6-24-04
The future is now!

Years ago when we heard rumors that specific breeds were going to be outlawed, we didn’t believe it. But we allowed it because these weren’t the breeds we had, but now we are faced with a new law and because it could effect everybody, everybody is up in arms. Well cry all you want, try to stick up for your rights, but right is right and the law is the law.
Now what you should be up in arms about is the fact that for years trainers have used prey and apprehension and sold it to you as defense for your family. Prey and apprehension is not defense, only defense is defense. If your dog bites someone you will probably end up in court and if you cannot prove that your dogs were defending you from certain harm, you will lose.
Defense of ourselves and our homes is all we have. If this is what you want then you should train in that manner. Demand that your trainer work on a true defensive protocol, alarm, challenge, threat display and engagement only in defense of you.
Think about it. What is more important and what is more valuable, that your dog bite someone, or your dog defend you. Lets think about Judge Judy, in the eyes of the law, what will cost you less in pain and money, that your dog defend you or bite someone. Think about this, it is a fact that once we teach a dog to bite it is classified a dangerous dog, weather its bitten anyone or not, I repeat by law once you teach a dog to bite it is a dangerous dog. So you can plainly see your starting out behind the eight ball.
Now just think about this, how many dogs do you suppose have been taught to bite in the last 10 years, that are still out here, and with the epidemic of sport training, with their prey, pursuit and bite , how many more in 5 years will be out and about? What percentage of the people who own these dogs are responsible law abiding citizens? With these numbers in mind action needs to be taken. Now we all think that we have the right to bare arms and walk around with a “ bad dog”,but we don’t want guys walking down main street with there gun in their hand, because of the potential danger. So at least put that gun in a holster. I look at the muzzle as a holster.
I think we should all agree that all dangerous dogs should be muzzled in public, that does not apply to your home, but only in public. That is at least reasonable, but some of us will never give in to that and so we will all be forced to muzzle our dogs .If this will in any way make the community safer, then I say yes to the muzzle law.
The best bite is no bite, dogs can be taught to defend without being taught to bite. I know thats hard to believe, so over time you will be convinced of it because the muzzle law is in our future.
Consider this also, the term “ Sporting dogs” is by definition, a dog that is taught to fight for the entertainment of human beings. That sounds very close to what the sport dog world is all about. It won’t take long until this definition is applied to dog sport. Be wise and learn the law, put it in your mind and in your training, get understanding and seek other ways and methods of training.
Its easy to talk the talk, but you must also be able to walk the walk. In light of this, Rock of Ages Kennel and the PPDA will no longer teach or encourage dogs to bite, this policy will be put in effect at the beginning of the 2005 season. Beginning in the 05 season all PPDA titles and trials, including demonstrations will be done in the muzzle. At Rock of Ages Kennel we have already suspensed teaching dogs to bite, but because people have already commitied to our title trials and championship in Sept, we will honor there commitment and go with our usual format. But in the upcoming season the PPDA and Rock of Ages Kennel would challenge any and all trainers and organizations to follow our lead, if they can, and if they cannot, they need to learn how, because time is running out.
Until next time,
The best bite is no bite.

The guy plays his music so loud, you can hear it 500 meters away (the dog is in the appartment) and they smoke pot in there (I'm getting a little buzz just walking past the door!)