Pit Pack

Below is a report follow-up report about an officer-involved shooting in Laramie, Wyoming where a pit bull was killed.  Please read the story and then I will give you my thoughts.

Oct 5, 2009 8:12 am US/Mountain

Police Issue Reports In Pit Bull Shooting Case

CHEYENNE, Wyo., (AP) ? The Laramie County Sheriff Department has released investigation reports into an officer shooting of a pit bull that indicates the deputy feared he would be hurt by the dog.

The department last week released reports on the Aug. 11 incident, but has declined making any additional public comment.

Spokesman Gerry Luce says the agency is keeping quiet due to potential legal fallout from the shooting.

Investigators say deputy Kenny Thomas pulled out his gun and shot the dog, named Buddy, because it was barking violently and charged within a foot of him. Thomas went to the home to serve an eviction notice.

Owner Mary Bolin, says Buddy was just barking and bouncing and didn’t deserve to die. She says her 17-year-old son was reaching for the 40-pound dog and was inches away when Thomas shot the dog.

http://cbs4denver.com/wireapnewswy/Laramie.County.Sheriff.2.1228062.html

Ok, let’s understand what has happened here.  Cop goes to house to serve an eviction notice (a civil matter).  Boy opens door.  Dog runs out.  Cop gets scared.  Cop discharges firearm in neighborhood.  Cop kills pit bull.  That all sounds pretty simple, right?  Wrong.

The underlying issue here is not whether the dog was aggressive the question is what motivated the officer to draw his sidearm and fire it in a neighborhood where innocent and otherwise uninvolved people live.  The use of deadly force,  i.e.,  firing live rounds, is serious business and should be restricted to times when the lives of people are in clear and present danger.  A dog barking and moving toward an officer is not grounds to discharge a weapon.  The Sheriff’s office is keeping quiet about the officer’s motivation which opens the matter to speculation.  Did Deputy Kenny Thomas act according to policy?  Does he have the adequate training and experience to determine if a dog is acting aggressively or just acting like a dog.  Was he justified in killing Buddy, owned by Mary Bolin.  Did his gunfire endanger Bolin’s son or other residents?  These are all questions that must be answered.

According to a report on the incident published on Policeone.com, the department is being closed-lipped in preparation for litigation.  In short, the Sheriff’s department is afraid that Bolin is going to sue them for killing her dog, and they should be afraid.  In 2005, a resident in Richmond, CA was awarded $210,000 when police shot and killed a pit bull.  In 1991 the same department was forced to shell out $500,000 for killing a pit bull.  I wonder how much this will cost Laramie, WY.

So you’ve found this article and you want it to give you some guidance as to the effectiveness and healthfulness of giving supplements for pitbulls. It is, if nothing else, very interesting debates because there are people that are on both sides of the fence for, as well as against the supplements for pitbulls. There are many myths and fables that surround this controversial issue however with this article, we will try to put some of that to rest. There is an overall theme by pro supplemental users as well as those who oppose it and the general theme is in your goal in giving supplements to pitbulls, just be responsible.

The Myth Surrounding Supplements for Pitbulls

Many people who are ignorant in the way of pitbulls and believe they should be banned do not quite understand or embrace this rare animal. It is a dog and there is no proof of this dog attacking more young children or adults than any other breed of dog. This is one myth that should be put to rest or intensely studied to discover the truths surrounding it. However, the supplements for pitbulls are often cause for alarm because they have been picked up and used against owners in the mistreatment of pitbulls. This is because there are many owners who will give the pitbull the equivalent of steroids to pump him up as many people use the pitbulls in weight pulling and want the dog beefed up and extremely strong.

Steroids in pitbulls have the same terrible effect that they have on humans and cause many anger as well as behavioral problems. Dogs, like humans are not trustworthy when they are on this type of powerful body and mind-altering drug however, when supplements for pitbulls are used properly and there is no mixture of steroids, the supplement usually consists of vitamins and creatine. The cheap dog foods don’t provide, much like our human food, the proper nutrition for a dog and therefore supplements for pitbulls can provide what the standard diet doesn’t.

Supplements for Pitbulls: Yes?

Supplements for pitbulls have shown dramatic increase in the joints and bones of these dogs as well as mentioned above, adding needed nutritional value to the meals that are generally missing from the regular dog food diet such as kibbles. There is a huge problem with today’s food for humans and dogs in that the manufacturers are adding more chemicals and preservatives and in the way there are many nutritional factors that are lost and rendered useless in the foods containing so many additives. Supplements for pitbulls should be used especially if you are feeding grocery store brand dog foods.

