Monday, December 27, 2010

The Pit Bull Training Team; Changing Hearts and Minds

Just about every Saturday morning in one of the most depressed areas of Chicago, Jeff Jenkins can be found setting up home-made obstacles and dog agility equipment at the Carrol Care Center on the Chicago’s west-side. Jeff is something of a brand-new hero of mine, because not only is he on the front lines of the fight against dog fighting, and making progress, but because he is also helping at risk youth in that same neighborhood.

Jeff’s program, called the Pit Bull Training Team, began in 2006 with a simple goal; To reintroduce the concept of a dog as a pet and family member to at-risk youths. This sounds really silly until you consider many of the targeted demographic have never known a a dog as a loving pet, but only as a participant in blood sport for fun or money. All they have ever known of a Pit Bull is that is is entertainment at best, perhaps the source of a few dollars in their pockets. But Jeff is changing that perception, and perhaps significantly more as well.

In any class of 20 or so, at least half of the students have fought dogs. In an interview with Time Out Chicago,  Jeff said: “To a lot of these guys, fighting their dogs was like a pickup game of basketball.”  This shows in very real terms just how much these kids have invested in or care about their dogs. But the Pit Bull Training Team is making real progress in changing this perception. These 20 kids and their dogs come every week, and help a Pit Bull stay out of the fight game, and in the pet game.

During the course of a class, the handlers are tasked with leading their dogs through a series of obstacles and challenges. Some dogs are less than thrilled and it is the handlers job of finding some way of engaging and encouraging the dogs to complete the task or overcome the obstacle. Whether is is getting silly, getting excited, or getting down on the ground and just silently encouraging a frightened or unsure dog, the handler has to find a way.

Another excellent quote from Jeff in the article: “You gotta pick your energy up, get silly. Your dog could be 90 pounds of angry, but if he’s intimidated, you might have to sit on the ground, pull out a treat, wiggle it around and encourage him. Sometimes you gotta get little for your dog to get big.”

It is precisely this philosophy that makes is pretty clear that, in the end, it is not only the dogs that are being trained and learning confidence. Jeff’s program targets “both ends of the leash” as he says it. As with any teenager they are only trying to fit into their environment as best they can: “Oftentimes, these guys are scared and they’re looking for something to be tough with. If it ain’t a gun, maybe it’s a pit bull.” Jeff’s program helps the trainer develop pride in themselves, pride in their accomplishments, and pride in that they have been able to “rehabilitate” a fighting dog into a wonderful pet and beloved family member.

For more information on Jeff’s program, please see the links below. Most especially PLEASE use the ‘donate’ link. A tax deduction, and a very worthy program:

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Is Your Dog Walking You?

Walking a dog is supposed to be a simple, enjoyable activity for you and your dog. an opportunity to get outside and, for a few minutes to a few hours, enjoy some time together and some exercise. However, so often I see the supposed activity ruined by dogs that pull like they Balto hauling the diphtheria medicine to Nome! This mutual activity becomes about your dog hauling you around the neighborhood, completely ignoring you to snuffel and sniff and do whatever HE wants.

It is simple; If the dog is in FRONT of your hip, the dog is walking YOU! If your dog is walking you, then he is in charge and you are the follower. This is "bad" for you and your dog on a number of different levels, and will hold your dog back from becoming the dog both you and he wants to be. It sets the expectation that the dog is in charge, and that he decides where to go and what to see. This behavior can and will translate into every other area of your interaction with this dog. It is not uncommon for owners to report that the dog "suddenly" developed some aggressive behavior that he never did before. Untrue, it was there all along, the owners just don;t or refuse to see.

Tip #1 - Correct dog walking begins with selecting the right equipment. 
No, a harness designed for PULLING is not the correct equipment (Hello, clue phone time!) If you decide you like the idea of a harness (as Bekki did with Jethro) find one that does not allow the dog to pull, like the Premier Easy Walk Harness. Otherwise, any pinch style collar will work, as will a Martingale or old fashioned "choke chain" style collar (an unfortunate name, as it does not in fact choke the dog when used properly.)

