May 21st, 2007
One of the biggest mistakes people make when training their Pit Bull is they fail to plan properly.Inadequate planning leads to a long and torturous training process for both handler and dog. People switch methods like underwear because the method they are using “doesn’t work” or the dog is ignoring them or (fill in poor excuse here).
So first, what method should you use? I suggest using positive methods above all others.
Why positive over force? Simple. Positive teaches a dog to use their mind and love the work. Force training teaches fear, hesitation, and stress.
Which method you use is entirely up to you. How do you want to create a relationship with your dog? Do you want to be seen as a strong leader (positive) that allows the dog to use their mind and make mistakes or do you want to be seen as the person to be cautious around (force)?
Watch a dog that has been trained using postiive methods. Watch as they throw out behaviors to earn a reward. Offering numerous behaviors to their handlers. Now watch a force trained dog. When they are unsure of the behavior wanted they stare into space, drink water, avoid eye contact, try to escape, anything but offer the desired behavior.
Positive training takes longer, requires more intelligence on your part, and requires that you have patience to allow your dog to learn through mistakes.
As a professional dog trainer who makes his living from the industry I can tell you without flinching that I prefer and use positive methods over force training methods because it (A) achieves results and (B) it’s far better to have a dog wanting to work than it is to have a dog that only works because they fear being corrected.
Anyone that tells you that force training methods using shock collars, prong collars, choke chains or any combination of those tools is “healthy” for the dog either doesn’t know anything about training or is flat out misleading you.
Again, the relationship you build with your dog starts from day one. Either you can be seen as a fair leader who understands your pal or you can be the “bossy” type and “rule” over your follower.
To many times people with ego’s and power trips teach and misuse these tools and training concepts.
Try positive. If it isn’t for you go hire a trained professional to teach you how to properly use a prong collar. But buyer beware, training “experts” are not required to have degrees in anything. Anyone with the desire can hang out their training shingle and become a “pro” over night. Do your research. If you feel uncomfortable thank them for their time and leave.
In my e-book The Pit Bull Training Handbook you will find positive solutions to help you raise, train and care for your Pit Bull. Hundreds of satisfied Pit Bull owners have used the methods taught inside and have found the solutions to behavior problems that are long lasting and user-friendly. If you are looking for a way to really train your Pit Bull why not give The Pit Bull Training Handbook a look.
Whatever method you choose you should also make sure you understand why you are training your dog and what you want to achieve before you make up your mind on the method.
Best Regards,
Jason Mann
The Most Complete Pit Bull Website Online
Categories: Pit Bull Blog |
4 Comments
May 21st, 2007
Here is the reality of the situation, dogs are only has dangerous as people allow them to be. Did I say that? Oh lord! I must be out of my nugget. I mean, blaming people for dog attacks? What am I smoking!Sorry for the sarcasm but I feel the need to let it hang out today. I have read several accounts of “dog attacks” and I find myself wondering why people are so naive and gullible to believe media accounts of “pit bull attacks.”
The conclusion is fairly straight forward.
The “pit bull” aka The American Pit Bull Terrier is at the height of their popularity. Anytime you get a “hot” fad dog you will see the numbers of those dogs increase. Mostly due to fad breeders wanting to cash in on the craze and make enough to buy that car or new stove they’ve always wanted.
You will have backyard breeders breeding unsound, incorrect, mongrels to pay the rent that month. You will have “professional” breeders pumping out dozens of litters each month selling to anyone with the money to buy their dogs and this causes problems.
The reality is Pit Bulls are not dangerous by nature. People allow their dogs to behave badly and people control the situation at all times. People shift the blame of their irresponsible actions to an animal that is under their care. Hence if a dog bites or kills someone the person should be jailed for manslaughter or at least first degree assault!
I want to make it clear that I am talking about dogs. All dogs. All breeds. All shapes and sizes. It amazes me that people think dogs shouldn’t bite or use their teeth in any way other than to lick their ugly faces.
Dogs bite. That is their nature. They rarely bite without warning and they do not do it out of malice, hate, prejudice, anger, meanness, and they do not hold grudges. They are dogs not people.
The reality is simple – If people allow their dogs to be aggressive the dog will be aggressive and bite. If people do not handle their dogs with respect, knowledge, training, and care it is the person’s fault for anything the dog does. That includes hurting another person.
Again, dogs are only as dangerous as people allow them to be.
Best Regards,
Jason Mann
The Most Complete Pit Bull Information Site Online
Categories: Pit Bull Blog |
2 Comments
May 21st, 2007
My jaw dropped when I read this story. My mind screamed, finally! Maybe someone is actually going to target the stupid dog owners and not blame the breed of dog.
Here is the story:
http://www.thelocal.se/6728/
Best Regards,
Jason Mann
The Most Complete Pit Bull Information Site Online
Categories: Pit Bull Blog |
2 Comments
May 21st, 2007
The media is obviously biased against our breed. When another dog attacks or bites someone the breed is only an afterthought. In the UK an English breed, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier mauled a girl. The animal control people called it a freak accident. The Staffy Bull is not on the dangerous dog list and is not subject to the dangerous dog act.
Funny how they exclude an “english” dog from the list.
Yet had that been an American Pit Bull Terrier the term Pit Bull would have been all over that piece and I doubt “freak accident” would have been used. Rather it would have been “another vicious attack” or something along those lines.
The media portrays our dogs like time bombs waiting to go off or vicious dogs waiting to “turn” on their owners when in reality the media is about as breed smart as a Donkey.
I have come to loath the media and their biased reports on our breed and many other biased reports. Fox News is the worst of the bunch with shows like the O’Reily Factor. Shows that pit a biased source against the participants.
I remember a few years back Diane Jessup, author of the Working Pit Bull was on the show and once again she was (A) Not allowed to really speak (B) Bill O’Reily kept asking stupid questions and then cutting her off with stuff like, “Oh whatever!” and other terms that show his much bragged about intellect. The guy is a boob. Plain and simple.
When confronted Diane was trying to reply was not allowed to finish because Bill would cut her off and then ask the other anti-pit bull participant a question. Fox News is littered with these types of shows and I don’t watch it anymore and I suggest everyone else stop watching as well.
I’ll end this post with a recent attack, no it isn’t a pit bull attack. Notice the headline.
http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?S=6466636&nav=9Tai
Best Regards,
Jason Mann
The Most Complete Pit Bull Information Site Online
Categories: Pit Bull Blog |
3 Comments
