-=> RICHARD WEBB wrote to WAYNE CHIRNSIDE <=-

 Hello Richard.

 RW> HI Wayne,

 RW> On Tue 2039-Apr-19 10:55, WAYNE CHIRNSIDE (1:123/140) wrote to RICHARD
 RW> WEBB:

 RW> 

 RW> Wouldn't doubt it, all in how they're raised and treated.
 RW> I'm hoping this steroid regimen seems to solve the problem
 RW> for quite awhile.  WE get her over this I'm just going to
 RW> have to find more opportunities for her to get good exercise too,
 RW> 
 WC> Well an addendum is in order for both clarity and good information.

 WC> I NEVER stopped training the animal.
 WC> Not that that training required much in the way of time or effort
 WC> it was hugely important that the animal be consistantly reminded who
 WC> the pack leader was.

 RW> Indeed it is, and Schotze knows that I'm boss.  She and I
 RW> have had our contests of wills, but I always win.  My lady
 RW> is the one she's the "stuffed animal" for.  I keep telling
 RW> kathy that's "momy's teddy bear."

Yeah, Spanky tried to game me much more often than challenge 
me and then it'd been my fault for having neglected training for some
two months or more.

 RW> The vet usually muzzles rotties, pits, etc. that we go to.
 RW> YEs we've switched vets I think since I"ve seen you in this
 RW> echo, you may have been around to read my complaints on that one.

You and I both.
A vet I'd been going to had drawn back a syringe and drilled Spanky
like he'd drill a dart board, Spanky didn't flinch, I did.
New veteranarian. 

Not only were the new veteranarian people more caring but thirty percent 
cheaper as well.
Never any question of muzzling Spanky, he looked forward to the vets. 

 RW> But, this guy, small town vet,  he usually muzzles those
 RW> breeds.  NOt Schotze.  Just wants me there to help him keep
 RW> control of her, and let her know that she's safe.
 RW> Long as she's with me she knows that she's supposed to do as
 RW> instructed.

Spanky was good to go without me for some period a time, to venture
a guess and not abused two months before he'd question authority and the 
canine nature assert to test the limits.

I actually had a neighbor who dropped by who tried to abuse Spanky by pulling 
at his tail and ears, he thought it amusing.
I thought him an idiot but tolerated it until Spanky would give that look,
hey dad pull this idiot off of me. 

I even told him I could take food, turkey meat no less, out of Spanky's mouth
without a problem and I could.
Jim tried as well and though at no risk he couldn't overcome that 2,000 LB
bite force jaws. 

 RW> She still isn't real fond of the bathtub, but it's the
 RW> surface more than the water.  ONce she gets in there and you start
 RW> bathing her she loves itl.

Well Spanky wasn't fond either but I made it on command as part of training.
I think for a canine a strong scent may be a way of asserting dominance?

 RW> I always really liked dobermans, but after adopting Roxy off the
 RW> streets of New ORleans and then this one, I'm totally
 RW> converted, Rottweilers, as is true with pits, have a
 RW> reputation which doesn't fit who they really are if trained
 RW> and given love.  Schotze acts as "Service dog" for Kathy,
 RW> picking up things she drops, etc.
 RW> I've trained her to that one.

Spanky served as a service dog for me, companion service animal.
Had I been more ambulatory I'd have loved to have taken him
around to visit with the infirm.

Had I been blind can you imagine a Pit Bull as a service dog?
What a hoot that would have been, legally bound to not deny admittance
in public places it'd have raised more than a few eyebrows methinks.

Thanks for the reply Richard.
Any excuse to brag on that animal is welcome and to tell
you the truth I'm on the verge of tearing up thinking about him.

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