Post by RealPitBull on Feb 5, 2008 9:20:24 GMT -5
Overcoming a bad rep
www.maryvilledailyforum.com/articles/2008/02/04/news/news1.txt
Published: Monday, February 4, 2008 9:38 PM CST
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-Photo by MEGAN CRAWFORD/Daily Forum Eddie Graves and his American Pit Bull Terrier companion, Roxie, are enrolled in the 4-week obedience training course taught by certified trainer Amy Mathias. Mathias uses a once a week, over a 4-week period, course because it teaches them the necessary basic behaviors. Roxie, who Graves and girlfriend adopted from the New Nodaway Humane Society in Maryville, has been very shy around men, but works well with other dogs. Graves hopes to socialize his pit bull during the class.
What the public needs to know about pit bulls
By MEGAN CRAWFORD
mcrawford@maryvilledailyforum.com
Forum Reporter
Standing in the back room in Movie Magic, watching owners teach their dogs obedience, giving them treats, an occasional belly rub, and most importantly instructing their pets to several easy commands, one would never know this particular dog breed is feared by millions of Americans.
With all the hype in the news about pit bulls attacking people, it's no wonder people fear the breed that can be a wonderful companion; said certified dog trainer Amy Mathias.
"There aren't usually bad pets, just bad owners," Mathias said.
Starting two weeks ago, Mathias and her partner Sandy Greeno, have been training a group of seven pit bulls (or more specifically American Pit Bull Terriers) right here in Maryville.
Kristina Martinez, pit bull owner and board member of the New Nodaway Humane Society, first approached Mathias about getting obedience training for pit bulls in the area.
"I am so glad she got a hold of me," Mathias said. "She, like many, was concerned that pit bulls get a bad rap. But any dog can be a good citizen, even living in a small community."
After the second training session Saturday, Mathias said she could already see their hard work paying off.
"A couple of these dogs were very timid, very shy," she said. "Today they were more able to get around and socialize."
Eddie Graves and Christa Woods, owner of pit bull Roxie, said that before they enrolled her in training she was very shy and timid socially, and was especially apprehensive around men.
Having adopted her from the New Nodaway Humane Society over a year and a half ago, Graves said it took nearly a year to teach Roxie to sit, but that already in just two sessions, they are seeing great improvement.
"She's learning little tricks," Woods said. "But it's a little hard when we get home around our other dog."
When Woods first set eyes on Roxie, she was set apart from the other dogs at the Humane Society, but she slowly gained the trust of the skeptical pit bull.
"It took some time, but eventually I gained her trust and the Humane Society's trust and I became the only one they'd let take her out of her pen," she said.
It didn't take long to see that the shy pit bull, formerly from an abusive home, was very loving and attentive toward her future owner.
"She's definitely a mama's girl now," Woods said.
Christina Keller, Northwest Missouri State University senior and member of the Northwest Advocates for Animal Awareness group, has been volunteering her time for the past two Saturdays to take a mixed pit bull, Precious, who is currently staying in a foster home, to the obedience training course.
"She has been volunteering her time to help train this foster dog, and I think it is extremely commendable," Mathias said.
Mathias, who become AKC certified in 1995, said that training with this particular breed didn't take any additional rules.
"I use the same basic obedience classes with every dog," she said. "Dogs aren't usually born bad; it has to come from the person. If they aren't doing their job as an owner, they are letting the dogs down."
And like many of the dogs left in shelters around the United States, pit bulls often come from abusive homes, or even worse come from dog fighting rings.
"People misuse them to get a profit off of them," Mathias said.
Once a breed for larger, metropolitan communities, Mathias said many are spreading out to rural communities, which may be why Maryville has a large population of pit bulls.
So why does the public hear about dog bites when it's a pit bull doing the biting?
"Pit bulls have a bad rep because they have a stronger bite," Mathias said. "Even though statistically, smaller dogs have a tendency to bite more."
