Being a responsible dog owner is very important these days. Owning a dog takes a lot of time and hard work on a daily basis. Responsible owners know this and make sure their dogs' needs are met. Dogs are not small children, although many people tend to forget this. Dogs are animals. They need structure, consistency, guidance, rules, training and management. Without these things, any dog can be a danger. Do not risk our right to own dogs. BE A RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNER!
These tips apply to owners of EVERY breed of dog – and they are especially important for owners of American Pit Bull Terriers and the like only because of negative public perception.
1.
A DOG IS A LIFE-LONG COMMITMENT.
Do not bring home a dog
unless you understand that
you must care for and love this dog for the
rest of the dog’s life. Carefully consider your future
and all the
possible changes you may experience. Understand that, no matter what
happens, you are
responsible for your dog and must keep your
commitment.
Dogs are not disposable and are not
a matter of convenience!
2. RESPECT THE LEASH LAWS!!!!!!
(A) ALWAYS
have your dog on leash no longer than 6 feet in length when you
take him/her for a walk. We recommend double
leashing or using a coupler so if one
leash comes loose, you still have control of your
dog. There is no
excuse for a dog
running loose!
(B) NEVER
allow your dog to roam free! NEVER!
3. DO NOT take your adult Pit Bull to an OFF-LEASH
DOG PARK or any other area where the dog
may come into contact with
other dogs running loose. Why you ask?
Click here to find
out.
4. Exercise your dog(s) regularly so she/he can burn off
energy. A well exercised dog is a
happy dog! (And the dog’s owner
is a happier owner!!)
5. SPAY/NEUTER
YOUR DOG(S). Have your dog(s) altered between 10 weeks and 6 months
or as
early as possible if you adopt
or purchase your dog at an older age. Females that are in their
reproductive cycles, and males
who are triggered by their sexual hormones, tend to be far more
reactive and aggressive and
tend to roam more than those dogs who are not altered.
6. SUPERVISE! SUPERVISE! SUPERVISE!
(A) NEVER
leave dogs, including, but not limited to, pit bulls, unsupervised with
other
animals.
When no one is around to keep an eye on the dogs, the dogs
should be safely crated
separately or in separate rooms, even if the dogs are best friends. You
never know what might
trigger an argument in your absence. All canines can and do fight. If
no one is home to break-
up a fight, the dogs could inflict very serious injuries to each other, or
worse.
(B) Always monitor dogs while
they play, and don’t let things escalate. Roughhousing can
trigger a fight if not kept under control. Many dogs like to play rough and can
be pretty
vocal. Their
games often mimic a real fight. Don’t let the dogs push it too far. As
the
“leader,” it is your
responsibility to keep your dogs under control.
(C) NEVER
leave children and dogs unsupervised! If the dog and child
are to be together, an
adult must supervise at all times. If you cannot watch the interaction
at all times, put the
dog in a crate or in a separate room where the child and the dog are not in
contact. Even if
you must leave the room for a minute, the dog should be placed in a crate or
taken with you.
7.
Obedience train your dog with POSITIVE training
methods. Dogs respond better to
encouragement rather than
yelling and anger. Training will help you and your dog become a better
team. You will learn how to
properly communicate with your dog and to effectively manage
your dog in public. Your dog(s) should be
well-behaved in all situations, including when around
other dogs, in crowds, around skateboards,
etc. You must always have control of your dog but
please learn to control your dog without
scaring him/her, using extreme measures or harming
your dog. Pit bulls
are renowned for their intelligence
and strong desire to please. They,
generally, excel in training.
Because of the
current prejudice against pit bulls, our dogs have
to display better
manners than the average canine.
Please remember that obedience training is
not a one shot deal –
training is an ongoing task and requires
a committed owner willing to take this
work in as a part of their lifestyle.
8.
NEVER SET UP YOUR DOG FOR FAILURE!!!!
Early socialization MAY help, but is not a
guarantee that your dog won’t become dog
aggressive at some point. Get to know your dog’s likes
and dislikes in many different settings and
circumstances. ALWAYS know and respect your
dog’s potential. Remember
that even if it’s a
non-pit bull dog that starts the hostilities, the pit
bull will
always be blamed. The particular dog,
will most likely pay the price in the hands of the
authorities and, the entire breed will pay the price
with additional negative media reports and breed- specific laws.
9.
Become a dedicated student of ‘Dog Body Language’
and get to know your dog like the back of
your hand in order to be
able to anticipate and prevent any and all problems. Learn about
behaviors
that indicate a dog is
raising the stakes during a play session and be ready to intervene and
watch for other triggers that could
excite your dog into a dog fight. Pay careful attention to the
behavioral characteristics that
develop as your dog moves through the changes in his/her life,
particularly his/her anticipated
‘shift’ from dog friendly to dog aggressive.
10.
Understand that any sign of aggression towards humans is a major red
flag and should be
dealt with immediately
with the help of a BREED EXPERIENCED
trainer or behaviorist. Dogs that
show an inability to
improve should be safeguarded from the public (in secure housings for
example)
or in the case of pit
bulls, humanely euthanized. Pit bulls were bred to be exceedingly
people
friendly. A pit bull
that shows aggression towards a human is NOT typical of the breed and
should
be dealt with immediately
-- No "Ifs, Ands or Buts” and No Excuses!
11.
Understand that many people have had negative experiences with dogs
and are sincerely afraid
of them. Give them
reassurance when you can, rather than allowing them to be unnecessarily
frightened. Pit bull
owners have to go above and beyond the call of duty sometimes to help
some
people get over their
fear and prejudice. (Good Lord! To the uninitiated, pit bull faces can
take
some getting used to.
What we pit bull lovers see as ADORABLE – others may see as Scary!)
12. When out
with your dog, pay attention to your surroundings
and balance the needs of the public
with your dog’s needs.
This means picking up dog mess, not letting your dog jump on or annoy
others
and avoiding off leash
dogs that may run up and instigate a fight. You may decide to carry a
stick,
pepper spray, a stun
baton or anything else to scare away an off-leash dog.
13.
If worse comes to worse and you have to break up
a dogfight, stay calm,
take a deep breath
and be prepared to do it
quickly and safely. Owners with multiple dogs should know exactly how
to
stop a scuffle with as
little fuss as possible, and then work to make sure it never happens
again!
14. Research
your dog’s breed, including the history and original purpose of the
breed so you can
understand his/her
behavior as well as how to explain him/her to the public. Knowing the
ins and
outs of pit bull behavior
and history and, in particular, knowing your particular dog’s likes and
dislikes will be your
biggest help in enjoying great success with your pet. Spread the word
to other
pit bull owners and set a
responsible example from which others can learn.
15.
Spend time with your dog each day!!! Make time for your dog and,
despite all the work, enjoy your
dog!