tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post889011736177464372..comments2024-02-28T23:27:13.346-08:00Comments on BAD RAP Blog: the Ins and Outs of language for 2011Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17654993049959218916noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-7960717894539090432011-10-22T15:05:24.317-07:002011-10-22T15:05:24.317-07:00Hi Donna,
I'm not sure how I missed this the f...Hi Donna,<br />I'm not sure how I missed this the first time around, but I just discovered it when you linked to my blog post about language today on facebook. This is awesome, and as always, really well said. It's great having you guys as mentors. Hope to see you when we're out there next week visiting the barn!<br />Aleksandra (& Ben, Sir Chick, and foster Curious Georgia)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-40259495805431959982011-01-10T14:49:42.708-08:002011-01-10T14:49:42.708-08:00Anon: 2;33.
Out of respect to this topic, dialogue...Anon: 2;33.<br />Out of respect to this topic, dialogue uncloaked, please.<br />Thank you.Donnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05881171300084907158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-38700571515296344622011-01-04T21:59:43.032-08:002011-01-04T21:59:43.032-08:00Anonymous - You're not getting it. You're ...Anonymous - You're not getting it. You're using one of the historical uses of the dogs as their defining feature, a mistake that the Rottie and GSD people have been wise to avoid (you don't think the Germans selectively bred their guard stock?). <br /><br />We're using the current use of the dogs as their defining feature. Companion animals are not pitted, but socialized properly and managed responsibly as all dogs should be. Even working dogs with extreme drive deserve the same. Using language that ties them to a past that was - to be honest - not as successful as dog fighters would have you believe (hello Hector and friends), holds the dogs back and puts them in the crosshairs when they fail. <br /><br />"Of course they fight - they were meant to fight." No. Of course they can and do fight when people get stupid. They're terriers, they're dogs -- but since dog fighting became illegal, every pit bull born is essentially born to be a companion animal. Whether they actually get to live a life as a companion animal is up to us. <br /><br />This view doesn't absolve anyone - pit bull owner or otherwise - of their responsibilities as dog owners.Donnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05881171300084907158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-68831211885885319602011-01-04T10:38:08.379-08:002011-01-04T10:38:08.379-08:00Donna,
The pit bull is first and foremost a dog f...Donna,<br /><br />The pit bull is first and foremost a dog fighter - these dogs were never bred for human companionship as their main function. Never. Just like it was never the main function of the German Shepherd to terrorize Jews, it was just one thing they were used for. (You really didn't think the two were equal, did you?) I have to agree with Anon 11:18 that not being honest doesn't help the situation. Not all pit bulls want to fight, but it doesn't change the fact that fighting was what they were created for and is their primary intention. It is the reason we see so many news reports featuring our dogs. To borrow your words, pit bulls won't be able to get out of their darkest hour until advocates understand that they are first and foremost, born to be fighters, regardless of if pleases their owners or not. I have no idea where the myth came from that pit bulls are companion animals and have this insane loyalty that makes them fight (hello?) but it is setting pit bulls up to fail, and fail horribly, while making their owners and rescues like yours sound terribly uneducated. It is sad when BADRAP can't get it right, and leaves very little hope that the average owner will do any better. It makes my life as a pit bull owner all that more difficult and frustrating as non-owners know the truth and assume I believe the BS the rescues say. They tell me that the reason they don't want pit bulls around is because they don't trust owners to care for them the right way because they have been given the wrong information form groups like yours. And I'm starting to agree with them!