Pit Bull Bans: Narrowing the Noose Around American Boxers

Title: Pit Bull Bans: Narrowing the Noose Around American Boxers
Author: Tracy Hargraves

Pit Bull Bans: Narrowing the Noose Around American Boxers
There has been much ado about pit bulls in the press over
the past couple of years. One of the commonly reported
stories involves municipalities and other local communities
that have elected to ban or tightly regulate pit bulls.
The debate has grown rather intense as to whether to not
people should be prevented from owning pit bulls.

There is a growing chorus of people who are calling for a
complete ban on pit bull ownership. These people contend
that pit bulls inherently are a dangerous breed. On the
other hand, there are pit bull owners and supporters who
maintain that not all pit bulls are dangerous to be around.

The Nature of Pit Bulls

There are some biological factors associated with pit bulls
that must be kept in mind when trying to analyze the debate
regarding whether or not pit bulls should be banned. First
of all, pit bulls have jaws that are qualitatively
different from the jaws of other breeds of dogs. Some
experts actually have described the jaws of a pit bull to
be more akin to the jaws of a crocodile as opposed to a dog.

The jaws of a pit bull are exceptionally strong. And, the
manner in which the pit bull jaw is constructed permits it
to literally lock onto its target and remain in that
position. It nearly is impossible to pry a pit bull's jaw
open once it has clamped down on a target.

Beyond the manner in which the jaw is "constructed" many
experts also argue that pit bulls by nature are violent
dogs. Much in the same way that a lion or tiger
biologically is dangerous so is the pit bull.

Actual Case Studies Involving Pit Bulls

There is an ever growing list of instances in which pit
bulls have attacked human beings -- seriously injuring them
or even killing them. Typical of these occurrences is what
happened to a middle aged woman in Elizabeth, Colorado, in
November of 2003. She was outside her barn tending to her
horses when a pack of three pit bulls -- owned by a
neighbor -- came upon her. These pit bulls ended up
attacking her relentlessly for 45 minutes until she was
dead.

More shocking still was the fact that these dogs had
attacked before. And, of course, this was not an isolated
incident.

The Position of Pit Bull Owners

As with any controversy, there are two sides to the pit
bill debate. Pit bull owners and supporters maintain that
they are lovable and loving dogs. If trained and reared
correctly, these dogs are not aggressive. In fact, pit
bull owners have put up a strong fight on many fronts --
publicly, in the courts -- to be able to maintain their
pets. These owners and supporters really do seem to be
pulling out all of the stops to defend what they consider
their right to continue to own the breed of dog of their
choice, a breed of dog that they maintain is not more
dangerous than any other. (Of course, many other people
maintain that there is mounting evidence to the contrary.)

The Final Analysis

When all is said and done, public safety necessarily needs
to come first. Therefore, the debate in regard to whether
or not people should be permitted to own pit bulls has to
revolve around how the public can best be kept safe in the
most prudent and appropriate manner.

Whether it is nurture or nature, the sad reality is that
many innocent people continue to be attacked and even
killed by pit bulls on a regular basis.

About the Author:

Do not miss your chance to include your pet into beautiful
portrait painting. Tracy Hargraves from
http://www.portraitkingdom.com brings you a concise
description regarding the purpose and the benefits of
transforming ordinary pet photos into lasting pet portrait
paintings.

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5 Important Factors To Consider When Choosing A Dog House

Article Title: 5 Important Factors To Consider When Choosing A
Dog House
Author: Crissy Whitmire

A dog house is a terrific idea for your beloved canine
companion. Whether your dog stays indoors or out, having his
or her own house is very beneficial. It provides a private
retreat and a cozy place to sleep. However, selecting the
perfect dwelling for your dog takes some thought and planning.
After reading this article, you will be able to choose the house
that best suits your taste and your dog's needs.

The first step is to decide on the placement of the dog house.
If it is to be an addition to your indoor décor, it's best set
up in a corner or other low-traffic area of your home. This
will provide your dog with a safe, quiet place to relax. If
setting up outdoors, a couple of things need to be considered.
First, consider the climate. Houses that are exposed to direct
sunlight can reach extreme temperatures inside, causing serious
and possibly fatal complications to your pet. During colder
months, position the house so that the door is facing away from
the wind. This will help keep your pet warm and reduce trips to
the vet.

Secondly, you need to decide on the type of material you want
the dog house constructed of. Plastic and metal absorbs heat
and cold air causing temperature fluctuations. This provides a
less-than-perfect environment for your pet. Wood is the best
material for dog houses, as it tends to be more substantial
than plastic and metal. Also, wood has more design add-on
possibilities and provides your dog with better protection
against the elements due to higher quality insulation.
Regardless of the material you choose, make sure that there are
no sharp edges that could be harmful to your dog.