According to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), there are over 4.5 million dog bites each year, and that "while breed is one factor that contributes to a dog's temperament, it alone cannot be used to predict whether a dog may pose a danger to his or her community."
Another story on the HSUS Web site stated, "pit bull guardians and animal welfare groups say that it is irresponsible owners and poor breeding — not an inherently vicious breed — that are to blame when pit bulls exhibit aggressive behavior towards humans."
After dog attacks, communities are often times quick to try and pass legislation banning that specific breed. Information obtained from the HSUS Web site said that is never an ideal answer for several reasons. A dog's tendency to bite is a product of several factors: lack of early socialization, mistraining for fighting or increased aggression, genetic makeup, quality care of owner, behavior of the victim and whether the dog has been spayed or neutered.
While some pit bulls are euthanised after the abuse and injuries they sustained are too overwhelming, many can be rehabilitated, Mathias said.
"If you stay structured, consistent and persistent, they'll get it," she said. "But if you don't, they're not going to get it. They are instinctively carnivores; they have to be taught to be domesticated."
Mathias used to give a 13-week training course for obedience, but has since shortened that to a 4-week course.
"I think it's just the right amount of time, for a standard to give basics," she said.
As with all of her training, Mathias and her partner only use positive reinforcement to teach dogs.
"I will not condone dominance, spanking or yanking their collars," she said. "I don't want to learn that way, and I don't think they should have to either."
Mathias, co-owner of Smitten Pet Sitten, also offers advanced obedience training, pet sitting, walking and other services. Mathias also has a full-time job, but views her pet business not as a money maker, but as a love.
"Believe me, if I could make this my full-time job, I would," she said.
For more information on dog obedience training and their Smitten Pet Sitten business, call (660) 528-1700 anytime or (660) 528-0764 anytime after 4 p.m., or weekends and holidays. The Smitten Pet Sitten Web site can be found at http:/www.geocities.com/smittenpetsitten/.
Mathias and Greeno offer pet sitting services such as walking, medication handling and companionship. They also provide home security services and instinctive dog training for behavior modification, basic obedience, tricks and specialized courses and canine good citizen.
www.maryvilledailyforum.com/articles/2008/02/04/news/news1.txt
Published: Monday, February 4, 2008 9:38 PM CST
E-mail this story | Print this page
-Photo by MEGAN CRAWFORD/Daily Forum Eddie Graves and his American Pit Bull Terrier companion, Roxie, are enrolled in the 4-week obedience training course taught by certified trainer Amy Mathias. Mathias uses a once a week, over a 4-week period, course because it teaches them the necessary basic behaviors. Roxie, who Graves and girlfriend adopted from the New Nodaway Humane Society in Maryville, has been very shy around men, but works well with other dogs. Graves hopes to socialize his pit bull during the class.
What the public needs to know about pit bulls
By MEGAN CRAWFORD
mcrawford@maryvilledailyforum.com
Forum Reporter
Standing in the back room in Movie Magic, watching owners teach their dogs obedience, giving them treats, an occasional belly rub, and most importantly instructing their pets to several easy commands, one would never know this particular dog breed is feared by millions of Americans.
With all the hype in the news about pit bulls attacking people, it's no wonder people fear the breed that can be a wonderful companion; said certified dog trainer Amy Mathias.
"There aren't usually bad pets, just bad owners," Mathias said.
Starting two weeks ago, Mathias and her partner Sandy Greeno, have been training a group of seven pit bulls (or more specifically American Pit Bull Terriers) right here in Maryville.
Kristina Martinez, pit bull owner and board member of the New Nodaway Humane Society, first approached Mathias about getting obedience training for pit bulls in the area.
"I am so glad she got a hold of me," Mathias said. "She, like many, was concerned that pit bulls get a bad rap. But any dog can be a good citizen, even living in a small community."
After the second training session Saturday, Mathias said she could already see their hard work paying off.
"A couple of these dogs were very timid, very shy," she said. "Today they were more able to get around and socialize."
Eddie Graves and Christa Woods, owner of pit bull Roxie, said that before they enrolled her in training she was very shy and timid socially, and was especially apprehensive around men.
