The Beginning of a New Kind of Training

So, as you have probably noticed. I think that my dog is brilliant. He learns tricks within the first ten minutes of being taught. Our only problem was that we have gotten so attached and so has he, that he has had severe seperation issues. He has tried destroying things in order to get back at us for leaving. (We take him EVERYWHERE that allow dogs, but now that he is bigger it is harder to get away with taking him). So after becoming exhausted with the battle of whether we could keep him or not, I decided it was time for research on the issue, and advice from the experts. Days like these are when I really began to love the fact that I have joined the Dog Blog World.
Many of you are unaware that my blog started because of a class assignment for my Media 2.0 class at my University.The things I have learned about this community have shined tremendously, and the fact that I have expert advice and reviews within this little blog world excites me!!
So, here is what we have decided to do...
We have cleared out one of the back bedrooms and have given him his own room. I read on the IAMS website that giving them their own space is something that helps them cope with their seperation issues. How this works, I dont know.. But with only two days of testing it out, we are BEYOND pleased with the results. He is more than capable of breaking out of his cage, that was our huge issue. But with this new room, and his early christmas present.. A BED.. He has not attempted to get out once. His room is still under construction, so I will post a picture later. But as of now, its pretty much empty with just his bed and cage in there. But we plan on giving him free roam of the room later and having it set up just for him, toys and all. .

Th Bitter spray is our next process in this training. When we catch him messing up, our form of punishment will be a speray of this bitter spray inside of his mouth. But, so far we havent had to. I thank you all so much from the bottom of my heart, and I look forward to sharing more of our adventures and training successes with you. We are always opened to more suggestions. Thanks again!

How do you train a dog to know to leave your stuff alone?

My dog has gone on a destructive path this week. I am not quite sure why. So, I did what I thought I had to do and I started making calls to find him a new home that would treat him like we would. And I had three different takers, one with over two acres of fenced in land. Sounds perfect!! But, as the tears came, I realized I couldnt get rid of Trip. He is still a fantastic dog in every sense of the word, except when it comes with him messing with stuff that is not his. There are presents out now that arent usually around. Have you had this problem with your dog?? And what did you do?
Someone said use Hot Sauce, but I dont want to dose my presents with hot sauce. I just need advice because my heart wont allow me to give him away. He is apart of our family, and we will figure something out. But any and all advice would be great. Thank you dearly.

Tripp's Big Trip

Another story about my wonderful dog and pictures to go with it. We have really enjoyed our weekend and it means to world to share it with the rest of the earth. Enjoy..

 

It rained most of this weekend in the Memphis area. We were once again rained on in the middle of hanging up our outdoor Christmas decor. We stopped at the gas station and Tripp has an infatuation with the Drivers seat in our truck. He loves to ride in vehicles, we always have the window rolled down, and like a typical dog, he will hang his head out. I love to see him in the car, because you can tell how happy he is to get out of the normal routine around the house.

We have been unable to take him to Petco the last few times that we went, because we were going for longer than just a stop at the pet store. Yesterday, when we took him, we realized just how much he has grown since we've last had to put him on his leash. Our dog weighs almost as much we do, and he is pretty darn muscular. We have been hunting online for harnesses, but have been so worried with which ones to buy. I didnt want anything cheap, because I wanted it to work. And my better half didnt want the expensive one that I had picked out. So, while at Petco, our usual lady came to help us, and I asked her for No Pull harnesses, thinking there would be no way they would have what I had wanted. And lo and behold... For only 19.99, a No Pull Large Dog Harness.. Thank you PETCO!!! We ofcourse had to test it out, and walked around PETCO with it on for the rest of our visit.

It was Perfect.

While looking through all of the harnesses, Tripp was ready to take a break. So he sprawled out in the middle of the isle, and the attention he was getting was funny to watch. Everyone stopped to tell us what a beautiful dog we had, and a lot of people stopped to pet him. But some people were too afraid to go too close due to his big size. But, no evil looks and no ugly words, we were greeted with open arms. And this is why I LOVE ANIMAL LOVERS!!!!

Our Trip wore Tripp out, and the cold rainy day had us all wanting to get in front of the heater. But, due to our 75 pound dog, there was only enough heat for him.. :) This is his permanent winter spot, and for some reason it doesnt get old, it remains to be cute. And he likes it so much, he doesnt mind to perk up and take a picture to share with the world. Now I have a new bribery tool!! :) Isnt it funny how our animals are like your adopted children??

