PitBulls - Dogs for Smart People

Miss Pitbulls.org 2011 Contest

matt — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 14:24:04 +0000

We are holding the first ever Miss Pitbulls.org contest. This will be our biggest contest yet and we are giving away our biggest prize.

To enter, submit a photo of you wearing one of our Pitbulls.org t-shirts.

Quality of picture matters. Creativity matters, so be creative. If you can work one of your dogs into the frame, even better. But the picture must be obvious that you are wearing the Pitbulls.org t-shirt.

This contest will last the rest of the month, so you will have plenty of time to get a shirt if you don't have one.

One woman will be crowned Miss Pitbulls.org for 2011. She will win the following:

$25 Amazon Gift Certificate
$25 Groupon Gift Certificate
Book: The Power of Positive Dog Training
Pack of Clickers
Kong Classic Toy

In addition, there will be two runner-ups, and each will recieve a $25 Amazon.com gift certificate.

Prize:

Dog Training Package and Gift Certificates

End Date:

Thu, 06/30/2011

Now This is How You Make a Talking Dog Video

matt — Mon, 09 May 2011 14:30:14 +0000

Anyone want to try and do this with their Pit Bull?

Lastest Pit Bull News Roundup

matt — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 15:00:46 +0000

Ah, the dangers of a six month old puppy. You know how they can be, right? How they sleep, poop, and generally like to lick things and play? A Pit Bull owner is now fighting eviction because the management group claims his puppy is too dangerous.

A Malaysian councilor is siding with dogs, saying that they are not to blame. Instead, they should be looking at errant owners.

Remember Patrick from New Jersey? The man taking care of him is hoping his story serves as a cautionary tale to others.

And how do you help make Pit Bulls more adoptable? You give them the full spa treatment, and then help them make new friends.

Baby Annoys Our Ferocious Pit Bull

matt — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 15:22:04 +0000

Our daughter is now seven months old, and for a over a month now she has been enamored with her puppies. She smiles. She reaches. She pets. She seems to enjoy it when she get a big dog kiss right in the face.

And she's learning about her own voice, as is clear from this video.

Bauer looks a bit annoyed, but puts up with it like a good soldier.

What is a Pit Bull?

matt — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 20:24:53 +0000

The question is not straightforward. At Pitbulls.org, we try to keep the focus on the American Pit Bull Terrier, as this helps simplify things, so people know what we are talking about when we say "pit bulls." Most, if not all, of our articles are based on this assumption. So you can read our history of the American Pit Bull Terrier for one answer to the question posed in the title.

But the APBT is not the only dog referenced when people say "pitbull," and can include the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier, but also many dogs that only bear some resemblance, and this presents some confusion. The problem is particularly acute in media reports. Because of this confusion, many situations said to involve pit bulls really don't, and without a proper DNA test, it's nearly impossible to accurately spot a true Pit Bull. Can YOU find the Pit Bull?

The question also becomes a problem when dealing with Breed Specific Legislation or in regards to apartments that don't accept people with pit bulls and airlines that don't allow travel. In order to discriminate and enforce rules, people have to have an answer to this question. And in order to be "safe", they draw a broader stroke that goes beyond the truth.

Sometimes boxers are thrown into the mix. Sometimes the American bull dog is called a pit bull. Even some Labrador Retrievers can have characteristics that cause people to jump to conclusions.

So what is a pit bull? Calling a dog a pit bull should be limited to the main three we already mentioned: American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and the American Staffordshire Terrier (Although we will continue to maintain a focus on the ABPT.) In other words, those with some terrier in their blood. We know this isn't the only definition out there, but it is the one that actually gives a consistant, meaningful barrier to the phrase "Pit Bull." Some will want to apply the label to many breeds in the Molosser breed group, such as bull mastiffs and boxers, but Great Danes also fall under the Molosser category.

Do you agree? Disagree? What do you think constitues a "pit bull?"

Pit Bull News Highlights - Week of February 18th, 2011

matt — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 19:50:53 +0000

The Brookhaven Animal Shelter is offering $250 for adopting a pit bull, since about 98% of the dogs in the shelter right now are pit bulls. They are trying to overcome the stigma.