Having adopted her from the New Nodaway Humane Society over a year and a half ago, Graves said it took nearly a year to teach Roxie to sit, but that already in just two sessions, they are seeing great improvement.
"She's learning little tricks," Woods said. "But it's a little hard when we get home around our other dog."
When Woods first set eyes on Roxie, she was set apart from the other dogs at the Humane Society, but she slowly gained the trust of the skeptical pit bull.
"It took some time, but eventually I gained her trust and the Humane Society's trust and I became the only one they'd let take her out of her pen," she said.
It didn't take long to see that the shy pit bull, formerly from an abusive home, was very loving and attentive toward her future owner.
"She's definitely a mama's girl now," Woods said.
Christina Keller, Northwest Missouri State University senior and member of the Northwest Advocates for Animal Awareness group, has been volunteering her time for the past two Saturdays to take a mixed pit bull, Precious, who is currently staying in a foster home, to the obedience training course.
"She has been volunteering her time to help train this foster dog, and I think it is extremely commendable," Mathias said.
Mathias, who become AKC certified in 1995, said that training with this particular breed didn't take any additional rules.
"I use the same basic obedience classes with every dog," she said. "Dogs aren't usually born bad; it has to come from the person. If they aren't doing their job as an owner, they are letting the dogs down."
And like many of the dogs left in shelters around the United States, pit bulls often come from abusive homes, or even worse come from dog fighting rings.
"People misuse them to get a profit off of them," Mathias said.
Once a breed for larger, metropolitan communities, Mathias said many are spreading out to rural communities, which may be why Maryville has a large population of pit bulls.
So why does the public hear about dog bites when it's a pit bull doing the biting?
"Pit bulls have a bad rep because they have a stronger bite," Mathias said. "Even though statistically, smaller dogs have a tendency to bite more."
According to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), there are over 4.5 million dog bites each year, and that "while breed is one factor that contributes to a dog's temperament, it alone cannot be used to predict whether a dog may pose a danger to his or her community."
Another story on the HSUS Web site stated, "pit bull guardians and animal welfare groups say that it is irresponsible owners and poor breeding — not an inherently vicious breed — that are to blame when pit bulls exhibit aggressive behavior towards humans."
After dog attacks, communities are often times quick to try and pass legislation banning that specific breed. Information obtained from the HSUS Web site said that is never an ideal answer for several reasons. A dog's tendency to bite is a product of several factors: lack of early socialization, mistraining for fighting or increased aggression, genetic makeup, quality care of owner, behavior of the victim and whether the dog has been spayed or neutered.
While some pit bulls are euthanised after the abuse and injuries they sustained are too overwhelming, many can be rehabilitated, Mathias said.
"If you stay structured, consistent and persistent, they'll get it," she said. "But if you don't, they're not going to get it. They are instinctively carnivores; they have to be taught to be domesticated."
Mathias used to give a 13-week training course for obedience, but has since shortened that to a 4-week course.
"I think it's just the right amount of time, for a standard to give basics," she said.
As with all of her training, Mathias and her partner only use positive reinforcement to teach dogs.
"I will not condone dominance, spanking or yanking their collars," she said. "I don't want to learn that way, and I don't think they should have to either."
Mathias, co-owner of Smitten Pet Sitten, also offers advanced obedience training, pet sitting, walking and other services. Mathias also has a full-time job, but views her pet business not as a money maker, but as a love.
"Believe me, if I could make this my full-time job, I would," she said.
For more information on dog obedience training and their Smitten Pet Sitten business, call (660) 528-1700 anytime or (660) 528-0764 anytime after 4 p.m., or weekends and holidays. The Smitten Pet Sitten Web site can be found at http:/www.geocities.com/smittenpetsitten/.
Mathias and Greeno offer pet sitting services such as walking, medication handling and companionship. They also provide home security services and instinctive dog training for behavior modification, basic obedience, tricks and specialized courses and canine good citizen.