If you want to learn more about American Pitbulls please visit our site which is free to the public. You’ll find the best tips on everything to do with Pitbulls

Many pet owners tend to ignore the importance of pitbull nutrition. This should not be case since nutrition is not something that should be taken for granted, even if it is for your pets. Anyone who owns a pitbull or for that matter any pet should remember that nutrition is a science and it makes sense not to rely on pure instinct. In fact proper nutrition can help you save on the vet’s bills in the long run.

Pitbull nutrition is an important aspect, since their diet too can be as complex as that of human beings. As an owner it is therefore absolutely essential that you take care of all their essential nutrition needs. The diet for a pitbull should consist of all the essential nutrients, minerals and vitamins. Deficiency of certain nutrients can lead to various conditions such as brittle bone or general fatigue. A balanced diet, full of essential nutrients therefore should be your aim when it comes to feeding your pitbull. Remember, the right diet is your pitbull’s shield against disorders and diseases.

The pre-packaged food available for pets would cover most of the nutritional needs of your pitbull. Before you buy any such pet food make sure that you go through the ingredients in detail. This would give you a good idea about the various constituents of the pet food. You can base your purchase decision based on the nutritional value of particular pre-packaged pet foods.

Another important aspect that you need to take care of when it comes to pitbull nutrition is the taste. These dogs are known to like varied taste and you can therefore try mixing different types of foods. This way you can also ensure that the pitbull diet that you are providing is varied in texture, nutritional value and ingredients. Make sure that you include a serving of bone as part of their diet. This is because dogs are basically carnivores and therefore love chewing on a bone.

A substantial part of pitbull nutrition should consist of meat. This crucial component of the diet is what gives them the nutrients that are needed to grow. This apart, a pitbull would also need lots of fiber and carbohydrates which would aid in the process of digestion, along with giving them energy.

You can also experiment with some servings of vegetables, from time to time, when it comes to pitbull nutrition. There are some dogs which are known to love vegetarian food too. This would also mean a balanced diet, full of vitamins and minerals.

For a free course on how to take care and train your Pitbull visit http://www.pitbullsuccess.com

If your best friend is a Boxer, Doberman, Great Dane, Schnauzer, or Pit Bull…not to mention several other breeds, you may be trying to decide whether or not to put the pup through ear cropping.

There are several important things to consider, first, do you have a veterinarian nearby that performs the procedure? Fewer and fewer do, it seems. Do some research to find out who in your area does. There is a lot of follow up care and having the vet nearby is important. Most vets do not want to be responsible for follow up of this procedure if they are unfamiliar with the surgery.

Second, before you start down this road, make sure your puppy has had his vaccines and deworming procedures started. Make sure he is on a good quality food and is over all very healthy. These things will help him heal faster than if his system is otherwise compromised.

Ear cropping is usually done around 9 to 11 weeks of age. Any later and the ears may not want to stand. You are trying to find that time when the puppy is old enough to handle the surgery and anesthesia well, but young enough that the cartilage is not set in their ears yet.

The surgery is done by surgically removing a portion of the ear and suturing the incision then placing the ear in an upright position in some form of rack. Often a tall paper cup or aluminum splint. The ears will need to heal for days before the sutures are removed.

Follow up care is undoubtedly more difficult and time consuming than the surgery itself and is vital to the ultimate outcome.

Leaving sutures longer than 7 days can result in scaring along the ear edge. The ears will still have quite a few scabs at this stage and may be very senstive and bleed yet. It now becomes more difficult to keep the ears in the rack.

As the ears heal they itch and drive the pup crazy. Dilute betadine and Neosporin can help the healing process and relieve some of the itching, however it can also loosen the tape used to secure the ears so stay well away from the tape if you can.

A mild sedative may even be advisable for this stage of the healing as the puppy may be quite uncomfortable.

Find out the vets office hours for future reference. The ears are very susceptible to coming down from now until they stand.
NEVER try to tape the ears up yourself unless you have been well educated how to do so by your vet.

If you tape around the raw edge of the ear, or if you tape too tightly you can actually cut off the circulation to the ear very quickly, causing it to die and fall off. It happens. There is no repair for an ear that has died and fallen off.

The ears will stay in the rack for 17- 21 days until they are fully healed and starting to stand on their own. From here they will be wrapped in soft cotton wraps with tape and will stay like this until they stand. Typically your vet will want to check on them every 10-14 days if the pup leaves the bandages alone that long.

