Everything you need to know about adopting, owning, and loving a pit bull All dogs are special, but living with a pit bull really is different. You know how loyal and lovable your dog is, but your life can be affected by the breed's undeserved reputation. The Pit Bull Life celebrates the everyday joys of owning a pit bull—from their boundless energy to their love of life—while providing helpful facts and strategies you need to counter unfair laws and policies you may face. You'll learn the history of how the pit bull got to where it is today and what you can do to help secure its future. You’ll also find practical advice about breed characteristics, how to find a good match, and how to communicate with your dog, along with inspiring stories of people who've devoted their lives to this very special dog.

The hugely illuminating story of how a popular breed of dog became the most demonized and supposedly the most dangerous of dogs—and what role humans have played in the transformation. When Bronwen Dickey brought her new dog home, she saw no traces of the infamous viciousness in her affectionate, timid pit bull. Which made her wonder: How had the breed—beloved by Teddy Roosevelt, Helen Keller, and Hollywood’s “Little Rascals”—come to be known as a brutal fighter? Her search for answers takes her from nineteenth-century New York City dogfighting pits—the cruelty of which drew the attention of the recently formed ASPCA—to early twentieth‑century movie sets, where pit bulls cavorted with Fatty Arbuckle and Buster Keaton; from the battlefields of Gettysburg and the Marne, where pit bulls earned presidential recognition, to desolate urban neighborhoods where the dogs were loved, prized—and sometimes brutalized. Whether through love or fear, hatred or devotion, humans are bound to the history of the pit bull. With unfailing thoughtfulness, compassion, and a firm grasp of scientific fact, Dickey offers us a clear-eyed portrait of this extraordinary breed, and an insightful view of Americans’ relationship with their dogs.

Filled with inspiring stories and photographs, this heartfelt tribute to the pit bull celebrates one of America’s most popular yet misunderstood dogs. Perhaps more than any other breed, the pit bull has been dogged by negative stereotypes. In truth, pit bulls are innately wonderful family pets, as capable of love and good deeds as any other type of dog. Setting the record straight, Ken Foster sings the praises of pit bulls in I’m a Good Dog, a gorgeously illustrated, tenderly written tribute to this most misunderstood of canines. Founder of the Sula Foundation, which promotes responsible pit bull ownership in New Orleans, and the author of two acclaimed books about abandoned dogs, Foster has made it his mission to bring overlooked canines into the limelight. I’m a Good Dog traces the fascinating history of this particularly maligned breed. A century ago, the pit bull was considered a family dog, featured in family photos and trusted as loving companions for children. More recently, pit bulls have been portrayed by the media as stereotypes of everything they are not. Foster shatters that reputation through moving profiles of pit bulls that serve as therapy dogs, athletic heroes, search-and-rescue dogs, and educators, not to mention as loving pets. Foster also profiles many pit bull lovers, from Helen Keller and Dr. Seuss to actor Todd Cerveris, who took his pit bull on tour with him for the musical Spring Awakening. Proving that there’s much to love and nothing to fear, I’m a Good Dog restores the pit bull to its rightful place as friend, family member, athlete and entertainer.

Fusing the heart of Julie of the Wolves with the imagination of Little Brother and Ship Breaker, this speculative YA is a must-read for any dog lover. When a global genetic experiment goes awry and canines stop wagging their tails, mass hysteria ensues and the species is systematically euthanized. But soon, Mechanical Tail comes to the rescue. The company creates replacements for “man’s best friend” and studies them on Dog Island, where 17-year-old Nano Miller was born and raised. Nano’s life has become a cycle of annual heartbreak. Every spring, she is given the latest robot dog model to test, only to have it torn from her arms a year later. But one day she makes a discovery that upends everything she’s taken for granted: a living puppy that miraculously wags its tail. And there is no way she’s letting this dog go.

