I Can't Stand My New Dog

Off Topic
41

[quote]Chris Colucci wrote:
Some good info in here that I’ll be implementing. Our American Staffordshire is about 9 months old now. We’ve had her about 2 months but we’re still working on basic training, housebreaking, and getting her to be cool with our two cats (that’s more about getting the cats to be cool with her though).

We rescued her from a shelter and actually, strangely/randomly, later met the people who brought her there at a local “doggie day at the park”. Turns out they rescued her from a backyard breeder who was raising fighting dogs. Our pup wasn’t breaking/doing what he wanted, so she would’ve probably ended up for bait or breeding.

She’s calm 99% of the time. No food or toy aggression (I can easily pull things from her mouth when playing or eating), not riled up by roughhousing/overexcitement or when the cats bop her nose, but she flips the hell out if you grab her neck or collar too quickly. I tried the ‘roll and neck brace’ thing once or twice, before I made the connection to her abusive past, and she thrashed as if she were on fire and nipped at me until I let her up.

We had our first meeting with a trainer last week and she convinced us to start crating her. Seems to have helped the housebreaking pretty quickly. We’ll probably start the more comprehensive 6-week training course soon. I do want to eventually get her certified as a therapy dog so we’ve got to buckle down on training ASAP.[/quote]
With my dog now it’s more of a roll over and vigorously pet, like if I start to push on her side she just plops down and looks at me for a belly rub.
It calms her down when she’s getting roudy.

I think it’s a lot more about the position than the forcefulness.
Where something may start as an altercation, it can turn into an affectionate reminder.

My dog growls at another dog, I tell her “No.”
If the other dog advances and aggravates my girl I push her over lightly and proceed to pet her brains out.
One time when she was young she started snapping at one of my friends kids, so I had to be a little more forceful in controlling her head, but it still ended up in a belly rub when she chilled out.

42

[quote]iVoodoo wrote:

[quote]BlakeAJackson wrote:
There is always more then one way to skin a cat. People who say its unnecessary have probably not come across a dog that required this type of correction. Most people who have bullies have expectations for how they want their dog to behave that often go against the very instincts of the breed. Utilizing alpha rolls and such is a quick way to get a message to the dog, but often controlled socialization and positive reinforcement is not utilized enough to reinforce the desired behavior. [/quote]
Agreed, repetition is key.
Like I said, physicality should NOT be the foundation of your relationship with your pet.

Sometimes though, to avoid people(specifically kids) getting hurt, you just have to roll and subdue.
Often times, at least IME, dogs are more receptive to training after an event like this happens.

Consistent care, cues, and boundaries are what makes a good dog though, not the Alpha Roll.
[/quote]

It’s funny how pitbull people are often the most critical of other pitbull owners after a while. Honestly after a string of rescue pits with health issues I am done with owning any of them, that and having gone to ADBA shows and seeing who I had unintentionally associated myself with. That seems harsh, it’s not meant as a criticism of the breed or responsible owners just an unfortunate reality of the current state of the breed IMO. It’s just not worth it to me anymore, at this point in my life, to try and overcome all of the idiots and damage that has and is being done by others to what otherwise is a wonderful breed.

43

I have 3 pits, a great dane, and a golden.

2 pits are rescues. A blue that is 1 year old (razors edge and gotti mix). A red that is 2 years old (tan color)
The other pit is closing in on 4 years old and I bought him from friends whose pits had puppies.
My great dane is a year old also.
And the golden is the old man of the bunch at almost 10.

I let all my dogs on the couch with me and 2 pits sleep with me on a regular basis, but they sure as hell know who the boss is. When I get mad they instantly all know it and stop what they are doing and cower. Tail between the legs and hunkering with eyes cast down. I have not once ever had one of them bite me or challenge me for anything. I think it starts as a young puppy. Making them sit and not eating until given a command to. Taking things away from them, toys, food, etc. I would not think twice about sticking my hand in any of my dogs mouth and taking anything. They all sit there quietly and let me do as I please.

