BY W.W Schnipp
Copyright © 1995
Quillian Publishing Company, BMI
I stopped at a little roadside café
in a new town hopin’ to change my luck
I heard a small boy holler at me
as he climbed upon my truck
He said mister, is that a Pit Bull
that’s riding up front with you?
My mother says they’re real mean dogs
mister, is that true?
I said I suppose Pit Bulls can be mean
but that’s not how this one gets his kicks
this Pit Bull is a very smart dog
and he’s too busy doing tricks
Then he asks, mister, mister, can I pet him?
I said what would your mother say?
why I’ll even have him do some tricks
if your mother says it’s OK
When the boy brought his mother
I nearly fainted on the street
she had to be the most beautiful woman
that a man could ever hope to meet
So I whispered to Rocky, my Pit Bull
put on the best show of your life
I bet she’s single mother
and I bet I can make her my wife
Rocky soared through the air catching Frisbees
did a flip, he climbed a tree
by the time Rocky pulled the truck with his teeth
the boy’s mother was holding hands with me
Now there’s a cottage in the country
it’s the place all reside
I wouldn’t have a wife and a boy that calls me dad
If I didn’t have that Pit Bull by my side.
There are many different types of dog food brand, and flavors out there. How does one decide which one to feed your American Pit Bull Terrier? Over the years I have discovered that there is only one brand that meets my standard to feed my dogs and that is Nitro Brand Premium Dog Food. It has the best ingredients:
“Poultry Meal, Brewers Rice, Rice Flour, Corn Meal, Poultry Fat, (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols, A Source Of Natural Vitamin E), Flax Seed, Fish Meal, Dried Whole Eggs, Brewers Yeast, Natural Flavor, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Choline Chloride, Garlic, Lecithin, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Oxide, Ascorbic Acid, Manganese Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Biotin, Vitamin A Acetate, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B12), Menadione Sodium Bisulfite, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Potassium Iodide, Folic Acid, Sodium Selenate.”
My pit bulls love this dog food and I am sure your dogs will approve. The company also offers several different types to meet your dog’s demands. See other Products. For a dealer near you click here
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Before we get into it lets look at background facts on dog aggression in general.
Dog aggression is a term used by dog owners and breeders to explain canine to canine hostility.
Aggression itself is mostly defined as “the intention to cause harm”. A lot of dogs will exhibit “displays of aggression” such as barking, growling, or snapping in the air, which are regarded as distance mounting actions, those that aim to get the person or dog to move away from the dog. Some dog-aggressive dogs demonstrate violent behavior that is mainly defensive, and they will actually harm another dog only if they see that they have no other option. Others dogs may develop dog-aggressive behavior due to medical reasons, such as hormonal imbalances.
Dog Aggression
Dog aggression is a common dog behavior, and can be observed in all breeds of dogs; some dog breeds have a predisposition to display such aggression. Pit Bulls have a higher likelihood of developing dog-aggression upon reaching maturity. Individual dogs may or may not display the level of aggression that the breed standard suggests. It is the owner’s responsibility to make sure that these types of dogs are properly socialized and given regular exercise.
Dogs that display dog-aggressive behavior do not necessarily show aggressive behavior towards humans. The two types of aggression are not necessarily related, and do not always occur in the same animal. Along with breeding, a dog’s experiences may affect their chances of developing aggression. Dogs that are attacked or mistreated as a puppy may develop dog aggression towards all dogs, or perhaps only towards dogs that resemble the dog that attacked them. Dog owners tend to accent these reactions out of dogs more often than dogs themselves.
Preventing Dog Aggression on your American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT)
If this is your first time owing an APBT you have obviously done your research on the breed and you are willing to put in the time to properly raise this powerful and loyal friend. As puppies it is very important and critical that you socialize them by having them interact with other dogs and people as well. There are some things you can do for example, take them to public places such as parks, the pet store and anywhere there is a crowd.
