3-dog Mom

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  • in reply to: Unfair Prejudice Against Pitbulls Exists in all Shelters #17940
    3-dog Mom
    Participant

    Most shelters are just businesses (even if they’re ‘nonprofit’) that are concerned with the costs of liability. I’ve seen them go overboard on this with other breeds as well. A dog who jumps up on a child is suddenly considered “not suitable for families with children.” There are a few shelters that do a great job, but they are few and far between.

    3-dog Mom
    Participant

    It’s going to take longer than 3 months for him to start to calm down.

    One thing you can do to help him learn to calm himself down is this simple exercise. Find a relaxed place in the house and sit on the floor with him. Gently place one hand on his neck and another on his lower back. Gently rub his neck and back while lifting the skin on his neck. Keep your hands on his body. Tell him “Easy” in soothing tones. When he finally relaxes and stretches out on the floor say “Good Easy” in a soothing, but approving tone. Do this several times a day. Do Not use a treat reward with this.

    After you’ve done this for awhile he’ll relax more quickly. This is your cue that he knows what “Easy” means and has started to learn to calm himself down. It helps to teach the ‘sit’ command next and then, whenever he is frightened tell him (in the same ‘easy’ tone) to “Sit Easy.” This worked wonders with my “pancake dog.” You could actually see her sit and then relax into a sitting-slump as I said “Easy”

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