Skyway and the Yardman

Oldman · July 23, 2008, 07:59:11 PM

Some images of Skyway guarding the door from the yard man...LOL!

The white stuff is baby power.

Now this man has been doing our yard since before Skyway was born. You would think Skyway would get over it by now. However, if you look at his ears he really is not in an attack mode. He just likes to raise cain.

Yard man is gone and I call Skyway to me.

Now does that look like the face of satisfaction or what? "Hey Dad I ran him off again!" To funny uh?

I hope you all enjoy these antics of his. I sure do!
Olds

car54 · July 23, 2008, 08:13:55 PM

Nice pictures Olds,

Animals mean a lot to us humans. Last week my cat died. I woke up and found him in much pain. The vet did not open until 9:00. I knew that his end was near. I just kept in in my lap hoping that he would die at home. He did not and ultimately he died of heart problems.

I know that you love your dog and that you are proud of him because you have posted pictures of him before. Enjoy him as long as you can because ultimately we all pass away, whether we are animals or humans. Make ever day count.

With much sincerity, Brad

westexasmoker · July 23, 2008, 08:34:23 PM

When we were posting our pets I did leave one out...didn't/couldn't find(gonna have to look on some CD's) a pic of Coccoa our dalmation...had her for 12 yrs. and lost her two weeks ago, I couldn't bring myself to make a post, wanted too, it was the hardest thing I've done and seen in my life...and god no's i have buried my share of dogs, hope everything is OK with you guys, Skyway is a beauty..is that a ridgeback?! Yep they are the best, unconditionall love!!

C

West Coast Kansan · July 23, 2008, 08:53:02 PM

Real Fun... Dogs really do express themselves just like anyone else. ;D

Habanero Smoker · July 24, 2008, 02:21:13 AM

Great story to read first thing in the morning. :)

FLBentRider · July 24, 2008, 02:49:35 AM

Some animals are just amazing the way they communicate... facial expressions...

westexasmoker · July 24, 2008, 08:15:57 AM

Found a pic of Coccoa (not a great one) aka Thump Thump, her tail was always wagging and hitting the floor. You can tell she really liked having her picture taken! Gonna miss her, RIP Thump Thump.

C

Oldman · July 24, 2008, 01:04:50 PM

QuoteSkyway is a beauty..is that a ridgeback?!

No that is his half attack mode. Otherwise the hair is down. It is when the hair is up and his ears are stright back that he is in full attack mode.

Pits (at least for me) where at first hard to read. I have found that if the hair is down and the ears back they generally are in a playing mode.

Now this may not hold true with all pits, but it does with my two.
Olds

Buck36 · July 24, 2008, 01:22:26 PM

Pits are absolutely beautiful dogs.

It is too bad about the bad reputation they have received.

Oldman · July 25, 2008, 10:11:58 AM

QuoteIt is too bad about the bad reputation they have received.

Totally agree.

I have found that it is the inner-breeding and the type of training they received are the reason for such a bad rap. Pits are not for everyone. They are not a Lassie or a C o c k e r Spaniel.

Pits generally have no fear. Even in the face of overwhelming odds. The more aggression shown toward them the more they "bulk" up. They are hard headed dog. Even though I've trained dogs most of my life it took me two years to get Skyway not to lead when heeling. (He still had use of all of his legs then.) Even when we walk today and he is in his wheel chair he still heels correctly.

We own two pits and I can say that they are well mannered. When I speak they focus on me. Especially Skyway. Reba is more Susan's dog. The most aggression I've shown them is to raise my voice or shake a piece of paper.

During the training years I speak below my normal voice level. I never sound exasperated on the 10th attempt to get them to understand a command. All dogs want to make their owners happy. They learn how to through "learned response." If a dog is hit then the "learned response" is to hit back.

When one of my dogs does something wrong I have a single phase. I use it for all wrong doing. It is:
Whoooo did that? I deepen my voice and raise the level of it a little above my normal speaking level. I tilt my head down toward them and look them straight in the eye. If needed I it take to the top level of my discipline. I pick up a piece of paper and rattle it in their face as I ask the question.

Once a person understand "learned response" the light comes on when training a dog. This applies to all breeds of dogs. Look at the example of the yard man and Skyway. What is the learned response here?

The learned response is a man comes into my territory and I go into defend mode and the man leaves. Over a period of time this lesson becomes ingrained. Once we understand this lesson then we can teach the dog a learn response when we allow someone to come into our homes so the dog does not go into a defend mode.

Avoid confusing words. For example never use the word "Lay" to command your dog to lay down. Why? A dog is not able to understand the different between the words Lay and Stay. Instead you would use the word "Down" to command your dog to lay down.

One last word on training. If you take your dog to school, the school is there to teach you how to teach your dog the proper learned response. Your dog does not really learn anything then other then to get along with other dogs. The school is for you.

Olds