proudpits-blog

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The guilt trip: It’s all in how they’re raised.

For almost two years, I felt like I had failed as a dog owner because my Bully mix (Pitterstaff/AmBully, at best guess) turned out to be dog aggressive.

“It’s all in how they’re raised!” is a sentence that makes me cringe.  Anyone that owns a DA APBT or Bully breed probably knows what I’m talking about.  While it is a great sentiment on the ability of dogs to overcome horrible situations, it ignores essential facts about canine behavior while simultaneously putting the blame on dog owners.  

One of the first pictures I have of Zuni and I, on a camping trip in early 2012.

Zuni, my craigslist rescue, wasn’t even a year old when I got her.  Her history before being picked up off the streets by a friendly married couple is unknown.  But she was a fantastic dog and I took her absolutely everywhere with me - she even came to my high school once and assisted me with a theater presentation.  We went to the dog park weekly, ran agility, practiced obedience, and played disc anywhere there was enough space for her to run.  When I started working at the kennel, she would go to daycare during my shifts.  Zuni was so good with other dogs that she was used as a neutral dog to test newcomers for the daycare program.

I did everything right with her.  Knowing her breed, I felt an additional sense of responsibility.  I couldn’t raise a dog that would contribute to the “dangerous pitbull” idea.  But I can’t control genetics and breed tendencies.  My breed isn’t dangerous, but ignoring what my breed was meant for is absolutely dangerous.

Around two years of age, the dog aggression began.  We consulted with several trainers and tried so many methods that it makes my head spin thinking about it.  The best answer we could get from anyone was that she was fear aggressive.  I worked with that for nearly a year, but couldn’t ever agree with it.  I know fear aggressive dogs, I work with them frequently.  Zuni’s behavior and body language certainly wasn’t fearful - she would strain at the end of her leash, every muscle standing out, eyes locked onto another dog with an intensity that terrified most people.  It was the same way she looked at squirrels.  I’ve broken up two fights, and both times I knew she’d never quit until she couldn’t get to the other dog.

I didn’t make any progress with Zuni until I accepted the fact that dog aggression was a part of her temperament.  I stopped blaming myself for her behavior and I stopped seeing her dog aggression as the sign of a  “bad dog.”  I stopped trying to make her like every dog she met and instead taught her to ignore other dogs in public and focus on me.  I don’t allow people to bring their dogs near her and we certainly don’t go to the dog park anymore.  I took months introducing her to Maya and making sure that they had the space that they both needed.  She’s able to run agility without losing focus and has done narcotics detection drills off leash in a room with 30 other dogs.

Zuni’s happier now, I’m happier now. Life goes on.

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I’ve been so busy I almost forgot that tomorrow is training day!!!!! Love working with www.dannysdogs.com and can’t wait to watch tiny Ellie make even more progress!

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Delightful Duncan enjoys belly rubs in the sun!

https://m.petfinder.com/petdetail/31619714?location=&animal=&breed=&age=&gender=&size=&offset=

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Blue is a well mannered, 7 year old boy. He is currently in a foster home and available for adoption through the Spotsylvania Animal Shelter. My mom was going to take me to meet him, but she and my girl decided they aren’t ready to adopt another dog just yet. We would all like to see Blue find his forever home, though he seems to like his foster home just fine.

His foster mom says: “Blue is being such an incredibly sweet boy! Very affectionate, obedient, good-natured. Knows basic commands.”

Follow this link to learn more! https://www.facebook.com/SpotsyPets/photos/a.508014689328845.1073741862.223399107790406/663740963756216/?type=3&theater

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Dom!  Not a great leash walker, pulls like a freight train. Knows sit and sort of know down. Takes treats very gently. Enjoys butt scratches and one on one snuggle time.

Available at Fairfax County Animal Shelter

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Clark:

In addition to being a black dog, Clark carries the stigma of being part pit bull. It is truly a gift that he exists today.

Clark’s mother was a black pit bull mix who used to live on the streets outside Atlanta, Georgia. A kind man who fed her a few times in the neighborhood saw her get picked up by animal control. She was almost full-term with Clark and his littermates when the man rescued her from being euthanized. He brought her to a local animal hospital, where she gave birth to seven healthy black puppies. Despite the fact that all of the puppies were black, and also part pit bull, the animal hospital found homes for the entire litter and for their mother, who now lives happily on a farm.

In our family, all the pets are named after candy. And despite common misconception, Clark is not named after Clark Kent, but for the Clark Bar.

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Just got this doof yesterday. We adopted him from last dog rescue, which they were very easy to work with and super nice and would deffinitly adopt from them again and recommend them. His name is comet and he is an America pit bull terrier. Hes a little nervous around people and bikes but were gonna keep working with him and hes already getting better. He looks kind of doofy in this picture becuase its super hard to get him to sit still xD but hes an amazing dog so far and hopefully we can help him be more comfortable around people.