At the park you will come across other dogs with different personalities, always ask the owners if it is ok for your dog to meet theirs. You can make small talk and let them know of what you are doing and trying to accomplish. When you make the introduction be sure to make the approach slowly and with care. There have been countless times where I have made an introduction with Schnauzers for example and without warning they will nip and try to bite my APBT puppy. Obviously you want the meetings to be as pleasant and positive every time.
Allow people and especially children to play and interact with your puppy. These types of interactions reinforce positive behavior and allow your puppy to perceive people as being good and not a threat. Letting your puppy take in these everyday life experiences early on will teach them and condition their mind that this is an acceptable behavior. They will have a better understanding of the world around them as they go into adulthood.
Controlling Dog Aggression in your American Pit Bull Terrier
If you have rescued or acquired an adult pit-bull chances are you probably don’t know what kind of life it’s had. You don’t know how it was socialized as a puppy and with that you are taking a risk. Within the first few weeks you probably have discovered that you’re “new” pit-bull is dog aggressive and wants to attack any dog it sees.
From my own personal experience this behavior is almost impossible to completely eliminate in the dog due to the predisposition of aggressiveness in the breed. Nonetheless it can be controlled to a more manageable degree.
First things first, you have to establish who the pack leader is going to be? It is like anything else, you can’t have the employee tell the employer how to run the business. From the beginning you have to be assertive and show control over your American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT). Giving direct and firm voice commands (not yelling) will instill that anything you say is an order. This will not happen overnight which takes me to my second point.
Time! You must spend lots of time with your pit-bull. This gives you an opportunity to know the dog and for the dog to know you. It has to be a routine and I cannot emphasize it enough spend lots of time. Go on long walks to the park, around your neighborhood. The more familiar his environment becomes the more he will adapt to it. Make dog interactions a common thing on your walks. Anytime your pit-bull shows aggression towards another dog, reprimand him on the spot, talk to the dog and let him know that it is not acceptable. It may sound crazy to you but talking in a firm voice (not yelling) will get your dogs attention. He has to read your body language and you have to read his. It has to get to the point where a short firm “hey” and tug of the leash will let him know that you don’t approve of it. Once you have established body language your pit-bull will be able to look at your face and read you when you approve or disapprove of something by either shaking or nodding your head.
Notice I mention not yelling. Too many times I see dog owners screaming out of control trying to make their dogs do something. This only exasperates the animal not to mention the complete loss of command from the owner. Yelling is not being assertive, take control with positive reinforcement.
Tantrum my 4 yr old Blue Nose Pit Bull is free to roam in the front yard without a leash. He knows and recognizes the boundaries of where he is allowed to go. It used to be that the whole family would all be out in the front yard and Tantrum would begin to wander off to the neighbor’s house. Pretty soon I had both my daughters and my wife yelling at Tantrum giving him commands to come back. Of course, he wouldn’t listen and would do as he pleased. I finally had to establish some ground rules that as long as I am out there only one person should be giving commands. I told them that if they needed the dog to do something they had to let me know and I would give the command to Tantrum. My first test came when he was not wearing a leash and was not within reach of me when a neighbor went walking by with his huge black Labrador retriever. Tantrum quickly assumed that dominant posture of alertness and ready to attack mode with his ears pricked and tail up. He looked at me and with a simple shake of the head and a firm “no” was enough to have him remain in his position. Tantrum watched them go by very attentively. I am sure the neighbor probably worried there for a second for the safety of his dog.
Controlling Human Aggression in your American Pit Bull Terrier
Unfortunately, if you have a pit-bull that is human aggressive there is not very much you can do in the matter. You have to understand that the pit-bull breed in general is not human aggressive and it is not a characteristic of the breed. Somewhere along the line the dog was either improperly socialized or was purposely made this way. Do to the “gameness” of the breed it is a liability to have the dog around. The word “game” refers to the dog having a never quit, fight to the death personality of what are called “game bred” pit bulls.
A human aggressive pit-bull will only cause you worries and headaches down the road. It is in your interest and the interest of the public at large that such dogs be euthanize to avoid the possibility of a child or an adult getting injured. The other reason would be that you wouldn’t want these traits to carry on to future generations.