If, or rather when, your puppy gets his or her ears out of whatever apparatus they are in, it is vital that you get him to the vet within an hour or so. The longer the ears stay down, the longer they will take to stand.

It may be a good idea to have a crash course in the do’s and don’ts of emergency taping in case you have a mishap over a weekend or holiday.

A breed with a short ear, like a Pit Bull or a Schnauzer will have quicker results. Dobermans, Danes, and Boxers will take longer because they have more ear to fight gravity. Post surgery healing and after care play a big role in the length of time it takes to have a finished ear, but genetics as much as anything is the biggest influence.

Some ears will stand quickly, others may take months. The longest I have known of was my own dog, Dharma. She is a beautiful Boxer who took 10 months for the desired result. Most take closer to 3 or 4 months total.

Be sure you are ready for this undertaking. It is a lot to go through for you and the pup but it does create a beautiful profile and a very distinct look specific to just your breed of choice.

For more information on this and other topics about new puppies, visit http://www/puppys-place.com/

Dog owners, who recognize the early signs and symptoms of illness or pain in their dogs, will not only relieve their loved oneâ??s suffering but may also be able to save themselves an expensive trip to the veterinarian. Not only is it important to recognize these signs early to relieve pain and suffering, but it is much more effective to treat an illness when it is detected early.

The dog owner should keep an accurate and detailed account of their dogâ??s symptoms to help the veterinarian correctly diagnose and effectively treat the dogâ??s illness or condition. Most canine illnesses are detected through a combination of various signs and symptoms:

Temperature, Respiratory Rate and Heart Rate

A newborn puppy will have a temperature of 94-97º F. which will eventually reach the normal adult body temperature of 101.5º F. at the age of 4 weeks old. Take care when trying to take your dog or puppies temperature as the thermometer can easily be broken off in the canineâ??s rectum. Also any form of excitement can cause the temperature to rise by 2-3º when the dog is actually in normal health. If your dogâ??s temperature reaches 105º or above OR 96º or below please take him/her to the emergency vet immediately!

An adult dog will have a respiratory rate of 15-20 breaths per minute (depending on such variables as size and weight) and a heart rate of 80-120 beats per minute. You can feel for your dogâ??s heartbeat by placing your hand on his/her lower ribcage just behind the elbow. Donâ??t be alarmed if the heartbeat seems irregular compared to a humanâ??s heartbeat, it is irregular in many dogs. Have your vet check it out and get used to how it feels when it is normal.

Behavior Changes

Any behavior changes that are not associated with a change in the household atmosphere, such as jealousy over a new pet or child may be an indication of an illness. Signs of behavioral changes may be:

â?¢ Depression

â?¢ Anxiety

â?¢ Fatigue

â?¢ Sleepiness

â?¢ Trembling

â?¢ Falling/Stumbling

If your dog shows any of these signs, he/she needs to be kept under close watch for a few hours, or even a few days, until positive signs develop or he/she has returned to normal. Do not try to exercise the dog or put him/her in any situation that may cause stress. Most veterinarians will want for you to keep track of when the symptoms first appeared, whether they are getting better or worse, and also whether the symptoms are intermittent, continuous, or increasing in frequency.

Pain

Dogs that are in pain will likely indicate that they are suffering by giving you clues as to where the area of discomfort is. For instance, a dog that has abdominal pain will continually glance toward their belly, bite or lick the area, and will not want to leave his/her bed. The dog may stand hunched over, or take the â??prayer positionâ?? which is when a dog gets down on itâ??s forelegs with the hind legs still standing, because of the pain in her abdomen area.

Dogs can not tell you that they are hurting or cry real tears but a dog may vocalize their pain in a different way. A dog that is hurt suddenly (such as being stepped on) will cry out or wimper in pain. This also happens when an external injury or internal injury (such as an organ) is touched. Whining or vocalization that is unprovoked may be caused from an internal injury as well. Some breeds of dogs (such as the American Pit Bull Terrier) have a higher pain threshold and need to be watched more closely for signs of pain. Breeds with a high pain tolerance are more likely to endure the pain without vocalization.

Another clue to pain is a change in temperament. A dog that is in pain may show signs of aggression. Please take note of this before concluding that a dog has become vicious and let your veterinarian know so that the correct treatment can be administered. Also females in general (even humans!) have days when they are just in a bad mood for no obvious reason. Take note of days of times that these mood swings occur as well as any events that might have triggered them.