Tip 1A - Educate  yourself on how to properly use the tool you have decided upon. 
This is not really it's OWN tip, but is a portion of #1 that MOST people blow off, and it a very critical step. Read the instructions in the package, look your tool up online and see if there are any videos showing proper usage. Know your tools and how to Properly adjust and use them!

Tip #2 - ALWAYS lead the dog through any door or obstacle.
Proper dog handling technique begins now. This is one of the most important techniques to use with (not ON) your dog, and it is one of the simplest ones. You are the Alpha, they always follow you. This simple technique sets the tone for everything down line and should be followed religiously.

Tip #3 - Walk Your Dog!
No, this is not just a matter of getting out the door and walking. You have to have a process, and you have to follow it every time. With our dogs my process is as follows:
  1. I make them come to the front door area and SIT and wait until I am ready to get them ready.
  2. Then I leash them both and make them continue to SIT and wait until I (or we) are ready to go. 
  3. I go out the door first, and lead them to the sidewilk where I make them SIT. Why all the sitting? I believe it helps me establish this is a structured walk, not a free for all like when we go to the beach, etc. It helps me to stop and center myself. Your energy will translate to your dog. If you are calm and ready, they will be also.
  4. When I am ready, we will begin our walk with me giving the Heel command. The dog may try to go in front of me, but I use the tools I have to let them know NO, you follow by giving a quick corrective tug/jerk on the lead and then letting it go while giving the Heel command again
  5. If the dog will NOT heel, I stop and sit them and wait until they calm down a little, then try again.
Tip #4 - Same Way, Every Day, Every Time
If you are just starting this process with your 'old' dog or a new one (puppy or 'old' dog) you will experience some level or resistance. Do not stop. Work the process every day. The distance you and your dog cover is not as important as the lessons you are teaching. Depending upon your dog, they may 'get it' right off like Jethro did. They may also fight you for control for a while, like Hondo did. Just keep working the process, stay calm, and eventually you will suddenly notice in the middle of a walk one day that you have not corrected your dog ONCE! This is a cool feeling. I hope you all have the opportunity to be able to feel what it is like being in sync and harmony with your dog.

The above 'process' is what has worked for us. It is based upon many articles we have read, advice from trainers we have spoken to, and plain old trial and error. Your dog may have 'special needs' and as always, consult with a dog trainer if you have any questions of how to correctly work with your dog, but please remember; work with your dog. BOTH of you will be much happier!

Monday, December 20, 2010

A "Vicious Pit Bull" at WalMart

As you know we own a Pit Bull names Jethro (who is specifically an AmStaff) so we are always hearing the 'bad stuff' about these wonderful dogs. I received an email from a friend in Florida with some pictures of a "Vicious Pit Bull" he and his wife encountered outside WalMart about a week ago, and I laughed so hard I just had to share it.

Apparently this man and his dog were outside WalMart playing music and asking (ok, begging) for money. He would play, and the dog would stand there, or aly there, looking about as scary as someone in a coma! The 'vicious dog' was arrayed in some very intimidating clothing designed to enhance his natural intimidation factor of the Pit Bull - an ugly tie-dyes shirt shirt that would have made a Grateful Dead fan proud, and sunglasses that never moved from his head.

By all reports, this vicious dog was terrorizing patrons as they approached him. If anyone got with in 5 feet, he would immediately roll to his back in an obvious attempt to draw them closer by letting them rub his fat, white belly, with the obvious plan to rip them apart once they fell for the oldest ploy in the world. Fortunately for the indented victim the attack never came, as he apparently fell asleep while being petted. The truly amazing part is despite all his vicious rolling over on his back and standing back up, his sunglasses never once moved (my friend actually looked to see if they were screwed to his head.)

Ladies and Gentlemen, in all seriousness, this is really the true nature of the Pit Bull - a warm, loving dog that adores not only their people, but ALL people. Please, share this everywhere. Please help others to see what MOST Pit Bulls are really like, and to share a positive message about these wonderful animals.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

More Exercies is the Cure. Now, What's the Problem?

One of the things you will learn quickly about us is that before Bekki & I do anything, we do a lot of research. We research, read (mostly Bekki), and general learning on the subject. After a while we started to see a pattern. Regardless of the training method, process, or school, they all seemed to be saying the same thing.