“There are no problem dogs, only problem owners”
“Don’t punish the breed, punish the deed”
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The American Pit Bull Terrier is an intelligent, agile, courageous, strong game dog. The word “game” refers to the dog having a never quit, fight to the death personality of what are called “game bred” pit bulls. To better understand the breed you have to take a look at where they came from.
The American Pit Bull Terrier of today is a direct successor of the fighting dogs of England and Ireland. Through time these dogs were used in baiting of animals also known as blood sports which were very popular but cruel. Some of the animals used in bating were bulls, cocks, lions dogs and in Roman times, even humans. Even though this sport died out among the rich, it remained very popular among the poor. They could breed a good fighting dog without any or little cost to them.
At one point the APBT, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier were considered to be the same breed up until the mid-1930s. Originally these breeds came down from the English Bulldog and Terrier breeds. The Bulldog known as a fighting breed was bred with the terrier breeds to achieve a more agile and faster fighting dog. PitBull/Staffordshire type dogs were brought to America as early as the mid-1800s and continued to be imported from Ireland and England to American shores by immigrants. The result was a warrior dog that embodied all the attributes of strength, unconquerable courage and gentleness with loved ones.
The United Kennel Club was the first registry to recognize the American Pit Bull Terrier. Its founder C. Z Bennett assigned the very first UKC registration number 1 to his own APBT in 1898. The AKC refusing to accept the American Pit Bull Terrier as a pure breed accepted the American Staffordshire Terrier in 1936 to avoid confusing it with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier of England.
The fundamental characteristics of the American Pit Bull Terrier are power, self-confidence, and passion for life. This breed is willing to please and is overflowing with enthusiasm. Blue Nose Pit Bulls make excellent family companions and have always been noted for their love of children. Most Blue Nose Pit Bulls exhibit some level of dog aggression and because of its powerful physique, they require an owner who will cautiously socialize and obedience train the dog. The breed’s natural agility makes it one of the most capable canine climbers so good fencing is a must for this breed. A Blue Nose Pit Bull is definitely not the best choice for a guard dog since they are extremely friendly, even with strangers. Aggressive behavior toward humans is uncharacteristic of the breed and highly unwanted. This breed does very well in performance events because of its high level of intelligence and its willingness to work.
Today the American Pit Bull Terrier continues to be one of the most popular breeds worldwide. This breed is not for everyone and requires responsible dog owners that will take the time to properly socialize and raise an extremely powerful dog.
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What is Mange? Mange is a class of persistent contagious skin diseases caused by parasitic mites. The most common of these are Red mange or demodectic mange. This type of mange affects physically vulnerable dogs such as puppies or seniors. It cause’s ragged, patchy hair loss sometimes accompanied by severe itching. If left untreated your dog will look very sick and unattractive.
The other common type of mange is Sarcoptic Mange also known as canine scabies. This infirmity is highly contagious and it is caused from mites burrowing in the dogs outer layers of the skin. The canine sarcoptic mite can also infest cats, pigs, sheep, horses and even humans as well as other various animals.
While there may be several different treatment plans out there, I have come to find out that only one method has proven to work for me. Before I get into that let me share something with you. Living in South Texas for a while I am not sure if the dry heat or the numeration of stray dogs had anything to do with it, but it seemed to be a mecca for mangy dogs. People didn’t take their dogs to get treated, their treatment plan was to go out to a remote sugar cane field and drop these defenseless creatures to fend for themselves.
I have also heard of home remedies such as soaking an infected mange dog with used motor oil. That is not an effective method and I think it is cruel. If you have ever dipped your hand in used motor oil you know it is hot and uncomfortable feeling. Imagine having that all over your body and standing out in direct sunlight in 100+ degree weather. Not a very nice picture, is it?
Several years ago I had a stray dachshund come in to our yard with my other pit bulls. This dog probably weighed 10 lbs wet with zero hair follicles and open sore wounds all over his body from scratching. I felt sorry for the dog and I was disgusted that someone had actually come by and dropped him off solving their problem. I isolated Peanut from the rest of the pack keeping an eye on him. I then assessed his weight and based on that I administered a dosage of Ivermectin serum subcutaneously on his neck area. I continued the treatment for the next 3 weeks and by week four he had gained all his hair and weight back. One thing to note, I began to notice results within 2 weeks of the treatment.
