August 12th, 2010
I am asked how to fight BSL or Breed Specific Legislation on a daily basis. First, what is BSL? Breed specific legislation as I see it is any law that targets a specific breed of dog.
A few BSL ordinances:
1. Mandatory Spay and Neuter for Pit Bull Terriers.
2. Forced muzzling or restrictions on length of leash. (I.e… must be muzzled all the time outside and on a 2 foot leash)
3. Complete ban on Pit Bull Terriers. Obviously the most damaging ordinance around.
While some people are all for spay and neuter they raise all kinds of cain over muzzling and banning. In my view there is no difference between forcing me to spay or neuter my dog or giving my dog to the pound to be put to death because they are banned.
The same principles are at work. They are:
1. Government targeting Pit Bull owners.
2. Complete eradication of the breed in their town.
3. Demonize the breed and make their owners look like trash.
One thing that is not mentioned very often when BSL is brought up is in many cases it is not the dogs that are being targeted but instead, it is the owners that are the intended focus.
Here are a couple of quotes from a letter to the Louisville, Kentucky city council from the HSUS. The letter was written to the city council when they were considering a ban on Pit Bulls.
“There is no doubt that pit bulls are in bad shape in America right now. They are likely the most popular dog in the country, but unfortunately, they are also the dogs of choice for drug dealers, gang members, and anyone else who is looking for a dog to be a status symbol“
I put the part that really got my goat in bold. So they lump us law abiding citizens in there with gang bangers, drug dealers, and status symbol seeking morons.
“Legislation banning pit bulls or requiring strict regulation will not solve the problems created by dangerous dogs. However, because pit bulls currently flood animal shelters in Louisville and across the country, legislation requiring their mandatory sterilization could be a benefit to the breed and to all dogs in the community. Additionally, the mandatory sterilization of pit bulls would negatively impact those individuals who use pit bulls for fighting, guarding locations used for illegal activities, and the backyard breeders who so recklessly add to the dog overpopulation”
First bold: How would spaying/neutering only Pit Bulls help “all dogs in the community?”
Second bold: Read that twice. I mean really read it. So spay/neuter laws would stop drug dealers, dog fighters from having Pit Bulls. Are these people cracked? They are CRIMINALS. They are already breaking the law! Why would they care if they didn’t fix their dogs. Unreal.
“Requiring the sterilization of pit bulls does not have the same problems as traditional breed-specific legislation. This does not punish responsible pet owners, as truly responsible owners already have their animals sterilized.”
First Bold: The HSUS is basically saying, “You can enact BSL and no one will argue because they are not going to consider FORCED spay/neuter as BSL.”
Second Bold: So I show my dog in conformation. I am not responsible because I have not fixed my dog. I show my dog in obedience and compete in working dog sports, yet, I kept the dog intact, I am irresponsible. Sorry but I have intact dogs, they are well kept, and I do not breed them. I am a responsible dog owner and so are the umpteen million people that do the same thing.
You can read the entire letter from the HSUS to the Louisville city council here.
Now that we have a better idea about what BSL is …
How do you fight BSL?
Vote.
Seriously it is that easy. Vote against anyone, regardless of political affiliation, that is anti-dog and vote for pro-dog legislators. That is the only way we will ever stop BSL and save the lives of hundreds of thousands of Pit Bull Terriers.
Having a political stance and being powerful with your vote is one thing they cannot take from you. It is your right, it is your duty, and you should use it every chance you get.
Say it out loud, how can you stop BSL? Vote!
Until Next Time,
Jason Mann
The Most Complete Pit Bull Site Online
Categories: Pit Bull Blog |
Tags: breed specific legislation, bsl, pit bull terriers, stop | No Comments
August 9th, 2010
Two words – Ignorant Woman.
I looked the episode up on Youtube.com because I received a ton of emails regarding her comments. It has two parts.
Two more words – Don’t watch.
Why anyone would waste a minute of their life watching this drivel, and it is drivel, like lower your I.Q. if you watch the show drivel, escapes me.
She talks about “locking jaws” and how they are dangerous, she is obviously ignorant, and needs some education. The comment that instantly told me she is a retard was when she was talking to the defendant
and he said his son had four Pit Bulls and he kept one. She responded, “one too many.”
