We have experience in reverse, Connie. It’s always us introducing new cats to the dogs (as in 12 dogs). When the cat is new, we just put him in a cage and introduce him a few minutes at a time. Let them smell the cat, see us petting the cat, seeing the cat eat… those things. Later we let the cat out, a few minutes at time. But we have to be watchful till the dogs get used to the cat. It’s either they ignore each other now or play with each.
I don’t have experience though the other way around. Good luck, I’m sure you’ll get the hang of it.

Oh, I hope so. I’ve been awake for five hours and there’s been no incident yet. One day at a time.

Sam might have to take a more active role in training astro…

A dog has to learn areas he’s not allowed, things he’s not allowed to do.

Haay, what dilemma.

Honestly, when I read in your post about Sam getting a pit bull, my first reaction was to cringe. I know several people who own pit bulls, and they keep their dogs always at bay - sometimes in cages - to prevent them from biting anyone. Kasi nga, when a pit bull bites, it doesn’t let go, which can be scary and dangerous.

Astro is a cute dog, for now, because he’s still a pup. Maybe if Sam will compromise na lang and agree to getting a less aggressive dog. Naku, Sam, huwag magtatampo sa akin, ha…. but you should also consider everyone’s safety, and of course keeping order in your home…

Chris, can you e-mail Sam and tell her that? LOL

Hay, Rhodora, there was a point last night when I was ready to give up. But things are better today, hope tomorrow will be even better. It’s not exactly true that pit bulls don’t let go when they bite. Astro does but, you know, you have to be firm without panic and no screaming. He doesn’t react nicely to scolding. What works is diversion. And when he hears the blender motor running (he’s forever hanging out in the kitchen when I’m cooking), he gets subdued hehehehe Takot sa blender.

Ma’am Connie, I’ve been reading your blogs since I can’t remember when basta I can recall a bit lang yong isang photo don of a house on a hill na parang “forest” ang nasa likod or highly elevated ang house. Sorry po that time kasi hindi pa po ko naadik sa blogs, kaya di ko matandaan masyado, hehe.
Ma’am Connie is it ok to post d links of your blogs in my blog? actually haphazard ang blog ko, experimental stage pa. I have to decide pa what to do with it. I also have a wordpress account but I would like to decide din kung what will my theme be.

That is why we have fish

i know what you are going through, we have 10 cats & 9 dogs. it took a while for them to live harmoniously (although there are still some who choose not to like each other). i really hope you dont give astro away, i know it will break your daughter’s heart if that happens.

as to a previous comment you got…i know that this breed has received so much negative flak but pitbulls are not dangerous dogs by nature…they become dangerous when trained to be (the very cruel dog fighting trade they are subjected to). the practice of caging & chaining the dogs also adds to their aggressiveness. i have met pitbull owners who even have young children in the house, what they do is go to the vet dentist to have the dog teeth polished to prevent accidentally bruising their owners when they start playing.

am sure with your family’s love & patience, things will get better with your pets =)

LOL I miss the days when we had fish. Speedy even had a saltwater fish period hehehe

Kay, wow, so many! I’m hoping things will turn out well with ours. You’d understand when I say there is a bond formed and letting go is not as easy as giving away an old pair of jeans. I never had pets as a child and I didn’t know — until Pepper came along, actually, and now Astro — that emotional attachment with a pet is something real.

I agree with Kay, how a pit bull turns out depends a lot on how it’s raised. Mas separated siya from the family (like in a cage or tied up) mas prone mag develop ng distrustful tendencies. Even mild tempered dogs will do the same as puppies. My labrador retriever who is the sweetest dog there is has her share of destruction, nipping and mayhem. Some toy dogs nga are more aggressive pa like the Pomeranian hubby and I saw at Tiendesitas. ang liit liit but napaka tapang! For the itchy gums, I suggest giving the puppy an ice cube to play with from time to time. It lasts a few minutes til the ice cube melts and it relieves the itching gums. You could also get doggie treats with rough textures or soft foam filled toys para ma-occupy time niya and dun ibuhos ang panggigigil. I made a mistake in forgetting to refill my arsenal of chew treats once and the results were mangled shoes, half chewed railings sa stairs, a ripped apart throw pillow and chewed up socks and underwear all over the place. Good luck!

Angela, thank you! Will try the ice cubes at once. He has toys already but I think the ice cubes will work wonders.

we had that problem of the dog biting. He doesn’t anymore. Naturuan na rin. Naturuan ko na ring ilagay sa leash pag lalabas ng bahay.

Baka makatulong to:

http://ph.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080214085110AAQsnyY

Tito Rolly, thanks. I think answer no. 8 in that link is reasonable and doable. No. 10 scared me.

