The below case summary. A white American Pit Bull Terrier clearly bred to the wrong breeder, and adopted by the wrong people. These are the kind of things that keep you up at night and make you obsess, even never having met the dog. Sigh, I fear Powder has a one way ticket to never ending sleep, if you know what I mean.
Please, people out there, adopt and breed responsibly. These dogs are not throw aways, but can be damaged to the point where they are no longer safe, even when they could have been due to our irresponsibility.
:(
In June 2006, Powder will be 15 months old. His owner and breeder, Amanda, has been able to take him out of an abusive home. Unfortunately, it is felt that this home has created some behavioral problems in Powder, one of them being aggressiveness towards humans.
Powder does lunge and try to bite people when they approach and especially if he doesn't know them. He doesn't like it when someone picks up an object close to him. He has spent a fair amount of his life either in a crate or attached to 2 feet of chain in a living room.
Powder will arrive on Father's Day, June 18th for Board & Train. We look forward to his arrival.
Robin,
Maybe it'll be best to hold off on Powder, I can work with him here for now, and maybe find a closer trainer. There are two locally (72 miles away) one has some of my dogs and I forget the contact info and name of the other!!! Oh well. Hey maybe by November I'll be closer to your facility!! I want to move down towards Augusta w/ some friends. Getting Powder's vet records won't be a problem, I can get them by Monday or Tuesday at the latest. Well TTYL,
Amanda,
That guy will most likely move up. What I am worried about is that I have a few scheduled afterwards. As a business decision, willing paying clients during weeks where there is scheduled work vs a client with good intentions but in the end may only be able to do so much. I don't expect that the work will let up until November or so once it gets going. We can play it by ear. The guy that wants to move up is going to have his dog here for eight weeks. Apparently serious dog aggression although no people aggression. Better for me but still takes a while to get the message through to the dog that he's not allowed to [fill in the blank]. It's just about impossible to give tips through e-mail to avoid situations that come up. First of all, the translation is much different once you have the leash in your hand. Even in training the run of the mill puppy, there is much to show the owner of the proper feel of the leash before they start off on their own. If you have anyone near you that can help with just plain old obedience, even if they never take the dog from you, I would suggest you start with that, and preferably private lessons. Amanda, I will definately work with you and keep an open slate. I do need to deal with my local and definately paying clients first:) So if they are scheduled, it's hard to put them off, and like I said I expect from two weeks from now until November will be rather busy. At least July and August are pretty much spoken for with board and trains. There could be a slot available to Powder, if for instance, I get the guy's dog that was after you to get along with my dogs. However, since this dog aggression has been going on for five years, I doubt that will happen in two weeks time. How's this, keep in touch. I will try to remember to update you on my schedule. You let me know where you are. Need to wait for Powder's records any way:) Luckily, I am new in the area and can still keep flexible. Also I try to anyway for a dog like this. Other trainers have probably had their heart broken so many times by cases like this. However, I get the feeling that you are really trying to look out for Powder, and so that is an additional reason for my flexibility. Keep me informed, and I will do likewise.
Robin,
Thank you for being willing to work with a payment, I just feel bad and don't want to put you out, I know how much work just caring for a dog is alone, w/o Powder's special problems. Plus I'm not used to anyone being so flexible, a lot of people I've talked to aren't. You said that the guy that's scheduled for right after Powder wants to move his appointment up right? What about switching and doing his dogs first and Powder after if that's possible? That way I can give you more money up front. And Maybe if you give me some tips I can work with Powder here in the meantime? Also I still need to get Powder's vet records, because Jackie still needs to transfer ownership to me with Animal Medical Clinic for them to release them. I am going to call them tomorrow (the vet and jackie) and see if I can't get those in the mail (the vet is 72 miles away). I don't know what day I'd be able to get him down there, I thought Sunday would work then mom pointed out it's father's day and then my boss' girlfriend told me I'll be working on Sunday. I do housekeeping so I never know much in advance when I am and when I'm not going to be working. I don't know how much I'd be able to do each week. I have 2 jobs at the moment and the total between the two of them is anywhere from about $110 /wk to $140. I'm trying to find a 3rd job that doesn't co-incide with the first two, there isn't much for work here in this nowhere town and there's two businesses that employ workers through agencies from Cambodia and vairous other countries as opposed to employing town's people. So part time and/or minimum wage is just about the best. But since I have Powder back I am going to be selling a litter of puppies that I was planning on keeping almost all of to cover his training, I don't like selling pups, I breed dogs but I breed for me, there are too many people with ill intentions out there. I like to show and am going to be getting into weight pulling but hate buying from other people, I've lost thousands of dollars that way. Anyway my priority is Powder he came before Venna's puppies (who aren't even here yet), so what he needs comes before keeping them here. Plus I already know he has great conformation, working ability, a fun personality, and maybe a good temperament (lol, that depends), he's not iffy like a new batch of pups. I was going to ask $600ea for them maybe I'll ask $420 lol. Anyway I know people who missed out on Venna's first litter and who had a puppy who was accidentally killed (they are not irresponsible it was a true accident) who want another pup like him so I don't see anything getting much better then a brother or sister. When I sent out e-mails I didn't think anybody would be willing to take him or so quickly, and certainly didn't think anyone would want too!! That's why I feel comfortable with you taking him. O.K. I ramble much, I think it's because there is no one to talk to around here. Unless you want to talk about hunting, fishing, or other people's business. lol I gotta get out of Jackman. Sincerely,
Amanda,
That's why I gave you the option of a suggested payment plan. How can I structure this for you to make it feasible? 100.00 a week? Give me a suggestion, because I can't guess at what your situation is.