They are all also very respectable of guests granted I am there to facilitate the meeting. The oldest pit is rather protective around my house only. The other 3 you could rob my house and they would lick you. But I agree the dominance issue/ alpha dog is a big issue. Pits are notorious for being strong willed, stubborn, and wanting to be king dick. But they are amazingly loyal and sweet dogs, great with kids too.

But I will say if you approach my little nieces unannounced be prepared to have a couple hundred pounds of pit clamped on you. And 200 lbs of great dane =P

44

[quote]iVoodoo wrote:

[quote]Chris Colucci wrote:
Some good info in here that I’ll be implementing. Our American Staffordshire is about 9 months old now. We’ve had her about 2 months but we’re still working on basic training, housebreaking, and getting her to be cool with our two cats (that’s more about getting the cats to be cool with her though).

We rescued her from a shelter and actually, strangely/randomly, later met the people who brought her there at a local “doggie day at the park”. Turns out they rescued her from a backyard breeder who was raising fighting dogs. Our pup wasn’t breaking/doing what he wanted, so she would’ve probably ended up for bait or breeding.

She’s calm 99% of the time. No food or toy aggression (I can easily pull things from her mouth when playing or eating), not riled up by roughhousing/overexcitement or when the cats bop her nose, but she flips the hell out if you grab her neck or collar too quickly. I tried the ‘roll and neck brace’ thing once or twice, before I made the connection to her abusive past, and she thrashed as if she were on fire and nipped at me until I let her up.

We had our first meeting with a trainer last week and she convinced us to start crating her. Seems to have helped the housebreaking pretty quickly. We’ll probably start the more comprehensive 6-week training course soon. I do want to eventually get her certified as a therapy dog so we’ve got to buckle down on training ASAP.[/quote]
With my dog now it’s more of a roll over and vigorously pet, like if I start to push on her side she just plops down and looks at me for a belly rub.
It calms her down when she’s getting roudy.

I think it’s a lot more about the position than the forcefulness.
Where something may start as an altercation, it can turn into an affectionate reminder.

My dog growls at another dog, I tell her “No.”
If the other dog advances and aggravates my girl I push her over lightly and proceed to pet her brains out.
One time when she was young she started snapping at one of my friends kids, so I had to be a little more forceful in controlling her head, but it still ended up in a belly rub when she chilled out.[/quote]

Absolutely body position dictates states of dominance. Standing is greater then sitting, sitting is greater then lying down, lying down is greater then showing their belly.

The more you display your ability to control others and their dog in situations the more at ease your dog can be. This means saying please keep your dog on that side, if they are going to meet please have your dog sit and I will have mine do the same we will great each other and then they may, ect…Also if the other persons dog looks out of control and they look like they can’t handle it you need to protect your dog from that interaction.

Ivoodoo I am not addressing this to you just expanding on your idea/post.

45

[quote]print wrote:

[quote]iVoodoo wrote:

[quote]print wrote:

[quote]iVoodoo wrote:
I flip my dogs on their back and grab their throat when they act up.

Obviously I’d never choke out my dog, but once they realize you could end them and choose not to, they’ll be a good dog.[/quote]

This is by far the most ridiculous thing I’ve read in a long time! & on this site, that’s saying something.

OP, you don’t have to ass whip your dog to show you’re the alpha. In fact that’s one of the worst things you can do. The best thing you can do for the pup in a word, repetition. It’s a day in & day out job for 30-45 days depending on the pups attention span. & it’s a constant.

You want him on his bed? Then you might put him on his/her bed 50x in a row using the same cues. Eventually it’ll be ingrained.

Good luck.[/quote]
C’mon man, saying that’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve heard on this site?
That’s practically an attack on my character.

I’m not saying to hurt your dog or to make physical altercation the foundation of your relationship with your pet, but if a dog is acting overly aggressive, or playing too hard, rolling them on their back into a submissive position to show you can hypothetically “throw them around” shows you’re dominant and deserve to be heeded. The hand on the neck is to keep a thrashing head under control, not to restrict breathing.

Obviously I don’t choke slam my dog, I love my dog.
On the rare occasion that my verbal commands have failed to calm him down though, I will not hesitate to get a little physical.

