Hi from Jill and (Ringo) formerly known as Blackie

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Jill...I can "hear" it in your posts. I'm glad! Hopefully your choices will be a bit easier to make when you're not totally under the weather.

[Blackie65]

Choices will be much easier when I know where ill be living!

So glad to be up and working again, helps with the finances!

Im starting to think Ringo has pit bull in him...what do you guys think? Is this something to worry about? I personally know they get a bad rap...just wondering...

[virgilsmama]

Jill, I've never heard any loving pit bull owners, that I know personally, ever say anything negative about their dogs. Bad dogs are made by bad people. I do know several owners and in reading about the breed this appears to be true. Read some shelter stories online and you will see. Your little Ringo is so adorable, every time I see him I want to pick him up and kiss and hug him. He will really be bonded to you...he already is, I hope you find a place to live that makes it easy for you to keep him. He loves you more than anything now! Glad to hear your health is improving, difficult to do but easy to say, put your feet up and get REST! when you can! Love to you and Ringo, Liz, Daisy, Buddy and Levon

[Blackie65]

Youre so lovely, thank you so much for your kind thoughts! Ill keep you posted xoxox

[nezza]

Jill, if you look around, EVERY dog could get a bad rep. It's not the dog, it's the human that makes them/lets them be bad dogs. There are NO bad dogs, just bad owners! In my years of vet experience, i've heard it all. From Chihuahua's to German Shepherds. And, i must add, almost every Pitt i have ever encountered has been the most sweetest, loving animal you could hope for. Super smart and eager to please. My little Waffles' dad is a Pitt (mom is a mix) and i couldn't be prouder of him. He is the best dog anyone could hope for. It's all in how YOU raise them

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

[Blackie65]

You guys are the BEST! Still have the little buddy, he is 10 weeks now, time sure is flying! He is getting socialized with the neighborhood "safe" dogs and seems to love every dog and every person that walks by..he gets all excited, "Is that a potential friend!!??" so sweet. My daughter has not been seen or heard from... her Dad is mad that I didnt refuse the dog in the first place, but it all is what it is.... Hoping to have this housing issue settled soon, everyone is saying that I could never let this little guy go...well, at least he will be a good boy for me or someone...he has his first official trainer supervised puppy playgroup tomorrow at 9:30. My friend Lori said ill learn alot there.

My biggest concern right now is keeping him from the kids til I get him trained, but its challenging as he hates being tethered outside (even though he can see us and we are all right there...) I hate to leave him in his crate (although I do, especially when he gets feisty, overwhelmed and tired), I do keep him leashed to me a lot so I can keep their interactions under control but it isnt always the best case scenario as my daycare kids need attention, too

Ringo Starr has been to the spray park with us and the playground, plays outside with the kids alot...I love when he is with kids that arent "scared of dogs" they both seem more relaxed. I have a little autistic boy who calls him "Fluffy"...."Here comes Fluffy!" he yells...."Hi Fluffy!" Its the sweetest thing you've ever seen! Another boy that I have with special needs is almost like a puppy himself and they seem to learn a lot from each other! Its mostly the girls that are all scared and jumpy..I think its the girls that need to be trained and not Ringo! any tips on training kids??

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

LOL Jill!!! You are exactly right that it is the children who need to be trained and not the puppy in this instance.

Those little boys sound so sweet, and are perfect for Ringo as he is for them. Dogs just know who special people are, and special children just know whom to trust. Since you asked, and only because you asked, my suggestion where the girls are concerned would be to establish rules for the girls.

Ringo is a part of your life right now, and as such, should be treated with respect as you expect them to do of you, or any other of your family members. Obviously puppies have sharp teeth and claws, and must be watched so they don't accidentally scratch or nip as that can hurt, even though no harm is intended.

The very first thing I tell a child who is scared of dogs or over reacts to them is to keep their hands at their sides at all times. Children tend to raise their hands and their voices when they are frightened. All that signals to the pup is that they should (a) be afraid and (b) overly excited too!!! It encourages the puppy to become even more exuberant. Keeping the hands down beside their waist is key!

The other thing I do is have the children sit quietly in a circle and put the puppy in the middle. Make a game out of it as to whom can stay still the longest, or be the quietest to see whom Ringo chooses. As he learns to accept each child (and you can encourage him to "share the wealth") treat both the child and puppy to something special. It could be as simple as the "chosen child" goes first in line for something....whatever works with what you're doing...or the "chosen child" becomes your "helper" for the day. It doesn't have to be food or material rewards.

