DS: My American Pit Bull Terrier is just now showing signs of interest in the spring pole?
She is almost 2 years old. She was a rescue. I have had her since 3 months. She also has a genetic joint disease which she has received Adequan shots for. Her last shot was 6 months ago and she has not had any signs of limping since.
She does not have the *strength* in her back hips and legs like she should because of this.
So, the question is: When do most APBTs who are sound in body usually show interest in the spring pole?
I feel good it is happening now but I am just curious when this normally starts. Thanks!!!
Erica: Your answer makes sense. Yes, my vet said it is okay but not to have it up so high she has to come completely off the ground. I have to have another 6 months with no signs of limping before I can raise it.
I know about the ‘prey drive’ thing. Thank you.
The following reply is by : Erica -}X{-Butterfly Kisses-}X{- :
That mostly depends on the dog itself, and the genetics behind the dog. If you have a straight game bred dog, with a high prey drive, chances are, it’ll catch on and take interest rather quickly. However, if you have a dog that isn’t as game as some APBT’s, it can take longer for the dog to take interest. If you play with her around the spring pole, encourage her when she does take interest in it, etc… she’ll catch on rather quickly. Keep in mind that these dogs have an almost NEED to please their owners, therefore letting her know you approve of this, etc… will help encourage her to use it.
In reference to her and the spring pole, as an example to show what I mean, I know many APBT owners that HAVE to separate their dogs, because of their drive, I also know many APBT owners that only separate their dogs (via crates usually) when they’re not home to supervise, as a cautionary note to avoid the chance of anything happening.
Another good example would be my pit bull. She’ll charge an adult squirrel (has literally pulled my stairs away from my house with me on them because she saw the squirrel before I did, and before I could give the "leave it" command, which she follows quite nicely by the way!), but wants to do nothing more then lick the baby squirrel we’re fostering/keeping. A lot of it, as is the case with Pixie, depends on the situation, too. Keep in mind that the APBT is a dog that was bred to have a high prey drive, as are most terriers. If the object doesn’t look like prey (such as with Pixie seeing a squirrel running across the yard, as opposed to her seeing me holding a baby squirrel), or if it doesn’t look like a challenge, or something that they think YOU would want them to go for, chances are, they wont give it much thought. (There is an exception here with APBT’s who are strongly dog aggressive, etc…). However, if it looks like prey, or like something you want them to do, they have a much better chance at paying attention to it, etc… If that makes any sense, lol, I know what I’m trying to say, I’m just not sure if it’s coming out right!
On a side note, have you talked to your vet about allowing her to be on the spring pole? With her not having the strength in her hind legs like she should, allowing her on the spring pole may be dangerous to her joints, etc… and it might not be a bad idea to check this with her vet just in case. Unless you already have and he’s cleared it, in which case I’ll shut up, lol