Other signs that your dog may be sick:

â?¢ Ears: discharge, debris, odor, scratching, crusted tips, twitching or shaking.

â?¢ Eyes: redness, swelling or discharge.

â?¢ Nose: runny, thickened or colored discharge, crusty.

â?¢ Coughing, sneezing, vomiting or gagging.

â?¢ Shortness of breath, irregular breathing or prolonged/heavy panting

â?¢ Evidence of parasites in the dogâ??s stool, strange color, blood in the stool, or lack of a bowel movement (constipation).

â?¢ Loss of appetite or not drinking as much water as normally would.

â?¢ Weight Loss.

â?¢ Strange color of urine, small amount of urine, straining, dribbling, or not going as frequently as normal.

â?¢ Bad odor coming from mouth, ears, or skin.

â?¢ Hair loss, wounds, tumors, dander or change of the skinâ??s color.

â?¢ Biting of the skin, parasites, scratching or licking the skin frequently.

The preceding article was meant to help educate you to the signs and symptoms of probable pain or sickness in your dog. If any of these symptoms occur over a prolonged period of time, please seek the help of a veterinarian. I hope that this article will help stress the importance of keeping watch over your dogâ??s health patterns and the importance of keeping an accurate, detailed health record for your veterinarianâ??s convenience.

About the Author:

Jennifer Bryant is a life-long lover of dogs. Jennifer loves and breeds American Pit Bull Terriers in her North Georgia home with her 2 young children. Her love of dogs has inspired her to create a website for herself (as well as other breeders) to advertise their occasional litter of puppies and to educate others with dog breed information and useful articles.

Bryantâ??s Red Devils Red Nose American Pit Bull Terriers

Puppies and Dogs for Sale.com

This article may be reprinted on your website, but the content and signature of the author must remain intact.

When it comes to the art of giving, a gift of clothes is fraught with peril. We all have stories to tell, and if you don’t, you will. Just give it time.

Mine started early. My grandmother, having survived the Depression, knew how to stretch a dollar. Clothes for her grandkids were always purchased 3 or 4 sizes too big so we could “grow into them”. And she passed this charming trait on to my mother. So, we endured our baggy clothes, with the sleeves and pant legs rolled up, until we were finally big enough to wear them with dignity. By which time they were ready for donation.

Then there’s my husband. Heaven forbid I should try to give the man a Polo shirt with an uneven hemline. Most Polos are made longer in the back to help them stay “tucked”, but hubby goes un-tucked — always. He rejects any polo that breaks the rule, no matter how subtly. For an otherwise easy-going guy, his behavior is almost perverse.

If you must give clothes this season, there’s one giftee on your list who’s sure to look great in any outfit you buy him. He’ll wear your gift with pride and appreciation, head held high and tail wagging.

That’s right, your dog. Or your best friend’s dog. It’s so easy you’ll wonder why you didn’t think of it before.

Dogs love any kind of attention you lavish on them. So, Spike will wear his outfit - whether it’s cute or ridiculous - as soon as he sees how happy it makes his owner. Spot will eat up all that extra attention he gets from strangers. And Fifi might even want to Vogue for the camera.

Clothes shopping for dogs is a lot like clothes shopping for babies. Unless you’re going for practicality, cuteness is what counts. And that’s easy to accomplish, given that any dog wearing clothes looks pretty darned cute.

Choices in dog clothes range from winter sweaters to football jerseys and summer tees. You can get a set of flannel PJ’s for bedtime or a terry robe for after bath. There’s even an entire line of Harley clothes for dogs, complete with leather cap and studded collar. Dog costumes made for parties and holidays are just too cute for words.

If you really want your gift to be a hit with admirers, accessorize. Try a designer dog collar and maybe a cool pair of sunglasses–they make them just for dogs. And I recently heard that leg warmers are making a come back.

Got a mischievous sense of humor? Making the baby look silly might be a no-no, but it’s good clean fun when it comes to dressing up a dog. There are some really creative doggie costume out there that are good for a chuckle or two.

There’s really only a couple of rules you’ll need to keep in mind when shopping for dog clothes:
One is that if the dog in question is an avid chewer, you should avoid buying him anything tempting. Shiny buttons, fringe, and feathers are examples that come to mind. An object that can easily be chewed off and swallowed is a choking hazard and can get stuck in the dog’s digestive tract.

The other rule is that any dog, no matter how tolerant, will be more comfortable wearing clothes that fit. Proper fit typically requires measuring from the dog’s collar to the base of her tail for length. Most garment’s girth can be adjusted with velcro tabs, but could still be an issue with a barrel-chested breed such as a bulldog. Measurements are typically in inches.