A Tired Dog is a Happy Dog.

One of the many resources we discovered in our research was Cesar Millan and the Dog Whisperer. If you have caught his show, it can come across as a put on. That he can walk in and in moments eliminate unwanted behaviors by "simply tiring out the dog on a walk." (yes, I know now that there was a LOT more going on there) I thought so too, until I started employing some of his techniques, most importantly regular exercise. I began to see good results, and as I started thinking it through it began to make a lot of sense. The terminology he uses is that a dog cannot be a "balanced" dog if it has pent up energy it has not and cannot release.

"Most" negative dog behaviors are a) created by humans, because b) their dogs are bored. Why are they bored? Well, most dogs spend most of their days in a fenced yard or locked in the house alone. Most are not exercised on a regular basis. If you do not burn off your dog’s energy on a regular basis it begins to build up, just like his bladder. Sooner or later that energy, like his bladder, will need to be released. Unfortunately, that relief can take some very negative and destructive forms:

•    Chewing on/tearing up the furniture
•    Peeing/pooping in the house
•    Nervousness/insecurity
•    Constant barking
•    Separation anxiety - tearing up your house when left alone
•    Increasing aggression - 'Suddenly' nipping or biting
•    Many More!

I was skeptical to say the least. It seems too good to be true that by walking my dogs and giving them regular exercise, I can eliminate or significantly lessen the bad stuff like I listed above? So from the beginning with Hondo, and now with Jethro as well, at least one 20 - 30 minute walk is a part of our daily routine. I can honestly say that on the days when it is raining (rare here in Southern California) or I am just stuck working all day and they do not get out their behavior is worse, some days a lot worse. Like a couple of 9 year olds on a Mountain Dew rush.

Let me state I am speaking only from the research that we have done,, articles we have read, and personal observations on this subject. There are very real behavior issues out there that require the attention of a professional. However, that said, you can go a long way to dealing with most issues by hitting the pavement with your pooch.

If you require additional motivation, I will say that I have lost 30 pounds in the last year, primarily due to walking with my dogs on average once or twice a day, 20 – 30 minutes a shot. So, go walk with your dog. They will be happier, and so will you.

You can find more information on our website at www.capawblehands.org!

Friday, December 17, 2010

Give the Gift of Life

This is the Holiday Season. This is the time of year when we as compassionate and caring humans are supposed to think about the needs of others more than our own needs. The time of year when we are supposed to care more about the less fortunate and then ourselves. Well, it is now the time of year for us to stop thinking about being a good person and start being one.

There are thousands of dogs and cats in local shelters near you that need desperately need your donation TODAY in order to, quite literally, survive the Holiday season. They need you to NOT spend $20 on Starbucks for you and the kids, but instead take that money and make a donation to their shelter. Their lives depend upon you perhaps spending a little less on dinner at that lovely restaurant that you like so much, and instead putting that money into the gift of life for animals that only want to find a forever home with someone that will love them like they desperately deserve.

Please, take 5 minutes right now, and make a donation to the SPCLA shelter, or any rescue organization of your choice. If you do not know where to give your money, see our web page for a list of rescue organizations that would LOVE your help and support, both financially AND in the gift of your time! These animals have done nothing wrong. They have not asked to be put in animal jail with only the HOPE that someone will come and love them. They are asking for your help, and they deserve it.

Now. 5 minutes, and animals will live. Please help

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Michael Vick Wants to Get a Dog?

In general I am a person that believes in second chances. I believe they are important to help someone claw their way out of whatever hole they have dug for themselves. I have been fortunate in my life to be the recipient of a few second chances myself (some I really didn’t deserve) and am very grateful to have received them as many (no, not all) helped me get past something and become a better person. Also, giving someone else a second chance is a very good way to pay into the “Karma Pool.”  It helps them develop a little character, and can really make YOU feel good as well..

