Dive into the archives.
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Rehoming Dog Because of Move, Allergies, Small Yard, and New Baby
Here is my response to all of the people getting rid of their dogs for all the wrong reasons.
Judging by the majority of ads on Craigslist each and every day from people with one excuse or another as to why they need to give up their dog, it does seem that they did not put much time into deciding to get an animal in the first place. A dog, cat, lizard, what have you, is a living, breathing, and most of all, FEELING creature, and should not be subjected to abandonment because of a careless owner’s own selfishness. (more…)
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You Pet - A Place Where Pets Rule
Does Hank need more doggy buddies? Unsure how to make Spanky stop rummaging through the trash while you are at work? Any dog owners out there looking for the MySpace or Facebook of dogs? Well, a new site called You Pet is a social networking site for pets, plus so much more. Upon joining you will be able to create a profile for you and your pet, post questions and answers on their forums, upload and watch pet videos, read pet tips, and keep up on the latest news affecting you and your pets. Last, but not least, you can Join YouPet.com for FREE! (more…)
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Verizon Pit Bull Commericial Ad
I really hope that Verizon has decided to pull their vicious Pit Bull ad before this article gets posted, and just in case they have succeeded in removing it from the web, I will break down the storyline for you (most recent working video below). In the first shot we see a wannabe hipster kid standing on the opposite side of a fence for some sort of junkyard. Next thing you know, hipster kid is jumping the fence into the auto wasteland to get closer to the object of the commercial, the LG Dare mobile phone. The sleeping Pit Bulls that had been guarding the junkyard have now been awakened by the stranger’s presence, and charge toward him as he reaches to touch the screen of the phone. The hipster is saved from mauling due to the fact that the dogs have run out of chain, and they are pulled back away from the kid as the commercial ends. For more information on this topic visit Startup Fiance to see the video and commentary.
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Insurance for Pit Bulls
Think moving or being with a home insurance company that does not allow Pit Bulls means you will have to part with your pet? Think again! There are options out there for Pit Bull and bully breed owners, and there are home insurance companies that do not carry breed restrictions. Whether your are a property owner or renter, there is no need for you to give up your beloved bully in exchange for housing - simply change your insurer and start enjoying your time with your pet. This article will cover insurance options for both home owners and renters looking for Pit Bull friendly insurance, as well as a discussion of ways to keep your current Pit-friendly coverage. (more…)
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Introducing Your Pit Bull to Another Dog
The key to introducing your Pit Bull (especially if they already have a tendency for dog aggression) is to have the dogs meet by taking a walk in a neutral area (i.e. somewhere either dog has ever been before). By walking in a neutral area you minimize, if not diminish, the risk of one dog exhibiting any type of territorial behavior. Before going out for the walk, be sure that each dog is properly fitted with a properly fitted collar and sturdy leash. It is not recommended to use choke chains or prong collars when going through the introduction, as you risk injury to your dog if a fight does break out. (more…)
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Crate and Rotate
Perhaps you acquired same-sex pit bulls that, upon maturation, no longer tolerate each other. Maybe you have a multi-dog household, and two or more of your dogs have recently been fighting. Or you recently added a pit bull to your home, and it just isn’t working out with the other dogs. Whatever the reason, by employing the use of ‘Crate and Rotate’ in your home you will be able to safely manage your pets and maintain them in your home. A pet is a lifetime commitment; re-homing should be a last resort. Dog aggression is common among Pit Bulls and other bully breed dogs, and it is important to recognize this behavior for what it really is, and accept the reality that this breed has selectively been bred to be aggressive towards other dogs. (more…)
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Tyler Eison - The Epitome of Irresponsible Ownership
While doing a general Google search for some Pit Bull related information, I came up on an article on the Village Voice website titled, “Man’s Best Defense, Tyler Eison turns pit bull pups into deadly weapons“. The article starts out with a quote directly from Tyler Eison, a real estate investor and auto dealer, stating, “These are not normal dogs. I like having very vicious, angry dogs. I’m going to teach them not to like other dogs. I’m going to agitate them, make them aggressive. That way when it’s about business, they are going to be serious.” (more…)
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Tips for Buying From a Breeder
As a Pit Bull advocate, I do not endorse the breeding of dogs. There are way too many dogs in shelters, foster homes and being euthanized every day to justify the need for the breeding of more dogs. If you are really interested in getting a dog, and feel you must have a puppy, your first try should be a rescue organization or your local animal shelter. Your local breed-specific rescue can be a great resource for puppy adoptions, and if you let them know of your interest they will often add you to a waiting list and conduct any pre-adoption house checks/paperwork before a suitable dog has even arrived. Puppies are usually not that hard to find, but be prepared to deal with some serious scrutiny. Good rescues will not allow great pups into the arms of a potentially horrible owner. (more…)
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12 Tips for Responsible Pitbull Ownership
Why do you think the Pit Bull reputation has become as tarnished as it is today? How did a dog that was once considered to be a decorated war hero and wonderful family pet suddenly turn into the vicious, unpredictable creature we see today on the nightly news? The answer is a simple one really, the dogs have not changed over the years, but the types of people seeking ownership of these dogs has. (more…)
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Let the Pit Bull Bashing Continue
I was searching for my daily dose of online news when I stumbled upon this short port in the Dallas Morning News Opinion Blog, the title of which reads, “The Pit Bull Scourge”. With a title like that I figured this poster must have some solid facts and/or evidence to back up his position as to why Pit Bulls should be considered a scourge to society. I already had my arsenal of facts and myth fighting words ready as I opened up the page, and I was ready to start a war of words with an undoubtedly ignorant Texan that assumes all Pit Bulls are inherently evil creatures. I must say I was very dismayed when I actually opened to the post, turns out it was pointless amalgamation of sentences that could have been transcribed by a 5th grader . (more…)
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The Problem With Chaining Dogs
I am not talking about putting a leash on your dog to take him for a leisurely walk through the neighborhood, as there is certainly no problem with Fido getting some much-needed exercise to work off the holiday pounds. Instead, I am talking about the practice of attaching your dog to a stationary object, such as a stake or tree, and attaching a leash, chain or rope as a means of confining your canine companion. Dogs are social creatures, and being confined to a small space for long periods of time can cause immense psychological damage. This inhumane practice can harm not only the dog, but also poses a threat to other animals and humans. (more…)
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The Mike Vick Pit Bulls - One Year Later
Before receiving an email from the Humane Society of the US, I had not realized it has already been a year since the Michael Vick dogfighting controversy first started. In total, forty-seven Pit Bulls were taken from Vick’s residence in Smithfield, VA. Over the past year, many of the dogs taken from the Vick compound have been rehabilitated - some going a handful of rescue organizations, while 22 of them will spend the rest of their days at Best Friends Sanctuary in Utah, a no-kill animal shelter. Only one of the dogs, despite the torture all forty-seven of them endured at the hands of Vick and his crew, had to be put down for human aggression; one out of forty-seven. (more…)
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Things to Consider Before You Adopt a Dog
Many dogs in shelters and foster care have ended up there because of ill-prepared owners that did not take into account the financial and time considerations that need to be made when bringing a dog into the family; this is especially true with puppies. While no one wants to think about the not-so-pleasing qualities that come along with dog ownership such as destroyed furniture, fleas, medical emergencies, allergies and illness, they are common setbacks experienced by pet owners. As someone that is thinking about bringing a new pet into your home, you need to carefully weigh out the pros and cons as to whether or not you, and your family, is ready for the increased responsibility that goes along with dog ownership. Below are a few topics to discuss before taking the final step in finding a new family member. (more…)
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Help - My Dog Ate Chicken Bones
What do I do, my dog ate some cooked chicken bones! We have all been there… You get distracted during the game while your favorite team is scoring the game winning touchdown, only to find that Tank has managed to eat the bones of every last hot sauce coated wing carcass that laid on the table. Your vet has told you to never give your dog cooked bones including chicken bones, steak bones, ribs and ham bones, but why are these things so bad for your dog - aren’t they built to digest bones? Before you rush Tank off to the vet to have his wing-filled tummy x-rayed, here are some home remedies to make your pet feel better, along with distress signs to watch out for to make sure your dog will be able to pass the bones ok.