Remember that a dog will never “diet down” into an outfit that’s too small , or — unless you’re shopping for a puppy or a pregnant female — “grow into” an item that’s too big. (Sorry, Grandma.)

Oh, and one more thing–if you’re handy with a sewing machine, you can make your own dog clothes creations. Just don’t forget to include an opening for the dog to relieve himself. Don’t laugh, it happens a lot!

Now, if you’re shopping for your own dog, you’re all set. But if you’re buying clothes for someone else’s dog, I’ve got a few more tips for you.

Surveys conducted on the subject of gift preferences of men and women have shown that men prefer gifts that are more playful or practical. So, if the dog’s owner is male this might translate into a doggie Harley jacket, a funny costume, or a reflective hunting vest (more on practical clothing in another article!).

Women, on the other hand, prefer gifts that are beautiful, memorable, and personal. It shouldn’t be hard to find an item of clothing for a woman’s dog that’s either beautiful or memorable or both, and it will of course be personal!

Exception: if the woman is someone you don’t know well. The more distant the relationship between giver and receiver, the riskier it is to give a personal gift. So, be they man or woman, if you don’t know the dog owner very well, you probably shouldn’t be buying dog clothes for their pet.

I hope you’ll have fun picking out something nice for the canine on your shopping list. If you get a chance, send me a photo!

© 2004, Carolyn Schweitzer. Lifelong dog-lover, power-shopper, and former family dentist Carolyn Schweitzer is owner and editor of Great-Dog-Gift.com . If you need inspiration for dog clothes, stop by. The site offers a wide range of choices for dog gift shoppers, plus shopping and gift-giving tips. (Also advice on dog care and feeding.) She’s always looking for new dog gift ideas and dog stories to share with her readers. You can reach her by email at netbrainer@verizon.net.

Unlike most humans, an untrained Staffordshire Bull Terrier or Pit Bull Terrier does not have self control and will not by nature, back off during disagreements with other dogs. Anyone that LOVES dogs; will HATE seeing their pet fighting and wounding another dog or being wounded in a fight! In order to prevent this, it’s ESSENTIAL to start early - and control their aggressive side!

Here are some general guidelines that will make life smoother for you and your dogs:

1) Females are less aggressive than males.

2 ) While you can safely house females together - DO NOT even try to house 2 males, unless they are always separated!

3) Neutering your dogs can help prevent aggression, but it’s not a guarantee.

4) Control ALL aggression - immediately - and do this from just 3 weeks of age! It’s best to be firm and consistent with this, please do not beat the dog! Once you get a dog to submit to you out of respect, you have established “pack leader” dominance. Your dog will more rapidly settle into its proper place.

5) Unless you have total control over your dog - do not let the dog off leash in any area where other dogs or small children are running free. While Staffordshires are known for being very good with kids, they are powerful animals that can easily knock a child down - panic or screaming of the child could upset the dog - or at the very least be interpreted by the childs parents as aggression by your dog.

6) If you have more than one dog - always feed them together - and get them used to this; but ALWAYS supervise the feeding and stop any food fights that may occur.

7) Train your dog - Obedience Training is excellent but at least train the basic commands including the Come, Stay and Sit.

Staffordshire Bull Terriers and Pit Bulls are among the most responsive of dogs. With proper and positive training, you WILL control your dogs aggressive nature, one that WE HUMANS bred into them! Once you have this side of the dog under control, you’ll find these dogs are among the most affectionate dog breed! They actively demonstrate a need for affection and close contact - which enhances your relationship with your dog or dogs! Become one among the Bull Terrier converted!

Steve Gaskin

Steve Gaskin is an author of Dog Articles - he and his wife own and breed Staffordshire Bull Terriers. For more information on dogs and dog breeding - for book reviews and a Superb Ultra High Quality Home-made Dog Food Training System visit: http://dogloverstoolbox.com

When you have decided to get a puppy for your family there are a lot of decisions to be made, especially if you have small children. As you realise there really is no perfect breed of puppy for small children. There are just some that have a better temperament than others and get along well with kids. It comes down to the individual puppy as to whether they will be suited for children not the actual breed they are. This is a broad statement though and common sense should prevail as a Pitbull Terrier and Dobermann Pincher are not great choices for families with young ones. Likewise a Northern Inuit puppy may not be your first choice as although one of the most beautifull dogs on earth, they grow very quickly and after just 6 months would be far bigger than your average family dog. Size should also be considered when selecting a puppy.