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Available for adoption through Bella’s Bully Buddies:

Wally is a super playful and sweet pit bull mix. He loves to run, go for walks, play fetch and tug of war. Wally is high energy but is working on some commands and learning very quickly. He already knows sit, stay and down, and with continued training will learn anything you want to teach him. He is housebroken and crate trained. Wally’s ideal day would include a walk or hike, time to run f…ree off the leash in the yard, lots of petting and time with his family and time to chew on his bone or play with his toys. His foster family says he’s incredibly cute when he is running and playing. If you like being active and would enjoy a partner to share the fun, give Wally a second look. He’d love to be part of a fun, active family who has time to give him the attention he so deserves. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ More Info: Basics: Weight - 50 lbs, Age - 2 years Has done well with: Dogs - unknown, Cats - No, Kids - unknown ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TO ADOPT ME – FILL OUT AN APPLICATION TODAY!! http://bellasbullybuddies.org/bbb-webapp/adoptionApplication/index

    https://www.facebook.com/BellasBullyBuddies/photos/a.992483444130885.1073742109.376288645750371/992483530797543/?type=1&theater

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Death Row Dogs of SE New Mexico ****CODE RED - DUE OUT 09-04**** TAGGED FOR RESCUE - RANGELY Cage 42 - AVELINE Impound # 3562 Pit Female 4 months Blue Intake 08-28-15 / Due out 09-04-15 Photo Credit Alicia Nava Roswell Animal Control 705 E McGaffey Roswell, NM 88203 575-624-6722 She's only a baby and tomorrow will be her last day on this earth unless help is found. https://m.facebook.com/roswellareadogs/photos/ms.c.eJw9zcsJADAIBNGOgruKrv03FjCf62NgYFAHgJAliwsHrA7kBeseUDyQEMVOfqDgnf6L4hSlBzkXJzeKDBfb.bps./1018940994806284/?type=1&source=48 #puppy#pit bull# pitbull puppy# deathrowdogs#rescue

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Death Row Dogs of SE New Mexico ****CODE RED - DUE OUT 09/04**** Cage 52 -LANDRY Impound # 3565 Pit Female 1 year BRN/WHT Intake 08-29-15 / Due out 09-04-15 Photo Credit Alicia Nava Roswell Animal Control 705 E McGaffey Roswell, NM 88203 575-624-6722 https://m.facebook.com/roswellareadogs/photos/ms.c.eJw9zcsJADAIBNGOgruKrv03FjCf62NgYFAHgJAliwsHrA7kBeseUDyQEMVOfqDgnf6L4hSlBzkXJzeKDBfb.bps./1018941114806272/?type=1&source=48 her last chance!!! #pitbullpit bull#pitbulls#pit bulls#rescue#foster#animalshelter#deathrowdogs

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P.A.W.S - Pits Are Worth Saving (Crossposting for Bully Breeds)

✪TIME EXTENDED FRI 9/4✪ SET TO BE EUTHANIZED SATURDAY 8/22 *HW TREATMENT SPONSOR 4 LOCAL ADOPTER/ REPUTABLE RESCUE ONLY! * Animal ID: A327651 Room No.: WD19 Hi, the Shelter named me Tucker. I am an approximately 4 year old black and white male. I am friendly and I tested heartworm Positive. I weigh approximately 65 pounds. I have been at Orange County Animal Services since Saturday, August 15, 2015. My due out date is Saturday, August 22, 2015. NOTES - I have tested Positive for Heartworms. This IS treatable so please do not let it deter you from saving my life! Consider pledging for my hw treatment! Donations are sent only if saved by a reputable rescue group! “ He is awesome with other dogs and is a loving boy shows no signs of prey drive please keep sharing this sweet boy!!!!!!!!!” - OCAS VOLUNTEER 2ND THREAD: https://www.facebook.com/PawsPitsAreWorthSaving/photos/pb.180580828741310.-2207520000.1440305528./688731117926276/?type=3&theater VIDEO: https://www.facebook.com/PawsPitsAreWorthSaving/videos/vb.180580828741310/688886287910759/?type=3&theater http://apps.ocfl.net/dept/CEsrvcs/animal/NetPets/AnimalDetail.asp?ID=A327651&RT=T ADOPTIONS ARE DONE IN PERSON AT OCAS IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA.

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Biggies Bullies

Adoptable Myrtle is quite possibly the cutest around! This sweetheart is not only super smart but super lovable! Read all about her and how to make her a part of your family at www.biggiesbullies.org! Don’t forget to share her!

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Famous Amos is all smiles 🐶 This hamlet is such a love bug, dogs, cats, and every person he meets. He walks extremely well on leash has a reliable sit, down, and stay in high distraction environments(around crowds of people and 20+ dogs). He would make a great couch warmer for any family since he is all about the cuddles. Amos also enjoys long walks on the beach and trails, he is quite the romantic. 😘 Want to adopt this love bug? Email bayareabulliesrescue@gmail.com #BABR #bayareabulliesrescue #adoptable

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Even though it was super disgustingly hot, I got to participate in an awesome socialization session today! Zaida, the beautiful golden lady in the front, needed some help coming out of her shell with the help of some doggy friends. Bishop, the gorgeous boy on the left, preferred to sniff everyone and then lay in the shade. 😂 Squirrelly Girl, the beauty with half her butt in the pool, was very lowkey and preferred human snuggles more than dog pal exercise. All three of these pups had a blast and all three are available for adoption!! Not pictured: two other pups playing in another area of the yard. ☺️ P.S. None of these dogs had ever met before and it blows my mind how easily they can get along, even if they need a few simple corrections along the way. Dogs > people. 💞

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Another picture from yesterday! This time you can see the other two pups I mentioned yesterday. Bandida is the cute shepherd mix in the back. She was a little nervous at first, but opened up very quickly and was OBSESSED with the kiddie pool. She was rolling around and digging into the water; I think she would love to go swimming. 😋 Ballinger is the beautiful boxer mix on the left. He was also pretty timid at first, but was romping and running zoomies at the end of the session. And of course there’s beautiful Zaida on the right, looking at me with love. 💞 Photo credit goes to our wonderful Enrichment Coordinator and resident dog whisperer Brian George.