Follows a survivor of the Michael Vick dog-fighting ring, the black pit bull terrier pup eventually named after World War II hero Audie Murphy, as he get socialized, undergoes surgery, trains in agility, and becomes a coach for other dogs.

Pit Bulls are an often misunderstood breed because of their strong physique and history of poor treatment. These dogs are commonly believed to be aggressive watchdogs when their true temperament is the complete opposite. Pitbulls are sweet, gentle dogs that make excellent family pets. They love to play and have fun, and with proper care, would never have a reason to hurt the humans in their life. In fact, Pitbulls are frequently referred to as “nanny dogs” because of how great they are with kids. Once you get to know a Pitbull, you’ll find that they are a perfect addition to your family. The Complete Guide to Pit Bulls is written for the busy new owner who needs to quickly and easily learn everything they NEED to know as they embark on their ownership journey. This comprehensive guide answers every question you may have including: Is a Pit Bull the right dog for me? I brought my Pit Bull home. What now? How can I best train my Pit Bull? What are some common mistakes should I avoid? No matter how fun and easy-going this breed is, there’s a lot you’ll need to know about Pitbulls before you bring your new best friend home. The first few chapters will introduce you to the breed and help you find the perfect pup. You’ll continue on reading to find out everything you'll need to know as a new owner, including: Choosing a Pit Bull Preparing your Household for your Pit Bull Bringing Your Pit Bull Home Puppy Parenting Housetraining Socializing with People and Animals Pit Bulls and Your Other Pets Exercise Training your Pit Bull Dealing With Unwanted Behaviors Basic Commands Advanced Commands Traveling with Pit Bulls Grooming your Pit Bull Nutrition and Healthcare If you’ve never owned a Pit Bull before, this book will guide you through every life stage. Bringing a new dog into your home can be a lot of work, but this book is full of tips and tricks for creating a great relationship between owner and dog. Before long, you’ll become confident in your ability to be the best owner to your new Pit Bull, and this sweet dog will show you so much affection in return!

Dedicated to the American Pit Bull Terrier, one of the world’s most loyal, intelligent, and versatile breeds, this Smart Owner’s Guide, created by the editors at Dog Fancy magazine, offers the most up-to-date and accurate information every dog owner needs to become a well-informed caregiver for his dog. Illustrated with color photographs of adorable puppies and handsome adults, this easy-to-read primer is designed in a modern, lively manner that readers will find user-friendly and entertaining. Each Smart Owner’s Guide offers a description of the breed’s character and physical conformation, historical overview, and its attributes as a companion dog. The reader will find informative chapters on everything he or she needs to know about acquiring, raising, and training this remarkable purebred dog, including: finding a breeder and selecting a healthy, sound puppy; preparing for the puppy’s homecoming, shopping for supplies, and puppy-proofing the home; house-training; veterinary and home health maintenance; feeding and nutrition; and grooming. Obedience training for basic cues (sit, stay, heel, come, etc.) and solving potential problem behaviors (barking, chewing, aggression, jumping up, etc.) are addressed in separate chapters, as are activities to enjoy with the dog, including showing, agility, therapy work, and more. Entertaining tidbits and smart advice fill up colorful sidebars in every chapter, real-life heroes and rescue stories are retold in full-page features, and recipes, training, and care tips are also highlighted on special pages. The Smart Owner’s Guide series is the only series that offers readers an online component in which dog owners can join a breed-specific online club hosted by dogchannel.com. At Club APBT, owners of the breed can find forums, blogs, and profiles to connect with other breed owners, as well as charts and checklists that can be downloaded. More than just 20,000 pages of solid information, there’s a host of fun to be had at the club in the form of downloadable breed-specific e-cards, screensavers, games, and quizzes. The Resources section of the book includes contact information for breed-related organizations and rescues, as well as practical guidance on traveling with dogs, identification, and locating qualified professionals to assist the dog owner, such as pet sitters, trainers, and boarding facilities. This information-packed Smart Owner’s Guide is fully indexed.