DogPaddle

That is refreshing news. Thanks.

I have seen a dog with a mucasy nose, maybe a bit of crusting around the edges but he was REALLY unhealthy. Generally I haven't seen boogery dogs - one more way that dogs are better than toddlers.

Sadly I don't have enough money for the radio ones. That would be cool though. I will have to check on the security insert thing. Definately will lock the backyard and as I am building the back half of the fence myself I can ensure some extra privacy. I may have to rebuild the side fence as well as my neighbours to be have a sign in their window saying beware of dog and I wouldn't want a fence war going on between the dogs. Actually, I am excited about renovating the backyard - I am getting 2 square yards of pea gravel to make a dog elimination area in the back yard - which will result in 2 square yards of dirt which I can use to make raised beds and things. (Of course my yard will be a patio smaller than my living room but the boys and I will make do, and take lots of walks.)

I am moving and starting a new job or two. The new job(s) either put me out of the house for 9 hours and 45 mins in a go or have me gone a few times a day for 3-7 hours depending on circumstance. I have a roommate who likes the dogs and will let them out etc but don't want to rely on him or put him in a position where he HAS to care for my dogs so: I'm thinking about a dog door. What do people think - security related especially. - My general neighbourhood is okish but it has pockets of crime generation that are a problem. - There was a daytime home invasion in my neighbourhood once since I moved here. - We have never had any thefts or vandalism to our residence ourselves. - I have home owners insurance but that does nothing for my dogs. - I can gate the dogs in the kitchen and they can have access to the yard but not get near any rugs. - Yard will be privacy fenced. - Roommate is ok with the idea, so long as they are gated in the kitchen. - The boys will bark at people who come by the yard which is good and bad. Don't want an eviction notice but on the other hand barking is good for keeping burglers uninterested. In short, I'd love to do it but I'm wondering how many people have heard of dog door breakins.

No lock unless its small and easy to take outside in case of fire?

Saw two more pits out and about today - unmuzzled. So far I haven't seen anything in the news regarding enforcement.

I have lived with different roommates and my dogs. Some you can trust, some you can't. With one roommate I pretended he wasn't there in respects to the dogs so if I wasn't around the dogs were in their crates or gated in the kitchen even if he was around. Is something like that possible for you?

What everyone else said and use positive only training if possible, socialize, socialize and socialize. Also it is great that you are leaving her with a litter until 9 weeks. Some people want to get their puppy as soon as possible thinking they will bond better and then the puppy will be more devoted or lovey. Those weeks with the litter are really important for developing proper social skills, bonding etc - they pay off. If I ever get another dog from a breeder (unlikely) I would seriously consider leaving them with the breeder until as much as 12 weeks (just my personal pref. though - 9 is great.)

You? Say something to get you in trouble? I can't imagine that? (Where is the emoticon for trying hard not to laugh?) I think I might get myself in trouble too though. I think I'd be thinking, ok you made this stupid law without research, planning, thinking it through and you made that lack of forthought my problem so now I'm going to make it yours a**hole, just try to enforce it. Because they gave no more thought to enforcement than they did to the law itself.

So the BSL in Ontario finally came into effect. So far the results I've seen are: Might be a few less pits out and about. So far none of the pits I've seen have not been muzzled. Even in busy areas. I wonder if people are going to try to make them try enforce it. There are only so many AC&C officers, if everyone with pits (who can afford the fine) chose not to muzzle the officers simply couldn't keep up with it.

What about chondroitin, yucca or msm Courtnek? Thanks DO. Good luck Yoladybug.

Some dogs show HD before 6 months of age. Yes, tell the breeder, not in an accusatory way but just because he/she may want to know. HD can happen in dogs that have clear parents. A glucosamine and chondroitan supplement is excellent. It improves the joint lubication and function to the point where some dogs show NO symptoms. Even if your sister opts for surgery later, the glucosamine and chondroitine will reduce pain and damage in the mean time. If pain medication is still required (after glucosimine and chondroitine) try yucca first perhaps, otherwise limited amounts of uncoated aspirin work well (preferably on a full stomache.)

I love petfinder.

[quote]I think a more correct statement would be that "Gamebred APBTs, that are bred correctly, usually dont have problems with human aggression.[/quote] Non gamebred dogs of almost any breed, that are bred correctly, usually dont have problems with human aggression.

:lol:

I wish there was something I could say. Know that we are here for you and we are hoping for things to go as easy as possible for you all.

Well he played the same game today and loves it and will play with the toy for, chewing on it for like 10 min all on his own afterwards. He still doesn't want to give it up really but won't fight me. I think a bit of reinforcement will work. I am delighted to finally have something he LIKES to do on his own. Don't get me wrong, I love how interactive he is, and I love taking him out and playing with him but he really needed to have at least one stimulating activity he will do on his own.

Kavik needs LOTS of stimulation. I was cleaning out the basement today and didn't have the energy for several play sessions today so I played a bit and then took a toy, tied it to the upstairs railling leaving it hanging 3 1/2 feet off the ground. He rarely likes solitary games but seemed to enjoy this one. He tugged and pulled and batted and caught and tugged and pulled till he ripped it down, 10 min later. Kavik usually needs more play then that so I figured I'd toss the toy for a few more minutes and go back to work. So I tell him "Bring it here" he does but doesn't drop it in my lap or hand but on the ground and then lies down with his chest on it and put his head down low. He didn't growl or act aggresive or anything and allowed me to reach in and take it - I guess he couldn't decide between obeying/cooperating and gaurding his hard earned prize. So I finally found a game he likes to play on his own and that gives him a sense of satisfaction - a game he can win but isn't beating me at. I would like to keep letting him play it and just reinforce that I can take the toy whenever I'd like even if he has "earned" it but I'm wondering if anyone thinks this would be making a mistake. (Why can I never make these things short. :oops: )

Online poll, that way all the old Normas (or just the one, I still can't figure that out,) can vote easily when they stop by.

I really don't think there is much chance that anyone would be mistaking BBC for Norma . . . you on the other hand are a reasonable nominee for Norma of the Day.

Nice post BK and Ravyn. I think Ravyn needs some sort of dogo title or does she already have one?

Well it does sound like she responsible right? So we can all be friends. BBC - People here are just really inundated with the sort of people who give all breeders a bad name. They just want to know.

CC - I can live with that. Frankly, I mostly responded because I couldn't imagine you being that close-minded so I was shocked and was hoping I misunderstood you. BK - I agree with you. I like pits but if the only way we can continue to have them is as dog-aggresive dogs that *must* be game tested, well . . . We could just choose to change that. Would they be the EXACT same breed - no; would they be very close - yes. We do it all the time with other breeds and other traits including temperment right?

Thanks. I can accept, respect and even enjoy the fact that people here disagree on stuff but I prefer if I got the same in return. However, maybe I am misunderstanding her.

[quote] I think if someone cant see the difference between those ways, that person is being ignorant. [/quote] In what way do you mean ignorant? It has always really pissed me off when people decide that because I don't agree with them I am either: a) too stupid to get it b) don't know what I'm talking about c) trying to be difficult I have read all of Hmmmm's explanations. I have done plenty of independent research including sources that are not anti dog fighting. I am an intelligent and compassionate person and I didn't come to the same conclusion as you - so that makes me ignorant? Is the way Hmmmm fights her dogs different from the way other people do - yes; does that make it a different thing altogether - no. And it doesn't make it right just because its different, its still dog fighting and in my own opinion, that isn't cool. edited to be bit more diplomatic :lol: