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The 10-week-old Labrador mix is a source of comfort and companionship, a needed boost after a draining year in Iraq, and a potential guardian for Brown’s wife when the soldier leaves on a new deployment next year. Unfortunately for the Browns, Axel is also half pit bull, and that’s enough to make him unwanted at Grand View Apartments in Colorado Springs, where managers have told the pair to get rid of the dog or move. “He’s part of the family now. I’d rather move,” said Spc. Brown, who has lived in the complex in the 2500 block of East Pikes Peak Avenue since 2008. The brewing standoff over the treasured family pet may be unique in its particulars, but it’s hardly an old story in Colorado Springs, where lovers of so-called “aggressive breeds” come into frequent conflict with landlords. Although the city has no ordinances that prohibit pit bulls or other controversial dogs, many large apartment complexes ban them, citing the safety of other residents and concerns about liability. And soldiers appear to be in a harder spot than many dog lovers. In 2008, Fort Carson adopted an Army-wide ban on certain dogs including pit bulls and added several more breeds in the process, making the post is more restrictive than required. Fort Carson’s dog ban includes Rottweilers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Akita Inus, Doberman Pinschers, chows, Mastiffs and wolf hybrids, said Lynn Rivera of Balfour Beatty Communities, which manages the 3,060 houses on post. Only dogs registered before the ban took effect are permitted. “They either have the choice to not have the pet or not move into housing, because we do not allow them,” Rivera said. Families found in violation of the ban are generally given a week to find a new home for the pet or give notice they will leave post, she said. Finding a suitable home off the post can be a challenge. Laura Russmann, executive director of the Apartment Association of Southern Colorado, said privately enforced dog bans became a hot topic in 2009 as 4th Infantry Division soldiers moved here in large numbers from Fort Hood, Tex. Russmann’s advice, then and now: Forget apartment complexes and find a single-family house for rent with plenty of space between neighbors. “Because of the liability, most large professionally run apartment complexes will not allow aggressive breeds,” Russmann said. Pet bans are a leading factor cited by dog owners who give their animals up at the county shelter, said Stacey Candella, a spokeswoman for the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region. Pit bulls, with their enduring notoriety, are among the most abandoned breed, she said. Housing the controversial dogs is enough of a challenge that the Humane Society requires a signed form from landlords before it allows anyone to adopt pit bulls, and workers perform site inspections to ensure the dogs will be properly cared for, Candella said. Brown, 22, of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, has no interest in giving up his dog, putting him at odds with the terms of his lease at Grand View Apartments, which spells out the restrictions on aggressive breeds. Brown said he inquired at the management office before getting the dog from an Army buddy in June and was told that it shouldn’t be a problem. A manager at Grand View disputed his version, saying that Brown had the dog for six weeks before the leasing office learned about it. Once Brown returns from training in Pinon Canon in southeastern Colorado Springs in early September, he said intends to focus on finding new lodging, even if it means paying to terminate his lease. Relatives worry about the prospect of Brown losing the pet. The soldier’s mother, Janet Brown, said Axel has done more than the Army or anyone else to comfort her son after a turbulent year in Iraq that ended in the fall of 2009. Once happy-go-lucky, she said, her son came home moody and anxious. He complained of frequent headaches and hated being around large crowds. What sleep he managed to get was interrupted by nightmares. Talking to Army psychologists didn’t seem to help, but Axel did. “He seemed excited for the first time since he got back from Iraq,” Janet Brown said. “Now he’s faced with losing the one thing that had made him happy again.” Pit Bull Rescue Central (www.pbrc.net)
Where Education Meets Rescue  See more here: Soldier’s unwelcome pit bull not an uncommon story From the Oval Office, President Obama called the end of the combat mission in Iraq a “historic moment,” noting that it “comes at a time of great uncertainty for many” in the U.S. Hurricane Earl prompted a hurricane watch for part of North Carolina’s coast, the National Hurricane Center said. The storm could approach the state late this week. Hours left… Last chance to vote on the
PBRC People’s Choice Pit Bull Calendar!Pit Bull Rescue Central (www.pbrc.net)
Where Education Meets Rescue  See more here: Vote now! I found this article very informative and useful for beginners! Happy Reading! Understanding the APBT Temperment Temperament is the most important trait of the American Pit Bull Terrier. When adopting or buying a new puppy the first thing you should look for is a pup with a good temperament. This is why adopting is so popular today because you know the temperament of an adult or young adolescent dog up front. Puppies are always a gamble, even if the pup seems to have a solid temperament we can’t forget it’s still a puppy and experiences can effect the pup as it grows. You can buy a pup that seems to have a good temperament and end up with a nervy, scarred, fear biter. I’m not saying this is always the case, but it does happen quite often. How do I know if a dog/puppy has a good temperament? When looking for a puppy or getting a dog from a rescue you should look for a confident and enthusiastic dog that enjoys all people. Puppies that shy away or aggressively attack your leg should be avoided. Adult and adolescent dogs that are fearful of people should also be avoided. Extreme shyness or people aggressive APBT’s are, in my opinion, not representative of the breed and should not be placed or bought from a breeder. Sadly, we do not live in a perfect world and many dogs with behavior problems are adopted and sold to first time APBT owners. Bottom line: a dog that is curious, confident, playful, and doesn’t freak out and shake to death at the site of new experiences is a dog with a good temperament. A Word on human aggressive dogs. While other breeds display human aggression and their owner’s let them get away with it. The American Pit Bull Terrier should never be human aggressive. They are not guard dogs and biting people is completely unacceptable. American Pit Bull Terriers with quality of character would never bite a human being for any reason. A word on dog aggression American Pit Bull Terriers are a dog aggressive breed. This is not a bad thing, but it is something we as owners must understand. Dog aggression is expected in this breed. Extreme dog aggression (i.e. over the top, tries to kill everything it sees) should not be tolerated however. Centuries of selective breeding have engrained this trait into the DNA of the breed. They are fighters by nature and their genes tell them to do this. This can not be trained out of them and in recent years “doggy shrinks” have lead people to believe it can be. This is complete BS Bottom line: Dog aggression is not a bad thing and a dog should not be punished for being what it is. The American Pit Bull Terrier is a fighting breed. To expect it not to fight is to expect a lab not to retrieve. We need to teach people about dog aggression, effective ways to manage this trait, and allow our dogs to live happy lives. Are Pit Bulls are dominant by nature? In a word, no. Contrary to popular and misguided belief the APBT is not dominant by nature. You will find individual dogs within the breed that do display dominate behavior but as a rule they are not dominant. I have ran into several people who say something along the lines of, “they are great dogs once you show’em who the boss is.” They don’t need to be shown who the boss is because they know. More times than not you will find them be quite submissive and happy to take their place in your home. One reason people say they need to be shown who the boss is, is that these people lack the skills to communicate to their dog what they want. They think the dog is being dominant when they don’t listen or pee in the house. Which is not the case. Dominant behavior towards people is very rare in the APBT and if you find yourself thinking you have a dominant dog, consult a professional who is extremely knowledgeable about the APBT. In summary The American Pit Bull Terrier is an outgoing, confident, enthusiastic, dog that will have dog aggression to varying degrees. When selecting a puppy or accessing a young/adult dog, look for a dog that has these traits and characteristics. Spotting them isn’t hard once you see them. As owners we need to rethink our impact on the breed. Are you helping the breed by your actions? Or are you hurting the breed by your lack of actions? Does your dog represent the breed and it’s traits? If it does, get out there and show your dog off. We will only change the public’s view of the breed by showing them our dogs and their wonderful temperaments! Article source: http://www.pitbullforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=2782 |
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