In my experience, including with my own sister and her husband, it was harder to teach the adults NOT to instill fear into the children! My BIL never had any dogs growing up, whereas my sister clearly did. She however has preferred a "pet free" life...the only one out of 6 who made such a choice. They would scoop up their sons when they were small when my Golden would approach, or my Lab! They still do it when my Cavaliers come up to them. It irritates the heck out of me, and my Mother! My Mum doesn't tolerate it and speaks her mind, which as an SIL I can't do. Now my nephews are at least able to be in the same room with the dogs.

Once you have figured out your new living arrangements, I am confident that you will find something that is suitable for both you and Ringo as I have a strong feeling he isn't going anywhere too far away from you. I'm excited to hear how things go tomorrow with your training session as it will be more about you and less about Ringo. In no time at all, you'll have pearls of wisdom to dispense to all of those with brand new, extra young, puppies!!!

I'm pleased you are feeling better and that things seem to be falling into place. Here's hoping you find a new place, on the "ground floor" (or perhaps only 1 storey up) that allows you to do all that you wish to do. Keep us posted!

[Blackie65]

I love this place!!!!!!! I love you all, my very dear and true animal loving friends!

As I type, Im watch Ringo running around, playing with everything i allow him to play with and think about all the stuff I read on the internet...

there are so MANY different views on puppy training!!!

I like the views here best and cant wait to hear what the trainer at the puppy class has to say today...

oh, Ringo is running around the house like a lunatic, makes me laugh!! He is better as occupying himself than my daycare kids! hahahahaha

have a wonderful weekend, my dears!!! xoxoxoxox

[Blackie65]

Our first visit to the playground, Ringo was a hit! https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151163876130309.499345.739895308&type=1&l=fa0a1429d7

hey, is anyone else on facebook?

[Blackie65]

went to a friends to watch their son tonight...didnt want Ringo to have an accident, so I put him in a diaper!

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 23438869ca

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

LOL!!!! Oh my goodness, he looks SO cute!!!

I had to edit your post and remove some letters as the link wasn't appearing properly. It is now.

Those are great photos. Thanks for sharing.

[Blackie65]

I decided to...keep him!! Which im happy about since im incredibly emotionally AND financially invested in this sweet dog!!!

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

YAY!!!!!!

Have you sorted out your move yet? I hope things are going well for you.

[Blackie65]

Going to stay with a friend for a few months, she loves the little guy, too...thank you so much for asking!!

we have been going to puppy play group twice a week, Ringo loves it! Here are some pictures: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151196810080309.503838.739895308&type=3&l=d03a8cdb82 The trainer is so impressed with all the socialization he has been getting! She says he is so confident, he loves the others as much as he loves the other dogs, we haven't met a human or a dog that he doesn't like yet. I thank goodness for everyone's encouragement to socialize him, having him leave his momma at 5 weeks had me so worried, nice to get sound and helpful and worthwhile advice and SEE how its working! Trainer says he is a big dog in a little body! When he is tired, he does well with the shy puppies, too.... (puppies his own age, haha)

We started puppy kindergarten last week, im ashamed to say ive hardly done any of the homework ive been given, been so caught up in where am I going to live and work. I got a child care giving job nearby and renting from my friend will be reasonable....so much packing to do...Ringo get the basics, play group, food, water, exercise, I gotta squeeze training in there somehow...

living on the 2nd and third floors has made potty training hard, we are regressing, ive been tired and depressed and not taking Ringo out like I should...so...I don't scold him for having accidents...but I def think we are backsliding...he still pees every time I take him out on command, I just bought some bells for the door, hoping to train him to ring them...I do believe it will be easier in the new house..

Crate training is going well. Ringo is usually ready for me to put him in there when I do as he is always good and tired, I confess that I place him in it, rather than lure him...something to work on. He accepts it and doesn't cry, thankfully.

Im trying to give him time away from me in another room to lessen his seperation anxiety, I still think we could use some work there...

thank you for being my friends! xoxoxo
'
Jill

Ps. doing well with the kids, too

He has doubled his weight from 8 pounds to 16 pounds, vet thinks he will be only a 30-40 pound dog.

My son comes to get him from time to time for a play date.