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Ban Bathtubs, Not Pit Bulls - A Letter to StopPitBullAttacks.Com
The message that follows was sent to the owner/webmaster/administrator at a site called Stop Pit Bull Attacks I just thought I would take it upon myself to inform him or her of the possible implications the breed specific bans they so fervently support could have on their community, the lovely area of Independence, Missouri. Ignorance is inexcusable.
“To Whom it May Concern, I really hope you read this email, and I hope even more that you have the mental capacity understand what I am going to try to tell you.
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Is a Pit Bull the Right Dog For Me?
There are way too many Pit Bulls that end up in shelters because of ill-prepared and careless owners not knowing what to do once their cute little Pit Bull puppy grows up and starts asserting his personality. Properly trained, exercised and socialized Pit Bulls are wonderful family pets, but there are certain breed characteristics that Pit Bulls often possess which can make them a troublesome breed to deal with for an inexperienced or inattentive owner. You can never do too much research when considering raising a Pit Bull, or any bully breed dog for that manner. While this article is a good place to start, you will want to explore other resources and talk to other owners about their experiences before making any sort of commitment you may not be able to keep. (more…)
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Dogs and Kids, Preparing Your Pet for a New Baby
Welcoming a new baby into the family is a very exciting time, and it is important for parents to make sure that their canine companion(s) are ready for the changes that are about to take place. Instead of waiting a week before your arrival home from the hospital with your new human to start instituting harsh changes and new rules, it is important to start making gradual changes in your dog’s routine to get them adjusted to the idea that soon they will be sharing the house with another person. The sooner you start, the easier the transition will be, and less unsure you will be about your new family dynamic. (more…)
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Foods You Should Not Feed Your Dog
Dogs metabolize food differently than we do and because of this there are some foods that may be harmful to dogs if ingested. While some of the foods may only cause mild digestive upset, others can cause severe illness and in some cases, death. Here is a table of common food items you should avoid feeding to your dog. (more…)
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Nutritional Requirements for Large Breed Dogs
Just as we do not like to eat the same thing every day, our dogs also need some variation in their diets so we can be sure they are getting all the essential nutrients they require for healthy coats, skin, teeth and general, overall health. Not only do Bully breeds like Pit Bulls, American Bulldogs, Boxers, Dogo Argentino, Am Staffs, Mastiffs, Bull Terriers and others, require a greater amount of food than most dogs, they also do much better and have longer life expectancies when given a diet including lots of fruits and veggies. Here are my top 5 feeding tips for larger breed dogs: (more…)
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What is a Pit Bull?
The term Pit Bull is a relatively non-descriptive one as it is not an officially recognized breed by the American Kennel Club, or AKC, standards. There is actually no dog that is a true “Pit Bull”. Instead, when people use the word Pit Bull, they are typically referring to a particular subset of dogs that maintain physical and behavioral similarities. On Save A Bull I use the term Bully and Pit Bull interchangeably because they are both ways to describe these breeds that are within the Molosser family of dogs - a breed known for its courage and loyalty. (more…)
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Bully Play Dates
The following is an account of actual events that take place in my backyard on a regular basis involving my two dogs - Pit Bull and American Bulldog, and a roommate’s American Staffordshire Terrier. By encouraging this sort of off-leash play with other dogs we have helped to assure that our dogs receive the proper socialization within a safe environment. Dog aggression is always a concern with bully breeds, and we as owners should always take proper steps to assure that our dogs will not be on the receiving end of any unwanted attention resulting from an incident. Bully play groups are always a great option to have the dogs interact within a controlled space, but just as we as humans have people we can not get along with, dogs do too, and owners need to be respectful and mindful of their dog’s particular needs. The following is a description of some of the typical bulldog play fighting our dogs frequently engage in.
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Inspiration
I have not always been a Pit Bull lover and advocate. In fact, the majority of my childhood I was afraid of dogs as a result of being chased down my street by a 100 pound lab that wanted to play. In my naiveté I assumed all dogs were untrained beasts that just sat and waited for the perfect time to catch a kid off guard and pounce. I grew up listening to the media and was poisoned by their negative spin, selective reporting, and misrepresentation of facts with regard to Pit Bull characteristics and attack statistics. I was among the masses that typecast Pit Bulls and other bully breeds as cruel, aggressive, unpredictable baby-eaters. That was until I met Biz…