Once again, because I was seriously offended at the implication I’d hurt my dog.
I WOULD NEVER HURT MY PET.
[/quote]

Your initial post comes across a little aggressive. Had you posted it like this post, mine would of been different. Just the way I read it. You’ll never convince me that holding a dog down on its back & cutting some wind off works.

I’ve owned nothing but rescue & shelter dogs for yrs. I’ve never had to actually get physical w/any of them. Everyone’s opinion will differ on this subject. I only speak of my exp.'s.[/quote]
It was early, I suppose it was a somewhat terse post.
I’ll forgive you, someday…

And like I said to Chris, IME, the position of being above them on their back is most important.
I can’t resist my girl’s big repentant eyes and always cave to a belly rub, lol.

I learned the alpha roll when I worked in a shelter, it’s a technique that is only really necessary with very angry dogs.
The flip is to get them off their feet quickly to avoid claws, jumping, running, etc.
The hand on the neck is to keep the head from thrashing, not to constrict air.

It’s really the only way to subdue a violent dog WITHOUT hurting it.
You can’t just jab a tranquilizer in a moving, biting, angry dog.

46

Have you tried punching him in the face? or PIIHP?

47

Thanks for the info. I definitely agree with discouraging the prey drive. We do put food out for squirrels and birds in our backyard and I’ve been trying to monitor her whenever they’re around.

And regarding the belly rub thing, she does instinctively go belly up pretty much everytime she’s on the ground whether I put her there or not. I’ll encourage/reward that passiveness then.

[quote]BlakeAJackson wrote:
It’s just not worth it to me anymore, at this point in my life, to try and overcome all of the idiots and damage that has and is being done by others to what otherwise is a wonderful breed.[/quote]
I understand what you’re saying. I’ve read there’s two kinds of responsible pit owners. The ones who want nothing to do with the stereotypical reputation and avoid any connection to it, and the ones who try to be “breed ambassadors” to change the rep for the better.

A few weeks ago, we were walking our pup and a guy we passed on the street said, “Is that a pit bull?” I told him “She’s an American Staffordshire.” Guy said, “Oh, well, she looks like a pit bull. I have two of them.” I wasn’t quite trying to avoid the “pitbull” label, but I do want to clarify it when I can, which is also why I want to look into therapy work (and why we didn’t let the kiddo name her “Diesel.” “Cookie” is a little more friendly right off the bat. Ha.)

She’s the second one we’ve owned. Our last girl, who literally wandered onto our front yard as a stray, was an absolute mush (even moreso than the black lab we had previously) and totally opened our eyes. I get what you’re saying though, and I’m sure it can be tiresome to deal with after however long you’ve been around the breed.

48

[quote]Chris Colucci wrote:
Thanks for the info. I definitely agree with discouraging the prey drive. We do put food out for squirrels and birds in our backyard and I’ve been trying to monitor her whenever they’re around.

And regarding the belly rub thing, she does instinctively go belly up pretty much everytime she’s on the ground whether I put her there or not. I’ll encourage/reward that passiveness then.

[quote]BlakeAJackson wrote:
It’s just not worth it to me anymore, at this point in my life, to try and overcome all of the idiots and damage that has and is being done by others to what otherwise is a wonderful breed.[/quote]
I understand what you’re saying. I’ve read there’s two kinds of responsible pit owners. The ones who want nothing to do with the stereotypical reputation and avoid any connection to it, and the ones who try to be “breed ambassadors” to change the rep for the better.

A few weeks ago, we were walking our pup and a guy we passed on the street said, “Is that a pit bull?” I told him “She’s an American Staffordshire.” Guy said, “Oh, well, she looks like a pit bull. I have two of them.” I wasn’t quite trying to avoid the “pitbull” label, but I do want to clarify it when I can, which is also why I want to look into therapy work (and why we didn’t let the kiddo name her “Diesel.” “Cookie” is a little more friendly right off the bat. Ha.)

