gooeydog

The bit about cropping preventing ear infections is a myth, there is no real evidence to back it up, and plenty against it. Most groomers and vets can tell you that they get in just as many cropped or "up" earred dogs with ear infections as they do flop earred dogs. Cropping may raise the ear up and allow air to get in, but it also takes away a lot of the fur around the edges and inside of the ears, opening them up to dirt, debri, rain/water and other foreign substances that can cause problems, which those hairs would catch or the flap of ear would keep out. Our Dachshund has ears just like a Dobie, yet she has never once in the 5 yrs we've had her needed her ears cleaned. Most other Dachshunds I know also have relatively clean ears, though maybe that's just the breed. In a matter of opposites, our cropped APBT has had recurring ear infections all her life, though not as often now that we've narrowed down the causes and avoid them. Ear infections are caused by a lot of things, genetic predispositions towards narrow inner ear cavities, allergies, weak immune system, food, environment... all of these have far more bearing on whether a dog will have ear infections than ear set does.

[quote]I just don't think it's fair tot ell someone, no you shouldn't buy a pur bred dog because there are tons of mutts at the pound.[/quote] Not all dogs in the pound are mutts, there are a number of purebred dogs in shelters (yes even in Alabama shelters). And how do you think these dogs end up there anyway? Dogs sure don't fall from the sky where I live... [quote]Most people don't feel comfortable with bringing a dog that is already grown, maybe been in a bad situation (but who knows really), with no health background into their home, especially if they are first time buyers.[/quote] Since most of those "already grown" dogs come from the same situations as the cute pups they can get from people like yourself, what's the big difference? In fact, you can tell as much (if not more) about an "already grown" dog in the pound as you can about the cute puppy someone down the road is selling. You have no idea whether the pup will grown up to be healthy, stable, and a good pet. You can stack the odds in your favor by going to a reputable breeder with dogs of the character you want, but even then things happen, and you might end up with your pup growing up to be a wierdo. At least with an "already grown" dog, you can see what the dog is, and for the most part, that's what he'll stay, as he's already grown into the dog he's going to be, less guesswork. [quote]but I think it very unfair to blame people for wanting a purebred puppy to bring into their home, despite what breed, that has some sort of structure in its breeding; instead of going to the pound and picking up a mutt puppy[/quote] I also didn't see anyone saying to go to a pound and grab a mutt, any mutt, rather than buy from a breeder. If a person wants a Dobie, or a Poodle, or a Sharpei, or whatever, they can find one if they look in rescue, shelters, etc and are commited. The whole "only thing in the pound is mutts" drivel is a cop out for people who really don't care where they get the dog from and want to take the easy way out of choosing whichever comes along first (which is fine, their choice). And since the majority of dogs in pounds, rescues, shelters, etc come from breeders breeding for pets, maybe doing health testing, maybe not, most breeding for decent dogs, they have as good a chance of getting one through them as they do coming to a breeder breeding for the above, same source, same goal, same product. [quote]How fair is it to a pound dog that is purchased because it looked a certain way as a pup..then grows up and isn't what the owner expected..then it's tossed back out on the street to starve, get ran over, attacked by another dog, ect? Is it not more humane for it to be PTS at the pound, instead of being tossed back out like a dirty rag, to fend for itself, after being a good pet to someone?[/quote] Is it any fairer for a purebred dog bought because it looked and acted a certain way as a pup to be tossed out onto the street or into a shelter when it grows up to be not what the owner expected? Perhaps all pups should just be culled at birth to save them from the heartbreak and trauma if they don't live up to expectations? Or maybe instead, people who want dogs based on on looks, etc and will dump them if they don't turn out as expected should simply not get dogs at all. I certainly wouldn't want a pup I had bred going to somone like that.