Tripp's First Encounter with Christmas Decorations

 Can you find my dog?? We started blowing up our inflatable Mickey to see how he looked after we bought him, and we can hear Tripp, but we can't find him??

:)


I hope that you all enjoy these pictures and videos, as we enjoyed getting them on camera. Tripp brings laughter into our lives and we love how we can share them with the world. I find these quite funny, especially since Pit Bulls have such a terrible reputation as to being terrorizing monsters that will eat you in a heart beat. We have captured actual footage of a Pit Bull being SCARED! He growls at the inflatable Mickey, but he wont dare go near it. :) Enjoy the Holidays, because we are already enjoying ours!!!

I am Saying it, Because Someone Needs to.

We had to rake leaves this past weekend. Not that it did any good because they have all reappeared in our yard. But between Trip and Serenity, the work was worth it. We all played in the leaves and had a blast!!! Unfortunatly, I heard in the news today some more hype about Pit Bulls, and how they are all doomed to be awful and vicious creatures, and should be destroyed. CLICK HERE TO READ Obviously, some pit bulls got out and slaughtered 42 goats. Which is awful, and chances are they were probably starving, and they destroyed these creatures. There is no denying the strength that these animals possess, but there is no need for breed descrimination. Just because the dog is pit bull doesnt mean that it is predestined to destroy herds of goats.

I put this link to this story up here, not to spread the word of the story but to show you the comments that the story held

"Another grotesque example that shows us why pit bulls should be banned--eliminated. Either that or the name of the breed should be changed... to "fairy princess". No one would want to own a dog that, when asked "What kind of dog is it?", you would have to answer "Oh, it's a fairy princess." That wiould put a quick end to the their popularity among the idiots who believe the lie that "they are good dogs."

Awful comments like this are a pattern on this news page. Eliminate the whole population of pit bulls because these starving dogs got a hold of some goats? Now, I am not excusing them, or saying these particular dogs are good. But that does not mean that every pit bull in the world is going to go and destroy herds of animals, or kill people. I have met people in this world that are cruel, there are murders who have slaughtered families who are back in the world, there are rapists and abusers who are put in the spotlight as athletes who are supposed to be our childrens rolemodels. That doesnt mean that we should destroy Humans because of a few bad apples.

This is not a killer..

This is an animal who has been trained to not jump on people, to open doors, to sit, roll over, and play with a 3.5 year old gently. He is smart and he is fully aware that he is apart of our family. If an animal is raised properly, he will behave in a good manner. But, when a dog is let free to roam, or abandoned, or trained to be cruel, what do you expect from them????

You can't expect any animal in those types of conditions to be nice, and friendly. Dogs that are not domesticated are hunters, no matter the breed!! Just like wolves, tigers, lions. Its in their blood. But, dogs that are domesticated and treated right dont destroy their owners, and they do not go around destroying herds of goats. If you were out for days without food, would you pass by a herd of goats, and not eat them? No, we are hunters. Humans eat meat EVERYday, and they destroy animals EVERY day. We are allowed to treat dogs and cats, and goats, and pigs and cows and chickens as if they have no rights. We are horrible creatures that make other animals around us the terrible creatures that they are!! US!!! But, you dont see people standing around having chats and discussions about how each of us should destroy and demolish our kind.. Pits can not stand up for themselves. They can not speak, they can not defeat humans who are going to unrightfully destroy their breed!!! SHAME ON YOU, IF YOU ARE DISCRIMINATING AGAINST THESE ANIMALS. Take a good long hard look in the mirror, then turn the news on.. Who do you hear about more? Humans killing other humans and being cruel to animals, or animals being cruel to humans???

You are going to have bad apples in any breed of being that exists. 'You dont see a teacup chiuaua in the news for destroying herds of goats' (because they are only 2 pounds). Giving these kinds of excuses to try and make up for the destruction of a beautiful and strong breed is unintelligent, and only makes the person saying it look like a complete fool. Please educate yourselves before destroying a kind of dog that can ultimately be the best companions a person and family can ask for. And yes, some people do Buy these Dogs or breed them because of their name, but those are the people who are responsible for the reputation that they hold. Not all dogs are the same, and the breed of a dog isn't what makes their actions, just like the color of our skin doesnt determine whether we will be criminals or doctors. Breed discrimination is NO different than Racism. Dont let that thought leave you. Because that is the Honest Truth, and it needs to be said. .Racism is wrong, and discriminating against an animal for its name is Wrong.