These are the links for the news about pit bull attacks on humans and other animals.

Wikipedia also provides the countries and the states in the US where pit bulls are banned as pets because of the dogs’ temperament and their track record of the breed with the most fatal attacks even without provocation. Have a safe day.

http://cbs11tv.com/local/pit.bull.attack.2.654689.html

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=1285789

http://lists.envirolink.org/pipermail/ar-news/Week-of-Mon-20031006/007930.html

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,174712,00.html

http://www.wsbtv.com/news/15321843/detail.html

Two words of advice: “Dog Whisperer”. If your don’t get the National Geographic Channel, where he’s aired, you can find him on YouTube

Hello Ca t, thanks for the links. I read about the states/countries that ban pit bulls before agreeing to let Sam get one. What can I say? Stereotypes and prejudice don’t sit well with me. I’d rather hear it from people who have raised pit bulls.

Hi Tiyo Alan, if it’s on YouTube, I’ll be watching it. Thanks.

I have a friend who lives with two pit bulls. They are tough dogs. One is a milder dog, but the male — well his owner had to be very very very tough on him, making sure the dog knows who’s boss. They can grow up to be 100s of pounds of pure muscles so the time to start making them obey their owners is when they’re little.

Making dogs obey is no joke. When you want the dog to listen to you and not show aggressiveness to strangers, you better be sure they will mind. You have to get into their head, they’re very very territorial, with a pack mentality and if there’s no leader, they will try to take on the role.

Good luck Te Connie. Dogs can definitely be man or woman’s best friend. Do find the dog whisperer somewhere, i agree with his outlook on dogs definitely. I am not for those that view dogs as mild pets that must be coddled.

You should be doing routines for Astro. Here’s a rough sample:

Morning Walk for poopoo and exercise (this will make him pagod and rest for awhile)
Leash time from 9-10am (or any 1-hour leash time in the morning)
Floortime (free roam as usual)
An hour inside a playing pen (or inside a vari kennel) in the garage after lunch. this time he also eats his lunch.
An hour Garage/Garden floortime for poopoo.
Home Floortime
Another hour of leash time somewhere inside the house (living room, kitchen etc)
Afternoon walk on-leash

This routine will give him time outside the main home territory while the cats are enjoying it. The walks and the poo times will also make him somehow pagod so the next duration of hour/s will be spent while he is either relaxing or sleeping. It will also give him the sense that YOU are in control and not him.

The reports on media about Pitbull attacks and all that shiz are overrated. Other dog breeds do the same more than Pitbulls does, it’s just that when it’s a pitbull, it will make it on CNN.

FOR BITING: Make an Ampalaya juice (simmering it in water) and make it super tapang. Spray it to the stuffs he loves biting.

FOR CAT SOCIALIZATION: You should spend some time sitting the pitbull with the cat while Astro is on-leash. And gently -but commandingly pulling his leash (with a firm NO! command) every time he tries to make a hurtful attack to the cat.

The best too right now is have him trained for basic obedience.

And finally, quality time with the kids really. Sam and Alex might be pagod from school but since this is something one of them wished to have, they really should do their part. Like before-midnight walk around the village will be very healthy too, if it’s safe of course.

Quality/Bonding time activities:

1) Daily sponge bath (damped towel. punas punas) and occasional brushing.
2) Play fetch with a bone/ball/other toys. Give him a reward (a kibble of dogfood, a slice of cheese etc) whenever he gives it back.
3) Walking is really great. If Speedy is jogging in the morning, he can tag Astro with him. (but since he is still a puppy, you should start having him used to leash and start walking him on it in short distances).

Time killers: (this will put his attention to certain other things than ruining your sofa)

1) Give him big raw bones (knockles from beef or pork), he can chew on this the whole day if he wants! Raws are safe, best if there are some meats. (Kill the theory that it will make them more meat and blood hungry, that is old wives tale). If you do this at least twice or thrice a week, there will be no need for brushing his teeth!

2) Dental bones you can buy from shopwise. This edible bones will also clean his teeth.

Hey Connie! I’m going to be in the Philippines next month and I’ve got Cesar Milan’s (known as the Dog Whisperer) book which I think would be helpful for Sam to read. I can give it/mail it to you once I’m in Manila. Sam is more than welcome to have the book!

http://www.amazon.com/Cesars-Way-Everyday-Understanding-Correcting/dp/0307337979/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1203460083&sr=1-1

Anyhow, since Astro is teething, one thing you can do to help with his teething is giving him ice cubes. It will help numb the pain. I did that with my Labrador retriever when he was teething. Just make sure that the ice cubes aren’t so big that they will choke him should he swallow them.

