New Member Seeking some Help

[c10d]

Hello everyone, my name is Dan and I'm new to the forums. I have a 14 week old female APBT. She's got a red nose and a solid red coat. Her parents were very muscular (not that overly big odd look) and had nice brick heads. Here is a picture of her, how does she look for a pup?

Also as she grows, I want to make her one of those stuctures in the backyard ( i don't know what its called ) but basically its like 2 wooden beams that will have a rope hanging with some type of animal hide for her to jump up and hang on. Does anyone know what I'm talking about?

Thanks

-c10

[PitDog]

I think its too early to think about that... just enjoy your puppy at the moment coz they grow so fast. For the mean time just stick arround here and learn as much as you can.

Btw your pup is very pretty... how is she bred?

[jadedpitgirl]

c10d, what you are reffering to is a "spring pole". I don't think it's ever too early to introduce your pup to a spring pole. Now, this does not mean let him hang off the ground holding on to the rope. If you want to introduce the pup to the spring pole, you just have to take it slow. Make sure your spring pole is secure possibly set in cement. Let the rope hang low enough so that the pup doesn't have to jump for it, let the hide hang on the ground. Anytime he shows interest, praise him. Encourage him to play tug with the hide and make it a big game. He will soon be old enough to lift the hide higher. Before you know it, it will be his favorite toy;) Just keep in mind, you should NEVER let your dog hang from the rope without atleast his hind feet touching the ground. Owners who let their dogs swing from the hide are just asking for trouble and are putting their dogs in harm's way. Here is a photo of my dog "Maggie" playing on the spring pole. Notice how low to the ground it is..... She NEVER "hangs" off the ground.

http://www.game-dog.com/gallery/files/2/2/2/1/maggierope7253.jpg

[underdogg55]

Hello everyone, my name is Dan and I'm new to the forums. I have a 14 week old female APBT. She's got a red nose and a solid red coat. Her parents were very muscular (not that overly big odd look) and had nice brick heads. Here is a picture of her, how does she look for a pup?

Also as she grows, I want to make her one of those stuctures in the backyard ( i don't know what its called ) but basically its like 2 wooden beams that will have a rope hanging with some type of animal hide for her to jump up and hang on. Does anyone know what I'm talking about?

Thanks

-c10i agree i dont think it's ever too early to start your dog on a springpole it's good excercise for them just dont start off buy lifting him offthe ground and spinning him in circles,lol, JMHO but a flirtpole is a much better work out than a spring pole and cheaper to make. i dont know if you've done this all ready but you should get a couple of books on the breed as far as owning one goes or you could read around the site you'll pick up a lot of NEEDED info.

[diva]

Your pup is beautiful. You can use the search feature above. Type in "flirt pole" or "spring pole" and you'll see where they have been discussed before. Atleast one forum will even tell you how to make one. Welcome to the site. :)

[OhRex]

I honestly know nothing about spring-poles, I just take my dogs swimming alot as a form of exercise. Just wanted to say that your dog is beautiful, and Welcome!

[bahamutt99]

Not to argue with what anybody is saying about the springpole, but what are you planning on doing with your dog? If you think you might show, I would hold off on springpole work. Tugging can mess up a dog's bite. For adult dogs who enjoy that kind of activity, the springpole is the best thing since sliced bread.

[c10d]

I think its too early to think about that... just enjoy your puppy at the moment coz they grow so fast. For the mean time just stick arround here and learn as much as you can.

Btw your pup is very pretty... how is she bred?
I will definitly be sticking around to learn, I'm kind of an internet freak when it comes to researching something I am interested in/enjoy lol. Thank you for complimenting my baby girl Mia. When you say "how is she bred?" I'm not exactly sure what you mean, but the breeder said it was his (Marcocci) dog "Cami" s 2nd litter and her first was 1 1/2 years ago, and he will not be breeding her anymore. The sire was Oxford's "Raging Chance". I have her ADBA registration certificate already, but am waiting on ADBA to send in her new certificate under my name as the new owner and also a 4 generation pedigree.

