Can't Teach An Old Dog New Tricks?

When my grandmother became too ill to take care of her dog dog, Sandra, we took her in. The dog was 15 years old and had spent her entire life on table scraps.

Grandmother fed her directly from the table, and did not even require that the dog eat out of her own dish. As a result, Sandra had developed an absolutely horrible yoddel whenever somebody was sitting at the table.

Sandra also made a beeline out of the gate the minute it was opened. Many of our neighbors blamed the fact that she was a rescued dog (Terrier-Chihuahua mix), and thought it was an incurable dob problem that we would just have to live with.

Not so.

For her first meal at our house, Sandra was served dog food ... in her own dish ... just like our other dog. She ate it.

After only two escape stunts, she quickly learned that "come" meant "come" in this house!

Sandra did receive table scraps as an occasional treat when she was quiet and behaving properly ... placed in her own bowl ... and the yoddeling was no more!

Pit Bull - What Makes So Many of Them Mean?

No, it's not because they have bad owners.

And it is certainly not because they are "killer dogs."

My parents had a Pit Bull before I was born, and until I was age nine. My twin and I crawled over her and played with her as any toddler would. Sometimes, she would snuggle with us. Other times, she would stare at me with a "Oh, have mercy!" expression, and go and hide for a while.

There are two reasons that contribute more than anything else to the bad rap given the Pit Bull:

1. Many people get these dogs and confine them to a small yard, expecting them to entertain themselves. It doesn't work that way.

Pit Bulls are dogs that have great energy and stamina (just as most of the other dogs who have a bad rep).

They were bred for one purpose... and, NO again, it wasn't fighting!

The breeding purpose of Pit Bulls was simply because of their massive jaws. They locked and held onto determined bulls that needed to be brought in, specifically ones that had injured cowboys or other valuable cattle dogs.

They saved the lives of many people.

If someone decides to adopt a Pit Bull, they are going to have to commit to a rigorous exercise routine.

This keeps away boredom. Boredom unattended to leads to frustration, and frustration leads to aggression.

2. The other common reason is that what we call the "American Pit Bull Terrier" is no longer a true Pit Bull. It has been crossed with another breed specifically for the look. This mixed breeding creates insanity over time.

First generation mixed breeds are one thing. You get some pretty cool dogs out of that. Second generation and on, you've got problems ....

And of course, there are the ever popular myths that people believe about Pit Bulls - but why go into those, when that's what everyone argues about?

Click here to find out more about the true character and origin of the Pit Bull.

Best Holiday Dog Winner

Paw Persuasion announces the winners of its first annual "HOLIDAY DOG Photo Contest." Click here to see the full page of winners and precious pets - 2006 BEST HOLIDAY DOG.



Santa was good to our Winner, Chico, of Laurelton, NY. This sweet, 3 month old Pit Bull is a rescued dog lovingly adopted by Marukah from Biscuits and Bath on the Upper East Side in Manhattan.



Don't miss the rest of the wonderful pets - especially Guido and Annie, or Ellen's T'was the night before Christmas... See them here: 2006 BEST HOLIDAY DOG PICTURE PAGE.

Have some great dog pictures to share?
CONTACT US and send JPG images as email attachments, along with your testimonials of how Rena's articles, newsletter, blog, and/or coaching have helped you, or with your own true Dog Story. These will be published periodically throughout the year.

Rena