As for the cat/dog problem, there probably isn’t anything you can do with the cats disliking Astro. But you definitely can teach Astro NOT to mess with Pepper’s tail. The second he does that, you need to correct him. You also have to teach him who the boss is: you/Sam. Since he’s still young, this is the BEST time to do it. Otherwise, when he grows up, you will have a harder time trying to exert control over him when you need to the most. As Cesar teach’s, YOU are the leader of the pack. The dog is just a follower. Dogs are pack leaders. I know there are a lot of people that hate Cesar’s teachings but I think a lot of what he says is common sense and hell, it’s worked with our dog when we’ve used some of the basic techniques.

Thanks, Pinayhekmi. Nikita just provided the answer to all the suggestions about The Dog Whisperer. I’ve read the criticisms against his technique but I think we can sift through what we can try and what not to.

Nikita, thanks. Very much. I’ll email you my cell number.

Thank you, Michelle. Speedy thinks Astro’s too young for a leash but I do think that tiring him with walking is a great idea. And the bone! A large raw bone (as in crispy pata size) is easy enough to get.

About the leash, you have to make him used to a collar and leash as early as possible. Just don’t leash him in one place more than an hour. Leash walking is the best thing.

When I say large bone, it means even larger than Astro himself (considering he’s a puppy still). LOL

I have to add: he’s not too young for a leash. You want him to get used to it now, not when he’s older, bigger, more strong-willed and able to resist with power. All right, do let us know how he progresses.

Michelle, where do I get a bone as big as that? LOL Astro’s 2-1/2 months old.

Pinayhekmi, thanks. There are pet shops nearby (Antipolo isn’t backward enough not to have pet shops hehehe).

dear connie,
basta dogs be sure i will comment!! We can manipulate the dogs behavior to our liking but it takes patience. like the pooing and others it is a long process. my yellow lab has his share of bad behavior. my hubby, who is not a dog lover, opened the gate one morning to let my dog go. why you might say because he made sampa to my two year old son that knocked him over and had bruises and a bump on his head. my daughter ran to me and told me what his dad done. labradors are a bit wary in knowing their way home. but i caught up with him. exasperated i told my husband why did he do that and he replied “di ba u told me this country lacks freedom and i just giving your dog just that.” say what?? he added or a kalderata maybe?? yeah right!! well my point—patience lang. there is still tomorrow.

Astro is a pit bull? I hope you do not have more problems than what you already have; which are, by the way very minor considering what some grown-up pit bulls are notorious for. Why can’t your daughter have a tamer breed of dog?

ms. connie, the best teething thing you can give a dog is a raw bone (don’t boil it coz heat changes the bone’s composition and makes it brittle thus more prone to snap). I get my dogs’ bones from the meat counter at the supermarket, just ask that they not chop up pork soup bones. nope, it’s not true that feeding raw meat to dogs encourages aggressive behavior. I’ve done the same thing with my lab and Rottweiler (whose breed shares the same bad rep as pit bulls by the way, only Rotts are bigger and meaner looking) and they’re still the same sweet slobbery babies that they are. the problem you may have with this one though is if the dog decides to bury the remainder of the bone somewhere indoors (mine buried it in the couch!). it’s cheaper coz you can get two pieces for just P40 plus they last longer too than the average raw hide especially as the dog and his teeth grow bigger. You can also get huge puppy sized basted rawhide bones from Handyman and maybe some of the pet stores at tiendesitas. They can cost between 80-120 bucks. I agree with Michelle that a collar and leash would be good so Astro can get used to them. As for the nipping, you can try getting a muzzle to use as a “disciplinary” tool every now and then… Like when he goes after pepper’s tail They usually come with velcro so it’s adjustable and the dog can still drink water comfortably even with it on. Sorry po, mala-novela na Long time dog lover and owner here.

Nice, Angela! That thing about cooking-the-bones-makes-it-brittle is so right on. Many people are like hey don’t feed them Chicken bones it will be stock in their throats etc etc. Actually Connie, you should consider BARF Diet (Biologically Appropriate Raw Foods). Explaining this would take time, but just to let you know, all our dogs are fed BARF. You can read this beautiful website: http://www.skansen.com (Nutrition and Food section) it will give you all the things you know about raw foods.

I’m recommending this because being a cook as you are, I know you have the best brains for bones, where to get the best etc.

May katukayo ako sa thread na ito; Hi!

Naku Connie, hindi ako maka-relate dahil lumaki akong isda lang ang inaalagaan namin, and even now, we only have fish and a turtle, turning eight years old na yata, pero wala naman kaming “relationship” na matatawag with her.

