2011 Pit Bull Calendar

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.)