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How to Care for a Pit Bull

September 19, 2016 by Samantha Edwards Leave a Comment

You’ve thought about it. You’ve done your research. You’ve prepared yourself as best you can. And you adopted a pit bull – congratulations! As you hopefully already know, owning a dog can be hard work. It requires time, money, and sometimes even personal sacrifice to make sure your dog is happy and healthy. So how might caring for a pit bull specifically differ from caring for other dog breeds? Read on to find out.

Pit bulls are not dogs for inexperienced dog owners. Because of their unfortunate reputation as being aggressive fighting dogs, pit bull owners must be especially mindful when out in public with their dog. Pit bull owners must be extremely responsible and willing to act as a breed ambassador at all times.

While every individual dog is different, and because the term “pit bull” actually encompasses many breeds, it can be difficult to know what to expect when you adopt a pit or bully breed dog. There are a few things, however, that most pit bulls have in common:

–Exercise needs: considerable

–Grooming: minimal

–Life expectancy: 11-14 years

Pit bulls are muscular, athletic dogs that require daily exercise. They should be walked every day and played with (fetch, tug-of-war, etc.) often. Pit bulls are usually medium-sized dogs (or bigger) and should have enough space to move around comfortably.

Because pit bulls have short hair, they require little grooming. Be mindful, though, if you live in an area where it gets cold in the winter months. Do not leave your pit outside if it’s raining, snowing, or cold. Dogs can get frostbite and hypothermia too! how to care for a pit bull

As we’ve mentioned in previous articles, part of being a responsible pit bull owner is making sure your dog is well-trained. Your dog’s behavior is a reflection of the entire pit bull/bully breed community. Pit bulls can be stubborn, but they are also obedient and eager-to-please. They are smart, inquisitive animals who can benefit from the kind of mental stimulation that training classes can offer.

Depending, of course, on the individual, pit bulls are generally very social, people-oriented dogs. Like all dogs, they should receive lots of love and attention. Do not leave your dog home alone for long periods of time, especially if he/she does not have access to the outside. Pit bulls are generally known to be gentle with kids as well, but always be cautious when introducing your dog to new people. Never leave your dog unattended with a child.

Other basic things to consider:

-Make sure your dog is licensed, up-to-date on all required vaccinations, and always wears identification tags
-Make sure your dog is spayed or neutered
-Make sure your dog is fed at least once a day and has access to fresh water at all times

Filed Under: Pit Bull Pets, Responsible Ownership Tagged With: adoption, advocacy, breed ambassador, exercise, ownership, petbull, pit bull ownership, temperament, training

Wisconsin Ends BSL Law

September 8, 2016 by Samantha Edwards Leave a Comment

Earlier this year Wisconsin lawmakers moved forward in the national fight against breed-specific legislation (BSL) when Assembly Bill 487/ Senate Bill 450 was passed. The bill reduces the holding time for stray and seized animals in the state, and ends the required euthanasia of animal victims seized in dog fighting operations.

wisconsin ends BSL lawUnder the current law, “if the owner of an animal that is being held in custody (by a local governmental unit or other person, such as a humane society, on behalf of a local governmental unit) is convicted of a crime related to animal fighting and the animal is one year old or older or shows indication of having participated in fighting, the animal must be euthanized.” This law did not allow for any kind of behavioral analysis or rehabilitation for the animal in question; it was an immediate death sentence. Under Bill 487, however, “if an animal has been taken into custody because it is believed that the animal has been used in any crime against animals or that it constitutes evidence of a crime against animals, it must be retained in custody.” The bill also allows the local governmental unit or other person with custody of the animal in question to demand payment from the animal’s owner for the custody, care, and treatment of the animal every 14 days.

The passage of this bill is a victory for those who oppose BSL. Pit bulls who are rescued from illegal dog fighting rings in Wisconsin have now been given hope for rehabilitation and a future life full of happiness and love. While the passage of this bill is certainly cause for celebration, we must remember that we are still fighting a far larger war. A number of U.S. states still allow for breed discrimination. Let us use this small victory as motivation to continue the fight against injustice. No dog should be killed simply because of what he/she looks like or because a human decided to commit a crime against him/her.

Filed Under: Breed Specifc Legislation, Laws, Save A Bull News Tagged With: advocacy, breed discrimination, breed specific legislation, bsl, News, positive press, Wisconsin

What To Know Before Adopting a Pit Bull

August 19, 2016 by Samantha Edwards Leave a Comment

adopting a pit bullIt’s no secret that owning a dog comes with responsibility. But in many ways, owning a pit bull requires even more responsibility. Pit bull owners face some tough challenges, like breed stigmatization, discrimination, and bias. It’s not for everyone, but being a pit bull or bully breed owner can be one of the most rewarding experiences you could have.

Ask yourself the following questions before you adopt to help you decide if a pit bull is the right dog for you:

–What are you looking for in a dog? Consider what traits or characteristics are important to you. Pit bulls are loyal, intelligent, silly, affectionate, and sometimes stubborn creatures. They need moderate daily exercise and ongoing socialization. Every dog varies in his/her specific requirements, however, so be sure to ask as many questions as you can and obtain us much information as possible about the particular dog you want.

–Are you ready and willing to be a responsible dog owner? This means having your dog spayed/neutered (if you adopt from a shelter, they require it), training your dog, making sure he/she is always wearing up-to-date identification, and keeping him/her socialized. Being a responsible pet owner requires time and money, so be sure you are at a stable point in your life in order to make this commitment.

