Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel Pit Bulls

Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake frequently walk their three dogs. Tina, is Biel's pit bull, while the two boxers are Timberlake's. Sometimes, Biel will unleash Tina to walk behind or around her and the two boxers. Although, this is generally not recommended with any dog, as incidents can occur.

Both admit to loving big dogs, which seems to be rare among celebs, who most often prefer small pocket-sized dogs they can carry around with them.

Pit Bulls truly suffer an unjustified reputation for aggression, and there are several myths that surround them. If more responsible pet owners stood out and spoke for their dogs, we may be able to revoke the fear.

Kudos for Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake for their care of Tina, the Pit Bull.




Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Jennifer Aniston's Pit Bull Mix

Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux adopted a pit bull mix. They named the pup Sophie, after Sophie's Choice because she admits it was a hard decision choosing just one puppy. Like in the movie, the mother had to choose which of her children would be killed and which would be sent to labor camp.

Sophie is a cute black and white puppy that she says has gotten into everything.

Sophie seems to get along just fine with Dolly, Aniston's German Shepherd.

So, as you can see, pit bulls and mixes are favored among celebrities just as they are everyone else.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Teach Your Dog to Speak

We already talk to our dogs enough, and many studies actually show that we talk to our dogs more than we talk to our spouses and significant others. Now, it's time to teach our dogs to speak back... Well, sort of...

Dogs bark anyway, so why not train your dog to bark on cue. It's a fun trick that isn't that hard to train. My Pit Bull caught on quickly, but watch out training your dog to speak if you're sitting at the dinner table. It didn't take long and Mia was barking at us while we ate whether she was asked or not, and again, it didn't take long for her to realize she only got a treat if she was asked to bark.

Anyway, you may find an easier way to train your dog to bark on command, but here is a simple method of training your dog to speak.

You'll want to first figure out what's the easiest way to get your dog to bark. Is it going to be having someone knock on the door, teasing him with a favorite toy or treat, ringing the doorbell, etc. Once you've figured out an easy way to get your dog to bark, do it.

You will want to entice your dog to bark, and when he does, praise and treat him. When your dog barks, give a cue so that you're beginning the cue and behavior association.

If you want to make sure that your dog will stop barking on cue, you'll want to entice him to bark, praise, and treat him, and once he's finished swallowing his treat, give a cue to have him stop. Some may choose the 'Shh' gesture, giving it right in front of your dogs face, which will startle him and he'll stop. Praise and treat immediately.

You'll want to repeat the process several times. Eventually, you'll probably start to notice that your dog will bark once and stop, expecting your to 'Shh' him immediately, so you'll want to vary it a bit. You don't want your dog to learn to bark and stop with one cue. You want him to understand what his 'quiet' cue means, so vary up the number of barks preceding the 'Shh' cue.

Once your dog starts to figure out 'speak' and 'shh,' you'll be able to have your bark on command, as well as be quiet when he becomes a nuisance.

Friday, January 13, 2012

Train Your Dog to Fetch

If your dog just can't get the grasp of fetching, then you can teach him. Not all dogs automatically understand the game, but that doesn't mean that they can't learn how to play.

There are different ways that you may consider training your dog how to fetch, here is just one method of training your dog.

Make sure that you have a few toys or items that your dog can play with. It's best to have some of your dog's favorite toys. Once you have the toys ready, it's best to start in a room with little distractions, which means no other pets, foods, toys, etc. Tease your dog with one of the toys until he grabs at it. If your dog gets the toy and tries to run off, that's fine; you'll want to hold up another toy. When your dog loosens grip or drops the one toy, praise and hold out the toy in your hand.

Next, you'll want to wiggle the new toy to make it enticing to grab. Let your dog grab at the toy, while you pick up the other toy on the ground. When the dog drops the one toy, make him reach for the one you've just picked up and let him take it.

Let your dog run off but when he's coming back in your direction with the toy in his mouth, you'll want to praise and hold up the second toy. When the dog drops the toy in his mouth, praise and throw the toy you have at him, and retrieve the one that was just dropped.

Call your dog back to you, and then he gets close hold up the toy you have, when your dog drops the one in his mouth, praise and throw the toy you have past him so he has to run out to get it. Continue repeating this process passing the toys back and forth. Eventually, your dog will start to drop the toy at your feet so that you can throw it.

You don't want to over stimulate your dog. Like any training session, if you make it too much like work, then your dog will quit, so watch for signs of fatigue. The entire process may take days, depending on how fast it takes your dog to grasp the concept of dropping the one toy so to run after the other that you've thrown at him.