I've been feeding the dogs (at least Annie and Goo, my mom feeds the other 3) Natural Balance dry food and Nutro Canned food ( 1 - 1 1/2 cup and a bit less than 1/2 can for Goo; 1/2-2/3 cup and a large spoonful of canned for Annie; every night, though sometimes we do a bit more of teh canned), would be feeding the Natural Balance canned food as well, but the store doesn't always have it in stock, so we stick with what I can get that works for now. My mom just found out that the vet clinic she works at orders Triumph food for clients and employees, and they'll just order as we need it, so less having to worry about it not being in stock, etc. I checked out the foods, and the dry food doesn't seem to be very good (definitely not as good as what they're getting now), but the canned food seems to be okay, and about on par with the Nutro. I'm thinking about going ahead and switching, but just want to make sure I'm not missing some bad point of the food, and was hoping to hear some opinions on it. Here's the page for the food: [url]http://www.triumphpet.com/triumphcan.html[/url] They also have another line that seems to have better ingredients, Evolve. I'm going to see if the clinic orders that as well, and may go with that instead if it's not too outrageously priced. [url]http://www.evolvepet.com/lambf.html[/url] Even the Evolve dry food looks pretty good to me, but I think a bit too high in protein and fat for Goo, who does well on the Natural Balance (23% protein, 13% fat). [url]http://www.evolvepet.com/adultm.html[/url] I think I'm more confised now than I was when I started this post :lol:

Vet schools and places where they train for specialized procedures will sometimes do surgeries for discounted rates, using the dogs as a demo to show students the procedure. It's worth checking into.

Good for you for putting the well being of your dog before the money you put out on the classes. I wouldn't have gone back after that either, especially since the instructor seemingly saw nothing wrong with putting others' dogs in danger by bringing her dog back after one incident, and showed no remorse for that incident. I wouldn't worry about what she says or thinks, she was at fault, not you, and you're simply doing your job and keeping your dog safe. Hopefully your pup's nose heals and the scarring is minimal, both physical and emotional.

Are there still actual wounds, or it it just scar tissue that you see? Scars on dogs' noses are often discolored (pink or white), but then "fade" as new skin takes place where the scarring is. It's also possible that the wound has closed and there is an infection under the surface of the skin from the bite. Were the bites punctures, tears, or scrapes? Punctures are more likely to become infected because the outside heals and infection can set in deep in the wound. Some signs of infection are the area around the wound being hot or warm to the touch, swelling, redness, and odor. There can be infection even without the above though, so if you have any doubts, get her to the vets. Usually, anything you put on the nose will be licked off, even with a muzzle on, so I would only use things to know to be non-toxic, unless you sit with her and keep her from licking at it long enough for some to soak in, then wipe the excess of (good luck :lol: ). If it is an infection (or you're not sure if it is), take her in to the vets, better to be safe than sorry, and an infection around so many organs (nose, mouth, brain) can cause a lot of problems.

Maybe just contact them and let them know you have a pup from one of their litters.... carry on a nice conversation with them, then once you've settled in a bit, produce the hip x-rays and show them his problems. Explain that HD, allergies, etc are genetic issues and that breeding dogs who produce such problems condemns sweet dogs like Devin to having to lice with said problems.

Here's another variation, the K9Cruiser: [url]http://www.adogsbestfriend.com/template_page.cfm?id=12[/url] I've heard good things about them, including several meduim/large breed owners who said it was as easy as stated to keep the dog from pulling them to go after another animal.

[quote]The parrot trick often works nicely. Most times, I can drape a towel or blanket over the front of the kennel (the only part that's open... the rest of it is enclosed) and the dog will usually eventually settle down and go to sleep. Of course, there are always a few who don't. Some will just bark bark bark at nothing their entire stay. For some reason, it really doesn't bother me that bad unless it's one with that shrill, high pitched squeal.[/quote] HF, meet Goo.... Goo, meet HF :lol: She's a screechy bellower, starts out as a screech, ends as a low, loud bellow.... enough to make even me want to gag her with a sock after a bit. The blanket trick failed on all accounts, she pulled it through in several places and shredded it to peek out again :roll: . When she goes in for shots or a bath or whatever (the grooming area is in the back of the vet clinic, so it's all in the same general area), she gets shut in the biters ward (a door on each end to muffle her) and the radio goes on to drown her out. Needless to say, we try to make Goo's visits there as short as possible (she was kept shut in the basement kennels there for 2 months before we got her, so she does have reason not to like being there) :roll: :lol: DP, try taking him out to walk/run on the pavement the day or the day after you cut his nails... the tip is the hardest part to wear through, so if that's already been cut off, it's easier to wear them down. Also, if he's sound (no HD or similar physical problems), a game of catch in a tennis court or the like can really wear down nails fast. As far as clipping, use small cuts to work your way up the nail until you can see the quick in the nail... it should be a little pink, gray, or white "meaty" spot in the center. Also, science_doc, The guillotine clippers have to be kept really sharp or they have a tendency to squeeze the nail before the blade finally cuts through, which pinches the quick. It's possible that's what happened.

