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Congratulations on the new adoption! I work with a pit rescue and adopted my boy, Titan, when he was about 1 1/2 years old. He is our child and I love him with all of my heart. Good for you in doing the research and recognizing that they are a powerful group of dogs and you need to respect that power. I would rather hear of an owner being cautious with their dog than one who just blindly says that their dog is a lovebug (though mine really is! :)) and just lets them run loose.
I agree with Michelle that there is a lot of misinformation out there. My further advice would be, you must get your girl into training asap. It's a great responsibility to have a pit bull type dog as many people already have horror stories about pits. While my dog plays great with other dogs (he's like the mascot at our doggy daycare!) I would never bring him to a dog park. Because no matter what happens, the fact is that most pits play fairly rough, and it is simply not worth the risk of all of the things that could go wrong in a situation where all of the adult "supervisors" are standing around drinking coffee and not even watching their dogs. It is certainly important to socialize her, and you should bring her to doggy day care and let her play with adult dogs who can teach her manners, but socialize her in a controlled setting.
I'm sure your baby will give you tons of happiness over the years. Thank you for giving her a chance! Every educated owner and well adjusted dog helps the future of other dogs being able to get a chance.
Congratulations on your new baby. The pitbull breed is our family favorite. I used to run a no-kill animal shelter, so I've had lots of experience with the breed. They are wonderful companions and bond very well. The truth is, they are all different. They have a tendency to get over stimulated around alot of other dogs. Once in a pack, sometimes they get set off. I don't think it's intentional, it's just a fact. I have 5 dogs, 2 of which are rescued pitbulls. One we had since 4 or 5 months of age. For the first year, we socialized her with our other dogs, then something changed. She became an adult and started testing her boundaries. We had her trained and she's very smart. This didn't help her from her going into the red zone when she decided she would challenge another dog .She would start fights with our other dogs over the doorbell sound, over toys, over nothing. She is now 9 years old and completely loving, loyal and wonderful, but stays separated from our other dogs. It's just a fact of life we live with. Knowing the statistics in shelters we would never give her up. So we modified our living environment to keep her in our lives and remain a peaceful home. My other pit, who was a rescue that we got at age 3, is wonderful with the other dogs, but we still don't let her run outside with the other 3 because she gets overstimulated as well and we just don't take any chances. Baby gates are a godsend...for kids and dogs!! Good luck with your new baby. They make a great family pet especially if they are the only dog!
I like the comment about Cear Milan, I read his book and it was very informative. Also kuddos to you for doing research, sounds like you are going to give this pup a great home! I have a pitbull, Petey, he is about to turn 11...he is my world, sweetheart, lap dog, very even tempered!! I rescued him when he was 3, from NYC, he came from a "passed around past" starting with a drug dealer, and after 5 families (all in contact with the first.....how I know the history) he ended up with me in Vermont....he hit the jackpot (I think) large yard, many other doggie buddies in his neighborhood (from basset hound- great dane) that he gets to play with. I get upset when people have that negative impression of pits in their head, because in my opinion its how they are raised, and that goes for ANY breed of dog (heck I was bitten by a golden retirever). As with any dog, respect, and you be the leader, love and companionship. Best of luck with your new family member! Enjoy each other!!! p.s. here is a tip I learned.... try not to always worry about the stereotype of pits being aggressive. All dogs sense how you are feeling, if you feel nervous they will think something is wrong. I worried for a long time, and then realized that I had no need to worry.
our pit is our baby. i will share a picture soon. she is ridiculous! an old lady now...but still kust like a puppy. cause they are all vegan of course. anywho the pits are very sexy. and i have to admit our family favorite too.
Ok Alicia, I knew that I liked you, but don't know how I missed that you guys have a pittie! That is so great to hear! A vegan pittie no less - wow, that's going to be my next big move. We love all of our kids, but Titan is the center of our world.
Chris & Alicia- I love that too, a vegan Pit!! I did not realize that as well (that you have a pit Alicia). Can't wait to see pictures! So what is your advice on making the transfer with our pups to a vegan diet? My boy Petey is on Innova dry food (and I just read the chapter in the book about how god did not make bags of dry bits), he also gets occasionally added veggies and parsley. He gets a spoonful of wet food when he takes his thyroid pill. Pete had a bout of pancreatitis this Summer. I know with a lean healthy diet I won't have to worry about that (just his sneaky scrounging I have to look out for when we are in the woods at our building house site....or since we are currently renting above a pizza shop) so anyhow I am hoping to adjust Petey's diet. What would be the first step....any brand of food recommended or should I just give him vegan food that we eat? If so, how much? Any vegan dog diet books?
my vote would be either dr harveys the one i recomend or evolution. you may have to order these by mail. but it arrives at your door. and is super healthy compared to the other foods. dr harveys is a tad more work but way way worth it. thats what we use...and plus every day we clean out our fridge if there is stuff we are sick of they get it....ya know leftover seeweed dishes, or veg dishes or rice or anything really....as we are all plant based they have it all...except i dont give them spicey stuff,
hope this helps...i bet peta has info on thier site about dogs...or google vegan dogs? i will do a big post on this in future...i just have so much to share and not enough days to get it all out!!!
exciting!!
and post pictures of you with your canine companions Silverstone :)
Hi guys. I kinda want to switch my dogs as well, but will this mess with their tummies? My pit is a sensitive boy!
I think I would mix it (3/4 what you are feeding and 1/4 vegan diet, then 1/2 and 1/2 etc.) so he doesn't get a tummy ache. My vet tells me to do that whenever I switch foods, even though it doesn't usually seem to bother Pete, but just in case
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