This is Mia. I adopted Mia from the local SPCA in September, while the workers there do all they can for the animals you can't help but feel sad for all the dogs and cats who spend the majority of their day locked in a cage desperate for attention. This shelter like so many others was simply packed with animals, in this case there were many pitbulls, probably due to an incredible amount of bad press and a breed specific legislation that was passed in a nearby city causing many owners to give up their pets. Mia has been home with me for 2 months now, she still has work to do on her training (mostly being able to greet new people without jumping up), but she is a happy, healthy and super friendly dog. So without further ado...
pretty girl. Has a gorgeous face. I might be tempted to crop the first one a bit at top and bottom to create a shot of just her head/face.
"Jumping up" is a very common issue with people-oriented dogs, but is also pretty easy to fix. When people come over to your place tell them that you are training Mia and that if she jumps up on them, they should simply cross their arms and turn their back on her and ignore her till she quits (getting people to consistently do this is the hardest part of the training!). Once she quits the episode of jumping up, tell her to sit (one command only) and give a little treat of cheese or something yummy AS SOON AS her rear hits the floor. Then have the visitor do the same thing. You don't have to tell her "no" or "off" or physically correct her, she will learn fairly quickly that to get attention she simply has to politely sit and wait. Interestingly, this technique was used over 100 years ago by the man who created the German Shepherd Dog breed.
Genes Home wrote:
pretty girl. Has a gorgeous face. I might be tempted to crop the first one a bit at top and bottom to create a shot of just her head/face.
"Jumping up" is a very common issue with people-oriented dogs, but is also pretty easy to fix. When people come over to your place tell them that you are training Mia and that if she jumps up on them, they should simply cross their arms and turn their back on her and ignore her till she quits (getting people to consistently do this is the hardest part of the training!). Once she quits the episode of jumping up, tell her to sit (one command only) and give a little treat of cheese or something yummy AS SOON AS her rear hits the floor. Then have the visitor do the same thing. You don't have to tell her "no" or "off" or physically correct her, she will learn fairly quickly that to get attention she simply has to politely sit and wait. Interestingly, this technique was used over 100 years ago by the man who created the German Shepherd Dog breed.
I've actually been using this method (I raised puppies for the Seeing Eye previously so I have a bunch of training experience), she just isn't picking up as fast as previous dogs and she's just generally more excited around new people I think. I'm sure she'll get there, I'm hoping some of the excitement will also dissipate with age as she grows more accustomed to being around new people.
+1 .. but getting people to be consistent to help w/ her training is the hard part. :-)
We've modified it to use Cesar Milan's approach of "no touch, no talk, no eye contact" until the dogs are calm (we have 3) and only then can they be called to come over and greet visitors politely. Prior to that we had 3 large dogs rushing visitors and each trying to get their attention and affection; now they are ALMOST there in being polite and respectful to guests.
Thank you for looking past the negative stereotypes of this great breed and adopting such a sweet girl. She's beautiful and I'm very happy to hear that you are working on her training and socialization. The pictures are excellent, I especially like the first one, it really shows her beautiful coloring and markings. It's sad that many communities are passing breed-specific legislation when it is normally the dog owner who is the problem, not the dog. Great organizations like "Best Friends" are making great progress in educating people and rehabilitating dogs. Most recently they have rehabilitated many of the dogs (primarily Pit Bulls) used by Michael Vick for dog fighting. And when you see how sweet they are, even after the horrible situations they have been in, you can see what incredible creatures they are.
Wishing you and her all the best.
jeff
Genes Home wrote:
"Jumping up" is a very common issue with people-oriented dogs, but is also pretty easy to fix. When people come over to your place tell them that you are training Mia and that if she jumps up on them, they should simply cross their arms and turn their back on her and ignore her till she quits (getting people to consistently do this is the hardest part of the training!). Once she quits the episode of jumping up, tell her to sit (one command only) and give a little treat of cheese or something yummy AS SOON AS her rear hits the floor. Then have the visitor do the same thing. You don't have to tell her "no" or "off" or physically correct her, she will learn fairly quickly that to get attention she simply has to politely sit and wait. Interestingly, this technique was used over 100 years ago by the man who created the German Shepherd Dog breed.
Great pictures and beautiful dog! As an owner of a pit mix, I can definitely sympathize with the discrimination these dogs can face. It's really sad how breed specific legislation can punish the good dogs/owners while having questionable benefit. I can't tell you how many dirty looks I've gotten while walking our dog Olive (in my avatar) from people who don't know dogs that well. It's funny how stereotypes can blind people to the fact that a dog with a wagging tail and playful look on their face is not trying to eat them but is in fact just looking for some love...
By the way - when we were training Olive, the magic treats were cut up pieces of all-beef hot dogs. While she would tire of conventional doggy treats, nothing could get her attention away from me when she knew that good behavior would result in a bit of a hot dog!
I see Luke here also, howdy. Our pits have changed a lot of attitudes making friends wherever we took them. Patches favorite people were kids, you could just see her light up when the grandkids came, she really loved to play with them and they loved to run with Patches. I know this is off topic but I just had to congratulate those who keep this breed and know their virtues.
Mia is just now becoming food motivated. In fact when I first brought her home she was 9 months old, I gave her a treat and she didn't know what to do with it. Now she knows where I keep her treats and is at attention anytime I walk past there
Luke Mislinski wrote:
Great pictures and beautiful dog! As an owner of a pit mix, I can definitely sympathize with the discrimination these dogs can face. It's really sad how breed specific legislation can punish the good dogs/owners while having questionable benefit. I can't tell you how many dirty looks I've gotten while walking our dog Olive (in my avatar) from people who don't know dogs that well. It's funny how stereotypes can blind people to the fact that a dog with a wagging tail and playful look on their face is not trying to eat them but is in fact just looking for some love...
By the way - when we were training Olive, the magic treats were cut up pieces of all-beef hot dogs. While she would tire of conventional doggy treats, nothing could get her attention away from me when she knew that good behavior would result in a bit of a hot dog!...Show more →
formula4speed wrote:
Mia is just now becoming food motivated. In fact when I first brought her home she was 9 months old, I gave her a treat and she didn't know what to do with it. Now she knows where I keep her treats and is at attention anytime I walk past there
Quick learners, aren't they ;-)
Hey Larry - you're right about changing people's opinions. I remember when we got our Pit, Olive, my dad believed that pit bulls were the most evil breed on the planet. And he's a dog lover. After meeting Olive, he was smitten with her in the first 5 minutes...
Oh - for some encouragement, Pits are the only dogs our border collie seems to get along with. He attacks nearly all others. Sad. We have to give him away, but it's been very difficult for us. Anyway, we haven't had any bad experiences with pits so far!