Some cities are feeling the pressure from dog owners to lift their BSLs. The author is coming from a pro-BSL position and uses the same tired, false arguments (and then brings up some good points, but then comes to a conclusion that rejects the points he himself brought up) , but it is good to know that pressure is finally starting to mount.

Remember the invitation to the Pinups for Pitbulls party? This is how it went!

A bylaw was passed in Dugald without the ban on pit bulls. The owners are now to be held more responsible.

A poll says most people agree that owners are responsible for their dog's bad behavior, not nature. 60% said that all dog breeds should be allowed in all communities. This number is bound to go up as education and awareness continues.

Pit Bull LOL Caption Contest

matt — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 16:49:22 +0000

We're going to do another caption contest. The previous one netted some great entries and a hilarious winner, and it was a big hit.

Remember, the caption must be on the picture to count. You can do this with any photo editing software, even Microsoft Paint.

Please do not re-use the previous contest's entries.

Prize:

$25 Amazon.com Gift Certificate

End Date:

Fri, 03/04/2011

Pit Bull News Highlights - Week of February 5th, 2011

matt — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 15:38:39 +0000

The muzzle law in Cumberland may be lifted soon. An animal control officer says she hasn't had a problem with "bull" breeds in a long time and it's unnecessary to have any more. But irrational fear is still a powerful motivator.

And we have some more coverage of the Vick dogs, which continue to make a comeback even as Vick himself does. It was once said they would be better off dead, now they are functioning as normal dogs. And speaking of Vick yet again, his exploits encouraged the formation of a pro-pit business amongst pitbull supporters in Florida.

A woman in Florida calls a stray pit bull her guardian angel after it saved her and her child from an assault at knifepoint. The dog then proceeded to jump in her backseat and wait for the police to arrive, as if it was just a normal day in the life of a pit bull.

And yet, there are some in Texas trying to change their constitution to ban certain family pets.

Don't Use Prong Collars

matt — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 22:44:53 +0000

Before a dog's training has set in, it can be a chore to do simple things like taking him/her for a walk. This is exacerbated with pit bulls, as they tend to be strong and can resist you pull more easily, leading to frustration, injury, and a loose dog. It's important not to go forward if the dog is pulling. It just reinforces the behavior, and they will be more likely to do it again.

But asking, for example, a 150 pound woman to stand her ground against the excited determination of a 70 pound bundle of energy that we call the pit bull can be unrealistic. And so some people recommend the prong collar. A quick pop and the prongs pinch the dogs skin hard, which leads to instant negative reinforcement for the behavior. Or so the reasoning goes.

That seems like a quick fix. But is it the best? After a brief email conversation with the Pit Bull Guru, I'm inclined to think: probably not.

Pressure applied with any collar can lead to neck, back, trachea, and esophogus problems. And as this study shows, a dog's eyes are particularly susceptible. The risk is increased with prong and choke collars. Parts of a dog's optical nerves travel down the neck, and so constant pressure applied there can directly damange nerves, potentially leading to blindness.

But that's not all. There are unintended behavior consequences with using prong collars as well. Increased aggression and anxiety has been observed. Whatever a dog is looking at or going after when they are "popped", its possible the dog will make a negative association with that object. What if the object is a child playing across the street? Similar negative associations have been observed with shock collars.

These are important things to think about that can affect both the health and behavior of your dog.

So what's the solution?

First, it's important to train your dog properly to walk on a leash, starting indoors or in other controlled areas with minimum distrations before trying your hands in the wild.

Second, invest in a good walking harness. This distributes the weight evenly so when you pull back it will not cause any physical harm.

Caption Contest

matt — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 16:42:22 +0000

This contest will be a little different. Any pit bull picture will be accepted (although you must still have the rights to distribute it.)

The caption must be a part of the picture to count. You can do this with any photo editing software, including Microsoft Paint.

The winner will be chosen based on the quality of the picture, the quality of the caption, and how well the picture and caption fit together. Votes for pictures are taken into account, but are not the final deciding factor.

The winner recieves a gift certificate to BestBullySticks.com, who sells some of our top recommended treats.

Prize:

$30 BestBullySticks.com Gift Certificate

End Date:

Fri, 02/11/2011

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