I just hope mali nga ang mga opinion na dangerous ang pit bull, and I wish you luck in getting peace restored in your extended family.

arny, the poop problem is almost solved. He doesn’t do it inside the house anymore — we just need to train him to do it on only ONE spot in the garden. He goes into the rear garden so we always keep the kitchen door (which leads to the rear garden) open.

bertN, both Sam and Speedy have been dreaming of owning a pit bull for years. Personally, I’d choose a cocker spaniel.

Angela, re the muzzle: I was just telling Speedy about that last night. Astro bites the leash which makes walking him difficult. But with a muzzle, he can get used to the leash and learn that walking is enjoyable. Re the rawhide bone: Speedy bought him a pack. One has been mangled beyond recognition LOL but it kept him occupied for hours. As in, I actually managed to finish a CSI episode without him bothering me. And…. we went to the supermarket last night and WE’VE GOT THE BONES! Giving it to him today.

Michelle, thanks for the skansen link. Made-delay ang writing today ah kakabasa ng skansen. I really really like first person experience. Hard to listen to the fears of non-pet owners.

LOL Nikita, matagal na ring blogger yang si Jellykiss Nikita. About Astro… well, it is true that PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE in this case. When I look back at the past few days, I can honestly say that things get a little better every day. Like, the house has been poop free for so many days already. I couldn’t say that during Astro’s first few days here. Pepper sleeps inside the house most nights now. Ang big problem na lang is to keep Astro off Pepper’s feeding bowl. Ewan ko kung ano obsession nya sa cat food.

Alam mo, you can summarize the Dog Whisperer’s advices in one sentence: Be the alpha leader!

Behavior kasi talaga ng aso is to work within a “pack.” Samin, di ba we had 13 dogs? Within their group, there’s an alpha leader. And they also operate within another pack, the “human” pack. Papanood mo si Sam nung movie na Eight Below (disney ata yun). More or less ganun behavior ng aso sa grupo. The alpha leader has first dibs on everything. Once you guys establish na kayo ang “higher” sa “pack” nyo, it’s going to be easy making him follow.

One thing na wag gagawin ni Sam is to feed the dog from the table. The dog should know that he can only eat AFTER you guys finish eating.

Since bata pa si Astro, it’s best you start asserting your authority over him. Make him feel that you’re the boss! Pag bad sya, ignore him. Eventually he’s going to learn to associate getting ignored when he does something bad. The best thing kasi about being the alpha leader ng dog mo, he’s not only going to respect you, but also respect your cats. Dogs kasi will do anything to please us

Gail, Sam has seen Eight Below — I’m the one who needs to see it. Hirap kasi, I’m the one who’s here all day, Sam is in school and she has projects and homework to do in the evening. She can take care of Astro when summer break starts but that will be too late. So, it’s just me until then. At least, there are visible results. Astro stops the biting and the chewing when he hears me with THAT TONE OF VOICE hehehe He doesn’t mess with Pepper’s tail (limits himself now to smelling her butt — why he does is beyond me). Very few “accidents” in the house now — pee mainly but no more poop — he has really learned to go to the garden to do that.

That’s good! he’s now beginning to see you as an alpha leader Dapat kasi talaga merong alpha leader, kahit sino sa inyo basta hindi sya. Ganun kasi sila eh, if they see that nobody’s stepping up to the plate, they’ll take it upon themselves to do the job. Pag nangyari yun, mahirap na pasunurin. Email kita tonight ng mga links sa net on dog discipline. Good reads yun promise

Hehehe mukhang madadalas ka na rin ata sa blog ni Cesar Millan!

oo, panoorin mo Eight Below. Cute movie na, kahit papano you’ll learn something from it pa.

Ms. Connie,
Don’t give up on Astro. The trainer for my pit always offers this site http://www.understand-a-bull.com
They do calm down once they learn what is acceptable.

I was just tagged for the first time.
I do not know if you respond to tags, but i have tagged you if you have time stop by!

Maybe you can also get those playpens for small dogs so you can confine Astro in just one part of your kitchen/living area. Better yet, train him to spend time in a crate—it is not cruel, just being fair & responsible for the puppy (so he doesn’t get into trouble), for the cats and the rest of the family. We have 2 middle-aged cats that we have to consider before getting a dog. Our second greyhound (67 lbs) is interested in playing with our 11 lb cat -a behavior that we are trying to discourage by distracting him with a can filled with coins when we catch him showing any interest at all. So far, it is working. For chewing problems, get a bitterapple spray and spray it on anything that Astro is interested on–slippers, etc.