She’s the second one we’ve owned. Our last girl, who literally wandered onto our front yard as a stray, was an absolute mush (even moreso than the black lab we had previously) and totally opened our eyes. I get what you’re saying though, and I’m sure it can be tiresome to deal with after however long you’ve been around the breed.[/quote]

I did the therapy dog thing my first staffy and that is rewarding. You will have a great ambassador for the breed when you achieve that certification. However just a heads up, even with that title not all doors will be open for you to enter. You should absolutely do it though. I got to take him to shriner’s in Galveston a few times and to a elementary school for training kids dog safety, but not all places would allow a pit bull type dog in their facility no matter what the certification. The opportunities that you have for the actually therapy work may well be ones you have to create for yourself and your dog.

The First step is the Canine Good Citizen test. This requires basic obedience and temperament testing. This is the minimum all pitbull owners should do to help the breeds image. Once you have that the TDC is a breeze.

Also you may have new issues crop up around 2yrs of age. For whatever reason there seems to be a developmental switch that can happen around that age with this breed. This is the time that a docile dog can switch to being being DOG/Animal Aggressive. Depending this can be more then many want to deal with if it happens. You already know it is from a fighting yard so you need to keep a eye on it.

Best of luck and keep fighting the good fight.

49

kind of related: walking my dog tonight, which is a King Charles Cavalier btw, we encountered the scariest looking dog I have ever seen!

An american bulldog. It seriously must’ve weighed close to 200lbs, and it was only 11 months old. It looked like it could flip a car.

Friendliest dog ever though, and watching it play with my puppy was probably the funniest thing ever. It was like watching the Incredible Hulk play with a mouse.

50

What is the difference between a Pit Bull and an American Staffordshire? Wiki actually stated that they are one and the same. Is wiki wrong which would be no shock to me.

51

[quote]rds63799 wrote:
kind of related: walking my dog tonight, which is a King Charles Cavalier btw, we encountered the scariest looking dog I have ever seen!

An american bulldog. It seriously must’ve weighed close to 200lbs, and it was only 11 months old. It looked like it could flip a car.

Friendliest dog ever though, and watching it play with my puppy was probably the funniest thing ever. It was like watching the Incredible Hulk play with a mouse.[/quote]

dont let one latch on to your arm, they don’t let go. That is how they are tested. They get them to grab something in air and they have to shake it around till either a time limit or he thing breaks.

They were bread to grab on to the nose ring of a Bull and shake that 2000 lb hunk of meat till it did what it was told.

I do hear they are sweet dogs and great with people.

52

Protip: if you own more then one pit or a pit with other dogs.
http://www.pbrc.net/breaksticks.html

For all dog owners. If you need a dog to release what is in its mouth lift dog by rear legs and keep raising till the must redirect and address you. Walk backwards. This info could save your own dogs life if it is being attacked.

53

[quote]dmaddox wrote:
What is the difference between a Pit Bull and an American Staffordshire? Wiki actually stated that they are one and the same. Is wiki wrong which would be no shock to me.[/quote]
Am staffs can be registered with Akc and adba.

American pitbulls only with adba.

This is the type of stuff that make you start to hate what the breed is becoming.
They both share lines when you go far back enough.

54

[quote]BlakeAJackson wrote:
Protip: if you own more then one pit or a pit with other dogs.
http://www.pbrc.net/breaksticks.html

For all dog owners. If you need a dog to release what is in its mouth lift dog by rear legs and keep raising till the must redirect and address you. Walk backwards. This info could save your own dogs life if it is being attacked. [/quote]

I hear a strong kick to the ribs of the other dog could work also. Make sure to break every rib. Your dog will be just fine.

55

[quote]BlakeAJackson wrote:

[quote]dmaddox wrote:
What is the difference between a Pit Bull and an American Staffordshire? Wiki actually stated that they are one and the same. Is wiki wrong which would be no shock to me.[/quote]
Am staffs can be registered with Akc and adba.

American pitbulls only with adba.

This is the type of stuff that make you start to hate what the breed is becoming.
They both share lines when you go far back enough.

[/quote]

are pitbulls more stocky or something? The images on Google for both breeds have some identical pictures. Maybe people do not know what type of dog they have. They sure do look a lot alike.