Now, with that said, there is one person that wants a second chance, and I vehemently disagree that he deserves it. Michael Vick said in an interview with Fox Sports that "I would love to get another dog in the future. I think it would be a big step for me in the rehabilitation process . . .” Mr. Vick went on to say "I think just to have a pet in my household and to show people that I genuinely care, and my love and my passion for animals; I think it would be outstanding. If I ever have the opportunity again I will never take it for granted. I miss having a dog right now. I wish I could. My daughters miss having one, and that’s the hardest thing: telling them that we can’t have one because of my actions."

Some of you may be thinking WHY doesn’t Mr. Vick deserve a second chance? Well, for those of you living on the sun, Mr. Vick is a dog fighting enthusiast, fighting dog breeder, dog torturer and murderer, and oh YEA, he was convicted for all of the above. While I generally have little respect for our legal system, one of the GOOD things they have done is made a part of Mr. Vicks sentence is the proviso that he may never own a dog again, period.

The dogs that were rescued from the clutches of Mr. Vick initially faced being euthanized, however due to the work of some amazing groups like Bad Rap, they have been saved and rehabilitated, and many are now working Therapy Dogs. Check out A Second Chance for the Vick-tims on Bad Rap’s website. Great stuff.
So, this man that has tortured and murdered hundreds, possibly THOUSANDS of dogs wants a second chance? He wants to be responsible for the life of ANOTHER DOG?

No sir. You have proven beyond any reasonable doubt that this should never happen.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Show Us Your Dogs!

One of the things we love about dog owners are their dogs. All kinds, all sizes, and all breeds they all have something that intrigues me. I know it is a shocker, but we LOVE dogs. So we figured it was obvious we needed a special page for our readers to share pictures of them and their best friends.

Best part is you KNOW you want to show off a picture of your dog, because you are (or SHOULD be) very proud of your dog, because they sure are of you! So it is time for our readers to submit their pictures of them and their dogs for us to share on our blog. Please email your picture with the names of all parties and a little background on the dog, etc. and we will post the picture and notify you by email when your dog (and you) have been posted.

Thank you for your support, and come back frequently to see the newly added pictures.

NOTE: Any pictures sent will ONLY be used on this page and in no other way. 

Monday, December 13, 2010

PLEASE Can I Have a Puppy for Christmas?

What parent out there has never heard this endearing plea from a doe-eyed little child, possibly with real tears in their eyes? I would bet a huge percentage of us have. While I love my children and want to give them what they want for Christmas (or what ever specific Holiday you chose to celebrate at this time of year) it is also my job as a parent to make sure what they get is a responsible gift, and they are ready and able to take on the responsibility inherent in potential gifts.

For the vast majority of children out there the answer to this question is simply, no. They like the idea of a puppy, but then the every day responsibility of feeding, grooming, walking, and of course the poop pick up. Generally once a child begin the tedious day to day they honeymoon quickly wears off. This then means there will either be fights with your child to feed the dog and walk the dog, or YOU mommy and daddy will become full-time dog owners. You will be walking the dogs before and/or after work, you will be feeding, and of course, let us not forget the post-feeding ritual that also involves a little clean up.

For those parents that DO have a child that is responsible and ready a few words of advice:
  • As always and in all things, do your homework FIRST! Do NOT let your child fall in LOVE with a cute little puppy that is going to grow into a 120 pound monster that needs daily grooming and 3 miles of road work twice a day. Find out what dogs YOU as parents can live with, then sit them down and have a discussion about breed X, Y, and Z, and completely steering them away from the monster that sheds. 
  • Please, when the time does come, rescue an animal instead of buying a Pet Shop puppy (Puppy Mills are SATAN!) When you rescue an animal you save a life, pure and simple. There are thousands of rescue organizations out there and there are breed specific organizations as well. So no matter what kind of dog you decide on, there is one out there in a shelter ready for you to come get them.
  • Learn all you can about crate training as this will be your best friend. The ability to have Hondo go to his 'den' and be happy to sit in there while we go out when he was young was invaluable. Your house will not be at risk of disaster, and your dog truly will be happier. 
Every year right AFTER Christmas the shelters are flooded with puppies that were briefly loved, then became an unwanted nuisance and were dumped into some shelters lap, or worse. So in truth, if you really want to let your child have a dog, and really think it is a good idea, please do it AFTER the Holidays, and you will have your pick of a lot of young dogs, and you will be really helping a shelter.

