Enjoying a Meaty Raw Bone

Please remember that one should NEVER give their American Pit Bull Terrier or any breed of dog, for that matter, cooked bones. Cooked bones may splinter and may cause internal bleeding if swallowed. Therefore, ALWAYS give your dogs raw bones.

Comforting Your American Pit Bull Terrier When Thundering and Lightening

By Nathaniel Rhine

Yesterday evening, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia was hit with a very bad thunderstorm, which is considered normal in this part of the world. Fortunately, I was able to reach my home safely without getting caught in the storm. It was fortunate for Soldier, my American Pit Bull Terrier as well, for I was able to comfort him during this dramatic experience for him.

Soldier, is an outside dog, for he is not allowed in the house for religious reasons, which I prefer not to delve into at this moment. Having said that, Soldier has never entered the house, not even one paw has entered the house. Yesterday marked the end of that reign. I had the front door of the house opened unattended for no more than five seconds, when Soldier made a quick dash inside the house! Was I upset with him, even after I have pride myself with training him well, as not to enter the house? No. I understood that he was terrified with all the thundering that was going on. He did what was natural; to run for cover, to run for shelter.

To make a long story short, I had to comfort him and had to ensure him that things are alright and that all the noise from the thunder will not hurt him. What I did was to sit in a chair outside under the veranda, the roofed area around the house, and just petted him. Not a simple pet that lasts for a few seconds, but for the duration of the thundering and lightening, which lasted approximately 35 minutes, give or take a few minutes.

Within the first three to five minutes, I could sense his relief. He wasn’t shaking nor had that scared look on his face. He could sense that I was going to see him through this experience and I did.

It doesn’t require must from a responsible American Pit Bull owner as yourself to sense when your dog needs your support. Just place yourself in your dog’s shoes if you will. I do hope that you know I am using a figure of speech only. I do hope you are not putting shoes on your American Pit Bull Terrier, as though he’s a poodle or some other toy dog.

In other words, have a heart. Think of the time when you were 3 or 4 years old and it was thundering like all get out. Didn’t you appreciate it when one of your parents or a big brother or sister comforted you? Of course you did. Your dog needs and requires that same attention.

As you are well aware, during such terrible storms, there is bound to be tree limbs falling and things being blown around. The last thing one want is for their dog to be harmed in any way by means of fallen tree limbs etc.

So the next time, it is thundering and lightening like nobody’s business, please do think of your American Pit Bull Terrier’s feelings and most importantly, his safety.

Feeding Your American Pit Bull Terrier on Time

By Nathaniel Rhine

Yes, you read the title of this blog correctly. One should feed your American Pit Bull on time and I will tell you why and how to do so. Firstly, let’s make it very clear that dogs are not humans; yet, they are very similar to humans, in a sense that both humans and dogs do things out of habit, be they good or bad. Let’s think positive, shall we.

As humans, we on an average eat three times a day; once in the morning, again around noon time and again in the evening. We have cultivated this habit since we were very young. Actually, our parents helped to instill that in us. The American Pit Bull Terrier is no different. In no way am I suggesting that one should teach one’s dog to eat three times a day at the same times that we do. What I am suggesting is that as responsible American Pit Bull Terrier owners, we should teach them to eat at a scheduled time, everyday.

Please bare in mind that not all American Pit Bull Terrier owners will feed their dog three times a day. Some do. I personally feed Soldier, my American Pit Bull Terrier once a day, in the late evening. The reason being is that it takes the stomach approximately 24 hours to fully digest a meal. It takes approximately 24 hours for the body to utilize the nutrients and vitamins and all the other good things that comes from a good meal. So logically, if the American Pit Bull Terrier is to eat three meals a day, he then would not be able to receive a complete breakdown of all the vitamins and nutrients that he will need from his meal. One would be putting a tremendous amount of work on the dog’s stomach to digest such a great amount of food daily.

Therefore, I have chosen to feed Soldier once a day. If you are one to feed your dog two or three threes a day, I am not saying that it is wrong, but it may be wise to reduce the size of each meal. I intend to talk more about that in future articles, God willing.

As I mentioned earlier, I feed Soldier once a day in the late evening. Without fail I would feed him at that time, because that is the time in which I return home from praying. It works well with my daily routine and schedule. That’s the key word; routine or shall I say habit. Make it a habit to feed your dog according to your daily routine. Make your dog’s eating time a routine as well.

