the sweetest dog you've ever had, but that does not necessarily mean that her lineage depicts that trait.

But anyway understanding your dog's heat cycle is important if you plan on waiting to have her spayed. Find out the common questions related to a female dog's heat cycle.

Why is My Dog Running Away?

2008-10-14T11:03:00.000-07:00

Why is My Dog Running Away & How to Stop Him from Escaping

One of the biggest problems with many dog breeds is that some dogs just like to run away. American Pit Bull Terriers typically aren't one of those breeds, but that does not mean that none of them want or try to run away. There are many different reasons as to why your dog may try to run away, which means if you can find the reason, you can find a solution to correcting the problem.

Putting Your Dog to Sleep

2008-10-11T13:02:00.000-07:00

How to Decide When to Put Your Dog to Sleep?

It is a very hard decision to make, but if you have a dog, you may potentially have to make this decision one day. It will be easier to deal with if you understand the full process and if you plan ahead. If you know that you dog is suffering, you want to end the suffering before it is too late, and you want to make sure that you dog has the best last days without pain.

Caring for an Old Dog

2008-10-04T10:34:00.000-07:00

Caring for an Elderly and Aging Dog

Although Pit Bulls are one of the more hardy dog breeds, the one thing that you can't prevent is your dog getting older. And, when that time comes you want to make sure that you are prepared for the health problems that are commonly associated with old age, such as cataracts and joint problems (IE arthritis).

In terms of an older dog, you want to make sure that you DO go to the vet for checkups. Many vets actually require checkups twice a year for older dogs.

Make sure that you have your senior dog on senior dogfood so that he is getting the proper nutrients for his age.

Pit Bull and Boston Terrier

2008-09-26T17:43:00.000-07:00

Dog Obesity is a Big Concern

2008-09-14T13:04:00.000-07:00

With any dog of any breed, you want to make sure that you keep your dog at peak health condition. This means no overweight dogs. You want to make sure that you cut out the table scraps and purchase non-fatty dog treats.

And, believe it or not you can prevent your dog from getting fat. This is somethign that you really want to pay attention to becuase by keeping yoru dog at optimum weight, you can prevent other health conditions.

Dog Obesity Prevention and Health Risks

You Pit Bull can get fat, although they are not necessarily prone to dog obesity, it is possible. You want to make sure that you keep up regular exercise and limit the number of treats and the amount of table scraps that you feed your dog.

Dogs and Chocolate Poisoning

2008-09-11T16:51:00.000-07:00

Now, we have all heard that chocolate is bad for dogs. But why? Will your dog die if he eats a chocolate chip cookie or an M&M? Probably not, but why? Well, you can check out the following article about dogs and chocolate. How does chocolate affect dogs, and why exactly chocolate affects dogs.

Dogs and Chocolate Poisoning

Even your iron stomach Pit Bull is not invincible to chocolate....

And as I write this blog, I am reminding about the bag of Dove chocolates that you'll see staged in the link about (there's a stage picture of my APBT with dove chocolates). Well, a few weeks ago she REALLY did get that back. Ate every last chocolate and the wrappers. MIA had foil wrappers in her poo for days, although she did throw most of it up. She had diarrhea for a few days as well. Luckily, we did not have to have her stomach pumped, as it was dark chocolate and about a quarter of a bag.

Adopting Pit Bulls and the Mix or Purebreed Debate

2008-09-07T12:24:00.000-07:00

With just about any breed of dog, you hear the basic debate of should you get a pure breed dog or a mix breed dog. Well, there's nothing wrong with mix breeds, not even with bully breed dogs, like the APBT. You can easily go to your local shelter and find at least one or two Pit Bull mixes (given that you do not live in a BSL area). These dogs need homes and loving people just like a pure bred dog. And, most of the time they are calmer, as they are mixed with some other breed, but of course that isn't a definitely 100% guarantee with a mix APBT.

For basic info check out the following link:

Should I Get a Mix-Breed or Pure Breed Dog?

Now, as for adopting, it's simple... If you really want the dog, you'll jump through the hoops that most adoption agencies make you jump. Because adopting a bully breed dog can be a liability, the shelter wants to make sure that you are the right person for the dog in terms of experience, knowledge, and common sense.

For myths about adopting Pit Bulls and other bully breed dogs, as well as basic restrictions that you may encounter when trying to adopt a bully breed dog, check out the following link:
Adopting Pit Bulls and Other Bully Breed Dogs

Dog Seizures

2008-08-17T11:55:00.000-07:00

Although, American Pit Bulls are pretty hardy dogs, but it is still possible that yours can have a seizure disorder. If your dog has had a seizure or if it does have a disorder, you want to know what you can do during and after the seizure takes place. Below, you will find basic information about treatment and what to do about your dog's seizures. Hopefully, it will help you out.

Dog Seizures- Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, & More

Dog Chew Deterrents

2008-08-03T13:10:00.000-07:00

If you have a dog or a puppy that is constantly chewing up som aspect of your home, whether it be your furnature or your shoes, you may want ot consider a chew deterrent spray.