No matter which breed of dog you decide to bring into your home. Make sure that the puppy and your child are well supervised during the getting to know each other stage. If your child has not been around dogs or puppies before make sure to take the time to show them how to treat and handle their new pet. On the other hand, puppies tend to be very clumsy and excitable, so it is wise to pay close attention when the pup is interacting with a small child. The puppy could unintentionally hurt your child when it is jumping and trying to show your child how happy he is to be in his new home. Puppies love to play games and sometimes they nip while playing, if you are around early on these situations can easly be managed and stopped from occuring by you setting the behavioral ground rules early on.

Since families tend to be noisy and busy, make sure that the puppy you bring home was raised around people and is used to the commotion of a happy hectic household. You should be able to tell by the reaction of the puppies when they notice a person is there to see them. Otherwise you might bring home a pup that is not used to noise and will become agitated and nervous around your family. Try to match your children’s temperament with the puppy’s. If your child is very energetic you would want to choose a breed of dog who likes a lot of activity. On the other hand if your child is quiet and shy you would want to select a breed that has a temperament that is mellower. Below is a selection of dog breeds that are known to have child-friendly reputations. You might want to look into some of these as choices for your child’s pet.

Beagle - They are very sociable and happy. They can be a little hard to train but they make an ideal family dog.

Cocker Spaniel - They are affectionate and an intelligent breed. They do require grooming and some exercise.

Labrador Retrievers - They are very good natured and enjoy playing and fetching. Labs are medium to large in size and need plenty of room and exercise.

Shih-Tzu - They are small affectionate, intelligent, little dogs and are great with all ages of children.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - They have a very loving nature and easily adapt to any type of household. They do need grooming for their long coat and regular exercise.

Border Terrier - They are great for families with active children. They are good watchdogs and enjoy lots of exercise.

Golden Retriever - They are very popular family dogs in both the UK and the USA. They have a gentle nature and are great with other animals and children. They are a medium to large sized dog and need grooming for their longer coats.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier - They are a compact, muscular dog who is affectionate with children and loyal to their owners.

Pug - They are an affectionate and friendly small sized dog. They are considered a low maintenance dog due to the fact that they need very little grooming and minimal exercise.

After you have settled into a routine with your puppy and know you have found the right family dog. You might want to consider getting dog insurance on the newest four-legged member of your family. When you buy pet insurance it can help ease the cost of unforeseen medical expenses in the years to come. This will give you peace of mind knowing you will be able to get any medical treatments he may need in his lifetime. This is just a guide to let you know of some of the most common breeds of puppies that have been shown to grow up to be good family dogs. There are many other breeds out there that are good with children. Puppies that are mixed breeds or “mutts” as they are sometimes called make good family dogs too. Every puppy has its own personality and traits and there is no one dog that is better than another. It is definitely a personal choice of which breed or type a dog you choose for your family.

So please visit us to see how we can help protect your pet - you can buy online easily too at Pet Insurance by Animal Friends or simply call our friendly staff if you prefer on 0844 55 70 300; the policies won’t cost you more and you won’t be disappointed!

If your best friend is a Boxer, Doberman, Great Dane, Schnauzer, or Pit Bull…not to mention several other breeds, you may be trying to decide whether or not to put the pup through ear cropping.

There are several important things to consider, first, do you have a veterinarian nearby that performs the procedure? Fewer and fewer do, it seems. Do some research to find out who in your area does. There is a lot of follow up care and having the vet nearby is important. Most vets do not want to be responsible for follow up of this procedure if they are unfamiliar with the surgery.

Second, before you start down this road, make sure your puppy has had his vaccines and deworming procedures started. Make sure he is on a good quality food and is over all very healthy. These things will help him heal faster than if his system is otherwise compromised.

Ear cropping is usually done around 9 to 11 weeks of age. Any later and the ears may not want to stand. You are trying to find that time when the puppy is old enough to handle the surgery and anesthesia well, but young enough that the cartilage is not set in their ears yet.

The surgery is done by surgically removing a portion of the ear and suturing the incision then placing the ear in an upright position in some form of rack. Often a tall paper cup or aluminum splint. The ears will need to heal for days before the sutures are removed.

Follow up care is undoubtedly more difficult and time consuming than the surgery itself and is vital to the ultimate outcome.

Leaving sutures longer than 7 days can result in scaring along the ear edge. The ears will still have quite a few scabs at this stage and may be very senstive and bleed yet. It now becomes more difficult to keep the ears in the rack.

