Lacey’s Story & Reasons to get a Pitbull

In February we were notified that one of Cians (our current dogs) siblings was going to be sentenced to death, simply because, she was a Pit Bull and in Everette, Washington, Pit Bulls are only allowed under certain regulations.

We’d been looking to adopt one of Cians siblings 6 months prior, so when we heard that his sister was going to be euthanized, we drove from California, to Washington to save her life.

We drove up there, didn’t know her, or her past, but I felt led to get her. I just knew, she was supposed to be ours, and she needed us.

Within the first week of her being with us we found out a lot. She was HIGHLY AGGRESSIVE. She had been abused and certain gestures, and actions came off threatening to her.

As the signs began showing, and her aggression began to rise, I knew we had to get her a trainer. She was so aggressive that she began to scare me. She began to get very out of hand, and Cian started to become my protector and attacking her anytime she would bite or “attack me”. Nonetheless, I knew that this dog was with us for a reason. She was ours and we could not just abandon her. I know how abusive homes are, and with that, I knew what Lacey had been through. In that moment, when I saw her hurt, her fear, and her anxiety, and then heard that she was abused and kept in a small confined crate for hours and hours a day. I instantly felt tied to Lacey. She was mine and I was connected to her and I knew, I could not give up on her, just like my dad didn’t give up on rescuing me. It took every ounce of patience, understanding and a LOT of love on my end for Lacey to come around. We hired a trainer, and even though it didn’t seem to get better, it was my job to protect, love her and show her that change is okay.

After almost 6 weeks of once a day, intense training with a trainer and training her on our own, Lacey is the happiest dog in the world. Lacey is the mellowest and LOVING dog. She is a lap dog. She is the kind of dog you meet, and all she wants to do is lick you until you tell her “no more licks please”. She will love you, even if you take her treat away, she loves, loves, loves attention. She loves to cuddle, she is patient, she listens and the best part, she doesn’t have one ounce of aggression. She’s a happy “I want to meet everyone” dog!

As I type Lacey’s story, I came across these facts from the National Canine Research Counsel::

FEAR: “Pit Bull” dogs have “locking jaws.”

FACT: “We found that American Pit Bull Terriers did not have any unique mechanism that would allow these dogs to lock their jaws. There were no mechanical or morphological differences…” Dr. L Lehr Brisbin, University of Georgia

FEAR: “Pit bull” dogs have massive biting power measuring in 1,000s of pounds of pressure per square inch (PSI).

FACT: “On average, dogs bite with 320 lbs of pressure per square inch. The bite pressure of a German Shepherd, an America Pit Bull Terrier and a Rottweiler were tested. The American Pit Bull Terrier had the least amount of bite pressure of the three dogs tested.” Dr. Brady Barr, National Geographic

FEAR: “Pit bull’ dogs attack without warning

FACT: “Pit bulls signal like other dogs.” The institute of Animal Welfare and Behavior of the University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany temperament tested over 1,000 dogs.

FEAR: While there are some “pit bull” dogs with good temperaments, they are the exception not the rule.

FACT: “The American Temperament Test shows “pit bull” dogs consistently score about the average for all breeds tested, year in and year out!” The American Temperament Test Society, www.atts.org

FEAR: “Pit bull” dogs are more dangerous than other dogs.

FACT: “A dog is only as dangerous as its owner allows it to be.” Diane Jessup, Founder LawDogsUSA, Author, retired Animal Control Officer.

This is Lacey:::

This is her brother Cian ::

Cian & Lacey are both German Shepherd Pit Bull mixes. & The most amazing dogs I’ve ever met. :-)

Lacey’s Story

I would love to share the tips and tools I have learned in dealing with aggression and how to help a dog over come it. If anyone would like tips and tricks that I’ve learned, let me know! I know sometimes training can be expensive, so if you know anyone who can’t afford a trainer, but is committed to helping/rescuing an aggressive dog, feel free to ask me any questions you have and I will do my best to answer or refer you to the people I’ve spoken with. :)

 Feel free to share this story and these facts with whoever you feel needs to hear them. My hope is that it will inspire someone.