Give the gift of life to an unwanted dog, adopt one AFTER the Holidays!

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Better Dog Food Means Less Dog Poop!

OK, as you all know there are only so many ways do do things, like making dog food. If it is made of good, nutritional  ingredients there is a certain minimum cost to produce. Make sense? Well then, it makes one ponder how good the 50 pound bags for under $20 can be, and how to they make it so cheap? Well, the answer is right on the label.In this first picture you will see what we consider 'bad.'

When we started looking for our first dog (after we had to put down the last 2 from old age and disease) we started looking into dogs, dog training, dog collars, leashes, and yes, dog food. One of the first things that we learned right after getting Hondo was that most of the cheaper dog foods will have a lot of fillers in them; specifically corn and corn gluten (the REALLY bad one.) Theses (and others) are used to basically make the real food go farther, and thus be less expensive when it hits the store shelves. Check out the second picture and what the ingredients list looks like. This is really good stuff I would be very happy feeding to our dogs!

There are a couple of problems with these fillers in your dogs food:
  1. Many dogs, like our Hondo, have skin issues and these fillers can cause these issues to become much worse. We didn't know Hondo had skin issues until we bought crappy food one day and it really make Hondo's skin issues flair up. As soon as we changed to a better quality of food, it immediately went away. 
  2. This one is the biggie (literally!) The parts of the food that your dog's system absorbs and uses are pretty much only the good stuff in the food. So with cheap food full of fillers, this means that there is a lot of 'stuff' that has to go somewhere. Where might you think that is? Exactly! However with better quality food your dog's system absorbs more of it. This means less waste and smaller stools!
  3. Because your dog is actually using more of the food he is eating, you end up being able to cut back a little on the amount of food you feed them. This reduction in the amount can easily off-set the increase in the cost of the food  you are feeding them. With our two odogs we have seen that it really comes out about even in the end. 
So how do you know what good dog food is? Well, first and foremost do your homework. Find out what the 'bad stuff' is.I suggest a Google search or starting with this article. Great stuff! Next, always check the label of anything you intend on feeding your dog. The 2 biggies that for us automatically exclude a dog food is if corn meal or corn gluten meal are in the top half of the ingredient list. Now, I will tell you that while I love my dogs, they are in fact dogs. I do not feed them the people grade ready to cut food you seen in the deli case at places like PetSmart, etc. We check labels and find the best food that we can at a reasonable price.

One of the things we have always done with our dogs is to feed them a variety of things regularly. We rarely buy the same food again and again. We buy a big bag that lasts 3 - 4 weeks, then something new. During that month they get good scraps and training treats of all kinds. We feel this desensitizes them and prevents them from getting sick should they have to eat something new. Now, we are lucky in that neither of our dogs have sensitive stomachs. This might not work for you. If not, find a good quality food that your dog likes and can tolerate, and stick with it. 

OK, here is that recap we all love (especially those that skim the important detail above!) 
  • DO YOUR HOMEWORK!
  • Check Dog Food Labels!
  • Buy Good Quality Dog Food
  • Dog Happier and Eats Less
  • You happier and Pick Up Less Poop!

This looks like another of those Win / Win's we all like so much!

Stop by www.capawblehands.org to see more information, articles, and pictures of our cool dogs.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Top 6 Dog Training Tips for the New Owner

Since Bekki and I got our first dog together in 2008, I have been doing a lot of research into training methods and models, and those that practice them.  I have had some experience as a dog owner, but we had decided that we wanted to train them as Therapy Dogs, so I wanted to make sure I “did it right.”

So I began doing research, and a lot of it. During this research it has become apparent that for every trainer that says you should do ‘X’ there are at least two others that say the exact opposite. So, what is the ordinary dog owner to do when the experts can’t even seem to agree?

Well, I have always thought that common sense, observation, trial and error is the best path to separate the wheat from the chaff.  After a couple of years of research and working closely with 'The Lads', our 2 dogs Hondo and Jethro. I can only vouch for what has worked for me and the following is a simple but important list that every dog owner can benefit from.