As the ears heal they itch and drive the pup crazy. Dilute betadine and Neosporin can help the healing process and relieve some of the itching, however it can also loosen the tape used to secure the ears so stay well away from the tape if you can.

A mild sedative may even be advisable for this stage of the healing as the puppy may be quite uncomfortable.

Find out the vets office hours for future reference. The ears are very susceptible to coming down from now until they stand.
NEVER try to tape the ears up yourself unless you have been well educated how to do so by your vet.

If you tape around the raw edge of the ear, or if you tape too tightly you can actually cut off the circulation to the ear very quickly, causing it to die and fall off. It happens. There is no repair for an ear that has died and fallen off.

The ears will stay in the rack for 17- 21 days until they are fully healed and starting to stand on their own. From here they will be wrapped in soft cotton wraps with tape and will stay like this until they stand. Typically your vet will want to check on them every 10-14 days if the pup leaves the bandages alone that long.

If, or rather when, your puppy gets his or her ears out of whatever apparatus they are in, it is vital that you get him to the vet within an hour or so. The longer the ears stay down, the longer they will take to stand.

It may be a good idea to have a crash course in the do’s and don’ts of emergency taping in case you have a mishap over a weekend or holiday.

A breed with a short ear, like a Pit Bull or a Schnauzer will have quicker results. Dobermans, Danes, and Boxers will take longer because they have more ear to fight gravity. Post surgery healing and after care play a big role in the length of time it takes to have a finished ear, but genetics as much as anything is the biggest influence.

Some ears will stand quickly, others may take months. The longest I have known of was my own dog, Dharma. She is a beautiful Boxer who took 10 months for the desired result. Most take closer to 3 or 4 months total.

Be sure you are ready for this undertaking. It is a lot to go through for you and the pup but it does create a beautiful profile and a very distinct look specific to just your breed of choice.

For more information on this and other topics about new puppies, visit http://www/puppys-place.com/

The media has played a part in presenting certain dog breeds in a bad light, portraying them as aggressive and dangerous, in light of recent dog attacks: 4 children have been killed by dogs in 30 months. We even have a law called the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 which states that pit bull terriers, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Tila Brasileiro are too dangerous to own or breed from so it is now illegal to do so in the UK. Dogs such as the pit bull terrier present a tough image which appeals to some people, particularly young men who use them and other breeds as status symbols to make themselves appear tougher. In these cases the dogs aren’t properly trained and aggressive behaviour may be actively encouraged by isolating the dog so that it isn’t used to or comfortable with strangers, or by teasing and provoking the dog encouraging it to bark and bite.

Some breeds were originally selectively bred for fighting, so have a greater tendency for aggression and have certain qualities such as a strong jaw, or they bite and don’t let go for a while. Therefore if they do attack then the consequences can be fatal, and there is usually much media coverage.   Four breeds: the Pit Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro and Japanese Tosa, are now illegal to own or breed under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, unless you have an exemption from the court and follow the guidelines they lay down.  

However any dog can bite, especially if it is not trained or socialised properly, isolated, neglected or encouraged to behave aggressively. Allowing a dog to behave aggressively makes the dog think that this is appropriate behaviour, and if it gets attention on demand it believes that it is the top dog. If a dog thinks that it is at the top of the hierarchy then it may become aggressive if its status is challenged, such as being given a command: it believes that it is the top dog so it should demand attention not the other way around; or if another member of the family receives more attention than it.  

The problem is that current bite statistics can be misleading because many dog bites go unreported and only bites that require medical attention are taken into account for these statistics. This means that dogs that have specific fighting qualities from when they were used as fighting dogs or hunters, or larger dogs with more strength appear to be more aggressive than they actually are. When a pit bull terrier attacks it is more likely to have serious consequences, but some breeds from the toy group can be just as aggressive but their bites have little effect so the incidence isn’t reported and a distorted image is presented about aggressive dogs.  

A recent study carried out on 6,000 dogs and their owners found out 33 of the most aggressive dogs, and also those which have good temperaments. The study involved collecting data from two different groups. The first group consisted of 11 different breeds and the second was an online survey mainly involving owners, including 33 breeds. The conclusions from both groups were similar. It looked at the different types of aggression such as towards other dogs, towards strangers and towards owners. Some of the results were surprising, below are the top ten most aggressive breed:  

1. Dachshunds
2. Chihuahua
3. Jack Russell
4. Australian Cattle Dog
5. Cocker Spaniel
6. Beagle
7. Border Collie
8. Pit Bull Terrier
9. Great Dane
10. English Springer Spaniel

  The Dachshund, otherwise known as the Sausage dog, was originally bred to hunt badgers. They came out as the most aggressive breed with 1 in 5 reported to have bitten or tried to bite a stranger and 1 in 12 snapping at their owners.  

