Why Dogs Don't Get A Fair Shake

... I really ought to proof-read things better before I post them. What I wanted to write about, was how people don't bother to look at the various drives their dogs have, in order to understand them. At the same time, I was trying to convey that "a dog is a dog is a dog", selective breeding and genetics have broken them up into different types and breeds, but dogs are still dogs, they all have the same drives, albeit, in different proportions. But somewhere along the way, while I was writing, I seemed to have missed the point entirely.

There is something different, about Pit Bulls, that's for sure. It can't be denied. But I am at a complete loss as to exactly "what" it is... But it's there.

Anyway, I guess what I'd tell somebody, who was keeping a Pit Bull for the first time, is that its important to know how their drives work, and use them in a safe, legal, productive way. For example, you have a high prey drive, a desire to chase things, bite them, grip and bring them to the ground, how about using time with a flirt pole as a reward for doing a good job during a training session. That's what I do with my girl, she loves it. Sometimes its hard (at least for me) to work with, and properly direct, the mind of a 16 week-old puppy, but she loves that flirt pole, and she knows that if she sits right away when told, lays down right away when told, and comes when called, she gets to play with it. It worked for me, that's for sure.

I figure it this way, folks go wrong when they expect their dogs to be anything but what they are, dogs, with all their instincts, drives and idiosyncrasies. Me and my puppy get along great, because I expect her to be a puppy.

That was much more concise, I think. Anyway, if you suffered through reading my first post, I do apologize. I respect you guys, and your opinions, quite a bit.

Thanks :-)

 

Much better, less preachy, more down to Earth.

 

did you save a copy of the original post? I started reading it then came back and couldn't find it. I don't think that you were too far out there and had a good analogy with the little ankle biter. I was looking to print it for a lady i work with that thinks her son's jack Russell is her grand-kid.

 

Not of the original, no. However, I am working on a piece for a website that I write for/webmaster, it's the same piece, basically, just written better and run by my editor for corrections. I need to double-check some research sources, and make sure to polish it off with a bit more objectivity. I will be happy to provide you with the finished draft. Just PM me, and we can chat about it. Should be done in the next few days.

 

well lemme know when its finished, i'd like to read it

 

Will-Do :-)

 

My advice before owning this breed is to have a mentor. Now there are people that own the breed and shouldnt own them so you really need to be sure who it is you would classify as a mentor. lol. Take time a read. Dont rule out adoption. Make sure you learn, learn,learn and learn. There is like you said so much to learn about this breed.

 

There is indeed. And on top of it there's so much to know about dogs in-general... I don't think a lot of folks out there research a breed to see if it's drives fit their lifestyle. Why would you want to own a Lab if you don't like going out for lots of exercise outside, that type of thing. And with Pits, it's even more-so, because they seem, as a whole, to have very active minds about them; not only do they seem to enjoy working, they also like solving puzzles. At least, Begonia does.