I’m between speaking at Midwest Vet Med Conference in Ohio and speaking at the Interdisciplinary Forum on Applied Animal Behavior in Tucson. I only had time to fly in and out at the Vet Conference, wish I would have had more time to go to some of the other behavior talks. Happily, in Tucson I get two full days of listening to others, with only an hour to speak on my own. I can’t wait… I’ll fill you as I can. There are talks scheduled on genetics and behavior, the use of aversives in training, operant treatment of aggression, predicting separation anxiety in shelter dogs, screaming in parrots and urine marking n the domestic dog. And that’s not the full list. I am more than ready to get a break from the cold, looking forward to the intellectual stimulation, not to mention some great southwestern Mexican food and a marghuerita or two.
In Ohio I did enjoy connecting with Dr. Randall Lockwood of ASPCA and speaking with him about dog fighting. Randy, along Dr. with Stephen Zawistowski, headed up the evaluations on the Michael Vick dogs (and recommended that 47 of them NOT be euthanized and helped place them in suitable homes). I give Randy and Steve a lot of credit–they are 100% committed in their opposition to dog fighting, but are able to stay objective enough to work within the culture to gather information. I’ve heard Randy talk before about how the culture and perception of dog fighting has changed. Earlier in this country it was not only legal, it was socially acceptable, at least in some circles. Dr. Lockwood has a presentation (see it if you can, he’s a class act all around) on “dangerous dogs” and dog fighting that includes a photograph of a group of policemen, in full uniform, posing proudly for the camera with their fighting pits. (If I remember correctly, the dogs are markedly smaller than the fighting dogs of today.)
In the early days of dog fighting in this country, most fighting dogs were considered investments. They were carefully bred (primarily for stamina and gameness… apparently fights were more like boxing matches , with stamina and strategy playing important roles) and if they weren’t talented, were summarily shot. Not a pretty picture I know… but a far cry from today, when most people who engage in dog fighting know little about breeding, favor dogs who attack fast and early with full force, and kill the less talented dogs in a variety of horrific and painful ways that I’d rather not describe.
Randy described two new groups of dog fighters–the first being the urban street fighters who became more and more popular over the last twenty years, mostly who had one or two dogs, who knew little about breeding or even the old-time culture of fighting. Then there’s the newest group that has showed up in the last five years or so: millionaire rap stars and athletes who can afford 50 or more dogs, who know absolutely nothing about breeding, training and have basically no boundaries on their behavior around the dogs. One of my favorite quotes from Randy’s work on the Vick case was from an associate involved in the breeding program: “Well, she was a lousy fighter, but she always had lots of puppies, so we bred her as much as we could.” Oh my.
Hey, the good news is that their ignorance about breeding resulted in a lot of dogs who ended up being saved, given that “being a lousy fighter” is a plus for most of us.
Meanwhile, here’s what you never want your oral surgeon to say after the procedure is over. “Well, that’s about as bad as it gets.” But it IS over and I’m healing and it’s 40 degrees and sunny outside and here’s a few photos of the flock, happy to hang out with me when Willie is in the house!
Jim Priest says
We recently adopted a Pit Bull ‘mix’ that was used a ‘sparring partner’ apparently for dog fights. Considering what she’s been through she is THE sweetest thing ever. Hopefully with exposure like the Vick case we can eliminate this idiotic dog fighting.
Mary Beth says
I loved your lecture at MVC! I always enjoy hearing you speak and watching you work dogs. Can you work my dog in Utility obedience? He thinks visual signals are awful and stresses!
Pit bulls are getting more and more popular and its sad that many are in the wrong homes. The phrase “its the deed, not the breed” makes people think anyone can give a good home to a pit bull. That’s just not true. A hard working border collie does not belong in my home. Even the field labs at my home aren’t always happy (I have a ten throw limited arm, then the ball throwing ends). My Weim who comes from a show line yet saw his first bird at 2 years quickly became a top notch bird dog. He wasn’t raised that way. He wasn’t bred to be a great bird dog. But, his breed was selected for generations to be top notch bird dogs and the genes certainly played out. Pit bulls are bred to have a particular biting style (no different than the dogs we select for police working dogs), to be dog aggressive, to have low bite inhibition, high prey drive and so on. They are also loving, loyal, and obedient. They can make good pets as long as the owners are fully prepared to deal with ALL their characteristics.
As a Dog Warden, its crushing to go into a home to take out a formerly beloved family pet that has been a victim of a tragic situation causing a bad bite and death to the dog. Dog fighting is a horrid sport that’s unfortunately growing everywhere in this country. And with the growth of the sport, the popularity of this type of dog is growing. They continue to be a problem…even when in good homes…as long as pit bulls keep being promoted as the best dogs ever as if they were Lassie’s in a smooth coat and dog owners end up getting a package they aren’t suited for. If you love them, then keep on proclaiming all their good characteristics, but don’t forget to be honest and talk about all the characteristics of a typical pit bull, so that the right dogs go to the right homes which will go a long way towards preventing tragedies.