Overall the results found that dog-dog aggression was higher than aggression towards people. This could be due to the fact that dogs are territorial creatures so try to defend their territory by chasing away, or attacking, anything that threatens it. Also they live in packs that have social hierarchies: the higher members demand attention from the lower ranks. If this hierarchy is threatened, unstable or challenged then dogs can become aggressive. Other dogs can challenge their status, such as a new puppy entering the pack, or people can, such as a new baby getting more attention than the dog. Owners should try to make themselves top dog by demanding attention and not the other way around (your dog demanding attention when it wants it) you should also control the good things such as treats and toy, and your dog should earn these from you by obeying commands.  

Smaller dogs tend to be towards the top of this list which may be surprising. However, because they are small they may be genetically predisposed to be aggressive as a way of counteracting their size and ensuring their survival. Also because they are small they can easily feel threatened by bigger dogs or people so they become aggressive to defend themselves. Fear is one of the main reasons for aggressions. Lastly small dogs are usually considered cute and are often spoilt by their owners which gives them a higher status in the pack which may then be challenged. Also since their bites often have little effect they are allowed to continue and some people even think it is cute, however, this only makes the problem worse and the dogs can become more aggressive.    

The top ten least aggressive dogs:  

1. Labrador Retriever
2. Rhodesian Ridgeback
3. Poodle
4. Greyhound
5. Whippet
6. Brittany Spaniel
7. Siberian Husky
8. Golden Retriever
9. Havanese
10. Portuguese water dog

  These dogs also rated low for “watchdog” behaviour and “territorial defence” behaviour so they tend to make lovable family pets.  

Some dogs that have a bad image and are considered aggressive are the Boxer, Bulldogs, Pit Bull Terriers, Great Danes, Mastiffs, German Shepherds and Rottweilers. According to this study this is how they ranked:  

•      Great Dane: 9. This breed is actually very patient, gentle and affectionate. Although its size can be an issue with small children, it gets on well with children.
•      Rottweilers: 15. This dog is very loyal and can be fiercely protective which may cause it to be aggressive. However, it is a hard working, powerful, devoted dog that gets on well with children if they are brought up with them.
•      Boxer: 16. These dogs are actually good with children. They make good watchdogs. As they have a protection nature; they may be aggressive if they feel their owner is being threatened.
•      German Shepherds (Alsatians): 17. An alert, loyal, courageous and intelligent breed. These dogs are good with children and they are very protective making them effective watchdogs.
•      Mastiffs: 21. These dogs are very dignified, loyal creatures with a pleasant nature, resembling gentle giants. Their size means they can be a problem with small children, but they get on well with children.

 Other dogs that are known to be aggressive include:

• Chow Chow: this is a “one person dog”. It forms a very strong bond with one person (usually the owner) and is ferocious around strangers who it considers a threat to its owner. It is a good guard dog, but it can bite without warning and they are tenacious fighters.
• Papillon: These dogs are fiercely loyal of their owners and can be very possessive, they don’t like strangers either.
• Old English Sheepdogs: Again these dogs are very protective of their owners. They are strong-willed and independent and they will nip either other animals or children.
• Lhasa Apso: These dogs can be cranky and unpredictable; they are strong-willed and independent. They were originally bred as guard dogs.
• Giant Schnauzers: They are very dominant and will challenge adults and strangers.
• Pekingese: These dogs do not like strangers and can be very aggressive towards them
• Miniature Pinschers: These are little dogs but they can be very aggressive to compensate for this.

However, every dog is different and won’t always fit their breed stereotype: just because their breed is generally considered to be gentle or sweet natured doesn’t guarantee that your dog will be the same. Any dog can be aggressive and bite so you must make sure that you put aside the time to train it and socialize it properly so that it is more comfortable in unfamiliar circumstances and with strangers. Before you get a dog it is worthwhile researching breeds to make sure that you choose one that is suitable for your lifestyle, i.e. it is good with children if you have any in the family, or not getting a fragile dog if you are a large family. However good a dog is said to be with children and however well behaved it you should never leave children unsupervised with a dog; often they can provoke it without meaning to and little children can be defenseless against a dog.  

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