Bully Dogs or Healing Dogs? You Decide

Amazingly enough, dogs are just like people. When trained in a loving, caring home with the right discipline, your dog will most likely be well-mannered. However, if a dog is left untrained or the owners use abuse tactics as a form of discipline, they can easily end up with a BULLY DOG.

Speaking of bully dogs. A couple of weeks ago I was out with one of our volunteers walking our two small dogs, Lover, our 7-month-old Yorkie and Baby Ruth, (pictured right) our 5-year-old Min-Pin, Rat Terrier, Chihuahua mix.

It was hot day, 85 degrees. A real scorcher.

In desperate need of shade we crossed the street to where we could see some trees overshadowing the sidewalk. We hadn’t walked a block and all of a sudden out of nowhere I heard two pitbulls barking ferociously and growling. I spotted them behind a fence in a big back yard.

Then, before I knew what had happened, one of them cleared the 5-foot fence and pounced at my feet with its mouth wide open, ready to sink its jaws into my 3 ½ pound Yorkie. It all happened so fast. I quickly pulled Lover by the leash and harness into my arms, snatching him out of the dogs reach. But then the pit bull jumped up on me, still trying to get at the pup. I pushed him away. Then he lunged at my volunteer, now going after Baby Ruth.

“No!” I shrieked, trying to hide my fears, while yelling (some not very kind words!), hoping the people who owned the dog might hear the ruckus and come running.

No such luck.

My whole body quivered, thinking this dog was going to tear us apart and have us for lunch. 

Finally the trainer inside of me took over and I gained my composure. “Go home!” I commanded sternly. Holding out my arm I pointed back toward the house. “Get! Go!”

The dog actually heeded to my commands and circled the yard, trying to get back into the fenced area. Seeing our chance to get away, we quickly crossed the street. Still shaking, I called the police. Strangely I haven't heard a word from them since. However, I did read an article in the newspaper about a man being attacked by a pit bull in the same area of town on the same exact day this happened to us. Coincidence? I think not.

Do I blame the dog? No! Do I hate pit bulls? No, not on your life! Do I think that this dog’s owners should have taken better care and precautions? Yes, absolutely! 

As a dog trainer, people come to me all the time and want me to fix their dogs. I’ve heard it all… “My dog barks.” “My dog bites.” “My dog jumps.” “My dog runs away.” “My dog won’t come when I call it.”

Nine times out of ten, it’s usually the owners who are to blame for their dogs unruly, bad, or bully behavior. However, there are certain dogs, that have been rescued from abusive lifestyles that are much harder to train and break of bad behaviors. I have worked with many.

Baby Ruth (pictured above) was a BULLY DOG. She was the worst dog I ever had. During her first year she wasn't housebroken, she chewed up everything, barked non-stop, and wouldn't come when we called her. I wanted to get rid of her a million times. But instead, I loved her, disciplined her, and worked with her and worked more with her. And because I did, today she is so much better and wonderful to be around!

I've found over the years that consistency, along with a balance of reward and discipline go hand in hand, to train up a good, safe, healthy dog that won’t bully.

Like people, all dogs are different.

My formerly abused, runaway pooch, Snickers, passed the therapy dog test after just ten days of training. (pictured left)  He's very obedient and would do anything to please me. We have that sort of connection and bond.

Together we’ve won numerous awards and made tracks all over Michigan to raise awareness about abuse, bullying and violence, but also to bring healing to others. I've come to understand that dogs can heal in a way humans cannot. Snickers has healed everyone in our family, as well as many others.

I've read that the mere presence of dogs produce positive endorphine's in the human brain, that actually promote health and healing.

During the twelve years we've had Snickers, he has not only brought healing to our lives, but he has served as the Mascot of our Abuse Bites program, won 2nd place in the Curwood Dog show, became the first Mayor of the Shiawassee County Humane Society for raising the most funds, and has worked right along side me training other dogs and handlers the ropes of pet therapy.

As an owner of three totally different dogs, working as a dog trainer, and now as an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, I believe with all my heart, that a trained dog is a happy and healthy dog. When your dog is happy and healthy, that healing pours over onto you, your family and others. Baby Ruth has been a tough cookie, but having to work so hard with her, has actually caused me to love her more and have an even closer bond with her.

