In the last couple of days I have stumbled over a number of very excellent blogs about pit bulls. So many in fact, that I've decided to resurrect my blogroll and start a pit bull blogroll. There are some seriously excellent pit bull blogs out there and with all the misinformation about pit bulls everywhere, I figure spreading the truth is a good thing. If you're not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. So that's on my list of things to do.
While cruising these blogs I learned some things about my 2. First, for some reason that I can not begin to understand I never considered the fact that they have a prey drive. Seriously. We go on walks and if they spot a mongoose or a chicken or, in one place, a rabbit, they seriously lose their minds. I never thought of their prey drive. That would also explain why they go crazy when they see other dogs running. Okay, I got it now and I'm going to work on ways to combat it. Knowledge is power.
Another thing I read is about dominance. I am a fan of Cesar's but I don't agree completely with him. For example, he suggests that a dog walking out in front of you is them being pack leader. I've always somewhat disagreed with that because with my dogs, although they do walk in front of me a little, when something happens they look to me. I've seen packs of animals in the wild and it's not always easy to spot the leader, s/he is not always the one in front. Also, I agree that relations dog-to-dog is one thing, but dog-to-people is very different. I've been reading some of the blogs and there apparently are people who agree with me so that makes me feel better. Also, I have never agreed with his laying a dog down to prove dominance, I don't like that and I don't think it's right. What I noticed with my 2 is that the time I spent with them went much further than trying to assume dominance. This summer I was with them almost 24/7 and they learned a lot about me and I learned a lot about them. I think that has been the most important thing I could have done. They learned to not only read me but to trust me completely. Nothing I do now is scary or frightening to them. Axl used to flinch when I touched him if he wasn't expecting it - he doesn't do that anymore. He knows my touch and he knows I would never, ever hurt him. So in that way I think mutual trust and respect go a lot further than just dominating the animal. It's nice to know that there are so many people out there trying to improve the image of the pit bull.
Due to Hubby's work schedule, they have not been getting their walks regularly. I attempted to walk them alone but that went crazy quickly. When we walk regularly Lola has a very specific potty schedule, but since we've been off the walk schedule her potty schedule has been off. As a result she has had some accidents in the house. Not because she's not housebroken (which is a term I hate) but because she can't plan ahead. I know we are going to bed and I take them out and try to get them to go but they don't understand that they won't have access to the yard for about 8 hours. It's not like they can use the toilets in the house. Now that Hubby is not working nights anymore we will hopefully get back into our regularly scheduled pooping.
I do believe that catches me up to date on the animal front. The birds are doing fine though they are not happy I am not home more now. They will adjust though. Okay, I'm off to try and get Hubby out of bed so we can walk those there dogs.
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