Otherwise, you may want to consider basic obedience classes and refreshers, as well as other means of deterrents, such as more chew toys and dog kong toys.

Dog Chew Deterrent Sprays

But, generally if you keep your off limit things off the floor and away from the dog, you should not have any problems.

Flea Prevention

2008-07-26T08:08:00.000-07:00

No matter where you live you want to have a good flea and tick prevention. There are several that are popular, but you always want to compare the ingredients and potential adeverse side effects before choosing one to use.

Check out this link for more information
Frontline, Advantage, Advantix, and Other Flea and Tick Control for Dogs

Pit Bull Puppy

2008-07-19T11:52:00.000-07:00

Here's a cute video of a pit bull puppy.

Dog Collars

2008-07-04T06:50:00.000-07:00

It's very important that you have a dog collar that fits your dog. You don't want to be walking your dog and him slip out of it, nor do you want the collar to be too tight. The general rule is that the collar be 2 fingers width wider than the dog's neck.

When choosing a dog collar, you can choose from so many different styles and patterns. You'll find nylon and leather, stripes and solids, reflectors and spikes. There are so many basic collars that you can choose from, that the options are near limitless.

Choosing a Dog Collar

The most common collar that I've seen used for APBT's is the typical spike collar. Now for whatever your reason, you may or may not like them. But, there is a wide variety available, ranging from very long spikes, to short studs. Typically spike collars are made of strong leather. The one thing you want to watch out, is purchasing a cheap spike collar... Not cheap in price, but in quality, as the inside of the stud, can irritate your dog's neck. I tried a studded collar on my Pit Bull, and she's still missing hairs and has a little irritation from the inside studs.

Now, that doesn't mean that you can't purchase a cheap collar, but watch the quality. There are many great quality leather spike dog collars on ebay that are pretty cheap.

Dog Shampoo

2008-07-02T08:37:00.001-07:00

It's very important that you choose a good dog shampoo to bathe your dog in. There are all natural shampoos which are better for your dog and his skin and coat, but there are also shampoos on the market with tons of chemicals, which can act as irritants to your dog's skin.

Choosing a Dog Shampoo

When bathing your Pit Bull, you'll want to stick with an all natural dog shampoo so that you can ensure that you're not putting harmful chemicals on his body that he can potentially lick off.

What are pit bulls capable of??? Are they all true killers?

2008-06-26T08:11:00.000-07:00

Check out this cute video.

A real life look at how a pit bull plays with a small size dog in a little confined yard. Can big and small dogs all follow the rules when they respect their pack leader? This big girl is Jada, a 3 year old pitbull that came to me with a serious food aggression problem...

Grooming Your Dog

2008-06-20T09:22:00.000-07:00

It's very important that you groom even your short haired Pit Bull. But the great thing about APBT's is that they only require minimal grooming. You need to make sure that you bath the dog regularly; I'd suggest twice a month for inside dogs and either once a week or everyother week for outside dogs. You don't want to over bathe the dog.

Grooming Your Dog and Dog Grooming Kits

You want to clip the dog's nails regularly, starting when you get the dog. I'd say maybe once a week trim up the nails of inside dogs. You don't want to be able to hear the dog's nails on hardwood or tile flooring.

I'd say that you want to take a flea comb to the dog at least once a week, more if you keep the dog outside more than 50% of the day. You want to use a flea and tick control to help keep fleas and ticks to a minimum.

Brushing Your Pit Bull's Teeth

2008-06-18T08:27:00.000-07:00

It's very important that you brush your dog's teeth once a day to help remove tatar before it hardens, forming plaque. By brushing your dog's teeth at least once a day, you can prevent gum disease and other dental diseases from occuring.

Dog Toothbrush and Toothpaste: Brushing Your Dog's Teeth

You may want to start with a professional teeth cleaning, so that you have a clean slate to start your daily brushings with. Otherwise, you can just start. You want to purchase an all natural toothpaste and a dog friendly toothbrush to get started.

Once you and your dog get into the routine, it's actually a pretty simple process.

Trimming your dog's nails

2008-06-16T07:21:00.000-07:00

It is very important that you trim your dog's toenails on a regular basis. You should really start young, so that your dog gets used to the process and in the long run, the least amount of stress is put on your dog.

With any grooming process, you want to make sure that you're dog is safe and stress-free when you are actually cutting the dog's nails.

Dog Nail Clippers and Trimming Your Dog's Nails

If your Pit Bull has dark nails, you can purchase quick detecting nail clippers so that you'll always know when you're getting close to the vein inside your dog's nail. Otherwise, you may want to consider using a pet nail dremel tool (that you can find in the link above with information about how to use them when trimming your dog's toenails).

Entertaining your dog with a kong toy

2008-06-14T15:44:00.000-07:00

Kong toys and similar style dog toys are a wonderful toy that will keep your dog entertained. By stuffing a Kong with peanut butter, cheese whiz, or a meat spray, you can keep your dog busy and out of your hair.