Robin,
I don't have that kind of money right now, like I said before. Things are real tight right now, and it won't be until the end of July before I have that kind of money, which is why it sucked that I got Powder back now. If I don't find something to do with him soon he will have to be put to sleep, if he hadn't been sprung on my like this I could have planned better, well the initial plan was to get him back and have him put down but there is something about him that shows hope. I hate it because it's tearing me up, because I don't have the money for training and I don't want to give up on him yet, but he is outta control behavior wise and it makes it difficult to do anything about his aggression. Well I guess I will figure something out. Thank you, Sincerely,
Amanda,
You could bring him up late night on the 17th, or early that Monday. We have an event going on here on the 17th, so it would be best if everyone was gone when Powder got here, and not here for that day until we can get him settled a bit. On Monday, I have a lesson at 8:30 AM, so I need Powder settled and crated by that time, but if you could get here early on Monday that would be fine. As far as payment, it's 420.00 a week. I know you said money was tight for you, and I usually get the payment up front. So I don't know if you wanted to put 420.00 up front, and then pay 420.00 on pickup? Or if you wanted to put 200.00 down, then 220.00 the end of the next week, then the balance on pickup? Let me know what you can do, and I will work that out for you. Also, let me know what you think of the dates. If none of those work for you, let me know which ones do. Thanks, Robin
Robin,
Can we bring Powder down on another day other then the 18th? The 18th is Father's day. Also would you need any money up front? Also about how much would the payments be? Thank you in advance, Sincerely,
Hey There Amanda,
It was nice speaking with you today. I have Powder scheduled for the 18th of June to start. My address here is 37 Paul Street York (it's york beach but map-quest will recognize York) Maine. When your bring Powder I will need his: 1) Food 2) Vaccination Records to keep on file 3) His Flat or Buckle Collar 4) Info of any injuries or illness that crop up between now and then that I don't know of. 5) Info on any incidents that happen between now and then (such as bites ET) 6) Emergency Contact Info Look forward to meeting this guy, and working with you later on when we get him all settled and ready. Please feel free to call or e-mail with any additional questions. 207-361-4395.
Robin,
I forgot about my neice's kindergarten graduation tonight, it starts at 5:30 so if you wanna call anytime before 5 would be good. I will TTYL, Amanda
Hey Amanda,
Tried calling you at 6:02 pm, but you were at a ballgame. Will try you tomorrow. If there is a best time to call, e-mail it to me, and I will try to get back within that time. Thanks,
Hello Robin,
Thank you for the reply, my concern with leaving Powder for board and train would be that he may bite you, and would hate for anyone to get bit. Also if we did that if he improved after the week was up but you felt that he needed more training could he stay longer? I realize I am four hours away, there are some trainers closer however I doubt the experience of some of them, there is one that lives and hour and a half away from me that did obedience work with Powder's half brother Aspen but I have started to doubt his knowledge, he gave this guy I know a dog of his because he said she was wild and untrainable but it turned out she had a terrible internal infection and after it was cleared her seemingly aggressive behavior went away. But if you are interested in helping I am interested in the training, anything would be good, but it'll be some time before I have enough money to do the board and train. Maybe we could do a couple sessions in the meantime? Finally getting Powder back was actually quite a surprise and very sudden. Also he has had a limp since the surgery to repair his leg back when he was a pup, I had thought it was due to how the leg healed now I believe it may be due to the way he was tied to the couch, I've only had him two days and the limp is almost gone. When I picked him up Friday, he was chained out to about 2feet of chain, he was on a 10ft chain but it was so tangled he had about 2ft of room, because Jackie didn't want to have him on the runner because that's where she set up the kids' bouncey toy. I would have taken Powder months ago but wanted to avoid any turmoil with family. I tried to get him when his leg was broken, but the vet confirmed John's story about the bike and there was no concrete proof of abuse other then what I and other people saw but John denied it. Plus animal control doesn't give a crap around here. There's this guy in town that regularly has dogs die of dehydration,starve and/or freeze to death, and has beaten some to death. Some dogs live in kennels big enough for them to stand up and turn around in, others are tied to various pieces of junk in his yard some with and some w/o dog houses, and he gets a town kennel liscense every year!!! At least over the past couple years his dogs have not looked emaciated. The only reason I was able to get Powder back (w/o literally stealing him) is because the landlord finally said get rid of the dog or get out. Anyway thank you again for your reply. I will probably call you sometime within the next couple of days, right now I have to go shower and make a phone call to a friend and then go to bed.