Crates are a tool, as like any other tool, can be useful if used correctly and cruel if used incorrectly. As with any other tool, the repsonsibility lies with the owners to educate themselves on proper use. It's also an individual choice as to whether to use a particular tool or not, not a choice to be made by one person to fit all cases.

I talked to my mom about it the other day, and she says to go ahead and ask about transfering the papers (which I really don't even care about, I'd even ILP or LP her if she doesn't want to give me the papers, just as long as I can put myself down as acting "owner" and not have her get upset), and she says to go ahead and ask her soon. My aunt has company right now, so it'll be a few days, but I'm gonig to go ahead and ask her. As I said, I don't think she really thinks the way she cares for Annie is bad, so I'm not even going to bring that up. I'll just point out that they won't have much time to deal with her after the baby's born, and go from there. I'll let everyone know what happens :)

She's actually fairly knowledgeable about dogs, and has had several, she took pretty good care of them for the most part, but I don't think really cares for the hassle of having a high energy, annoying (if she doesn't get the exercise she needs), seemingly untrainable dog like Annie.... she likes Annie herself, but not the responsibilities that come along with having Annie. This is the aunt who lost a baby a few years ago in a dog related incident, and she's already said she doesn't want any dogs around the new baby, so I'm guessing if Annie's over there after the baby's born, she'll be crated or blocked out from wherever the baby is. She never even realized that Annie was a wierdo around people (she's not anymore, but when she had her, and before she started getting better about meeting people), and thinks she "likes" kids, which she really doesn't (she also doesn't really dislike them either... she'll play with them, but isn't really a dog who likes to be picked up or harassed, which most kids will do to a small dog, doesn't like to be chased by them, and gets really interested in running/screaming kids, which could cause problems if allowed to go further). If I bring up these points, she'll think I'm just blowing smoke, and won't really pay any attention. I've made mention a few times that I wouldn't trust Annie around a baby (which I wouldn't), but I don't know if she's really thought about it or not. My mom did mention signing Annie over at one point a while back, when I first checked out the obedience rules, and said that my aunt had said it would be ok since they wouldn't have her over there much after the baby was born anyway, but hasn't made any mention since. I worry though that even then, after the baby is old enough that Annie isn't a worry, will she want her back? As it is, Annie is "ours", but at the same time, not "ours"... I don't want her to be completely ours, then my aunt decide she wants her back (in that case, I'm stuck, don't want to start a big family squabble, but at the same time don't want to give Annie up). I (obviously) still have some thinking to do as far as what I'm going to do, but it helps to put it into words, and I appreciate the suggestions :)