Ivermectin is not labeled to be used on dogs but it works. This medicine can be bought at any farm supply store and will cost you around $40 for a 50 ML bottle depending where you shop. I normally use an 18 gauge needle because the serum is thick. Figure out the dosage according to the weight of the animal to avoid over dose. After you have injected the animal massage the area really good. When in doubt always follow the label directions.
Note: I am not a veterinarian nor do I claim to be one. I am simply sharing some home remedies for those do it yourself people out there. This remedy was shared with me by a retired vet. I have used it for several years and it really works. Always follow the label directions when administering. If you have any questions always consult your veterinarian.
**This article is not meant to provide a diagnosis for your pet. If your dog is sick contact your veterinarian for assistance.**
Article Written By: Michelle 10 years old
I like Blue Nose Pit Bulls because they are very gentle and loving animals. They do funny things like grab food from your hands and they are also gentle with babies. There are several different kinds of colors that you can choose from. I have a blue nose pit bull, his name is Tantrum, he is brown and white and the best dog I have ever owned, and he is very funny. He grabs food with his lips and he can also catch it when you say catch it he is a good catcher. My dog is really good he can play with you and when you hold his paws he just plays on his back and he tries to bite but he doesn’t.
I also like pit bulls because they are very strong. My dog is a big sleeper he is also a big eater he has a big special tray that he can eat out of. I also have these two dogs their names are Ciara and Temper they are both good dogs they are also girls they like to play with Tantrum. Temper also jumps on him and puts her paws on his head but they are good dogs too. Ciara and Temper are big eaters too. They also like to play with people, Ciara was in the back yard once well all the dogs were in the backyard but any way Ciara was behind me and I bent down when she jumped on my back and put her muddy paws on the back of my favorite shirt but she is still a good dog she did it twice.
Temper is only 14 weeks she likes to play around when you start rubbing her stomach she lays down and rolls on her back and she will let you rub her tummy. When we go on walks Temper tries to catch up to tantrum she can catch up to him any ways Ciara doesn’t pull at all she just wants to run I was the one that had to walk her she pulled me a little bit but I didn’t care I ran a couple times. At night they sleep through the entire night but in the mornings Ciara and Temper get hyper and make noises when they see me I tell them to stop but they do not listen. Tantrum just lays there he is really lazy in the mornings.
Michelle – 10yrs
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CIARA
In general the APBT is not human aggressive. When properly socialized as a puppy, an APBT will lead a quiet and peaceful life. Some APBTs may go a lifetime without ever being in a confrontation with another dog, mainly due to the owners care and awareness about the breed. There are some cases of irresponsible pit bull owners that have and will train their dogs to attack people. That is one big mistake that should be avoided all together. If you have ever owned more than one a pit bull you have probably broken up a few fights every now and then in your own backyard. The APBT is a very focus animal with a never quit attitude that pound for pound is one the strongest dogs in the world. If you were to unleash an animal of this caliber on a human, well, there is really no competition. APBTs are not guard dogs, nor were they bred to be a guard dog. Their sole purpose in life was to be a fighter back in the pit days. If you are looking for a guard dog get a German Shepherd or a Rottweiler instead.
Tantrum, my Blue Nose Pit Bull is a very social and tranquil dog. Whenever we go on walks around the neighborhood, we come across children that will run up to him and start petting him without a care in the world. At times we have encountered older people that have an erroneous misconception about the breed and if they see us coming they will literally pick up their toy poodles start walking the other direction. It is a sad display of ignorance, but Tantrum does have that look to him that most people find intimidating. If they only knew what a sweet dog he is!
TANTRUM
Tantrum has been my very first Blue Nose Pit Bull that I have owned and the very first APBT that is non-aggressive towards other dogs. While taking walks at the park I have come across larger breeds like English Mastiffs or Great Danes and I can honestly say that he doesn’t want to start a fight. Now, I am not saying that he won’t fight; I am saying that he is a social animal.