56

[quote]dmaddox wrote:

[quote]BlakeAJackson wrote:
Protip: if you own more then one pit or a pit with other dogs.
http://www.pbrc.net/breaksticks.html

For all dog owners. If you need a dog to release what is in its mouth lift dog by rear legs and keep raising till the must redirect and address you. Walk backwards. This info could save your own dogs life if it is being attacked. [/quote]

I hear a strong kick to the ribs of the other dog could work also. Make sure to break every rib. Your dog will be just fine.[/quote]

That may work, but if you kick my dog and break its ribs I can guarantee you will be fine.

57

[quote]dmaddox wrote:

[quote]BlakeAJackson wrote:

[quote]dmaddox wrote:
What is the difference between a Pit Bull and an American Staffordshire? Wiki actually stated that they are one and the same. Is wiki wrong which would be no shock to me.[/quote]
Am staffs can be registered with Akc and adba.

American pitbulls only with adba.

This is the type of stuff that make you start to hate what the breed is becoming.
They both share lines when you go far back enough.

[/quote]

are pitbulls more stocky or something? The images on Google for both breeds have some identical pictures. Maybe people do not know what type of dog they have. They sure do look a lot alike.[/quote]

It’s a papers thing unless your dog has Akc papers its an American pitbulls terrier, if it has no registry adba or Akc it’s a cur, at least in my mind.

Then there are fad breeders breeding pit bull type dogs that have huge chests and heads, look like hippos. These are being called American bullies. Not the same as American bulldogs.

58

[quote]BlakeAJackson wrote:

[quote]dmaddox wrote:

[quote]BlakeAJackson wrote:
Protip: if you own more then one pit or a pit with other dogs.
http://www.pbrc.net/breaksticks.html

For all dog owners. If you need a dog to release what is in its mouth lift dog by rear legs and keep raising till the must redirect and address you. Walk backwards. This info could save your own dogs life if it is being attacked. [/quote]

I hear a strong kick to the ribs of the other dog could work also. Make sure to break every rib. Your dog will be just fine.[/quote]

That may work, but if you kick my dog and break its ribs I can guarantee you will be fine. [/quote]

my sister was outside in the front yard with our dog in High School, when another dog that got out of their back yard attacked our dog. My sister drop kicked that dog in the ribs and it decided to go some place else. My sister said she heard multiple cracking noises when the kick landed.

59

[quote]BlakeAJackson wrote:

[quote]dmaddox wrote:

[quote]BlakeAJackson wrote:

[quote]dmaddox wrote:
What is the difference between a Pit Bull and an American Staffordshire? Wiki actually stated that they are one and the same. Is wiki wrong which would be no shock to me.[/quote]
Am staffs can be registered with Akc and adba.

American pitbulls only with adba.

This is the type of stuff that make you start to hate what the breed is becoming.
They both share lines when you go far back enough.

[/quote]

are pitbulls more stocky or something? The images on Google for both breeds have some identical pictures. Maybe people do not know what type of dog they have. They sure do look a lot alike.[/quote]

It’s a papers thing unless your dog has Akc papers its an American pitbulls terrier, if it has no registry adba or Akc it’s a cur, at least in my mind.

Then there are fad breeders breeding pit bull type dogs that have huge chests and heads, look like hippos. These are being called American bullies. Not the same as American bulldogs. [/quote]

So it really is just a paper trail. Got it.

60

[quote]dmaddox wrote:

[quote]rds63799 wrote:
kind of related: walking my dog tonight, which is a King Charles Cavalier btw, we encountered the scariest looking dog I have ever seen!

An american bulldog. It seriously must’ve weighed close to 200lbs, and it was only 11 months old. It looked like it could flip a car.

Friendliest dog ever though, and watching it play with my puppy was probably the funniest thing ever. It was like watching the Incredible Hulk play with a mouse.[/quote]

dont let one latch on to your arm, they don’t let go. That is how they are tested. They get them to grab something in air and they have to shake it around till either a time limit or he thing breaks.

They were bread to grab on to the nose ring of a Bull and shake that 2000 lb hunk of meat till it did what it was told.

I do hear they are sweet dogs and great with people. [/quote]

it was a really friendly dog, and played really sweetly with my puppy so there was nothing wrong with it’s temperament at all.

I dunno though, I like knowing I’m the most alpha creature in my house. Don’t like the idea of sharing my home with something that could easily destroy me.