[c10d]

c10d, what you are reffering to is a "spring pole". I don't think it's ever too early to introduce your pup to a spring pole. Now, this does not mean let him hang off the ground holding on to the rope. If you want to introduce the pup to the spring pole, you just have to take it slow. Make sure your spring pole is secure possibly set in cement. Let the rope hang low enough so that the pup doesn't have to jump for it, let the hide hang on the ground. Anytime he shows interest, praise him. Encourage him to play tug with the hide and make it a big game. He will soon be old enough to lift the hide higher. Before you know it, it will be his favorite toy;) Just keep in mind, you should NEVER let your dog hang from the rope without atleast his hind feet touching the ground. Owners who let their dogs swing from the hide are just asking for trouble and are putting their dogs in harm's way. Here is a photo of my dog "Maggie" playing on the spring pole. Notice how low to the ground it is..... She NEVER "hangs" off the ground.

http://www.game-dog.com/gallery/files/2/2/2/1/maggierope7253.jpg
Thank you for your reply jadedpitgirl. I will definitly look up info on springpoles, and hopefully find a site which tells you how to construct one good and where to get animal hide and all that. I see many people have the hide hanging from trees, but i don't have a tree in my yard unfortunately.

I knew I could not let her hang off the rope at this age, I wouldnt want to rip her little baby teeth out, but I was under the impression that at adult age they could hang from them as I have seen in lots of pictures and my friends APBT that does it, although it does look like it's dangerous for the dog.

Thanks again

-c10

[c10d]

i agree i dont think it's ever too early to start your dog on a springpole it's good excercise for them just dont start off buy lifting him offthe ground and spinning him in circles,lol, JMHO but a flirtpole is a much better work out than a spring pole and cheaper to make. i dont know if you've done this all ready but you should get a couple of books on the breed as far as owning one goes or you could read around the site you'll pick up a lot of NEEDED info.
Thanks underdogg, I'm going to search up on spring poles AND flirtpoles. And the books I already have covered ;)
-c10

Your pup is beautiful. You can use the search feature above. Type in "flirt pole" or "spring pole" and you'll see where they have been discussed before. Atleast one forum will even tell you how to make one. Welcome to the site. :)
Thank you diva and thanks for the welcome!

[c10d]

Not to argue with what anybody is saying about the springpole, but what are you planning on doing with your dog? If you think you might show, I would hold off on springpole work. Tugging can mess up a dog's bite. For adult dogs who enjoy that kind of activity, the springpole is the best thing since sliced bread.
I didn't plan on showing her, but I am interested in weight pulling at a later age. I wasnt planning on starting her on a springpole until she at least loses her baby teeth because I'd think they would get ripped out. Or maybe I'm wrong? Who knows, thanks for the reply though

-c10

[kane85]

it depends on the pup also because how soon is to soon start them on the sringpole i say 7 to 8 months after they stoped teething i dont know iam i right oe wrong i never got a straight answer.

[TEXAS PIT DOGS]

start off with light tug with just a towl or something in your hand dont get going real hard with her yet.then when she hits about 6 months old start her on a spring pole just make sure her back feet are on the ground,and even better would be so her front feet are almost touching the ground. and also dont neglect the flirt pole i cant use em much anymores but i used to use them all the time and i really like the results,excersice for both you and the dog,lol.start her on one of these when she is about a year and a half and you wont go wrong.

[Esse818]

She looks really nice,just like my payasa i used to have. she already looks kinda cut.

[c10d]

start off with light tug with just a towl or something in your hand dont get going real hard with her yet.then when she hits about 6 months old start her on a spring pole just make sure her back feet are on the ground,and even better would be so her front feet are almost touching the ground. and also dont neglect the flirt pole i cant use em much anymores but i used to use them all the time and i really like the results,excersice for both you and the dog,lol.start her on one of these when she is about a year and a half and you wont go wrong.
Sounds good, I still didn't get a chance to search a flirtpole, but I will.

I also found a website www.springpoleusa.com (http://www.springpoleusa.com) that sells a spring pole already made which I was considering buying, since I dont have a tree in my yard I'd have to make something or buy something like this.

[c10d]

She looks really nice,just like my payasa i used to have. she already looks kinda cut.Yeah she's pretty muscular already. YOu cant see good from the position in those pictures, but her chest is really built and her shoulders.

Im thinking she's going to be really muscular being that her parents were, and I saw her 1 1/2 y/o brother from her dad + moms 1st litter and he was HUGE (muscle-wise)

-c10

[MercedesMama]

She's a very pretty girl! Welcome to the site! Enjoy!

[TEXAS PIT DOGS]

Sounds good, I still didn't get a chance to search a flirtpole, but I will.

I also found a website www.springpoleusa.com (http://www.springpoleusa.com/) that sells a spring pole already made which I was considering buying, since I dont have a tree in my yard I'd have to make something or buy something like this.i wouldnt recomend getting one from these folks,you can build a much better one yourself at a cheaper price,that will work for the dog better.