I've found that when MIA is getting on my nerves by just acting out from pure boredom, I can stuff a kong toy and she'll be find for hours, even after she's completely cleaned the toy.

You can purchase Kong toys in various sizes; if you dog is a heavy chewer, I'd recommend the black extreme Kongs versus the red classic Kongs. Otherwise, you can also check out the Buddy Toys (I believe that's what they're called); they have a few similar products that you can stuff, but they are generally purple, as seen in the video.

Brushing Your American Pit Bull Terrier

2008-06-13T11:21:00.000-07:00

Yes, believe it or not you really should brush your short haired American Pit Bull. Regular brushing will help spread the natural oils in your dog's skin and coat, which can potentially help keep the fleas from starting a colony, which can potentially infest your house and yard.

Fleas and ticks can cause a number of health concerns for your dog if the infestation gets out of hand, so definitely consider using a soft bristle dog brush and/or a flea comb to help prevent fleas as best as you can.

Dog Brushes and Combs

Choosing the right brush and flea comb can aid your short haired Pit Bull. Even though the breed doesn't suffere tangles, regular brushing can help to keep the fleas down, so in my book, it's definitely worth the extra 5 to 10 minutes.

Pit Bull Plays With Sticks

2008-06-05T08:14:00.000-07:00

Picking a Pit Bull Puppy

2008-06-03T09:55:00.000-07:00

Along the lines of temperament testing and picking the right puppy for you and your household, you want to make sure that you pick a puppy from a reputable person versus a puppy mill or backyard breeder.

You can use the folling Tip for Choosing a Pit Bull Puppy to pick out any puppy really. You can implement some of the tips to picking any dog of any breed from a breeder, and you can implement some of the tips for picking a puppy from a litter at a local rescue.

Game Pit Bulls

2008-06-01T14:41:00.000-07:00

Gameness is so often compared to agression or dominance, but it's really nothing more than the determination to continue and presevere through pain and and stress.

Gameness is the trait that pushes APBT's and any other dog to fight till death or defend his human even if wounded.

Other breeds experience the determination to not give up, but that is not the same as to not give up under any pain or stress.

What is a Game Pit Bull?

Why Should You Adopt A Dog?

2008-05-30T09:49:00.000-07:00

Even the vicious American Pit Bulls and mixes thereof, need to be adopted from pet shelters. There are so many myths about adopting dogs and other pets from animal shelters, but there are even more about adopting Pit Bulls and mixes from shelters and pit bull rescues.(By the way the picture to the left, is of Bubba a blue APBT that is wearing a gentle leader, NOT a muzzle, and has been up for adoption; the picture was posted by jumping lab on Flickr.com.)

Many people believe that because the dog is at the shelter it is prone to being agressive and it'll never be able to live in a home environment with a family. Both of these are of course not true.

I've known many a purebred and mix Pit Bull and pit bull type dogs get adopted from shelters and end up in loving homes as indoor, family pets. It's possible. It really is.

For general information about adopting dogs and puppies from shelters, you can check out the following article, just remember that the same rules apply to adopting American Pit Bull Terriers and mixes thereof. The only difference is that you want to make sure that the dog is 100% able to live in your family with your lifestyle. Ask the shelter if it's possible to foster the dog for a few days to a week to decide if the dog will truly fit, as you'd hate to have to bring him back if otherwise.

Anyway, here's the article. I hope it's helpful.

Why Should You Adopt a Dog

Housetraining Puppies

2008-05-28T09:10:00.000-07:00

When bringing home a new puppy or dog, you want to make it a part of the family, so why throw it in the backyard? Let the new dog hang out inside and really be a part of the family.

The tip is good housetraining. Once you get housetraining down, your dog or puppy will tell you when he's ready to go outside instead of soiling your carpet, tile, or hardwood floors.

There are several methods to successful housetraining. The easiest of which is crate training, followed by a few lesser used and known methods. Find the best that is easiest for you and your dog.

How to House Train Your Puppy

How Puppies Learn

2008-05-26T11:22:00.000-07:00

When training a puppy, it's best to understand how puppies learn so that you can ensure successful training. Puppies do best with repetition and practice. You also want to implement positive training sessions.

When training your new puppy, make sure to make the experience a pleasant one. The more enjoyable and fun the training sessions, the more your puppy will get out of it.

Puppies are like sponges and will soak up everything, so watch out what you do around them that may possible increase an unwanted or wanted behavior in the future.

For more information about raising and training puppies, plus to find out how puppies learn, check out the following link.

How Do Puppies Learn?

Schedule of Puppy Vaccinations

2008-05-24T17:06:00.000-07:00

It's very important to keep up with your puppy's vaccinations in order to prevent core and non-core diseases. In order to ensure a long and healthy life, core vaccinations are definitely a must have.

Core vaccinations include: Parvo, distemper, infectious hepatitis, rabies.

Non-core vaccinations include: Parainfluenza, Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough), Leptospirosis, Lyme.

For more information, check out
Schedule of Puppy Vaccinations and Common Diseases