Several years ago my cousin came home one night with this skinny, ugly, frightening looking dog. I could literally count the bones in his tail and rib cage, he was scarred up bad and you could tell he had been used in dog fights. The next morning I realized that the dog he had brought home was a poorly treated American Pit Bull Terrier. Of course, not knowing anything about the breed, I was afraid to keep him around. I had heard so many horror stories in the news about how bad these types of dogs were that I didn’t want anything to happen to my two toddlers.
Over the next few weeks I kept him in my back yard, watching him to make sure he was “safe” to keep around. He put on some weight and I slowly began to bring him around my children and family. His name came to be “Scar” because of the condition he was in when we found him.
To this very day Scar has been one of my favorite dogs ever. He was excellent around people, but he had one fault that I could not break. His over aggressiveness towards other animals was extreme. He could not come in contact with another dog of any color, shape or size; he would instinctively want to attack no matter what. The aggression he displayed was due to his poor socializing as a puppy and his previous owners used him for what I believe to be back yard dog fighting. To keep Scar safe and out of trouble I avoided meetings with other dogs and exercised him regularly to keep his mind occupied.
After that I ended up with a total of six pit bulls with Scar being the pack leader. The introduction was progressive until Scar was accepting of the other dogs. Since then, I have been passionate about raising pit bulls because there is not another dog out there that does it for me. I am a true fan of the American Pit Bull Terrier.
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TEMPER
Your decision to get an American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) is a big decision and not one that should be taken lightly. With good care and a loving home, your APBT can live up to 12 years, possibly more with proper care. To ensure that your dog lives a good healthy and happy life it requires regular checkups with your veterinarian.
If this sounds like a lot of responsibility you are correct. The time, money and effort you will spend will be worth it having this loving faithful friend for many years to come. When you are searching for a veterinarian, try to find one that is at least familiar with the American Pit Bull Terrier breed, to get the best possible care. You will be surprised of how many vets out there have prejudices about this breed.
Unfortunately, there are many dog owners who only take their APBT to the vet when there’s a problem with the dog. Often, it turns out to be a problem that could have been prevented with regular checkups. Identifying health problems early can serve as a deterrent of bigger complications or possible fatalities down the road. Doing these preventive maintenance checkups on your APBT will not only save you money but heart aches as well.
The APBT require booster vaccinations each year against canine distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvovirus. If you are a do it yourself type of person, you can go to your local farm supply store and purchase a dosage of Solo-Jec7® that you would administer yourself. Remember to always follow label directions. Another booster shot required is the rabies vaccine, which is done yearly and in some cases every 3 years depending on your veterinarian.
If this is your first time owning an APBT do not be discourage with the doctor visit costs, as they are not what you would expect. Some veterinarian clinics are quite reasonable in pricing and at times they are able to work with you if you ever needed. The important thing to keep in mind is your dog’s health. You can always shop around and compare cost and find one that meets your needs and best of all your pocket book.
TEMPER
Parasites
Parasites can make your APBT very sick and under extreme circumstances even result in a fatality if left untreated. Puppies can get their first worm medication at 2 weeks of age. Depending on the type of worm medication, the treatment may be repeated every two weeks until the age of 8 weeks. Always follow label directions.
Some of the most common worms your APBT should be protected against include roundworm, tapeworm, hookworm and heart-worm. A test for heart-worm should be given to your dog each spring along with a flea and tick treatment. As your dog gets older, providing them with parasite treatment twice a year should suffice.
Your Pit Bull should be current on all required vaccinations. Although these may vary by state or city, your vet will be able to keep you informed on what your Pit Bull needs and how often they are needed. Follow your vet’s advice! Again if the cost is what you are afraid off don’t worry it’s not that scary, check it out!
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Cropping is best described as removing part of a dog’s ears. Although there has been a lot of controversy regarding this practice, it continues to be a natural part of the life of many breeds, such as the American Pit Bull Terrier. Ears that are cropped give that signature look to any pit bull.