[Evil_Elvis]

springpoles can be trouble.. I wouldnt start a dog on one until they are over 1 yo old if I used them...


All that tugging, ect.. your pup is still growing. This could very well ruin joints, the back, the teeth, .. MAke sure before you start you have her thoroughly checked over by a vet to ensure theres no underlying helaht problems.

nice walks, fetch, are really the only thing a pup should be doing (swimming is a good exercise, too) a few games of tug on a rope toy are fine..

starting weight pulling too early can also lead to trouble.. just be carefull you arent demanding too much from a pup thats still growing and maturing mentally and physically

[jadedpitgirl]

Thank you for your reply jadedpitgirl. I will definitly look up info on springpoles, and hopefully find a site which tells you how to construct one good and where to get animal hide and all that. I see many people have the hide hanging from trees, but i don't have a tree in my yard unfortunately.

I knew I could not let her hang off the rope at this age, I wouldnt want to rip her little baby teeth out, but I was under the impression that at adult age they could hang from them as I have seen in lots of pictures and my friends APBT that does it, although it does look like it's dangerous for the dog.

Thanks again

-c10
c10~here is a link to my page on how to build a spring pole. feel free to use it.
http://groups.msn.com/TheWorkingPitBullTerrier/springpoleconstruction.msnw

[Esse818]

Yeah she's pretty muscular already. YOu cant see good from the position in those pictures, but her chest is really built and her shoulders.

Im thinking she's going to be really muscular being that her parents were, and I saw her 1 1/2 y/o brother from her dad + moms 1st litter and he was HUGE (muscle-wise)

-c10 well she gots potential to be cut but who knows for game. What do you want her for.

[c10d]

well she gots potential to be cut but who knows for game. What do you want her for.
Well my main reason for getting her was to have a loyal companion and another family pet. After reading a lot about APBT's I became interested in things like weight pulling and springpole. I think it's really cool how they have uses and activities where they can use their incredible strength.

-c10

[c10d]

i wouldnt recomend getting one from these folks,you can build a much better one yourself at a cheaper price,that will work for the dog better.
Yup, I actually just started building one today. I cemented an 8 ft tall 4 x 4 treated post about 1 ft (maybe slightly more) into the ground in my backyard and waiting for that to cure. After that I'm screwing a top peice of treated 2 x 4 onto the top of the post so it sticks out, then cutting another 2 x 4 on a 45 degree angle on both ends to go horizontally from the 4x4 POST to the top 2x4 that goes horizontally, so it's like a brace to reinforce the structure.

Then Im screwing a thick I-Hook with a ring on it into the top 2x4 so I can cannot rope and what not to it for it to dangle. But connecting directly to teh I-hook with the ring, will be a cut tire innertube used as a bungee instead of a spring (i thought this may be safer just in case the dog jumped high enough to get the spring which may mess up her mouth, but a tire innertube won't cut her all up). Then connect a heavy duty rope to the tire inner tube and a piece of Hide or some type of toy.

Keep in mind, she is very young now, so the toy will be just dangling above the ground so she cant work it too hard, then as she gets older I can raise it some so she can work it harder.

I'll try to post up pictures of it saturday.

-c10

[FearlessKnight]

Sounds good, I still didn't get a chance to search a flirtpole, but I will.

I also found a website www.springpoleusa.com (http://www.springpoleusa.com) that sells a spring pole already made which I was considering buying, since I dont have a tree in my yard I'd have to make something or buy something like this.
If your baby has any kind of drive, springpole usa is NOT THE PLACE!! Their products are very lame and low budget for high prices.....You would be better off buying one a dog show near you, or building it yourself! You will be disappointed with Springpole USA.
By the way, she is BEAUTIFUL! Good luck with whatever you decide!

[jadedpitgirl]

I cemented an 8 ft tall 4 x 4 treated post about 1 ft (maybe slightly more) into the ground in my backyard and waiting for that to cure. DO NOT USE TREATED WOOD FOR YOUR DOGS!!! I'll try to find the information about it, but it is treated with arsenic. It can be very harmful for your dogs.

[c10d]

DO NOT USE TREATED WOOD FOR YOUR DOGS!!! I'll try to find the information about it, but it is treated with arsenic. It can be very harmful for your dogs.
I don't mean for her to chew on though. The reason I got treated wood was so it could withstand the weather (snow/rain/heat)