As humans, when we have our meals, we do not sit at the table all day to eat do we? We have a period of time in which we eat our meals. Breakfast may be for 20 minutes. Lunch may be about 30 minutes, minus all the small talk we may have with our colleagues etc. And dinner may be 40 minutes to an hour, depending if you eat as a family at the table. In general we have a time frame in which we eat each meal. Likewise, when it comes to feeding our American Pit Bull Terrier, one should set a time in which he should finish his meal. For Soldier, I give him a maximum of one hour to eat. Actually, after I walk him for about 45 minutes to an hour before he has his meal, he is starving. After a good workout, he usually finishes his meal in several minutes. It’s even scary at time to see him eat like there’s no tomorrow.

What do I do after the one hour has elapsed? I remove the food bowl. That’s right. I will remove the food bowl, indicating to Soldier that his time is up. Meal time is over. By making it a routine, your American Pit Bull Terrier will get the point. There is no need for him to wear a watch either. He will know what time it is automatically.

The key here is that you as a responsible American Pit Bull Terrier owner will have to be consistent in the time(s) you feed your dog and the time you remove the food bowl from your dog’s reach. It may appear to be hard to do at first, but once you see the benefits, you will be glad that you did.

Soldier - Three Weeks After Ear Cropping

Below are a few photographs of Soldier, three weeks after his ear cropping surgery. It is still healing, but doing very well. To view more photographs, please visit my blog: http://nathanielrhinephotography.blogspot.com/. 

Bones for The American Pit Bull - Raw Not Cooked

By Nathaniel Rhine

The American Pit Bull loves nothing more than a meaty raw bone. Yes, raw bones. At one time I thought that dogs will enjoy any kind of bone. In actually fact, they love any kind of bone, but a responsible dog owner will know that not every bone is a good bone.

Raw bones are far better than cooked bones. The primary reason being that raw bones are harder and better for the teeth of your dog. Raw bones are better for cleaning the teeth of plaque that builds up over a period of time. We may not always brush our American Pit Bull’s teeth as we should, however, the raw bone is a great substitute.

Since the American Pit Bull is a very active breed, a good meaty raw bone is will serve as a means of venting that extra energy. They will chew on the sofa, shoes, books almost anything when they are not giving enough exercise. For temporary measures, give your American Pit Bull a raw bone. I am not suggesting that you should not exercise your dog. No. As a responsible American Pit Bull owner, you must exercise your dog daily. No excuses!

Getting back to the bone, cooked bones should be avoided like a plague. Cooked bones are brittle and may cause your dog to choke and worst, may cause internal bleeding due to punctured organs caused by the brittle bones! Brittle bones are sharp and may cause great damage to your dog.

The next time to you want to give your American Pit Bull left over chicken bones or turkey bones or whatever from your dinner table, think twice. No. Don’t even think about it. Just do not give your American Pit Bull cooked bones ever again.

The American Pit Bull Loves Real Raw Bones

Instructions for Care of Ears Following Cropping

By Nathaniel Rhine

Sutures or stitches should be removed from the edge of the ear about 7-10 days after surgery. If the sutures are in too long, they may cause infections. During this time, the American Pit Bull should be separated from other dogs if possible to prevent them from licking the exposed sutures thus delaying healing and causing excessive scar tissue formation which, in many instances, will prevent the ears from standing properly.

After the suture have been removed about 7 – 10 days after surgery, massage the healing edges of the ear twice daily using a cream supplied by the doctor as a lubricant. Employ a stretching motion as you massage to help prevent scarring as healing progresses.

The ears must be kept CLEAN and DRY at all times!!

Avoid playing with the American Pit Bull excessively while he is learning to perk the ears up. If you play excessively, your dog will instinctively pull the ears down. Avoid “rough-housing” during the healing process. Try to get your American Pit Bull to pick the ears up as often as possible by making unusual noises or blowing a whistle to get his attention.

Ears which are continuously wet are very slow to heal properly and to stand. The cartilage loses its rigidity and develops scar tissue formation.

Keep the ears CLEAN and DRY at all times!!

The American Pit Bull is a high energy breed and may insist on scratching at the ears the first week following surgery. To prevent any infections, have the dog wear the “lamp shade”, the cone that is wore around the neck to prevent him from scratching the ears.

The doctor will usually prescribe a pain killer and antibiotics which will reduce inflammation and alleviate the itching associated with the sutures.

There is a fly repellent that the doctor may supply you with, which will repel flies. The fly is a great carrier of diseases and filth. The things you and your American Pit Bull do not want to be associated with ever. Simply spray it on your dog twice a day, especially if your American Pit Bull is outside.

By spending plenty of time with your American Pit Bull, the ears should stand well in several weeks to 1 or 2 months with a minimal amount of discomfort to you or to the dog.

As a responsible American Pit Bull owner, make sure that you do all that is required to keep your American Pit Bull as healthy and safe as possible.