Dog Info: Dog Behavior: Dog Pheromones

Pheromones are chemical substances secreted by an animal that influence the behavior of other animals of the same species. Unlike other hormones , pheromones are secreted externally and influence other animals , typically by tang. In this case , pheromones may play a very necessary role in animal behavior. In dogs , pheromones probably influence group integration and are a element in fighting and usual aggressiveness. Some theorys suggest that dogs free pheromones in urine and feces , and perhaps through exhaled breath , subcutaneous glands at the menial of the tail and the foot pads. This would tend to elucidate why aggressive , fighting dogs are ofttimes compulsive urine sniffers and urine markers , and why they become fewer aggressive when sniffing and urine marking are not allowed by their owners.

Pheromones may act as a trigger or primer for certain types of behavior. This case is typical of a heap of wherein a dog appears to sense , by tang , another dog that may be perceived as a threat. Also typical among a heap of vicious biting dogs is the poverty to fleck a strange territory with their own pheromones before launching an fray. Some take appointment level when the biting dogs were on their home territory. Remedial programs include restricting urination of the problem dog to a unmarried area of his own yard. This tends to lower the aggressiveness , as impartially as mitigate the incidence of household urination.

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Are Pit Bulls Naturally Aggressive Pt3 | Dog Behavior Trainer Breed Info

Experience vs Perception

The Dog Whisperer of MN, Robert Cole 

Continuing from “Are Pit Bulls Aggressive Pt2 | Dog Behavior Trainer Breed Info

It is important because of perpetuated notions or conditioned ideas develop through a lack of understanding or blatant ignorance. This data is important because it is not singling out a breed as aggressive or not. It includes many breeds and has a decently high sample size as well as testing dogs from variable backgrounds, blood-lines and combining both pure bred dogs and cross or mix-bred dogs of the same “breed”. Also, as a side note, with cities, communities are becoming more and more rigid about breed bans/declaration-consequences etc. also because of breed-specific dog legislation and negative publicity associated with many breeds of dogs, temperament testing has assumed an important role for today’s dog fancier. The American Temperament Test provides breeders a means for evaluating temperament and gives pet owners insight into their dog’s behavior. It can have an impact on breeding programs and in educating owners about their dog’s behavioral strengths and weaknesses as well as providing a positive influence on dog legislation. Below are some experienced based and statistical facts regarding the Pit Bull and similar “type breeds”

Breed Temperament Testing Result Information: Updated from March of 2011

American Pit Bull Terrier: 804 tested; 86.4% passed
American Staffordshire Terrier: 627 tested; 84.2% passed
Staffordshire Bull Terrier: 117 tested; 89.7% passed
Total: 1548 tested; 85.8% passed

To add perspective and Qualify Pit Bull and similar “Bully Breeds” as not inately aggressive or dangerous
Of all the breeds tested: 83% passed (Totalling 30,876 dogs)

Honorable Mention (Common Family Dogs Today)

Collie: 856 tested; 79.9% passed

Cocker Spaniel: 227 tested; 81.9% passed

Australian Cattle Dog: 187 tested; 79.1% passed

Beagle: 72 tested; 80.6% passed

Golden Retriever: 764 tested; 84.9% passed

2009 was the year of the previous study

2009 spanning through 6/2010

Pit Bulls and similar “Bully Breeds” achieved a combined passing score of 85.7%.

Some Specific breeds outlines below:

American Pit Bull Terrier:  772 tested; 86% passed

American Staffordshire Terrier:  608 tested; 83.9% passed

Staffordshire Bull Terrier:  115 tested; 89.6% passed

Total Bully Breeds Tested: 1,495; 85.4% passed

For additional perspective, consider the following:

Total Dogs Tested:  30,468; 82.4% earned a pass

Chihuahua:  38 tested; 71.1% passed

Dachshund:  181 tested; 77.8% passed

Collie:  846 tested:  79.7% passed

Golden Retriever:  746 tested; 84.6% passed

Things that make you go, Hmmmm.

Pit Bull breeds, earned a better score based on the tests from the previous study two years in a row. Golden Retrievers went up in overall score; 84.9% in 2011 from 84.6% in 2009. Pit Bull Breeds went up as well from 2009 at 85.7% to 85.8%.

More Specifically, American Pit Bull Terriers: 2009: 86% to 2011: 86.4% | American Staff Terriers: 2009: 83.9% to 2011: 84.2%.

Both of these popular breeds for fighting, scored higher in the temperament test than the Average of all dogs tested. Note that this is during the “Pit Bull Fighting Phenomenon” In 2011 they even scored higher than America’s beloved Golden Retriever. Still a great dog, don’t get me wrong. Just a point to consider.

Now some fun facts and perceptions of this horribly misrepresented breed of dog.

*Do know that this type of information and even some more in-depth information can be found all over the internet by doing a little research. This is just a small list.

Fact: No conclusive research exists that implicates breed (or breed mix) as a cause of dog bites. In most bite cases, it is impossible to distinguish the dog’s background based on appearance. When breed is unclear, it’s all-too-easy to apply an arbitrary label for dramatic effect.

Fact: All dogs, including Pit Bulls are 99% the same genetically. Chihuahuas included.

Fact: Pit Bulls are among other things: tenacious, loyal, sensitive to human energy and will give 1000% to accomplish what they perceive their job to be. No matter what the job is.