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-76580523777875251412011-01-03T13:35:07.807-08:002011-01-03T13:35:07.807-08:00i dont want to be on the "out" list eith...i dont want to be on the "out" list either, but I call my "foster failure" abused pitbull my "pretty pittie" or even more my "pitty pittie" to even further baby the words all the time (usually said in a very sugary sweet tone too, lol)Robin Pruitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04204346575530772196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-7594843775567164452011-01-02T17:40:36.699-08:002011-01-02T17:40:36.699-08:00I understand your opinion, anon 11:18. Many disagr...I understand your opinion, anon 11:18. Many disagree with us on the "bred to fight" point, but we're going to keep sticking our necks out on this one even though it may be unpopular with pit bull fanciers especially. <br /><br />Unfortunately, pit bulls seem to be one of the only breeds whose historic negative use is still used to define them -- to their detriment. Pit bull people can learn a lesson from Rottweilers, Doberman and German Shepherd people, who avoid cramming the negative history of their breeds in their breed descriptions. Just imagine if every Rottweiler bio, website and news article called them out as reliable tools for intimidation with a historical presence in one of humanity's worst genocides. Really? Who needs a breed like that on the planet.<br /><br />Instead, their devotees are wise to point out their many attributes as well as their owners' responsibilities in owning them.<br /><br />In our experience after taking so many pit bulls from fight busts into our homes, the dogs display a normal amount of terrier traits and are no more willing to fight than any other type of terrier IF set up to fail. The blessing of having so many of these dogs over the years is seeing how willing they are to be social with other dogs. This is not what the dog fighters told us they would do.<br /><br />Pit bulls won't be able to get out of their darkest hour until society understands that they are first and foremost, born to be companion animals that are especially eager to please their owners. While it's true that their history includes people who've used and abused their terrier nature for gain, the dogs themselves - especially the dogs from fight busts - have been reminding us again and again and again that they are much, much more than humans' attempts to refine anti-social behavior. <br /><br />They ARE companion animals and we should allow that to be what defines them.Donnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05881171300084907158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-88626100705656252142011-01-02T17:20:57.207-08:002011-01-02T17:20:57.207-08:00Well, I've said mine's a "long nosed ...Well, I've said mine's a "long nosed boxer" on occasion. But usually we call her "killer pit bull of doom" because she is extremely licky and will lick your skin off with all the love she wants to give. :) Round here, the only folks who say "that's a good lookin' pit" tend to be the type who have one (with a huge set of testes) so they can be cool, or worse, dogfighters.Brookenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-47288809224521814102011-01-02T15:36:22.138-08:002011-01-02T15:36:22.138-08:00Sometimes, if the person is the argumentative type...Sometimes, if the person is the argumentative type, that just wants to argue with me about my dog breed, I just reply that: "She is an Ethiopian Collie!" It stumps them EVERY time!<br /><br />Respectful people get a real answer, and Suzy loves those type of people because they always hand out attention and treats!<br /><br />Thank you for all of the work that you do for this breed!<br /><br />Best,<br />Emily Browning and Suzy Q<br />shewholovesdogs.blogspot.comShe Who Loves Book and Dogshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06355115749051457577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-27802463791778775012011-01-02T14:51:58.552-08:002011-01-02T14:51:58.552-08:00Mine are "pit bulls" too to anyone who a...Mine are "pit bulls" too to anyone who asks. It's a term most people understand (on whatever level) and I want people to connect my friendly well-behaved dogs with the horror stories on tv. It helps drive home my point that it's an owner issue, not a dog issue, and that well-owned pit bulls are perfectly good dogs.<br /><br />And yes, dogs are individuals, but breeds exist for a reason.Katiehttp://underdogged.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-15231797720896905522011-01-02T11:18:46.775-08:002011-01-02T11:18:46.775-08:00But they are bred to fight. If we wanted to be re...But they are bred to fight. If we wanted to be respected and trusted, we have to tell the truth. And this has nothing to do with people, please don't make the comparison as dogs are not people. Every breed was created and bred for a purpose, and the purpose of fighting dogs is to fight. Pretending otherwise while giving them cutsie names is probably why there are so many problems in the first place. Its not management, its not abuse, its genetics. Let's start being real - no minds will ever be changed without the truth.