Angel Rock Staffordshire Bull Terriers

Angel Rock Staffords

DISNEY, DOG PARKS & BREED BANS

by Cheryl Ellicott

DOG BITES DOG; GETS DEATH SENTENCE - Defendant says, "But I was only playing!" staffzilla.jpg (43991 bytes)

Regarding Breed Bans . . . Many people believe that anthropomorphism is at least partially to blame for the ongoing struggles we have with breed bans, and for society's misunderstanding of dogs. I'm sure it's not the only problem, but I don't think it's talked about often enough.

When I was a child, my parents really disliked the movie Bambi. They weren't the only ones who believed it was propaganda meant to brainwash their children. The deer had human thoughts and emotions, and the humans who hunted them were evil. Our parents grew up in an age and location where meat didn't just appear in the grocery store - it was hunted. The hunters were not depraved murderers. They were loving parents. Their children were hungry and meat is good. Not just in their era, but throughout the history of the world, survival has often included hunting or raising animals to eat and in most societies, this wasn't questioned.

Now Hollywood and friends put out movie after movie with the same theme: anthropomorphism. Generations of Americans have grown up with this distortion of reality. Almost no one complains anymore.

But if anthropomorphism really is true - if the only difference between animals and people is the outer package, then animals deserve all the rights humans have, and meat-eaters really are murderers!

Of course we know, from observation if nothing else, that anthropomorphism is erroneous; animals do not have the same thoughts, feelings or moral obligations that you have as a human.

A friend of mine (pitbull owner, anti-BSL activist) once recommended I watch a movie called 8 Below because it was "good." But after I read the reviews I decided no way... it was just another make-believe world where the dogs are humanized (but sanitized from the evil associated with real humans) and reality is twisted. I grew up around dog sled teams in Alaska. If these dogs are trying to save each others lives, instead of trying to establish dominance and submission, it’s not NATURAL. It's a lie.

Sure it feels good. It gives you warm fuzzies and so on. But the lion doesn't lie down with the lamb just yet. Lions eat lambs. Dogs chase cats. Movies that say otherwise confuse children. Children grow up . . . . Wrong facts always have negative effects!

One result of this mass confusion are BREED BANS.

People watch the movies, they see how GOOD dogs are SUPPOSED TO BE . . and then they see your little demon chasing their cat and biting another dog. So they call 911 because there's a vicious monster on the loose and it's going to eat their children and maim granny. (Please note: you should not let your dog run loose. I am not advocating that, regardless.)

I'm not saying all animals in these stories are kissing and hugging each other. They always have an animal that's aggressive toward other animals.

He's "the bad guy".

In the end he either gets reformed, or defeated.

Your dog is now evil and must be banned, or possibly killed (not because of its breed, not because of any misdeed, but) because it doesn't conform to fiction; it acts like . . .

A well adjusted animal!

Maybe this sounds ridiculous to you, but many of the lawmakers we have now were raised on this. With the urbanization of America, the majority have very little animal experience other than what they see in movies, the zoo or . . . at the dog park. To make matters worse, our world is presently moving toward a push for global peace, a one-world government, one-world economy (and a mark on the forehead or back of hand, without which no one can buy or sell, but I'll save that for another discussion) etc. and this also impacts the way society views any behavior that isn’t peaceful. Tolerance is the word for today. Nevermind that canines are predators and bunnies, cats and squirrels are instinctually on his diet – if you or your dogs aren’t tolerant of everything, then you’re outdated.

THOUGHTS ON DOG PARKING

The theory behind dog parking appears to be that socializing dogs with each other often, and from the time they’re young, will make them more "well adjusted." Okay, maybe.

But what is a well adjusted dog?

If you have a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and he’s "well adjusted" we can assume he’s reaching the full potential of his nature. But what is the nature of a dog?

Dog society has a ladder-type social structure. Alpha dogs are born alpha. Super submissive dogs are born super submissive. Everything in between will be put in its respective place when the dogs get together and iron out the details. The nature of the beast is the nature of the beast. Neutering will not change his rank. Doggy socializing will not "change" his status. He'll either be alpha or he'll be submissive, or somewhere in between.

Many SBT are very intelligent and extremely confident in regards to other dogs. This can equal an Alpha personality. A more intelligent, more confident dog will be less likely to roll over and submit when challenged by other dogs. Of course, some SBT are willing to take last place in the pecking order. If your SBT is submissive and always gets along well with other dogs, then most likely that’s how he was born. In most cases, it had nothing to do with your valiant efforts.

But since we know the SBT is a very strong dog, even if you think your dog will submit, it's risky - foolish even - to let him run at large where he or she could be attacked or challenged by other dogs. Despite all of your training, just one incident can cause trouble for the entire breed. Also, please remember that a SBT is not fully mature until 2.5 or 3 years, so a lot of the earlier submissive behaviors are due to puppyhood.

Constantly socializing a SBT with other dogs may not change him in positive ways. Many experienced dog trainers and owners believe extensive doggy-parking and doggy-socializing hinders a puppy's ability to bond with people. They become "dog oriented" instead of people oriented.

Please do your homework and think carefully before buying into modern ideas of anthropomorphism. These beliefs endanger the dogs you love. Aggression toward other same sex dogs (or cats, or squirrels or bunnies!) is not something we should allow, but neither should we be surprised.

It isn't aberrant behavior - it's natural. Expect it, prepare for it and you'll be able to PREVENT IT.

RETURN TO HOMEPAGE

Oasis staffordshire bull terrier rescue and rehoming assistance in spokane Washington Breeder of quality Staffordshire Bull Terriers Bred selectively for soundness of body, mind and soul. Staffordshire Bull Terrier breeder with emphasis on stable temperaments, affection and athletic health. Staffords for home and hearth. Breeding quality English StaffyBull puppies conforming to grand champion ancestors type with special attention to breed preservation. Striving to produce a dog superior in agility and athletic ability who is a loyal, loving pet. Staffordshire bull terrier is the nanny dog, hearth terrier children child’s pet and ultimate family pet. Puppies available only occasionally and only by prior reservation to approved homes only - maintaining the sound stable strong muscular agile athletic affectionate gentle loving loyal protector who is intelligent beautiful and of solid build. The English StaffyBull, or sometime knowns as staffy or staffies are the ultimate nanny dog of the UK.

Angel Rock - Classic British Staffords

STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIERS

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