A Short Story

Ace Hardware and the Lost Pit <<=== Link to a great blog with the real story )

Today isn't a blog about my smart dog, or me being mad at him for chewing something up. No, today is the day that I am going to spread the word about a Pit Bull who was killed due to his breed. In Detroit, if it looks like a pit, barks like a pit, then it must be a pit bull. If animal control is called to pick one up they will not transfer it to a shelter, or take it to a vet to get it looked at if it needs it. They give the owner 4 days to claim the animal, or its over. Big cities everywhere will admit to the overabundance to Pits in their shelters. But at least Memphis is trying to give these dogs a chance. Cities like Detroit are just letting these dogs wrot and die slowly if someone doesnt claim them in time. This is legal?? I am afraid so. My heart goes out to these animals. They are bred by people who may or may not have good intentions, then they grow their entire lives being feared by most people who come around them, most of them are abused by their 'masters', and when they are lost they are not treated like a breathing creature, or something capable of feelings. They are just left to sit and wait, and eventually die. .This is a disgrace. Something must be done. We need to stand up against these TERRIBLE crimes. There should be laws in place to PROTECT EVERY BREED. There should not be an exclusion of Pit Bulls, or anything that resembles a pit bull.
I know that dangerous fully grown pit bulls are put down if they are seen as a threat to society. I can understand that, because that doesnt stop at just pits. That is for any dog. Any violent dog will be put down in shelters. But to not even give the dog a chance to try to live, or try to be adopted out. To let it suffer with its cuts and bruises, is inhumane and pitiful.

Is 'Ace' the Dog Still Alive?: MyFoxDETROIT.com
">Video of Detroit's Fox News
Its sad isn't it? A dog wondered into a store, the man tried to do the right thing by calling animal control, only to find out that he is scheduled to be Euthenized. I believe the euthenization has happened, but it is sad to know that he didn't even stand a chance, even with people rallying up to save him. This must be stopped. We must save the Pits, and create their new image.

Memphis' News Report about Pit Bulls

VIDEO FROM ACTION NEWS 5

I actually avoided that channel the night I heard they were doing a special over Pit Bulls in Memphis. Becuase I figured that it would be the same old fallacies that all media feeds to the public. Pit bulls are evil, we should ban pit bulls, blah blah blah. But this one actually did not set me off, as it might have other pit bull lovers.

As you have probably guessed, I am aiming for recreating the image of the Pit Bull through my sweet pup. Like the Journalists said, pit bulls are the most feared and the most defended breed on the planet. I sat and chuckled to myself, because I will be the first to defend the defamation of this animal. It is the lack of responsibility of the owners in the past and the present. But if we educate people to not fear these dogs, and to even raise them and socialize them to be apart of our community we could literally change the world.

This is my baby. He is more than just a status symbol. I dont care about his size or his build, he makes me feel safe, and he is easy to train. I want to raise a lot more Pit Bulls just so I can show that I didn't just get lucky with him. Not breed them, but SAVE them. Pit bulls are a respectful breed, they want to please their master and are actually fantastic with people of all ages as long as they are used to seeing new people, they are friendly with strangers. The only thing that people fear about my dog is the fact that he is a pit. That is being predjudice, and it is time that people start looking past the media to see the dogs that are trained correctly. And instead of banning this breed, try to recreate the breed. 80% of the dogs taken to the Animal Shelter in Memphis are Pit Bulls, and according to the vet there, almost none of them will make it out alive. For an 8 month period this year over 380 pit bulls have been euthenized. That means over a third of the animals that have been euthenized in Memphis have been Pit Bulls. In a couple of cities near me, one has banned pit bulls altogether, and one has insurance laws and microchipping laws. Not only the dogs are being punished by the owners as well.

So I ask you all, any one who comes across this site, or reads it often, I want to challenge you to get a pitbull. If you can not devote the time due to a full schedule or a full load of animals already, just become an advocate for them. Share the word with other people that Pit Bulls deserve to rebuild their reputations. And lets save this helpless breed that wants to love as much as it wants love.