–Do you have other pets? Make sure your existing pet(s) and the dog you hope to adopt will be
able to coexist. While many dogs can live comfortably with other animals in the house, not all can. It is important to introduce the animals (and human family members!) prior to adopting to be sure everyone gets along. Check with the rescue or shelter staff to see if the dog has been evaluated for compatibility with other animals.

–What are the federal, state, or local laws pertaining to pets in general and pit bulls specifically? Do some research about the area where you live to ensure there is no breed specific legislation in place, which bans dogs who look a certain way, regardless of their actual temperament or behavior. If you rent or have a homeowners association, make sure a pit bull-type dog is allowed under those terms. Also be aware that if you own a pit bull or other bully breed dog, finding housing in the future may be difficult. Creating a pet resume can help.

–Are you willing to stand up for your pit bull? If you’re thinking about adopting a pit bull, perhaps the most important thing for you to understand is that once you do, you become a breed ambassador. Being a breed ambassador means separating yourself from the stereotypical pit bull owner and proving to the public that pit bulls are not the scary, violent dogs they are so often perceived to be. You must peacefully and patiently combat the negative stigma surrounding pit bulls on a frequent basis. You are your dog’s advocate from now on.

Above all else, understand this: if you adopt a pit bull, you will have a loyal, loving companion for years to come. Yes, owning a dog is sometimes hard work. And yes, being a breed ambassador can be hard work, too. But the joy of sharing your life with a canine companion is unparalleled, and for the right person, a pit bull is the perfect fit.

 

Filed Under: Adopting, Pit Bull Pets, Responsible Ownership Tagged With: adoption, advocacy, breed ambassador, breed discrimination, breed stereotypes, bsl, education, exercise, ownership, pet resume, petbull, temperament, training

Pit Bull Caitlyn Named Survivor of the Year

December 24, 2015 by Samantha Edwards Leave a Comment

As this year comes to a close, we are elated to hear that abused pit bull turned animal rights advocate, Caitlyn, has been named People Magazine’s best survival story of 2015. In May, Caitlyn was found wandering the streets of North Charleston, South Carolina, with her muzzle taped tightly shut, her tongue sticking out and bleeding. It appeared that she had been in that condition for several days, unable to eat or drink. For a moment rescuers were unsure if she would survive, but she has indeed overcome the odds. She underwent multiple surgeries to reconstruct her lips, tongue, and cheeks and, despite a visible scar that runs across her face, has recovered beautifully.

survivor of the year

Photo via Charleston Animal Society Facebook

The man who is accused of taping Caitlyn’s muzzle shut to keep her quiet has been arrested and sits in jail as he awaits trial next year. Caitlyn has found a new loving family to call home and continues to gain national recognition as a symbol for abused animals everywhere. Caitlyn was featured in People’s annual pet awards issue (which will hit newsstands on December 21st), appearing in the “Hero Pets” section with her own photo shoot spread. The Charleston Animal Society has also started a movement using the hashtag #IamCaitlyn as a reminder that Caitlyn stands for every abused and abandoned dog in shelters.

Caitlyn’s story is one of resilience, strength, and willingness to love despite cruelty. We’re inspired and, of course, glad to see some positive press about a beautiful pit bull! We hope others will be reminded by her story that there are so many shelter animals waiting to be adopted into loving homes.

Filed Under: Save A Bull News Tagged With: adoption, advocacy, education, ownership, petbull, positive press, rescue

How To Break Bully Breed Stereotypes

December 7, 2015 by Samantha Edwards 1 Comment

Different dog breeds elicit different perceptions about them to the general public, both positive and negative. As pit bull and bully breed owners, we are sadly familiar with the overwhelmingly negative stereotypes surrounding our dogs. People often see bully breed dogs as “violent,” “unpredictable,” and “scary.” In addition to the negative stereotypes associated with these kinds of  dogs, there are also stereotypes surrounding the people who own them. Pit bull and bully breed owners can be seen as criminals, gang members, or even drug dealers.

There are many reasons why these stereotypes persist today, perhaps the most notable being selective interpretation, or confirmation bias. This is the process in which a person forms a theory bully breed stereotypesand then searches for things that prove their theory while ignoring things that are contradictory. For example, events that confirm the idea that pit bulls are vicious creatures are highly publicized by the media, while so many friendly, sweet pit bulls are ignored.

However, discrimination toward others also stems in part from unfamiliarity with bully breed dogs and their owners. It’s important to remember that people who are unfamiliar are reacting to the stereotype, not reality. Oftentimes, those who perpetuate negative stereotypes have never actually had a personal experience with a pit bull and are only going off of something they heard or saw on the news.

So, how do we break these stereotypes?

The most important thing we can do as pit bull and bully breed owners is to become breed ambassadors. This means doing everything we can to be responsible dog owners and separating ourselves from the stereotypical pit bull owner. Make sure your dog is well-trained and socialized. Take him/her places and be sure he is well-mannered and obedient. Make friends with your neighbors and be open to starting conversations about your dog. Educate yourself. Learn and follow laws, and be active in your local government. If someone makes a rude or negative comment, don’t get defensive. Instead, speak with maturity and wisdom and use these opportunities to help others understand the true nature of your dog’s breed.

You have the power to help change the public’s perception of pit bulls, one positive interaction at a time. Through education, outreach, and love, we can help restore the pit bull’s reputation and bring an end to breed discrimination once and for all.

Filed Under: Laws, Pit Bull Pets, Responsible Ownership Tagged With: advocacy, breed ambassador, breed discrimination, education, pit bull

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