The next matter is determining the size of your dog house.
Choosing the proper size for you pet is very important. Dogs
feel safer and more secure in smaller areas. However, the
house should be big enough to allow your dog the ability to
comfortably turn around inside the house and lie down
completely stretched out inside. A house that is too large
will warrant excessive cold air inside during inclement weather
causing the body heat around your dog to be lost. Therefore, it
is best to invest in a house that is properly sized for your
pet's comfort and well-being.

Another thing that needs to be considered is the bedding. It
serves the purposes of providing a soft surface for your pet to
lie on, which will protect the joints from hard surfaces. Also,
it helps to insulate from the underside, helping to maintain a
comfortable temperature for your dog. For inside bedding, it
is best to choose something that is washable or has a washable
cover. For an outside house, cedar shavings are the better
choice. The oils in the cedar will help repel fleas and ticks.
You can also use a dense, moisture-proof pad because it stays
dry and fleas can't penetrate it. The most important thing is
to make sure that your pooch has a nice, dry, comfortable place
to laze around.

Finally, make certain that your dog house comes equipped with a
few added details. Some of the luxury details are more
functional than indulgent, such as an elevated floor. It
certainly enhances the appeal of the dog house, but it serves
several purposes. Elevated flooring provides better
ventilation, controls parasite infestation, and protects the
house from flooding. Also, choose a house that has a vent at
or near the top. This permits an exchange of air, which will
reduce humidity and circulate fresh air inside the house. For
cleaning purposes, look for a house with a removable rooftop
and/or removable bottom panels. This will make cleaning the
inside easier and you won't have to crawl inside yourself!

Now that you have the proper information, choosing a dog house
will be a cinch. When you head out on your shopping adventure,
remember the five basics of finding dog house perfection. Your
pet's dog house is more than a shelter, it is a cozy place to
snuggle up and escape from the world. Safety comes first, one
size doesn't fit all, and it is okay to splurge for what is
important.

About The Author: http://TotalBackyard.com is your complete
source for dog houses, storage sheds, gas grills and more.

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A Well Trained Dog

Title: A Well Trained Dog
Author: Michael Copper

A Well Trained Dog
Dog Quote: Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know
evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a
hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden,
where doing nothing was not boring .... It was peace.
....Milan Kundera

Is certainly a lot more fun for you to have an obedient and
trained dog. Not only that, but trained dogs, are happier
dogs. They are less likely to get into fights with other
dogs and will tend to socialize better with dogs that they
meet in public. It is particularly important to have a
well-trained dog if you have young members of the family or
children in the neighborhood. Just like having well-behaved
children, a well-trained dog makes for a happier household.
The time that you spend training your puppy initially will
impact on the pleasure you can get from your dog for the
many years of its life.

Taking the time to train your dog will strengthen the bond
you have together and this will ensure a long and happy
friendship where both you and your dog benefit. Considering
the amount of time that you will be with your dog the time
involved in training is minimal and well worthwhile.

There are a few basic commands that need to be mastered and
they are all relatively simple. These commands are... Down:
this is where you teach your dog to lay down on command,
and is one of the main aspects of any successful training
program. Heel: this is where you teach your dog walk beside
you at the same pace without pulling on the lead. Learning
the 'No' word: this is a particularly important word for
your dog to know and can save you a lot of trouble. In fact
it is probably one of the most important aspects of
training, if you can get your dog to understand and respond
to the word no. It can certainly save you a lot of trouble
in the future. Sit: sit is one of the most basic of all dog
training commands and is one that you'll want to teach from
the outset to maintain control of your dog's behavior.
Stay: and finally 'stay' - this is important to ensure that
no matter where you are, you'll know that your dog will
stay precisely where you want it.

If there is nothing else that you train your dog to do
beyond these basic commands, it will certainly improve the
relationship you have with your dog and the enjoyment and
happiness that you and your dog will have together. It is
well worth the time while still a puppy, as it will improve
the quality of life for many years to come.

Training will also let your dog know that you're the boss
and in doing so eliminate many behavior problems. Dogs that
are untrained can often get depressed, despondent, and
unhappy and display symptoms of anxiety and confusion. You
are actually giving your dog a purpose in life, where they
will get pleasure out of the fact that they are pleasing
you.

About the Author:

My name is Mike, I'm an online publisher of web content and
blogs pertaining to the needs and wants of the public. I'm
also a business coach, and my coaching web can be found at
http://www.course-online-marketing.com ... please do check
out my latest blog about dogs at ....
http://www.doghealthandtraining.blogspot.com consider
signing up for my dog blog by sending an email to
blueridgeholdings@windstream.net Best regard, Michael D.
Copper

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