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pixienmandi
Puppy
Joined: 30 Jun 2008
Posts: 2
Location: Albany NY
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 Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 8:45 pm Post subject: 18 month old Pit Bull Terrier Mix - Questions |
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| Ok, so I just got my lil' lady from the shelter last week, and really enjoy her. She has already taken to the crate, and stays in there when we are gone. She did have two-three mistakes in the last week, but all in all, is doing pretty well. I had yet to see any aggression in her, and she is very good around my 8-year-old son - but there have been two times, (1) where she actually got loose and started bolting major. I was playing with her and she started getting a bit more aggressive and anxious for the tennis ball. (Maybe I should have noticed and attempted to calm her first) So, I threw the ball - and she once again started bolting! The chain I have for her back there did hold up this time, but I am worried that she will just break it, and then I also wonder if I should really just fully fence in my back yard so she can have these running fits. It is my first time owning one of these breeds, and I really enjoy her, but don't know exactly what is best just yet. My back yard is 3/4 of the way fenced, but I have two dogs on the one side (whom she has yet to meet) and the front and side are open. If I am gone 6 - 8 hours a day, even though she gets walked both morning and night, does she need to be able to run or can she just be trained to not do so. { OK - THAT WAS WAYY TOO MUCH RAMBLING } Any ideas, suggestions? Questions? Help?? |
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Ph1ngering
Alpha Dog
Joined: 27 Dec 2006
Posts: 824
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| Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 9:32 pm Post subject: |
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Yeah they have a ton of energy.. You'll have to find an out let for it or it can become destructive, chewing ect... I chains are good, but i like the thick cables, most pet stores have them..
My wife and I both work as well so its 8-9 hours in a crate for junior as well. So when we get him his pretty wound up.. Usually throwing the ball for 30 minutes seem to get him pretty tuckered, then a short walk later.. But he'll still have high energy runs through the house at 100 mph..
A tired dog is a well behaved one.. Now I am done rambling.. Hope i said something usefull.. LOL |
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Meadowbrooks
Alpha Dog
Joined: 12 Dec 2007
Posts: 1405
Location: va
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| Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 4:37 am Post subject: |
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This breed has great drive.. It is what the breed is all about..
For the running.. Do you mean she tries to take off and get away? That is what it sounds like.. There might be many issues with her and maybe the reasons she was at the shelter or a very bad up bringing that gave her issues.. Just take your time and work thru them.. When she learns you are there for her and you are not like the old owners, she will come around. I would finish the fence if you already have 3/4 of it up. But I would not leave her out in the fenced in yard all day when you aren't home. JMO |
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Sagebrush
Omega Dog
Joined: 11 Jan 2008
Posts: 135
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| Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 11:02 am Post subject: Re: 18 month old Pit Bull Terrier Mix - Questions |
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| pixienmandi wrote: |
| My back yard is 3/4 of the way fenced, but I have two dogs on the one side (whom she has yet to meet) and the front and side are open. If I am gone 6 - 8 hours a day, even though she gets walked both morning and night, does she need to be able to run or can she just be trained to not do so. { OK - THAT WAS WAYY TOO MUCH RAMBLING } Any ideas, suggestions? Questions? Help?? |
In my opinion, dogs DO need an area where they can just be a dog, without a leash and YOU behind them all the time. Build the fence and on the side where there are other dogs, build YOUR fence away from it. Fence-running and fighting is NO fun.
I believe dogs do need to be able to cruise a yard, roll in (and eat!) the grass, poop and pee freely and yes, RUN AROUND if they feel like it - to play with the water hose or a springpole, etc. Why would you want to train a dog not to run? Dogs have such structured, confined lives these days, IF you have a yard for them to enjoy, fix it so they CAN! Of course, continue with the usual training, walks, etc...
I've moved several times in my life -- the most valuable possession I have are dozens and dozens of 10' chain link panels that I haul with me each and every time I move to enable me to make a yard for my dogs.
Carla |
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pixienmandi
Puppy
Joined: 30 Jun 2008
Posts: 2
Location: Albany NY
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| Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 12:39 pm Post subject: In response, and a thank you thus far! |
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Thanks for the responses thus far. I agree that she needs an area to run that is for sure. I do sit out in the backyard with her for 45 minutes to an hour twice a day, throw the ball with her - walk her through the neighborhood for 20 minutes to a 1/2 an hour twice daily as well. 90% of the time, she is fine! It has just been these two occurrences where she just goes wild. I guess she does seem to just want to bolt around the backyard in raging circles... but she heads for the places that are open and where she is not allowed. I just can't determine the best thing for her... Is it to fence in the yard in its entirety (making sure of course that there is space between her fence and the neighbors)? Or possibly an electric fence? or a shock collar? Another thing... how tall should the fence be? (I must sound crazy, but I want to make sure I do as much as possible right).
On another note, when I picked her up @ the shelter - they did say she was brought back b/c she chases squirrels. Mind you, she also attempts to go after rabbits as well, but I keep hold of her and try to get her back in focus. Dogs are going to chase small animals - it is their nature. I just have to make sure she doesn't do it while walking her - b/c that is when I am in total control. |
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Meadowbrooks
Alpha Dog
Joined: 12 Dec 2007
Posts: 1405
Location: va
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| Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 12:47 pm Post subject: |
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I was thinking that you meant she would take off from you, when you said bolted.. Like not for fun but no listening and taking off like she didn't want to be by you.. Sorry.. I misunderstood...
I took a dog back before because the owners was mad because they let the 7 month old dog out with their rabbit and let her chase it and when the dog caught it and killed it, they didn't want the dog anymore.. Said she had a temperament issue... People friggen kill me. |
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