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Mark Buehrle's Dog is Banned from Miami-Dade County

Mark Buehrle just signed a four-year, $58 million deal with Miami, but one of his four dogs isn't welcome to live in Miami-Dade County. Slater is Buehrle's 18 month old American Staffordshire Terrier, and he falls under the specifics as a 'pitbull'.

Miami-Dade County has had their pit bull ban in effect since 1989, which Buehrle wasn't aware of when he signed his contract with the Miami Marlins. He has said that he wouldn't have signed with the Marlins if he hadn't been able to find a housing alternative for Slater and the rest of the family.

Mark Buehrle was headlined at wishing Vick hurt, but like any other dog lover, he avoided the ban by moving to Broward County. There's just a longer commute to the field, but Buehrle gets to keep his beloved blue dog.

Buehrle speaks out against pit bulls bans, saying "it's kind of ridiculous that because of the way a dog looks, people will ban it. Every kind of dog has good and bad, and that depends on the handlers. If you leave a dog outside all the time, it'll be crazy. Slater would never do anything harmful.''

Jamie and Mark adopted Slater after Mrs. Buehrle fell in love with the pup while working with an animal rescue group. Slater fits in wonderfully with the three Viszlas that the family has- Diesel, Drake, and Duke.

Slater even fits in well when he's taken to various stadiums where his dad plays.

This case had a happy ending where Buehrle did not have to give up his beloved dog, but only moved to a county that accepts his dog.

This is one more case to bring attention to unnecessary pitbull bans. Not everyone has the ability to find a nearby county that will accept their dogs, but for those who can, it's much easier to move than to lose a beloved pet who has not done anything to deserve the hatred that it receives.

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Train Your Pit Bull

Pit bulls are not the best dog for all owners, as not all owners know how to train, socialize, and care for the dogs. These are very powerful dogs, much like Rottweilers, German Shepherds, and Mastiffs. The power behind the muscles that these dogs have is tremendous, and it is very important that you properly train your dog.

You don't want to end up like Rachel Ray, having to make the decision of whether or not to put your dog down because she bit the ear off another dog while on a walk. Although, this happened back in 2010, it's still a concern, as this was the third incident that the dog has had.

Unfortunately, there are just some dogs that aren't with the right owner, and this may be the case with Rachel Ray and many pit bull owners.

There is truly a home for every dog, and in some cases, dogs are mis-homed and suffer.

If you've decided to take on an American Pit Bull Terrier, make sure that you know what you're doing. The breed is not a first time dog breed.

You'll want to make sure that you start training and socializing the day that you bring the dog home. Whether the dog is an 8 week old puppy or a 3 year old dog, you want the new canine to learn you and your rules from day one.

Never change the rules because of the one time it's ok. When you change the rules, you set your dog up for future failure.

Rachel Ray may still have her dog, Isaboo, but that doesn't mean that your town or state will allow your dog multiple dog attacks. There are many areas that have a one bite rule or a three bite rule. Basically, one bite and the dog gets put down, or up to three bites and it's mandatory euthanasia.

Not all pit bulls are going to attack every living and moving thing, but as the human in the house, it is your responsibility to take care of preventing any attack at all possible costs.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Pitweiler - Pit Bull Rottweiler Mix

There are so many different dog breed mixes, so it's not uncommon to find funny names for some of the more common mixes. One of the popular pit bull mix breed dogs is the Rottweiler Pit Bull mix, which is more commonly referred to as the Pitweiler, Bullrott, Rottbull, Prott, RottPit, and various names in-between. But, when it all comes down to it, the Bullrott is nothing more than a Pit Bull Rottweiler mix.

This mix of dog can be a powerful dog. This mix will be an emotional dog, loving, and affectionate. This mix will be loyal, noble, and very goofy. The Pitweiler will have a great temperament, especially as long as it is socialized at a young age.

A Pit Bull Rottweiler will have a tendency to have high energy and dominance concerns. Being that both breeds are great with children, you'll find that the mix will also be great with kids, but with any large breed dog, you'll want to make sure that you don't leave any young child unsupervised with this mix.

As for looks and the overall appearance of a Rottbull, you'll find that as a mix, the appearance will vary. The overall appearance, will be strong, powerful, and  pronounced. The dog will weigh about 45 to 100 pounds, and will have short hair, large muscles, and large feet.

The health issues will vary, as this is a mix breed dog, but you can average the health concerns by those of the parent breeds- Pit Bull and Rottie. Hip dysplasia, chicken allergies, and dry skin, are potential health problems to keep in mind.


The average lifespan will vary between 10 to 15 years.


If you think that you want to bring a pit bull rottweiler mix into your home, check your local shelter for something like what you're looking for. As with any dog breeds and mixes, shelters and rescues are always going to be your best place to look first.
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