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-28643423592896358692010-12-31T11:52:26.900-08:002010-12-31T11:52:26.900-08:00What about just dropping the "Pit Bull" ...What about just dropping the "Pit Bull" and calling them American Terriers? It matches up with their close relative the Staffordshire Terrier and putting the emphasis on Terrier helps people understand their need for exercise, work, amusement and management - which really is common with the smaller terriers too.<br /><br />Semidesi - I've seen a lot of very pitbull looking labs. My mom's purebred field line lab has a proportionally bigger neck and as big of a head as most APBTs, though a slightly narrower nose. I live in Portland where "black labs" are ubiquitous (and often mix breeds), I suspect that some of them actually have quite a bit of APBT in that mix.Julihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01636388860994577583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-80634964094396747332010-12-30T22:13:18.395-08:002010-12-30T22:13:18.395-08:00I just met a "Pit Bull Type" dog today w...I just met a "Pit Bull Type" dog today who really had the phenotype of what the common layperson views as a "pit bull" - a largish stocky 75 pound brown dog with a blocky large head. I generally just refer to dogs that look like this as large dogs because in reality it is very hard to know. In this guy's case, his phenotype did not match his actual genotype which was lab (the new ones are much bigger and have huge heads) with ridgeback. His owner said the rescue knew what his parents were. In his case he didn't have the "type" of either parent breed but just looked like some "big ol' bulldog lookin' dog." Luckily we're in the North Bay so there isn't any BSL here as I know of, but if she went somewhere where there was, she would get in trouble for owning him just because of his appearance. Though I am quite inexperienced, he didn't look particularly pitbullish to me though. He seemed too big. He was pretty calm for a lab mix though, which was interesting.semidesihttp://semidesi.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-87083861517271994032010-12-30T08:12:40.805-08:002010-12-30T08:12:40.805-08:00Out - Dog Fighter
In - Dog AbuserOut - Dog Fighter<br />In - Dog Abusermikkennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-2975734354860342932010-12-30T00:11:46.708-08:002010-12-30T00:11:46.708-08:00I tend to use the term "fathead" when re...I tend to use the term "fathead" when referring to any big thick-skulled pooch, but that's probably just me. :)Cathynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-42058835115700669572010-12-29T21:11:04.179-08:002010-12-29T21:11:04.179-08:00Our first dog trainer suggested "St Francis o...Our first dog trainer suggested "St Francis of Assisi Terrier".... but in private, I will admit to calling my 7mth old pup "my litlle peebo" occasionallyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-39523788775204208762010-12-29T19:19:30.858-08:002010-12-29T19:19:30.858-08:00Yep, Kirstan .. we all seem to be coming full circ...Yep, Kirstan .. we all seem to be coming full circle at the same time on this topic. Dogs. Just dogs.Donnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05881171300084907158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-84592567050262227542010-12-29T15:28:01.194-08:002010-12-29T15:28:01.194-08:00any Pit Bull that lands in a safe, compassionate h...any Pit Bull that lands in a safe, compassionate home, is certainly RESCUED from an uncertain future. I think the answer to "is that a pit bull??"" should be..... "he/she is a rescue dog"who wouda thunk it??https://www.blogger.com/profile/15782361867045442829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-69668934947347559762010-12-29T15:11:10.993-08:002010-12-29T15:11:10.993-08:00Definitely NOT pittie, pit, pibble, furbaby, furki...Definitely NOT pittie, pit, pibble, furbaby, furkid or whatever else NON DOG term people use. They're dogs, so maybe we could call them 'dogs'. Why does it have to be breed specific unless one is specifically ASKED? I hear SO many people saying things like 'my pit does this'... why? They're dogs. Great dogs. <br /><br />If someone asks my breed of dog, one is a pit bull (or apbt, etc.) and one is a dane/pit bull cross. I rarely get asked. It's pretty obvious on both dogs. <br /><br />It's also pretty obvious they are doted on, adored, cherished, and WORKED. They're teammates, not children. It's also quite apparent that I do not appreciate other people's dogs snarking at either one of my 2. :)kirstan Sandersnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-52487270986910128982010-12-29T11:17:26.128-08:002010-12-29T11:17:26.128-08:00I always say pitbull when someone asks. My pitbul...I always say pitbull when someone asks. My pitbull is a perfect ambassador for the breed; she's gentle, sweet, happy, beautiful and has giant brown saucer eyes that will melt you (no, I'm not biased, I swear!). She's a one-dog ignorance-buster.Jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17758904388247623976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-79927682030969273972010-12-29T10:26:08.262-08:002010-12-29T10:26:08.262-08:00This is a fantastic OUT and IN list for the New Ye...This is a fantastic OUT and IN list for the New Year! I love it!