A Unexpected Surprise

[.Rissa.]

Hi guys,

The Holidays are over, so I am finally home and not busy so the routine is back tomorrow! I had a great Christmas, hope y'all did too.

On Christmas night, while I was gone, someone threw out a young dog at my house. She appears to be part pit bull, and part German shepard. Mom kept her till I got back, and we have been deciding what to do with her. She is very lurky of people, and appears to haven't been handled much. The fiance suggested her name be Sam (off of some movie I haven't seen with Will Smith that he really loves). She actually does okay around the horses, and they seem okay around her.

I will post pictures up tomorrow, but, I think we are going to keep her. Once I get her comfortable with human handleing and being inside, and leash trained, I will take her to get spayed.

I just don't want to take her to the humane society, becuase the ones around here automatically put down dogs that are pit bulls, or resemble them. She is much too sweet, and seems very smart and tries to please. Me and Kirk had been thinking seriously about getting a Corgi puppy, but, this dog came along, so I don't know. Who knows, she might be just what we have been looking for all along.

[Ω-Admin-Cara-Ω]

I would say Rissa that she needs you. Pittbulls get the same fate over here when they are handed into animal shelters, which I think is mean as you can't judge an animal by it's breed

[Sync]

I agree with Cara. The rules on Pitbulls aren't as strict over here in Britain, but they are definitely a frowned upon breed. But it's the owners that influence the behaviour. We had a Staffordshire Bull Terrier who people used to be very intimidated by until they bothered to come and actually ask us about him. He genuinely wouldn't hurt a fly and was the sweetest dog we've ever owned.

I know when getting an abandoned dog to trust you is one of the best feelings in the world. Sticking with her and helping her settle into a loving home will be work it. My dog Bella was abandoned as a puppy, on the side of the road in six foot of snow. She had almost been frozen to the ground, and if she stayed out half an hour longer she would have died. She was extremely nervous when we first had her, but now she's absolutely adorable. It was the best feeling ever when she began to trust us and approach people willingly.

Stick with her! It's worth it! She really will appreciate it.

[.Rissa.]

Sorry I have yet to take a picture of Sam. I am beginning to think she might be part cow dog mix... still don't know. I am also sorry for not being on to post, even though the holidays are over, life is not xD

I am trying to train Sam to be more obedient. She is okay around the horses in the pasture, but when I go to work them in the round pen or anything, she barks at them and I have a friend who both her dog, and her trainer's dog have gotten trampled by horses. Both of them were Australian Shepards with 'cowy' experience. I don't want Sam to have that fate.

People have suggested I put her in a kennel while I work, but she would have to stay in there a long time. I also don't believe in shock collars. I've seen too many bad things with them.

I promise to post soon, I have just been a bit stressed out lately. Sam in not leash trained yet, she doesn't trust me that well to even grab her and pick her up. I don't want to just get rid of her, like the last people who dumped her, as everyday, her trust in me grows more. She is now very excited to see me.

My goal, is to be able to tell her 'away' if she comes around while I am working or just completely ignore horses all together. I am by no means a dog trainer, but positive reinforcement seems the best way to go about it, I just am not sure how yet...

Oh, and thanks for the feedback!!! ;D

[.Rissa.]

Well, Sam did better with the horses today. I found out she is not barking at them, she is barking at me because I stop paying attention to her when I work with them.

I have bought a dog training book and have done some research, so hopefully I can have her sit, drop, stay, heel, leave it, come, watch me, and away. As basic obedience skills. it would be cool to teach her other things as well.

Finally here is her picture. Anyone good at analyzing dogs? And, what breeds she is? click here

[Ω-Admin-Cara-Ω]

She beautiful Rissa!!!

I'm not too good with my breeds, but I wouldn't be surprised if she's got some huntaway in her (it's a new zealand breed so don't quote me on it). Here's the wikipedia page: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_Huntaway. They are a mutt breed