The following article will share with you three (3) tips you can use to curb behavior problems and keep your Pit Bull healthy too.

Tip #1: K9 to 5. Work is a must.

By work I mean something your Pit Bull must do in order to shed excess energy. A job is not only a great way to exercise your dog, it’s also a great way to curb behavior problems.

How does this curb behavior problems?

From my own research and experience I can tell you with 100% confidence that 95% of all behavior problems are caused by lack of stimulation.

In short, your big lovable Pit Bull is out and out bored stupid.

A bored dog will start to exhibit negative behaviors in order to relieve this excess stress caused by being bored.

Your task, give your dog something to do. Herding, agility, obedience, weight pulling, tracking, any of these would be a great job for your Pit Bull.

Tip #2: Cut out the Lap dog Routine.

Did I just say to stop loving your Pit Bull?

Not at all, what I mean is, there is a time for love and a time for your dog to be a dog.

When asked why Rover is jumping I respond by asking how much do you spoil Rover?

9 times out of 10 I get a list of things from all day, to oh he’s just like my baby, to he loves to lie on the couch for 20 hours a day!

Read that last one. There’s the answer to Rover’s jumping problem.

He’s giving too much love.

It’s possible and it happens all the time.

Pit Bulls are Pit Bulls not children or people.
They need structure and leadership. Not over-bearing you are so cute I just want to squeeze your cheeks until you pop, attention.
Your task is to give them less attention and more of what they really need. Structure and leadership.

Again, I’m not saying you shouldn’t love your dog or spoil them. But there has to be a limit to how much you give them both.

Tip #3: Do you walk or do you stroll?

A stroll is a short, light walk around the block or up to the local store for a soda and some bubble gum.

A walk is 2-12 miles of exercise that every single Pit Bull must have every single day in order to thrive.

What? 2 miles! Are you crazy?

Dogs, by nature (you know that funny lady Mother Nature has her quirks) are roaming animals.

Watch wild dogs, they run for miles upon miles, they hunt by out lasting their prey through stamina.

Pit Bulls while domesticated are much the same. They need long walks everyday in order to really get rid of that super energy they are known for.

Your task is to add 1-2 miles to your walk over the next 7-10 days.

In summary

Without work, structure and exercise, Pit Bulls will turn the stress resulting from the lack of these critical canine needs into negative, annoying behaviors.

I have never, not once seen a Pit Bull with a job that gets plenty of exercise jump on guests, bark all day long, or chew the couch into 10,000 little chunks.

Why?

Work gives them mental and physical stimulation and releases stress.
Structure gives them security and safety from the “wild” things out there in the world.
Exercise gives fulfills their instincts to roam and investigate the world around them.

After you have given your dog these three things, then give them the love and attention they deserve.

If you think I’m crazy, that your dog gets plenty of exercise and that’s not the reason they misbehave, try it out for yourself. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the results.

What are you waiting for?

Go for it!

About the Author

Jason Mann is an American Pit Bull Terrier fancier, owner and genuine Pit Bull fanatic. Jason owns pitbulllovers.com PitBullLovers.com a web site devoted to the positive image and responsible ownership of the American Pit Bull Terrier and is the author of pitbulltraininghandbook.com The Pit Bull Training Handbook.

Tags: bull terrier, pit bull

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Tags: bull terrier, pit bull

Aggressive Pit Bulls can become a very serious problem if not dealt with in a proper manner. New laws exist that state if a dog bites or attacks someone, the dog’s owner will be held responsible and the dog put down. This is just another reason that Pit Bull owners should invest the time and energy to properly train their dogs.

There are many different reasons why a Pit Bull terrier may become aggressive. Here are a couple of the most common that I see:

- Your dog may feel that his territory is being invaded

- Your dog may feel threatened

When a dog exhibits signs of aggression, they usually come from a lack of confidence and feelings of insecurity. Basic obedience training won’t solve your Pit Bull’s problem with aggressive behavior, the only solution is serious dog training. Keep in mind that an aggressive dog doesn’t just bite, he barks and lunges at people as well and he could also attack another pet.

I would strongly recommend seeking the services of a professional dog trainer if you’re having a real problem with aggression. Training an aggressive dog is a challenge and can prove to be expensive, but it is a small price to pay when you consider you’ll be saving your Pit’s life and possibly the life of some other animal or individual. To find a professional trainer who handles cases of aggression, contact your local veterinarian and ask for referrals.

Be sure that you do your homework and thoroughly investigate the schools which are recommended. Look at their facilities and learn what methods they use when training dogs. The last thing you want is for your Pit Bull to exhibit worse behavior after going through training school than when he first entered.

I applaud your decision to be a responsible Pit Bull terrier owner and have your dog trained. An aggressive Pit can halter the relationship that you have with him, hurt other people, hurt other animals, and give this fabulous breed a bad reputation. After it is all said and done, I’m certain you’ll agree that having your Pit Bull trained was a fantastic decision!

To learn all about pitbullsrevealed.com/ Pit Bull dogs and training a pitbullsrevealed.com/ Pit Bull, visit pitbullsrevealed.com/ pitbullsrevealed.com/ today.

Tags: bull terrier, dog training, pit bull

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As you begin your search for a dog, you are probably asking yourself, “What type of dog would be best for me?” Dogs come in many different sizes, colors, coats, and personalities. Start your dog ownership off on the right foot by doing your research before you settle on a breed.

While there are around 400 recognized breeds, the best place to start is by looking at the approx. 155 breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club, broken down into seven broad categories. Within each breed category are subgroups.

Sporting Group

Sporting dogs were originally bred to help man hunt birds by retrieving the birds from water or bushes. Nature has conditioned them to retrieve; they also love fetching balls and newspapers, and they make great companions. Members of the Sporting Group include retrievers, pointers, setters, and spaniels. A naturally active breed, regular brisk exercise is a must with these dogs to avoid excessive chewing, jumping and barking.

Hound Group

Hounds were originally bred for hunting. There are three main subgroups: scent hounds, sighthounds, and large game hounds. Sighthounds make gentle pets, but they love to run after fast-moving targets. They include the Greyhound, Irish Wolfhound, and Whippet. Scent hounds follow their nose and it can be difficult to get their attention when they are on the trail of something. They are sweet, loving, and make good companions. Among them are the Beagle and Bloodhound. Large game hounds like the Rhodesian Ridgeback were bred to hunt lions, elk and other game. They are powerful, fearless and make good watch dogs.

Working Group

The breeds in this group were bred to help man. Their jobs range from rescue to sledding and guarding. They are intelligent, learn quickly, and make good companions. However, most of them are very large, strong dogs and they may not be suitable for families with young children. Proper training is very important with these breeds. Among the breeds are sled dogs like the Siberian Husky and Samoyed; draft dogs that were bred to pull heavy loads like the Bernese Mountain Dog; guard dogs including the Bullmastiff, Rottweiler and Akita; and rescue/water dogs such as the Newfoundland and Saint Bernard.

Herding Group

Dogs in the herding group were, you’ve guessed it, bred to herd. They are lively, agile, alert, respond well to training, and make great pets. They love lots of exercise and if they can’t find a sheep to herd they will happily (and gently) herd their owners or children. Herding dog include the Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, German Shepherd, Old English Sheepdog, Cardigan Welsh Corgi and Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

Non-Sporting Group

Originally many of these dogs were working dogs, but these days they are mainly companions. These breeds vary widely in size, coat, temperament, and personality. Among the diverse breeds are the Bichon Frise, Chow Chow, French Bulldog, Keeshond, Poodle, and Schipperke.

Terrier Group

Terriers are a determined bunch, and original bred as either vermin hunters or fighting breeds. Vermin hunters are lively, independent and do best on a leash when outdoors. Terriers can become barkers or chewers if not properly trained, and sometimes can get aggressive over food or toys. The fighter group includes the Bull Terrier and American Staffordshire Terrier. They can make good pets if properly trained and socialized, but without training they can be a possible danger to people and other dogs.

Toy Group

The Toy breeds are very small, playful, devoted to their owners, and love and demand attention. Their main purpose is to be adorable and they are terrific lapdog. They need less exercise than other breeds and do well in apartments or other small quarters, and are a good choice for older people. Some, however, may bark or snap if they are not trained. Toy Breeds include the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chihuahua, Maltese, Pekinese, Pug, and Toy Poodle.

By doing your research before you choose a breed, you’ll be a big step ahead in finding the dog that fits your personality and lifestyle, and you’ll have a great companion for years to come.

Valerie Goettsch is webmaster of my-favorite-dog.com My Favorite Dog featuring articles and information on my-favorite-dog.com types of dog breeds, dog health issues, training, and more.

Tags: bull terrier, chihuahua, dog breed, dog breeds, rhodesian ridgeback, rottweiler, saint bernard

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Tags: bull terrier, chihuahua, dog breed, dog breeds, rhodesian ridgeback, rottweiler, saint bernard

We are writing this article is to keep the public fully informed about the various breeds of dogs available to them. This article will focus on the Bull Terrier in particular. Lots of people decide that they want a dog strictly because they like the look of the breed. This is not a horrible thing if they can truly look after the breed of dog well, however for some individuals the care for specific types of dog breeds is not possible. The only way to avoid any surprises after the adopting or purchase of a dog is to understand the breed and what it takes to care for it. We will go over some of the basic characteristics of the Bull Terrier to help you get a better understanding of the Bull Terrier as a breed and possibly a new addition to your family.

Very well known in recent years as the spokes breed for a beer company, the Bull Terrier is a short, stocky and intense dog standing at about 18 inches and weighing in at about 72 lbs. The Bull Terrier looks very different from the other breeds of terriers, with the most noticeable feature being their long thick snout and egg shaped head. The Bull Terrier is very fond of people, but they cannot seem to get rid of some long standing tendencies. Originally meant to be a fighting dog, this breed has very capable jaws and the willingness to use them. The Bull Terrier is very easy to groom since it has short and harsh fur, but can drain the wallet a little because of their hearty appetite and very active lifestyle. This breed is a grand family dog but may become aggressive around little children. The Bull Terrier is ideal for an individual in need of a companion.

We hope that we have assisted you I your quest for knowledge and understanding of the Bull Terrier. Please look below for some additional resources. The first thing you will want to do is see what the Bull Terrier looks like. The next thing you will need to do is house train your Bull Terrier. We find that one of the most common reasons that someone will get rid of Bull Terrier’s is that they are not house trained. There is a wonderful manual that can be used and you will find the link below. Lastly we want you to show off your new Bull Terrier. There is a wonderful online dog community complete with a forum for you to post pictures to. Check it out.

Learn about

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Dog lovers will not be surprised to learn that custody of the family dog is frequently a bone of contention in separation or divorce. However, they may be surprised to learn that Fido is considered personal property under state law, the same as a piano or a favorite piece of jewelry. Many divorcing dog owners disagree with this law and want their dog treated like a child. Courts determine a child’s custody based on what is in the “best interests” of the child. Judges (who may be dog lovers themselves) are often torn between following the law, which treats the animal as an inanimate object, or giving in to the wishes of the parties.

Akers v. Sellers, a 1944 Indiana court case, appears to be the first reported case involving a dispute over a dog in a divorce. John Akers filed a court proceeding to get his Boston bull terrier back from his ex-wife, Stella Sellers. The dog was not mentioned in the divorce decree, and Stella, who kept the family home, ended up with the pet because it lived there. The court said the dog belonged to Stella because it was given to her by John during the marriage. This decision treated the dog like any other gift of personal property.

Sixteen years later, in 1960, in Ballas v. Ballas, a California appellate court refused to consider whether the family Pekingese was community property or separate property, a relevant issue if the dog were being treated as personal property. It agreed with the trial court that Shirley Ballas should have the animal because she was the one who took care of it. This is thought to be the first reported court decision where a court looked to the “best interests” of a pet in deciding who would get custody.

In Arrington v. Arrington, a 1981 Texas case, perhaps in response to Ballas, insisted that dogs are personal property (saying they are not to be confused with humans), but opined that although A. C. Arrington had agreed that his former wife should have custody of the dog, Bonnie Lou, there should be enough love in Bonnie Lou’s heart to allow for visitation with A. C. What dog lover would disagree?