Ear cropping of pit bulls started when these dogs were used for fighting. Rather than risk injury and infection in the event that the other dog snagged, bit or ripped the dog’s ear, cropping became a norm in the dog fighting world. Ear cropping is usually performed around 12 weeks of age, it can also be done on older dogs but the risk of the ears not standing is far greater. I have raised many pit bulls of all shapes and colors and I never had any problems.
Only a qualified veterinarian should perform ear cropping. The procedure is done under general anesthesia and requires technical knowledge to ensure it’s done correctly. Some veterinarians will use sutures that dissolve and no additional visits are needed. In most cases the need to tape or bandage pit bulls ears is not necessary. Because time is required for the scars to heal and the ear muscles to adjust to the new size, recovery can take up to 2 weeks on average. This is only if the ears healed without an infection. In some cases where the procedure is not completely successful, the Pit Bull’s ears may still be floppy and the need to place posts may be necessary. Posting of the ears can be done by simply placing a tightly rolled up paper towel usually the size of the dogs ear and taping it in a way where the ear remains erect. Make sure that the tape is not too tight as it may cause blood circulation problems losing the ear all together. The post can be worn for about 3-5 days, leave it off for 2 days and back on for another 3-5 days. I will include a how to video demonstration on the next update.
There is much controversy involving the practice of ear cropping. Many breeders and owners have the process done so their Pit Bull will conform to the standard breed requirements for show dogs, while others believe ear cropping is not only unnecessary but also very cruel. Some countries have made ear cropping illegal such as Australia, United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, Germany and South Africa.
Although many states in the United States have tried to ban ear cropping, the American Kennel Club (AKC) has continued to oppose this ban. The belief of the American Kennel Club is that ear cropping is an acceptable practice in certain breed standards and an integral part in not only defining but preserving the character of the breed, preventing injuries and enhancing their overall good health.
The AKC also states that anyone that believes this procedure is unnecessary and cosmetic does not have a full knowledge and respect of the history of the breed or the function of certain purebred dogs.
For purposes of the UKC (United Kennel Club) show dog, the ears on the Pit Bull can be cropped or uncropped. However, ears that are uncropped must be short and held half prick. Ears with a full drop will result in the dog being penalized.
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If you’ve been in love with the breed of dog known as the American Pit Bull Terrier, you join millions of others in the world. This beautiful dog makes a wonderful pet and companion. However, if you’re considering getting your own Pit Bull, you’re going to hear different terms used in reference to this unique and fascinating dog. You’ll hear terms like “blue nose”, “red nose” or “APBT” and it will be beneficial if you know what these popular terms represent to the Pit Bull world.
APBT
APBT is a term used to describe the American Pit Bull Terrier. Although, for years people have referred to these dogs as simply “pit bulls”, their true name is Staffordshire terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, but most commonly American Pit Bull Terrier. Because this breed has become so popular with dog owners all over world, the term APBT is very well known in the dog world. The APBT became very popular after the breed was used in the movies, Buster Brown and The Little Rascals.
If you’ve been doing your research on the Pit Bull, you’re probably totally confused as to the difference between the Blue Nose Pit Bull and the Red Nose Pit Bull. Unfortunately, I can only clarify this so much for you.
While you’ll find one Pit Bull breeder that offers a special line of Pit Bulls known as Blue Nose Pit Bulls, another breeder is going to tell you that “blue nose” only describes their color. The one thing to keep in mind is that there is only one pit bull and this is the American Pit Bull Terrier. While there may be many types (working, show or different lines such as Colby, Razor’s Edge, etc.), they are still all The American Pit Bull Terrier.
The line types result from line breeding different pit bull colors and styles to get a specific dog that acts and looks a certain way. The most well known line of Pit Bull is the Colby line. Many of these line types were (sorrel) fawn color with a black nose, grayish blue with deep blue nose, rust colored with a reddish nose, etc.
The point I’m making is whether it is a blue nose or red nose they are all American Pit Bull Terriers. They are not a special breed, although many feel Blue Nose Pit Bulls are more rare and desirable. The color of the Pit bull is generally a result of the breeding between the dam and sire.
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