<br /><br /><br />A lot of what I do is humane education as an adoption counselor at the shelter and adoption events. Here are some of my thoughts.<br />I have heard others say they don't like "pittie" and to me that just goes along with "sheltie","collie","scottie" - other affectionate names for breeds. I usually emphasize that they are (usually) mutts. I also like "wiggle butts."<br /><br />"Bait dog" - man I hate this one. I over heard someone describing a dog as a "bait dog" when in fact she had skin allergies and was being treated for them.<br /><br />"tough as nails" -- I've yet to see one. What I say is they tend to be people pleasers. My favorite example was a mama dog who would work with you for treats. But she didn't really care for the treats, so when you weren't watching she'd quietly spit them out.<br /><br />I emphasize the "American" and the "terrier" aspects -- loyal, like to dig, like to tug.Diannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02304293013670093540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-66302221624776388762010-12-29T09:24:06.550-08:002010-12-29T09:24:06.550-08:00Well, I've always been partial to the term chu...Well, I've always been partial to the term chunky headed baby or angel, so maybe that will take the world by storm and they'll be know as the Chunky Headed Terrier :3Alexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04456154694521312525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-63933621716659356242010-12-29T08:20:19.278-08:002010-12-29T08:20:19.278-08:00@ Julie. Tim and I use the term bulldog, too. We d...@ Julie. Tim and I use the term bulldog, too. We don't use it in written form too much though since it's bound to give people the impression that American Bulldogs are essentially pit bulls. Love my bulldogs, though.<br /><br />Sorry to hear about your family trials at Christmas. You have much more patience than I do!<br /><br />@ Nina G - I still think of 'bully' as positive word for our dogs "Bully for you!" but combining it with breed - Bully Breed - has been getting messy. ie, a mastiff is involved in a negative news story and suddenly it's the same thing as a pit bull since you know how those bully breeds are all the same. We don't have the political power to reclaim those words, but by easing back on the use, we can help them lose their charge.Donnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05881171300084907158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-49372890255771806792010-12-29T08:09:45.970-08:002010-12-29T08:09:45.970-08:00T h a n k y o uT h a n k y o uOne voice countshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05144471319229260793noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-64681468176274406582010-12-29T07:16:39.844-08:002010-12-29T07:16:39.844-08:00I am pleased to see that "Bully Breed" i...I am pleased to see that "Bully Breed" is out...I have ALWAYS had an issue with that term. I have heard from "non-Pit Bull people" that they equate that phrase to a school-yard type bully. Personally, I think THAT is the LAST image we want to promote when people think of our dogs.<br /><br />I am also relieved to see "Pitty" on the OUT. One of my co-workers in the shelter I worked in used to use this term freely w/ potential adopters and never once noticed the perplexed look on people's faces or paused to explain that it was a nick name for a Pit Bull.<br /><br />And I LOVE Andie's statement:<br />"its all about how they are raised" is OUT and "its all about how they are managed" is IN!<br /><br />Because we have to admit that genetics plays a strong role in how nature (or the manner in which an animal is raised) affects that animal's behavior and temperament.NinaGnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-73559569209598618912010-12-29T07:12:26.922-08:002010-12-29T07:12:26.922-08:00While sometimes well deserved: "we'll hav...While sometimes well deserved: "we'll have to cyber-smack you." :-)<br />and I like the thought, remind folks<br />Out: - smacking<br />In: - positive reinforcement or correction <br /><br />I know we should treat all as individuals, however I can't help noticing. People can act like the stubborn, 'bull-headed ones' Pit Bull and American Bulldog types in our family... <br />when pushed or pulled, often they just push back in the wrong direction. <br /><br />Hoping all Bad Rap Crew and sponsors celebrate the year past and wishes of a rewarding New Year,<br />Boris' FamilyBorishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12882525604461500267noreply@blogger.com