Off my soap box…your sheep are very very cute.
Don says
Trisha,
The Tuscon conference sounds like it has some great talks. I hope you’ll give a run-down on what is presented about training techniques (e.g., are aversives ever advisable?).
Liz says
Thanks for posting about that conference – I live in Ohio but wasn’t able to get to Columbus for it. Sounds like it was great!
I have urban street thugs to thank for my pit bull. Her pregnant mother was confiscated from a fight ring, and my girl was born at the shelter. I wish I knew what had happened to the “owners.” I’d love to meet them today and beat them to a pulp, even though I ended up with the best dog ever because of them.
EmilyS says
dogfighting is beyond cruel.. but then so are some people who claim to care about dogs. It’s hard to believe the behavior of the HSUS recently: http://yesbiscuit.blogspot.com/2009/02/pants-on-fire.html
http://www.nathanwinograd.com/?p=780
Kaiser Soze says
Unfortunately, dog fighting seems to enjoy some popularity in select high class circles as well. We can try our best, but watching Vick walking out of jail gives a hint that you can do whatever you want when you have loads and loads of money. Makes me lose faith in the human race.
Angie says
That would have been neat to see you speak. i live in Ohio too, in Cleveland so I didn’t know about the conference in Columbus. I too own a pit bull mix. Ohio is a horrible state to own a pit bull in. Did you guys talk about BSL at all?
It just makes me sick. But we have to keep going to every council meeting, fighting and educating people about these dogs. I am involved with a group here called Canine Advocates of Ohio so if anyone is interested in advocating for these dogs and any dogs who are discriminated against just because the way they look please visit http://www.canineadvocatesofohio.org
By the way, I think someone posted a comment about the characteristics of pit bulls. I just don’t think all pit bulls have cookie cutter characteristics. I know they can be dog aggressive but many many aren’t. So many are therapy dogs, canine good citizens and live in multi dog house holds. I also don’t think anyone should be a pit owner. It takes a responsible owner, educated person and someone willing to deal with all of the publics MISCONCEPTIONS. They are the under dogs. It is uneducated and the criminal element type people who make these dogs have a bad name.
I definitely don’t think they are for everyone but why can’t they be the ALL American dog they once were? The nanny dog? They are great as family pets and with kids and as long as the family members can put time and effort into the dog, learn about them and socialize and train and set boundries with the dog like you would with any dog. IF you are a good dog owner, you can be a good pit bull owner. They are DOGS, like all other dogs.
And I truly don’t think they are made out to be “the best dogs ever” They are made out to be the worst dogs ever, look at the shelters and the county kennels, they are full of pit bulls that are not given a chance, not given a home because of their breed and the way they are portrayed by the media. In my opinion, They are not looked at positively enough yet, but they do deserve to be and there are advocates and the rescues giving their all to show that these dogs are just dogs and deserve what every other dog deserves!
stephen summerlin says
Just my 2 cents on Pit Bulls, I raised many over the last twenty years. A Pit bull dog is a more aggressive dog. That is because they were breed to be “Game” which means attack the other dog no matter what. I have heard so many people tell me Oh my Pit Bull is gentle and would never hurt our other dogs or family, only to be disappointed when they had a dog do something terrible. Pit Bulls have to be handled more like a wild animal that has been tamed, you should always keep in mind that they can be suddenly aggressive and attack any one or any thing including you. Yes they can be great dogs, but always be aware that if they attack even a little Pit can do serious damage to another dog or a child.
EmilyS says
Stephen, your comments are very very incorrect. I have to doubt that you have raised “many” “pit bulls dogs”. You wouldn’t refer to them that way if you had.
NO WHERE is “gameness” in “pit bulls” defined as you do. Gameness is a term that defines the desired qualities of a dog in an organized dog fight, where BTW, dogs do NOT “attack no matter what”. And because it relates to dogfighting behavior, no legitimate breeder of APBTs or ASTs breeds for gameness now, or has for many many many years.
“Pit bulls” (whatever you mean by that) are dogs, not “wild animals”. They don’t do anything differently from any other dog, and don’t “suddenly” become aggressive any more than any other dog does. They are among the breeds LEAST likely to “attack” a human (yes, despite the press hysteria that headlines any incident in which a dog that sort- of kind- of might- be- a “pit bull” looks sideways at someone)
Every year, millions of people get bitten by dogs whose owners believed “they would never hurt our other dogs or family”. The ignorance of people about dog behavior is not confined to those who own “pit bulls”.
May I suggest that you read Dr. McConnell’s books and articles more closely? You would benefit from her knowledge about dog behavior.
Cannon says
I operate with these dogs and as far as animal behavior goes, I’m a firm believer in nurture and training. I’ve met Jack Russell Terriers that I wouldn’t go around again, but have in no way had a poor encounter with an American Staffordshire Terrier. If you’re speaking about their owners- nicely, which is a distinct story. Humans are animals as well, and we tend to each have our own tips about “moral concepts”.