Fact: The fact above is the reason why Pit Bulls are used for fighting. Not because they are more dangerous then another dog. A Boerboel could probably kill a Pit Bull Easily.

Fact: With all the intensity inherent within the breed, the personality of a balanced Pit Bull is calm, relaxed and at times even lazy. Only jumping to excitement when being called upon to accomplish a goal/do a job.

Fact: Dog Bites are at an all-time low.There are around 78 million pet dogs in the US, and an average of 30 dog-related fatalities per year. According to studies (more information below), a person is more likely to be killed by a human family member

Fact: Pomeranians and Shi Tzus have put more people into the hospital over the last several years then Pit Bull and similar breeds.

Fact: Tan, unfixed Male English Cocker Spaniels have more reports of injuring people based on police reports at the time of hospital intake. Putting them atop the “most dangerous dog list” source: Applied Animal Behavior Science Report Published by: Anthony L. Podberscek and James A. Serpell

Fun Fact: There are around 78 million pet dogs in the US, and an average of 30 dog-related fatalities per year. According to studies (more information below), a person is more likely to be killed…

- by a falling coconut

- in a bedroom slipper-related accident
- choking on a marble
- drowning in a 5-gallon bucket
- getting struck by lightning

…than by a dog of any breed.

And for the other sides’ common and popular beliefs of Pit Bull Type Breeds, are as follows:

Pit Bull Breeds Bite Force/Power is over 2000 psi

Pit Bulls are naturally more aggressive than any other breed of dog

Once a Pit Bull becomes aggressive, it can never be changed

Pit bulls have locking jaws.

A pit bull is more likely to bite me than another dog.

Pit bulls do not get along with cats.

Pit bulls do not get along with other dogs.

Pit bulls are not good with children.

Reality Check:

Who’s really responsible for dog bites? Humans. In almost every case where a person died because of a dog bite, there were steps that someone could have taken to prevent it. Responsible ownership influences good behavior, and every dog deserves to be set up for success!

More resource information:
http://www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com
http://www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/dogbites/whatisadogbite/
http://www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/dogbites/the-problems-with-dog-bite-studies/

Smiley Pit Bull says: “Life is about equal chances to impress potential owners, not by the shape of our heads, but by the shape of our character!”

Don’t take my word for it though. take a day to volunteer for a local bully rescue and see what your time with them will teach you about this breed. A rescue pit bull is a handful, but with patience, can be the dog it was meant to be. Like all dogs, they are meant to have rules and boundaries enforced on a consistent basis to provide a suitable environment for developing or maintaining limitations. Pit Bulls and the similar breeds should be owned by someone with experience in handling dogs. It is not a breed for the “first time dog owner” no matter how pure the persons intentions. It takes a firm level of control and direction giving to ensure the proper development and understanding of their role socially, otherwise you can have a pit bull breed that is very similar to the ones that the “haters” incorrigibly project to anyone willing to listen, developing a negative sense of what this breed represents.

Allow a DOG a chance to feel Love and live Life as a well trained and balanced family member! Pit to Pom. 

Information compiled by ATT, learn more about the  American Temperament Test Society testing and results, please visit http://www.atts.org

Also visit http://www.fortheloveofpits.org/Education/Library/Society/ATTS.htm for charts of past years and more great Pit Bull information.

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Dog Info: Dog Behavior: The Neurotic Dog

A neurosis may be direct as a operable nervous infirmity with no signal of ailment of the central nervous system. Psychoneurosis is described as an “emotional maladaptation” due to unresolved unconscious conflicts , and may also be applied to describe the condition of a heap of so-called neurotic dogs. This means , to recognize a neurotic dog , we must tell apart a heap of faulty nervous behavioral functions , while ruling out physical injury or ailment , such as hydrocephalus , brain tumors , etc.

This may be done in a heap of cases through neurological examinations. Urine and blood analysis may ofttimes indicate internal chemical imbalances which are of an organic cause. On the other hand , they may also indicate the presence of severe environmental stressors. Combined with behavioral onfo , physiologic examinations power indicate a neuroses or the basis for a psychosis. For practicable purposes , a dog may be considered neurotic provided he shows signs of a operable nervous infirmity combined with behavior that is both abnormal and maladaptive for dogs in usual.

But how is a operable nervous infirmity described in behavioral terms? The following descriptions are helpful:

* The dog that fails to inhibit the orienting (alerting) rejoinder to stimuli that occurs repeatedly and are known to the animal to be neither injurious nor rewarding. These dogs are almost always in a aver of anxiety.

* The dog that responds to new objects , sounds , touches , movements and level odours with exaggerated spry or passive defensive responses. These dogs ofttimes want sufficient early sociable experience.

* The dog that fails to retain (in a heap of cases , level to develop) voluntary or involuntary conditioned reflexes. This cannot be applied to the dog’s complete behavior , but usually is pertinent to a failure to conformation and/or retain learned associations involving defence and sociable behaviorisms.

* The dog that displays hyperkinesis. Signs include immoderate salivation , elevated pulse and respiration , abnormally menial urine output , and increased power metabolism revealed through immoderate , occasionally stereotyped activity , particularly in close confinement.

* Displays fixations on objects , exhibiting ritualized behavior , usually repetitive and with no direct objective. “Obsessive-compulsive” is the current diagnostic label of choice. While it is ofttimes treated with drugs , cautious diagnosis shows that these dogs are suffering from frustration due to a want of function in their lives. They are “making work , ” and receiving internal neurochemical rewards.

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