![\"Makai\"](\"http:\/\/origin.ih.constantcontact.com\/fs056\/1102328930291\/img\/76.jpg\")
<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\u201dWhat do you think about Pit Bulls?\u201d<\/p>\n
My answer is that the Pit Bull is a marvelous breed.\u00a0As with any other dog, a certain degree of commitment is a given, and proper training is essential to enjoy a well-balanced pet. Generally speaking, when a dog owner takes the time from the beginning, to do what is required, the result is a happy, well-balanced, obedient dog, that behaves well around people and most other dogs.\u00a0Just as we do not fall in love with every person that crosses our path or enters our life, we know that not every dog is going to be best pals with each other.\u00a0With that said, we all were taught early on in life, the concept of, \u201cif you don\u2019t have anything nice to say, don\u2019t say it.\u201d\u00a0Many call this \u201cshowing good manners,\u201d we can teach our dogs the exact same lesson.\u00a0The all too common problem nowadays, is that people get a dog for the wrong reason(s), including:<\/p>\n
1. My friend has\/had one 2. I like the way it looks 3. ________has one (fill in the blank with the name of any celebrity) 4. I saw one on television 5. I saw one in a movie \u00a0\u00a06. They\u2019re so cool.<\/p>\n
What many people don\u2019t realize, is that most dogs were bred for a purpose. Before buying one, you should do a little homework to find out what your preferred breed of dog is meant to do. ![\"Pit](\"http:\/\/origin.ih.constantcontact.com\/fs056\/1102328930291\/img\/78.jpg\" "\\"Edit")
The information is readily available on the internet, as well as, books and magazines.\u00a0You may also solicit the opinions of professionals in the industry (e.g. veterinarians or dog trainers). Trust me, it\u2019s worth it.\u00a0The American Pit Bull Terrier is officially called the American Staffordshire Terrier by the American Kennel Club.\u00a0 Every Dog\u2019s Legal Guide, by Mary Randolph, J.D., stated, \u201cPit bulls, in fact, were the epitome of the all-American dog in the early part of this century.\u00a0 Pete the Pup, in the old \u201cOur Gang\u201d movies, was a pit bull.\u00a0 Teddy Roosevelt had a pit bull in the White House.\u00a0 And on a World War I poster that used dogs to symbolize the various nations, America was a pit bull-stalwart, unafraid, but not belligerent.\u201d<\/p>\n
I have always strongly maintained that while certain traits can be common to certain breeds, it is ludicrous to try to force the Pit Bull to shoulder the burden for dog bite horror stories.\u00a0 I can say without a doubt that I\u2019ve been bitten by more small dogs than larger varieties, including Pit Bulls. In fact, in 2008 the Netherlands lifted a 15 year ban on Pit Bulls, citing that there was no reduction in the number of dog biting incidents during the time the ban was active (since1993).<\/p>\n
The following is taken directly from the AKC website:\u00a0\u201dThe Am Staff\u201d is a people-oriented dog that thrives when he is made part of the family and given a job to do.\u00a0Although friendly, this breed is loyal to his family and will protect them from any threat.\u00a0His short coat is low-maintenance, but regular exercise and training is necessary.\u201d\u00a0The last sentence in that paragraph is crucial.\u00a0Some people think they can just buy a dog, tie it up and expect it to be happy just because it\u2019s getting food and water. ![\"Super](\"http:\/\/origin.ih.constantcontact.com\/fs056\/1102328930291\/img\/77.jpg\")
Nothing could be further from the truth.\u00a0That\u2019s like taking a trained pilot and making him sit in the airport terminal all the time. He\u2019s not going to be happy because he\u2019s not being allowed to do what he feels he is supposed to be doing, nor is he being set up for success. Rather than bash innocent dogs, I think that we should enact guidelines to ensure the development of more responsible dog owners.\u00a0 Our suggestion would be\u00a0a simple certification program for new dog (all dogs, not just Pit Bull) buyers\/owners, similar to the ones you need to take before purchasing a firearm.\u00a0If more citizens were knowledgeable in the healthy ways of dog ownership, dog bite incidents would be reduced dramatically. The byproduct of this could easily be a decrease in the number of dogs turned in to shelters due to behavioral problems. Mary Randolph, J.D. also points out in Every Dog\u2019s Legal Guide, \u201cAny dog\u2019s temperament is influenced by its breeding, its health, its socialization, and its environment.\u201d<\/p>\n
We recently had a client who owns a Pit Bull.\u00a0Before he started training with Sit Means Sit, the dog had some behavioral issues (e.g. jumping on people, aggression towards other dogs, etc.)\u00a0Our client was told by three different people that his dog was \u201cnot trainable.\u201d\u00a0Yet, during the first lesson, we had this particular Pit Bull sitting calmly while other dogs walked past him.\u00a0Our client summed up what he saw that night in one word, \u201cAMAZING.\u201d<\/p>\n
The point of this story is not to boast about our Sit Means Sit training skills.\u00a0What we want to highlight in this scenario, is the fact that at least three individuals assumed this dog was not trainable.\u00a0Would they have had the same opinion if the dog was a Pomeranian?\u00a0I highly doubt it.\u00a0I think it\u2019s safe to say they came to their conclusion because of their preconceived notions about the Pit Bull breed in general.\u00a0Our perspective when it comes to any Pit Bull is that it\u2019s just another dog, that needs to learn the benefits of structure and balance in the home with their owner.\u00a0For the record, we love Pit Bulls and do not view them as an aggressive breed that certain members of society make it out to be.<\/p>\n
When a dog (or almost any animal) is suppressed (versus being given proper ways to channel its energy,) its survival instincts kick in, which can result in negative issues.\u00a0These issues can manifest themselves in a number of ways, one of which is aggression.\u00a0Training (not punishment,) exercise (not frustration,) discipline (not yelling) and love (not over feeding) almost invariably prevent and\/or control unwanted behavior.\u00a0It\u2019s a very simple formula, and it works!\u00a0To enact a law banning Pit Bulls based on fear and ignorance is a huge mistake, and it can create a divide among all animal lovers.\u00a0It is a knee-jerk reaction to a situation created by irresponsible, uneducated dog owners.\u00a0To punish countless others (as well as the Pit Bull breed) for the careless actions of a select few, is extremely unfair and discriminatory.\u00a0The keys to progress among all dog owners starts with education and proper training.\u00a0With dog ownership on the rise, creating public awareness is always the more sensible approach.<\/p>\n
At Sit Means Sit Austin, we take pride in helping dog owners of all breeds create healthy relationships with their dogs.\u00a0To get started, just give us a call at (512) 942-RUFF [7833] to set up your FREE demonstration with your dog!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
austin@sitmeanssit.com | tel: 512.942.RUFF [7833] Because of a few, but highly visibility incidents involving Pit Bulls, I am more frequently I hear about trainers that will not train Pit Bulls, apartments that\u00a0 will not accept Pit Bulls and politicians feeling compelled to introduce bills that would make it a misdemeanor to own, possess or sell…<\/p>\n