In an effort to help the new and/or confused dog owner, I have created the following “Top 6 List.” (come on, anyone can do a top TEN list!):

I.                    Punishment is Counter Productive
Yelling at or striking/kicking your dog is not only ineffective, but also makes the training of your dog harder and take longer. Bully breeds like pit bulls, rottweilers, etc. are especially affected by this as they are more sensitive than most other breeds.

II.                  Consistency Wins the War
Decide what the rules are and what commands are and stick to them, period. The poor dog is easily confused when rules are situational and needs the comfort of knowing X = 4 every time. How does your dog know why he can jump up when you are wearing jeans, but not when you have your best suit on? Confusion is a big road block to success.

III.                Reward, Reward, Reward
Instead of carrot and stick, think carrot and carrot. Think about it, if your boss gave you say, a corn dog every time you did your job, how much MORE would you want to do it? It is about the same with your dog.

IV.                Realistic Expectations
Just because you THINK your dog knows what you’re saying, in point of fact, they do not. Do not start teaching them to do big tricks. Instead build a solid foundation with the basics, and then build upon those behaviors until you get to where you want to be.

V.                  One Command, One Time!
How many times have you heard a dog owner saying “Sit! Sit! Sit! Lassie, sit. Come on girl, sit”? Too often, and soon the command becomes part of the noise the dog ignores. Be clear one time, then be patient. If it is a new behavior it is OK to physically manipulate, but after that the command and a jerk on the lead is all you should do.

VI.                Remember what They Say about Assuming
Just because your dog got something right in your last training session does NOT mean he “knows it.” It only means he kinda got it last time. Sometimes they do well for a while, and then begin having trouble. This is often related to the environment in which you are working. It is a good idea to go back a step and do your training in a quiet place to reconnect with your dog, and then move back into more and more distracting venues.  

TRAINING TIP: If you have difficulty working with your dog, start with a brisk walk to drain some (or a LOT) of the dogs energy before  you start working with them. Will really help the dog to focus and for you to get the most our of your session. Remember to go find more articles and information at www.capawblehands.org!

Friday, December 10, 2010

The Simple Tricks are the Best

In working with Jethro (the 75 pound AmStaff) we have decided one of the things we do NOT want to teach him to to jump up, like Hondo (the 20 pound Shiba Inu) does. Cute when Hondo does it, potentially scary when Jethro does it. So I started on 'shake.' A good, simple trick that will serve him well in his future Therapy Dog days.


Jethro has a high food drive, so getting his attention is generally an easy thing regardless of what kind of treat you have. I began by getting his attention, then having him sit. I would then say 'Shake" clearly, then pick up his paw the way I wanted him to and shook it, then praised him vigorously and gave him a treat. I would then repeat this, but generally only once.

One of the mistakes I believe some people make is over working the dog, meaning they have the dog repeat something so many times that they actually turn the dog OFF and hurt their progress in the long run. The dog begins to actively NOT pay attention and wants nothing more than to get out of there.

I did this with Jethro once or twice a day, repeating the process as described above. By the second time on the second day, I could see he was starting to get it, and by the morning of the third day he would present his paw almost before being asked. Actually, he began walking up to me while watching TV, sitting down and presenting his paw to shake, in hopes of a treat. If was comical, but since he was not asked, I thought it best not to reward the behavior in any way. He tried it a few more times, but has not given up and knows only when asked does that trick work.

Simple, easy goals with a couple repetitions multiple times a day is still the most successful training method I have yet found, and requires less time on your part. Kinda what my boss calls a "win win."

TRAINING TIP: Spend a little time investigating and experimenting to find the treat that really gets your dogs attention. Once you have that, the battle is nearly won! Remember to go find more articles and information at www.capawblehands.org!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Welcome to our New Blog!

Welcome, we are glad you found us!

This blog is going to be used to better contain and disseminate the information that was beginning to compile on our website. We have been getting a lot of comments and suggestions, and decided a blog is a better tool for this kind of community forum.

We hope you enjoy our blog, and that you return frequently and participate regularly! You can also check us out at www.capawblehands.org.

Now . . . go love on your dog!

Phil