Some may already know this from previous posts, but Annie is "technically" my aunt's dog. My aunt bought her almost 6 yrs ago and Annie was at her house until she was 1 1/2 yrs old, at which point my aunt had some problems in her life and moved from the apartment she was renting with us into our part of the house temporarily, bringing Annie with her. Weh nshe mvoed across the street into another house, Annie stayed here "until she could get settled". 4 1/2 yrs later, Annie's still here, and goes "home" for a couple days every few weeks, when my aunt's and her hubby are off work and feel like being bothered with her. We (now I buy her food, same as Goo's) pay for her food (aunt did offer to pay for some at one point, but has never really followed through), vet bills (not usually much to them since my mom works at the vets and gets care for cheap, training, etc. My aunt was working 12 hr shifts when she had Annie, plus total 3 hrs commute, leaving a young pup crated for around 15 hrs five days a week, then getting mad when she'd go in the crate or on the floor when she was out. Annie was unsocialized, and would have bitten a stranger in a heartbeat given the chance. My aunt still considers Annie her dog, and for the most part, I go along with it, though I don't agree. She's always commenting to people about how Annie's turned into a pretty good dog, like it just "magically" happened. Nevermind the amount of time I put in getting her to accept people she meets, not bothering other dogs (she's also dog aggressive, something my aunt didnt even realize until she took of after another dog last year), housebreaking her, exercising her, and teaching her to behave herself in the house and out in public. Normally, I just brush things like that off, but sometimes they sort of pile up and need out. Today she said something about how Annie hadn't been over in a while, then commented "poor dog"... yes, poor dog not having to raid the cat food because they forget to feed her or having to hold it for longer than she should because they don't have the time or feel like taking her out (aunt commented a while back that she wouldn't have gotten another dog if she'd known it'd have to be walked to go to the bathroom, that's a big inconvenience). She does like going over there, but after about a day, is tryign to slip out the door with me when I go over there, so I don't think there's any real preference. They're looking for a new house (they were renting with the intention of buying, but the owner doesn't wantt to sell anymroe) since they have a baby on the way, and I'm scared to death she'll want to take Annie with them. At least in the current situation, when she goes to work and leaves Annie there for 12+ hrs, we take a key and go get her, if they move up the street, that wont be possible. At times I actually hope that when the baby comes, they won't want her over there, and I've been toying with the idea of asking her to either sign Annie over to me or put me as part owner (which I think I have to be anyway to compete with her in obedience and tracking trials, something we plan to do in the fall). I don't know if she'll agree though, and wonder at times if it's even "right" of me to ask, so I just don't know....

[quote]I am proud to say I LOVE MY PIT BULL'S.[/quote] Me too, which is why I assume that at some point they will act like most pit bulls do and fight with each other, and take steps to keep it from happening.

[quote name='JULIE29']I see someone wrote that pitbulls are not good with other dogs. not all true i have a 4 yr old mayfield pitbull. He loves other dogs even cats he kisses them all over and he never is aggressive with other dogs. He like's friends. He has never been fixed and he acts like a person. Loves pizza fish. Very good with my 3 boys they where him out when they play with him and a rope. I wish everyone would get it that its all about babying the breed. Never buy one off someone u don't know. Meet the pups mom and dad judge there behavior if they are aggressive then the pup will be. Watch out for inbreeded pits they will turn. if anyone has qustions i have 1 pitbull and an American bull dog (over sized pitbull). u can email me at [email]Julielovesdamion@yahoo.com[/email][/quote] Some pit bulls are good with other dogs, many are not, regardless of how they're brought up. Because of the damage a pit bull can do if it gets into a fight and the owners are not prepared to handle it, it's best to assume that most WILL become aggerssive to other dogs at some point as they mature, and be ready to handle it if they do. Centuries of selective breeding have created a breed that tends to be aggressive towards other dogs and large animals, and that is adept at fighting. A pit bull may never get into a fight with another dog, but if it does, it will likely cause a lot of damage unless it's broken up quickly, and that type of damage is exactly what the breed doesn't need right now. It doesn't matter if a dog has been fixed or is babied, if it's in their genetics to be dog aggressive, they will be, the best you can do is manage it. Meeting the parents of a dog also will not help if the dog's temperament is that of its grandparents, and since many good breeders use outside studs to breed to, you may be missing out on a lot of great dogs if you insist on seeing both parents. Inbreeding has nothing to do with how a dog's temperament will be, there are tons of inbred dogs with great temperaments, as well as scatterbred dogs with poor temperaments, the key being that if you breed dogs with crappy temperaments, or from a line known for dogs of crappy temperaments, that's probably what you're going to get, no matter how the dogs are related (or not). And American Bulldogs aren't oversized pit bulls, they are a completely different breed with a different temperament and build, I'm sure most American Bulldog owners would agree as well.

For "encouraging" mutilation in the form of tail docking. [url]http://www.peta.org/feat/dogshow/[/url] A copy of the complaint is on the right, click the link.

I personally thought it was even more strange that the very dog aggressive, "wierding out" around the baby greyhoundish looking mix was put up for adoption while the Cocker-with ear infections in case you didn't notice- who tolerated a stranger clipping his matted up coat with dull clippers and showed some food aggression when repeatedly harassed and assaulted by a hand on a stick was PTS. It seemed more like she'd marked the cocker for death when he came in (proclaiming how "dominant aggressive" he was as he stood wiggling his stub and allowed her to groom him) and didn't want to be wrong.

[quote]Yep, Lexie is one of Duke's owners. Gooeydog pluralized it to include all of Duke's owners, not just Lexie [/quote] Thanks for clearing that up... Holz, I'm not trying to be mean or poke at Lexie, but it IS her and her parents' responsibility to keep their dog at home and out of trouble. No one likes to be told that they might be wrong in doing something (myself included :lol: ), but unless they know, they won't even think to change it.

I didn't mean to imply that you weren't going to do anything, just to point out that you can do what you can do, even though you can't control others' actions. Sorry about that :lol:

[quote]You get three notices, if you dont comply and you still have the pet they will fine you as much as $500.00[/quote] Yes, but how do they know you even have a dog? Do they check vet records (confidentiality issues arising there I'd imagine, though I could be wrong), or do they just keep a record with the dogs' licensing info? If the latter, what about dogs that aren't licensed? I'm not being sarcastic, I really am interested in how they keep track of the info :lol:

[quote name='Duke_3']Its.....Not.....Duke's......Fault[/quote] Of course not. He's a dog, dogs will wander if left outside, not contained, and not supervised. It [b]IS[/b] Duke's owners' fault that he wanders into other peoples' yards and causes trouble (not serious trouble, but at the same time, trouble that he wouldn't be causing if he were kept at home). Shara, I can understand being frustrated by Duke coming over and stirring Coal up, but at the same time, you're aware of the problem, and it's up to you to do something to keep Coal out of trouble. The turning point is here... do you place blame and make excuses for Coal wandering, or do you DO something about it to keep him from doing it anymore. You can't control other people lettign their dogs roam, but you CAN control your own, and that becomes even more important when others don't take responsibility for their own dogs, because it tosses in another variable that you have to be sure to keep from getting your dog into trouble. It's possible to make a tieout that will allow him to cover a huge space, using the method courtnek suggested, only with a longer lead. That IMO is better than being put into situations where he is bound to fail (being loose and having Duke come over), and possibly end up hurt or worse. You don't even have to go to a petstore to get one, most hardware stores carry cable, just buy two lengths of that (one for the line, one for the lead) and a couple snaps and you're set. It won't hurt him to be on a cable for a bit out of the day when you're not home to watch him and your parents want him out, much better than the possible consequences of him wandering.

[quote]My boyfriend says that the "secret" message is so that the site will pop up in search engines.[/quote] Yes, that's what soem people there said too... though a couple others thought mayeb it was subliminal messaging, either way, the site is strange, the person who made it is probably even stranger :o

This is a good one, lots of knowledgeable AmStaff (and APBT) people on there: [url]http://purebredpuppy.com/[/url] ANother, though I don't know much about it: [url]http://amstaffnetwork0.tripod.com/[/url] Staffordshire Terrier Club of AMerica [url]http://www.amstaff.org/[/url] The Federation for the AST: [url]http://www.fast.4t.com/[/url] You might also like this forum, it's from an APBT board, but many of the people there also have experience with ASTs: [url]http://americanpitbullterrier.org/forum/forum/login.asp?target=default.asp[/url]

This was posted on another board I read, and if you highlight the page, a "secret message" pops up as well :roll:

[url]http://www.funtrivia.com/quizdetails.cfm?id=102090[/url] I got 22 out of 25... 13, 14, and 16 wrong :lol: