Sarahstaff

Because what she means is that she doesn't like pit bulls, and I don't believe she's actually admitted to herself that this is the case. I believe she is trying to deceive herself more than she is trying to deceive anyone else. And it takes quite a bit of obfuscating logic to lie to yourself.

Well, mine of course aren't pit bulls, they are Staffybulls. But they are a very similar breed, and I have to say that they [i]do[/i] understand and react to warning signals, and they also use them. Elmo in particular is [i]very[/i] clear with his signals to other dogs to go away and leave him alone. I have often had to remove him from situations because the other dog was ignoring Elmo's warning signals, and if I expect him to not get aggressive about that, it becomes my job to protect him from the situation. I see a [i]lot[/i] of dogs, of various breeds, who "speak dog" very, very badly. Bully breed dogs are as capable of learning appropriate "dog language" as any other dog. Sure they are rowdy, boisterous, and obnoxious. So are most Labs. They are still perfectly capable of responding appropriately to social cues if they have had a chance to learn them. Tully has been put in her place by a Lab, by a Basenji, and by a Lhasa mix, just to name a few. Tully's response to being snarled at is to retreat behind me, with a sulky expression on her face. She's still a bulldawg, though, so if the other dog actually [i]attacks[/i] her, it's on! But as long as all they are doing is communicating she gets it fine... she's just not subtle, and needs a broad hint. (Elmo is much more subtle, but tends to avoid other dogs anyway because he basically just doesn't like them very much)

But the judges couldn't [i]choose[/i] them if the breeders didn't [i]breed[/i] them. And, as I said, most education of judges is done by the breeders. I think we are just going to have to agree to disagree, because what I was wondering is what are [i]you[/i] not understanding. :lol:

You know, it's not that you guys are wrong, and I was going to jump on Pitbulletta too, but she then [i]said[/i] that she would stop taking her dog to dog parks, and that she would read the sites posted. So I feel that continuing to belabor the point is just going to get her back up, and make her tune everything else out. I think the message will be lost in the (over) delivery. JMO. And my personal knowledge of myself, that if I say I'm going to do something, and then umpteen people tell me to do it, I get contrary and decide maybe I won't do it after all. I can't be the only person affected that way!

Well, none of my dogs has ever even thought about biting anyone, so I can't answer the thread topic. But, I don't see how anyone could criticize you. What could possibly be wrong with leaving your dogs overnight somewhere that you had every right to leave them? The guy wouldn't have gotten bit if he hadn't been stupid. I hope you can find a way to get rid of him.

The one in the bottom picture is a little evil: [img]http://elmothesbt.homestead.com/JamiebitesDamon.jpg[/img] I sorta had plans to steal her myself: [img]http://elmothesbt.homestead.com/Jamie4wksdown.jpg[/img]

If you were going to steal puppies, why waste your time with Cane Corsos? Steal one of these: [img]http://elmothesbt.homestead.com/brindleboya2.5weeks.jpg[/img] [img]http://elmothesbt.homestead.com/Jamie3wksb.jpg[/img]

But that is still the breeder's choice. They choose to breed incorrect dogs in order to win. The judges don't force them to do so. And where do the judges learn what to put up? In most cases, as in my breed, they learn that from breeders.

Yes, as far as I know, that is the real standard. There is nothing wrong with the GSD standard as it is written. It's the interpretation of it that has gone wrong. Suzanne Clothier, as well as being a noted dog trainer and author, breeds GSDs. Look at her dogs: [url=http://www.flyingdogpress.com/gsds.html]Hawks Hunt GSDs[/url] They are nothing like the exaggerated type typically seen in the show ring, but some of them [i]have[/i] earned show points, because they are correct to the standard, and you will some judges will judge to the standard rather than to fashion. None of them are finished champions, as that isn't where S. Clothier's interests lay. My own breed is another example of a breed going wrong, and not because of the standard. The "show type" Staffybull these days is a very squat, heavy dog. The standard calls for a dog which is 14-16 inches, weighing 28-38 pounds for males, 24-34 pounds for bitches- [i]weight in proportion to height[/i]. You will rarely see a show Staffy who fits this. If you see a 38 pound show Staffy, he will be about 15" tall... or it will be a bitch. A typical 16" male will weigh at least 45 pounds. These dogs are [i]incorrect[/i]. But, they win. It isn't the judges fault, though, or the standard. It is the breeders who get so impressed with "bone" and "substance", and huge impressive heads, and present those as the ideal for the breed. They have seminars for judges, where they [i]show[/i] them these heavy dogs, and tell them that is what is correct. This trend can be halted, but only if breeders try. The judges just know what we tell them.

It depends on the exercise. For the recall, they respond better to voice. For the finish, they respond better to a hand signal (though I still usually use a verbal. Except for the right side finish with my male, which he will only do for a hand signal) Sit or down are nearly equal, but marginally better to a voice command; except when doing the drop-on-recall, where they respond best to a hand signal. Stand is a hand signal... I'm not sure if they even really understand the verbal command for that one, though I usually say "stand" when I'm giving the signal. For the retrieving exercises, Elmo is so blasted literal-minded that not only do I have to use a verbal, I have to use the [i]correct[/i] verbal command for the object he is to retrieve! (a glove is not a "take it", only a dumbbell is allowed to be a "take it") "Wind" and "unwind" (right and left spins) are hand signals (the verbal is for funny), but the command for Tully to lay her head between her paws is "Are you dying?", there is no hand signal for that. For Elmo to wave takes both a verbal and a hand signal, unless he gets confused and decides to just try waving to see if he can get a cookie that way. :wink:

[quote]If they won't win in the AKC ring, then it is the judge who is at fault for letting the breed become extreme. [/quote] No, the judge is not at fault. The [i]breeder[/i] is at fault for creating the extreme dogs. The judges cannot [i]make[/i] people breed incorrect dogs. The judge is [i]not[/i] the ultimate decision, the breeder is. The judge may be giving bad advice, but the breeder is the one who follows it. This doesn't mean that bad judging can't be detrimental to a breed, because it [i]can[/i], but the ultimate responsibility for the breed being "ruined" is the breeders who went along with it.

If you want Buck to see a chiropractor, look to the AVCA for a referral: [url]http://www.animalchiropractic.org/default2.htm[/url] Ironically, my own dog's chiro is not a current member of the AVCA, though he has been. Not sure why not, but he does a great job on my dog, so I'm happy. He is also a human chiropractor... some people do both, but there is specialized knowledge involved in working on animals, so a person who hasn't had that training should not do it! The AVCA is a good resource for finding a qualified animal chiropractor.

Personally, I won't chain my dogs for a lot of reasons. One of which is that I'd just rather have them in the house with me. The second major reason is that Elmo would think he was [i]dying[/i] if I made him stay outside! :lol: I have never known a dog who dislikes to be outside as much as this little nutcase. He's fine with me taking him outside to play with him, going for walks (if it's not raining- he firmly believes that he might melt), playing fetch or agility (in which case, apparently, he is protected from melting, as he doesn't mind rain), etc. He enjoys that. Afterwards, he wants to come [i]inside[/i]! If I go out into the backyard to do some yardwork, he'll come out and watch me for a short time, then go back into the house in disgust. :lol: (Tully will stay outside and play while I work) He does go outside as needed for potty breaks- he is very well housebroken, and has a dog door he can use when I am home. I took Elmo camping once. Dogs love to camp, right? Wrong! Elmo [i]hated[/i] it! He was absolutely miserable. He wanted back to his recliner! He wouldn't sleep at night until I let him into my sleeping bag, then he pushed me off the air mattress so he could have the whole thing. We went home a day early, much to his relief! The final major reason I would not chain my dogs outside is the same reason my dog door is blocked off, keeping the dogs inside, when I am gone. Bully breed dogs are frequent targets of theft. Putting a dog outside where it could easily be gotten to is just asking for it. I've already had Elmo stolen from [i]inside[/i] the house. Apparently, when they realized they'd taken a middle-aged, neutered dog they dumped him, as I recovered him the next day. But, I won't risk theft again. My dogs stay inside, with the Brinks security system to protect them.

I will quote Suzanne Clothier, from a seminar of hers I once attended: "The AKC doesn't ruin breeds. Judges don't ruin breeds. [i]Breeders[/i] ruin breeds." Just because something is winning, doesn't mean it has to be bred for. The German Shepherds are a great example. The GSD standard does [i]not[/i] call for the extreme rear angulation seen in show dogs, but that look started to win, so it became more and more exaggerated by breeders interested in winning in the show ring. Now, you can still find German Shepherds that do [i]not[/i] have these structural exaggerations. They won't win in the AKC ring, but they are correct, and their are good, responsible breeders who are more interested in producing a sound working dog than one that wins in the ring. Yes, it would be better if dogs that are actually correct were winning, so that the AKC breed ring could serve it's purpose (selection of breeding stock). One thing that would help is if more people were to show correct dogs. This might be harder in the GSD ring, where the breed has gone so far off track, than in a breed which is just starting to head the wrong direction. But remember, if the correct dogs aren't in the ring, they can't win!

Good luck! And don't worry... I ran agility with pneumonia once. Got some Q's, too!

I'm glad Buck is okay! I did think from your description that he might just be painful, though he must have been [i]very[/i] painful to lose his appetite! (or maybe not? Maybe I'm just judging by my pig dog?) If you continue to have problems with his back, you might want to consider seeing a veterinary chiropractor, if you can find a good one. My Elmo has had problems due to arthritis in his lower back, and sees a chiropractor every couple of months. (since we do agility and stuff, he needs regular adjustments, it would be less often if he were just a house pet) I consider the chiropractor a miracle cure for Elmo, as after I noticed the initial problem, after just 3 visits (2 weeks apart), he was like a new dog!

Does "primorse" rhyme with "remorse"?

Your dog is not eligible to be shown: Rules applying to dog shows, Chapter 11: "Section 8. A dog which is blind, deaf, castrated, spayed, or which has been changed in appearance by artificial means except as specified in the standard for its breed, or a male which does not have two normal testicles normally located in the scrotum, may not compete at any show and will be disqualified except that a castrated male may be entered as Stud Dog in the Stud Dog Class and a spayed bitch may be entered as Brood Bitch in the Brood Bitch Class. A dog will not be considered to have been changed by artificial means because of removal of dewclaws or docking of tail if it is of a breed in which such removal or docking is a regularly approved practice which is not contrary to the standard. Neutered dogs and spayed bitches would be allowed to compete in Veterans Classes only at independent specialties and/or those all-breed shows which do not offer any competitive classes beyond Best of Breed. " I suppose it might be possible that the judge would not notice your dog was deaf, but it would be dishonest to show a dog that [i]you[/i] know has a disqualification. It is for this reason that I put up with heat cycles from my Staffybull bitch, though I don't plan to breed her, I am showing her. No, the judge would be extremely unlikely to notice if she were spayed, but I will not make a liar out of myself by signing an entry form which states that "I agree to abide by the rules and regulations of the American Kennel Club...", if I am unwilling to do so!

I fed the Eagle Pack Holistic Blend to my dogs for one large bag, it's a good food and I like it fine. I went back to the Canidae which I usually feed, though, as it's more easy for me to find, and costs less.

What I mostly have noticed about the BT skull photos in that article is that there is very little difference between the 2nd & 3rd skull. There is the underbite in the 3rd skull, and the skull is set at a different angle, but otherwise, they are the same. Seems kind of deceptive, that he attempted to make the change look more dramatic by changing the angle of the skull.

Definitely continue to separate them when they aren't supervised. Floyd is at an obnoxious age right now. If Sasha will tell him off, it would be good for him, but she may not do that, in which case your niece may want to intervene. She should also probably spend some separate time with each dog. Sasha needs a break from the young hooligan, and Floyd may need some alone time to show that he's still loved. If she isn't yet doing any obedience training with Floyd, she should start. He could become a handful, also, it will give him something else to think about.

Elmo's glamour shot: [img]http://elmothesbt.homestead.com/files/adams-elmo_1_copy.JPG[/img] Tully's come-hither look: [img]http://elmothesbt.homestead.com/files/tully5-29.JPG[/img] Sharp-dressed dogs: [img]http://elmothesbt.homestead.com/files/bandanas.JPG[/img]

[quote]Sarahstaff--OH MY GOD!!!!!! what is with that dogs mouth? You could fit a whole child inside it, or has that already been done? [/quote] What, [i]this[/i] mouth? [img]http://elmothesbt.homestead.com/files/netthrowtheball_.JPG[/img] :roflt: [url=http://elmothesbt.homestead.com/fairytale.html]Story about the mouth[/url]

Elmo says "thanks", and sends love: [img]http://elmothesbt.homestead.com/files/elmotongue.JPG[/img]

"Elmo, are we ugly, or just mean?" "I don't know, Tully, but that troll cracks me up!" [img]http://elmothesbt.homestead.com/files/waitingforball.JPG[/img]