Relevance of Breed in Selecting a Dog
October 2, 2012
The National Canine Research Council has just released the results of a study by Janis Bradley. In this study, Bradley “…examines whether breed is a useful indicator of the suitability of a companion dog. She investigates ‘whether the practice of attempting to to predict a dog’s behavior based on its breed or assumed breed is likely to yield useful results.'”
From the Dog Training Internship Academy website:
Janis Bradley is an expert dog trainer, educator, speaker, and program designer. She was a founding faculty member at The San Francisco SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers, where she spent a decade as an instructor and program developer, working with colleagues to prepare more than 400 students for careers as dog professionals. Before this, Janis enjoyed a distinguished twenty-year career in academia, frequently lecturing at education conferences on subjects like critical thinking and experiential learning.
Janis has written about a range of subjects from education to dog aggression, and is the author of Dogs Bite, But Balloons and Slippers Are More Dangerous, an authoritative and entertaining examination of the fallacies and media frenzy that surround dog bites. In addition to being a must-read for professionals in the training and animal shelter world, the book is an oft-cited source of information and statistics for journalists.
You can download Bradley’s book for free, HERE.
We got her!!
September 29, 2012
Quick update for everyone who contacted us about Carnation – Yes! We got her this morning!
She is SUCH a sweet girl, just so loving and kissy and playful and amazing.
Here are some pictures of her from her drive back to San Diego.
Ready to hit the road!
Gettin’ sleepy…
She’s now settling in nicely with Nick and Jenn, her foster mom and dad, plus her two foster sisters. They’ve changed her name to Chance and report that as of tonight she’s already fitting in like she’s always been there!
We’ll make an appointment for her this week to see the vet about her leg. The femoral head is broken and clearly has been for a while so we’ll see what Dr Hampel says.
Thank you everyone for your well wishes and prayers for Carnation! She’s already a success story, and she’s only just arrived!
Carnation needs us – we need YOU!!
September 26, 2012
We received the saddest plea in our inbox this week. From the shelter volunteer:
The first words I heard about Carnation (just a puppy at 7 months old, 33 pounds) were: “We can’t euthanize her. She is sitting in that cage playing with her toys!!!” What a doll this little brindle girl is! Sweet, loving with other dogs, just an angel who, unfortunately, will require a visit to an orthopedic vet to find out about her limp on the rear leg. FHO surgery is a possibility for her. But, we can raise funds if there is a rescue who will save her life. If medical staff is willing, we must support them!!!
Then, from today’s evaluation:
…the best I could do was take Carnation and walk her through [the treatment] room, with other dogs barking and growling at her. She did not react other than to go up, sniff, and wag her tail — and, in fact, backed away from a momma terrier with pups who was making it know that she was not wanted in that area! I asked a couple of the ACT’s who have spent time in medical and, without hesitation, everyone agreed that Carnation is sweet, polite, and non-reactive. They even said she was quiet in her cage — though I’m sure once healthy she will be romping about non-stop.
We really, really, REALLY want to help this sweetheart! She looks so much like Fiona, it’s just eating us up inside – her deadline is FRIDAY, SEPT 28!! But we have NO ROOM. None. We’ve got people willing to help us raise the money for the possible leg surgery and physical therapy, but she needs a place to GO, i.e., a FOSTER HOME.
Please, San Diego, we really, really need your help! Is there anyone who would be willing to open their heart and their home to this little angel? We will provide a crate, food, and cover all vet expenses. She just needs a place to stay either until space opens up elsewhere or until she’s adopted, whichever comes first.
There have been NO OTHER RESCUES inquiring about this sweet girl, and she deserves a chance at a life! We NEED to save the breed ambassadors so they can go on to change the negative opinion of others about this remarkable breed. This girl sounds like an EXCELLENT ambassadog!!
If you can help, please contact Kelly at pugglesnpitties@gmail.com. Time is of the essence, please contact us right away!!
Thank you!!
Dare to Bull-ieve & Pittie Beauty Contest
September 12, 2012
Puggles & Pitties is excited to announce that we are partnering with the San Diego Humane Society during the month of October in an effort to promote the positive qualities of pit bulls and encourage responsible pittie ownership.
Come by on October 6th and 20th to participate in the fun and meet our beautiful Karma. We’ll also have information about the pit bull type dog and training and behavior tips.
For more information about the events scheduled throughout the month, see the announcement below from the San Diego Humane Society.
We look forward to seeing you there!!
Is Your Dog Beauti-bull?
Karma
In honor of Adopt-a-Shelter Dog Month, the San Diego Humane Society is planning a month packed with pit-focused activities and incentives during “Dare to Bull-ieve”. We are excited to celebrate the pit bull type dog in our first ever Bully Beauty Contest and you are invited to participate! 20 dogs will named as finalists and featured during a special event on October 6th at our Gaines St Campus (10 dogs) or October 20th at our Oceanside Campus (10 dogs). There the finalists will be invited to participate in a pit bull only beauty pageant. Your dog will strut, perform, and pose for local celebrity judges and community leaders as they look for the Best Human-Animal Bond Story, Most Talented, Most Beautiful, Best Wag, and Best Ambassador (overall winner) in the group. Each of the Top 20 will be rewarded as a finalist and great prizes will be awarded to the winners of each category.
If you are interested in sharing your story and showing off your pit bull, please send the following information about your dog to Elkie Wills: ewills@sdhumane.org
Name:
Contact Number:
Animal Name:
Animal Sex:
Animal Breed:
Is your dog Spayed/Neutered?
Is your dog licensed?
Does your dog have playmates?
Where is your dog’s favorite place to play?
Event location you would like to attend? (San Diego on October 6th or Oceanside on October 20th)
Tell us how your dog is your family’s hero:
Please provide a current photo of your animal with your nomination. Submissions are due by September 21, 2012 and will be reviewed by a diverse panel of San Diego Humane Society staff. Winners will be notified by September 26, 2012 and details of the event will be finalized.
“Dare to Bull-ieve” October Activities…
If you are unable to attend our Bully Beauty Contest, we invite you to take advantage of these other “positively pit” opportunities.
- Waived adoption fees for pit bulls.
- Fit Your Pit – Pit owners are invited to the San Diego Humane Society’s retail store, Muttique, to fit their pit in a Sensation Harness and receive a 30% discount. And, if they trade in their prong or choke collar they will receive a 50% discount. Name tags are free too!
- Spoil Your Pit – Pit owners are invited to attend our Project KEPPT events for an opportunity to microchip and license their dogs at no charge.
- Tots & Tales – Children will be entertained with a special story time featuring two children’s books with positive pit bull messages.
- Happy Hour Lectures discussing Vaccinations and Acupressure.
On October 1st our website will detail out all the dates and activities! www.sdhumane.org.
Positive Reinforcement pt 2
September 4, 2012
We’ve posted about positive reinforcement training before, and received many, MANY hateful comments in response. We didn’t approve any of those comments, because we’ve come to realize there are some people to whom the message will never reach.
Today we came across the following blog post, which we think beautifully explains the reasoning for crossing over to positive training. We hope you enjoy it and get as much out of it as we did.
Correct me If I’m Wrong? I Have a Better Idea….
As anyone who has either read my book or knows me in person is aware of, I am a positive reinforcement trainer. That wasn’t always the case. I started my training knowledge with the more old fashioned techniques now known inaccurately as “balanced training”…
About the author:
Debby McMullen began training dogs and their owners in 1998 at the Animal Friends shelter in Pittsburgh, PA. In 2002 she started her dog training and behavior consulting business, Pawsitive Reactions, LLC. She is a founding member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC), and a long time professional member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT). A member of the Doberman Pinscher Club of America, she is also the founder and president of Damon’s Den Doberman Rescue of Western PA. She lives with four personal dogs as well as a rotating crew of rescues and would have it no other way.
Puggles & Pitties 