Below I've listed some tips that I believe will help you train your dog. If you practice these basic obedience methods and keep working with your pup, before you know it, you'll be amazed. Instead of a bully dog, you will experience a dog with good manners and the true healing that can come from having a close canine companion. Good Luck!

(These pictures were taken during our spring 2012 obedience class).

#1 The Come or Recall Command-

This command is the most important in training your dog. To begin, use a favorite treat or toy. Say "Ruthy, Come!" When the dog or pup comes to you, reward them immediately (with a treat/toy/or something they like). Practice this several times a day. You can also use a partner, as we do in our classes, and have them hold your dog on a leash while you give the "come" command and then they walk your dog to you. After your dog seems to understand the command, back off on the treats and give love and affection. Always use positive reinforcement when they come to you. If they don't come at first, you can also use a leash and corral them around toward you. Never get angry with them. If at first they don't understand, they will learn to come, if you remain patient and optimistic. If they run from you and won't come, but eventually do come, do not scold them, instead praise them and they will want to keep coming back to you.

#2 The Sit Command-

This command is 2nd most important in training your dog. To begin, have your dog come to you and face you. While holding a treat upright in the tips of your fingers and thumb, curve your wrist, holding treats more facing you, while placing your hand in front of the dogs nose and command, "Ruthy, Sit." Typically this will cause a dog to sit back. As soon as they sit, praise them and give the treat. If they did not sit, you try to nudge their hind quarters by pressing down to help them into a sitting position. You can also put them on a leash, give a slight tug backward while commanding, "Ruthy, Sit." Give them a treat (reward/toy) as soon as they sit and praise them by saying, "Good Sit."  Repeat often, using short training intervals. Once they master this command, try to wean them from the treats and use more positive reinforcements.

#3 The Stay Command-

This command is 3rd most important in training your dog. After your dog learns the sit command you can teach them to stay. To begin, have your dog sit in front of you, put your hand out like a stop sign and command, "Ruthy, Stay!" Take one step back, and then toward them again. If they remained in place the entire time, reward with a treat and praise saying, "Good Stay!" If they get up or move, instantly correct them, put them back into a sit, and command them to stay. Then take the step back and forward as before. As they begin to understand and obey, you can move further and further away from them. Remember to always praise them, whether with a small treat, kind word, play time, or affection.


#4 The Down Command-

This command is a must for all dog owners who will want to put their dog in a long stay. After your dog learns to come and sit, "down" is much easier to teach. To begin, have your dog sit, then with a treat in hand coax them down. Start at their nose and make a straight motion to the floor while saying, "Down!"

If this doesn't work you can try to press between their shoulders, lift their front legs, and guide them down gently. If this doesn't seem to be successful, you can also use a leash and give a slight tug while instructing them to go down.  By using treats and other affirmative gestures, your dog will understand this command, then you can begin to work on the "Down Stay".



#5 The Down Stay Command-

This command is a necessity for any dog owner. After your dog learns the sit and down commands, you can teach them "down stay". To begin, command your dog to "Down" then put your hand out like a stop sign in front of you and command "Stay!" and begin to walk away. Reward them if they have stayed. When using the long stay command, dog's will also need a release command. You can choose any word that works for you, I personally use "Release" or "Go". If your dog releases before you allow them to, make them go back to the down stay position and repeat. This is great for when they need to stay for longer periods, like when you're eating dinner, have company, or someone is at the door.

Just remember, practice makes perfect, but also note, dogs have short attention spans. So try to teach them in small intervals throughout the day, rather than long lengthy sessions. And always use positive words of affirmation and loving gestures. Your dog loves you and will respond better to your love and affection than any form of negative discipline. And before you know it, your little bully, will be like our Baby Ruth, happy, healthy, and way more obedient!

Written by: Lisa Freeman, Certified Pet Therapist & Dog Trainer, AKC Canine Good Citizens Evaluator, Owosso, MI / Founder & CEO of AbuseBites.com/ Healing Projects Specialist Bully Police USA