Again, I don’t watch this drivel and I would encourage everyone who does watch this show, to stop watching it. It’s pointless. Right up there with Maury and Springer.
One lady forwarded me a link if you want to write a letter to the network.
Click here to submit your opinion to Judge
Judy
Until Next Time,
Jason Mann
The Most Complete Pit Bull Site Online
Categories: Pit Bull Blog |
Tags: judge judy, Pit Bulls | No Comments
August 5th, 2010
I encourage you, as your dogs owner, to raise your standards when it comes to training your dog. These days dog training has become a popular career choice for dog lovers. Many of whom watch a T.V. show or attend a dog show and say, “Hey, I could do that!”
Problem is, we do not have any regulations in our industry. Unlike the Law or Medical industry there really are not any set standards for trainers to operate by. This is one reason why you will run into just about every type of trainer out there. From the overly compulsive “old school” trainer to the off the charts, “purely positive” trainer.
You will not find much consistency when you talk to trainers. This is one reason I encourage you to raise your standards.
Instead of going by how cute their business name is, you should go by their certifications. While we still do not have a set standard for training there are third party organizations out there giving certifications to qualified and experienced trainers.
What I mean by third party is, these people do not have a vested interest in your success or failure. Let’s imagine you attend a dog training school to acquire a certification. You spend $20,000 and 4 months of your life at the school. While you no doubt will learn something it is in the school’s best interest to graduate you. You become a walking advertisement for them.
On the other side of the coin is a third party organization. If you pass, great you will be a walking advertisement for them too, however, if you fail, you won’t be. The difference is, the third party won’t cut a corner to pass you.
I have completed two certification programs. One was from a school and one was from a third party. I will tell you that the school certification is pretty weak. Why? Because the way the school operated it was easy for someone to pass, all you had to do was continue going and turn in homework. If you didn’t pass you were either lazy or you just didn’t want to be a dog trainer.
One the other hand, the third party certification took 3 years to obtain. I had to have hundreds of hours of hands on training with clients, references from my peers, clients, and vets, and it took me 3 and 1/2 hours to earn the certification on test day.
Which one would hold more weight with you if you were going to hire me?
While they both say I am serious about my profession one really states it loud and clear. Add to that my seminar schedules (I try to attend at least 10 seminars about dog training a year) and all the expenses for gear and learning materials and continued education requirements for my certifications and well, it says, “Jason is a professional who really cares about his career!”
Where as Mrs. “I watched the Dog Whisperer, so I started a training school” is not going to give you the same professionalism and experience.
Raise your standards. Here are a few certifications that actually mean something:
1. CPDT-KA – Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed
2. CCBA – Certified Clinical Behavior Consultant
3. CDBC – Certified Dog Behavior Consultant
4. ACAAB – Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists
4. DACVB – Dilplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists
Not all certifications are created equal and not all trainers are created equal. You should demand the best and expect to pay for the best. This, “I want to save money so I’ll spend $109 on a PetSmart Class” attitude stinks.
You are buying training from a franchise with their own “standards” for training. Which are pretty low if you ask me. Not saying all PetSmart trainers stink but you get what you pay for.
In the end training is a long term investment. You are paying for results. You are investing in you and your dogs future together. It is far better to pay more for real training and receive real results than to continuously pay less and receive very little to no results.
Jason Mann
The Most Complete Pit Bull Site Online
Categories: Pit Bull Blog |
Tags: certifications, hiring a trainer, pit bull training | 3 Comments
August 4th, 2010
Hey Folks,
I wanted to bring a site to your attention. The site is called, “ChristianFunFair.com” and they have a sub-domain about Pit Bull attacks.
The information was posted by a woman who’s cat was killed by “two pits.” So again an anti-pit bull site that has a bone to pick with Pit bull Terriers based on anger. Christian? Hmmm…
You can view the site here.
I wanted to end this with a little note. Notice how they use emotion to stir anger. Like “Pit Bulls kill Mini-horse of cancer child October 24th, 2007.”
I wonder how many thousands of Pit Bull Terriers were seized and killed in places like Denver that belonged to families with kids. I wonder how their kids felt having their buddies put to death for no reason.
Sad.
Until Next Time,
Jason Mann
The Most Complete Pit Bull Site Online
Categories: Pit Bull Blog |
No Comments