Not long after that, an Iowa appellate court in In re Marriage of Stewart, while agreeing that a dog is personal property, affirmed the trial court award of Georgetta, the family dog, to Jay Stewart. Regardless of the fact that Jay had originally given the animal to his wife, Joan, as a Christmas gift, the court pointed out that Georgetta accompanied Jay to his office and spent a substantial part of the day with him.

In Dickson v. Dickson, in 1994, a Garland County, Arkansas, court entered a consent decree ordering Mr. Dickson to pay $150 per month in dog support in a joint custody arrangement that designated the former Mrs. Dickson as the primary custodian of the animal. The parties later stipulated to a modification of the decree to give the ex-wife sole custody, with her former husband to have no further liability for the expense of the dog’s future care since he no longer had an interest in the animal.

In the case of In re Marriage of Tevis-Bliech, in 1997, the Kansas appellate court affirmed a trial court decision holding that it lacked jurisdiction to modify a divorce settlement agreement that (by contract) gave Michael Bliech visitation with Cartier, the family dog. This left visitation intact.

Although not a published court decision, Dr. Stanley Perkins, an anesthesiologist, and his wife Linda made headlines in San Diego County, California, a few years ago, when they engaged in a two-year dog fight over Gigi, a pointer-greyhound mix they had adopted from an animal shelter. Linda won custody of the dog through such legal theatrics as a canine bonding study prepared by an animal behaviorist and “A Day in the Life” video of Gigi. What was unusual was not only the astronomical legal fees incurred in the fight over Gigi, but the apparent willingness of the judge to listen to it all.

In a recent case in Alaska, the trial court tried a shared ownership arrangement between the divorcing parties and their chocolate Labrador retriever, Coho. When that did not work out, the court gave Stephen Gough custody and Julie Juelfs visitation. When that did not work out, it awarded sole custody to Stephen, meaning no visitation rights for Julie, an arrangement the Alaska Supreme Court upheld in 2002 in Juelfs v. Gough.

In spite of the foregoing cases, most courts seem to balk at entering animal custody orders. In Nuzzaci v. Nuzzaci, in 1995, a Delaware divorce court refused to sign an order agreed to by the parties that included visitation with a golden retriever. The court stated it did not believe it had authority to enforce such an order if the parties later disagreed.

In Bennett v. Bennett, that same year, a Florida appellate court refused to affirm a trial court order giving Kathryn Bennett visitation with the parties’ dog, Roddy, every other weekend and every other Christmas. The appellate court said the lower court had no authority to grant custody or visitation with personal property.

And, in DeSanctis v. Pritchard, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, in 2003, upheld the dismissal by the trial court of a complaint asking the court to enforce a settlement agreement providing for shared possession of Barney, a mixed-breed golden retriever-golden Labrador. The settlement agreement was held to be void to the extent it attempted to award visitation or shared custody with personal property.

Although custody of the family dog in divorce cases may seem like a trivial issue to some, it is taken very seriously by dog lovers. The Animal Legal Defense Fund has filed amicus curiae briefs in some divorce cases, suggesting that the judge consider the companion animal’s best interest. Public and legal interest in “animal rights” is growing. There are reportedly 42 law schools offering courses in animal law, and at least two legal journals devoted to animal law, with others carrying articles on the subject.

In spite of objections that court dockets are already overburdened with ongoing disputes over the custody, visitation, and support of children, we may be headed for the day when dogs are entitled to their day in divorce court.

Brenda Warneka, an attorney for over 25 years, is a partner in the law firm of Cox Warneka Redmon in Scottsdale, Arizona. She writes on legal and other topics, and is a member of the Arizona Press Women. Warneka is co-editor and a contributor to the nonfiction anthology The Simple Touch of Fate: Real People; Real Stories featured at thefatesite.com www.thefatesite.com. The anthology includes several stories for dog lovers, including “The Sisters,” a story about Brenda’s standard poodles, Maggie and BonBon. The Simple Touch of Fate is available through amazon.com www.amazon.com and other on-line and brick and mortar bookstores.

DISCLAIMER This article does not constitute legal advice, and is not intended as a substitute for legal advice. Animal law varies from state to state, and readers should seek legal advice from an attorney in their state based on specific fact situations.

Tags: animal rights, bull terrier, fido

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Tags: animal rights, bull terrier, fido