Hi Amanda,
You are 4 hours away from me, but it's possible a Board & Train would be best for Powder. A Board & Train is where the dog boards with me while training. In aggression cases, it is usually best to get the dog out of the home environment at first. If you are interested in doing something like that, I would be very interested in helping you out. If you wanted to do weekly visits also, I would be interested, but I realize that would be a long commute for you. Let me know. If you want to call, my phone number is 207-361-4395. Sorry to hear that happened to one of your dogs.
Robin,
Hello I live in Jackman Me and have recently acquired a dog who has been severely abused and has developed human aggression. I am looking for a trainer who may be able to help me with him. If you do not feel you can, please forward this message to anyone you may know who can help. Powder's story is below: POWDER'S STORY Powder was born in my home on March 13th, 2005. He is a white ADBA registered American Pit Bull Terrier, born in a litter of 3 pups (a red, a white, and a blue brindle). I had made the decision to keep the red and white and the blue was going to live with my friend who owned the dad. As the pups grew my brother Jeremy had expressed interest in Powder and where he had recently lost his dog Rush, who was Powder's half brother and he had always been responsible with his dogs, I decided to allow him to have Powder. Jeremy and his then five year old daughter had Powder from May 2005 - August 2005, in that time he spent time at Jeremy's working and hanging out with the town at the 4th of July festival. In August of 2005 my half-brother John convinced Jeremy to sell him Powder, although Jeremy knew that I did not want John to have any of my dogs as he has a history of being very violent and of severe animal abuse. Shortly after Powder went to live with John, he suffered a broken leg, John swears his dirt bike fell over on the dog however the cat and a dog John had prior to purchasing the bike both had similar injuries to the same hind leg. We strongly believe that John himself broke Powder's leg. Powder spent close to three months of his puppyhood living in a crate due to the injury, he was only supposed to be kept confined for 6-8weeks but John said he just didn't want to take any chances. In my opinion he just didn't feel like dealing with the puppy. After that Powder spent his life either chained to less then 1ft of chain on the couch or out on a runner where his feet barely hit the ground and he had no shelter from the elements. Powder also suffered physical abuse and beatings from John, his wife, and their 3 and 4 year old children as well as the children's babysitter. A friend of John's recently informed me that she watched John choke Powder off with his bare hands until he passed out. I have also suspected that John has encouraged Powder to be human aggressive and my suspisions were confirmed one day, when I heard my sister-in-law say "GOOD BOY POWDER" as he was barking and growling at a man who just passed by their vehicle. It was only recently that I was finally able to reposses Powder and what I have noticed is that he is very protective of himself, he lunges and tries to bite anyone that comes at him. With me he acts like the puppy that I knew (which isn't entirely a good thing as he does act like like a 2-3mos old puppy behavioral wise as well) and is content and happy with me. But as soon as I take him into a position where there are other people he will try to bite anyone that approaches us, especially men. Powder loves my father and my brother Jeremy but does not trust them he will try to bite them if they move too quick of if they pick up anything he perceives as being a weapon. Also he shows no indication of aggression prior to trying to bite, he will walk up to someone wagging his tail and then suddenly curl up his lips and snap at them. Fortunately thus far he has not gotten a hold of anyone. I don't know if there is any hope for Powder as he has lived a very traumatic life but he is only 15mos old. He is very intelligent and does know some commands such as come, sit, down, give paw, and drop it. I wish everyone could see the Powder that I get to see. The dog has been through hell and I feel that I should try to give him a chance at a happy non-traumatic life. However, if he is too far gone I am prepared to have him put to sleep, I just want to give him a chance first. If all else fails he was at least have had a couple of happy weeks here, free of beatings and neglect. Currently I keep him crated in the basement bedroom at my office (which is also where the computer is) as he cannot be in the house as he cannot be trusted with my house dogs or with the entire family and company that comes over and I cannot keep him in the kennel because he is the first dog anyone who comes here will want to run to because of his coloring plus my other dogs bark and are rowdy and I want to keep him in as calm of an environment as possible because he is difficult to deal with when he is all hyped up, well more difficult. Plus this way I am the only one working with him and trying to train him, not 3 different people with 3 different training methods. I have been walking him regulary to help with the hyper activity and exposing him to situations that make him feel threatened and want to attack, such as my father swinging and axe to chop wood. I am looking into purchasing a basket muzzle so he can safely be around people and hopefully be able to associate people positively and not negatively.
