Doogie had been at the shelter for about five months when I met him. He was approximately three months old when his previous owners turned him in because they were not allowed to have a dog where they were living. Doogie was a cute little brindle with white pitbull mix. By the end of August he had grown into quite a big boy.

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I met Doogie at the end of August. He was very cute, extremely friendly, and very playful. The problem was he now weighed between 50 and 60 pounds. In Doogie's mind he was still a cute little puppy and would jump up on anybody that showed him attention. With this behavior, he had a slim chance of being adopted.

After meeting Doogie that day I could not stop thinking about him. I could tell from that short period of time that we spent together that he had a heart of gold and endless potential. He had been at the shelter for almost six months and was still a carefree, loving puppy. He was extremely lovable and submissive. Doogie would make the perfect pet for a family but who would want to adopt a dog that knocked down anybody that walked through the door just because he was happy to see them.

Doogie desperately needed to learn manners and control that he had been deprived of from not being with a family for most of his life. I requested permission to take Doogie to obedience classes at Canine Training Solutions in Easton. My request was graciously approved. The first Saturday that Doogie and I went to class together was an anxious morning for both of us. I didn't know what to expect at class or how Doogie would react. Doogie had only met me one time before and was afraid of getting into a car.

After our first two or three classes together Doogie and I had developed a wonderful bond. He now loved riding in the car and was very excited to see me every Saturday when I showed up with his collar and leash. Doogie was doing very well in class and had won the hearts of his classmates and trainers. The shelter staff and volunteers were beginning to notice significant improvement in Doogie's behavior. He seemed to enjoy showing what he had learned at "school."

Now that Doogie's behavior was much more controllable and acceptable, our next mission was to find him a forever home. Doogie's "school," Canine Training Solutions, had agreed to sponsor Doogie and his new family for another session of obedience training which would teach his family the proper commands and continue to reinforce Doogie's training.

After almost six months the shelter began to get calls and e-mails about Doogie. A young family had shown definite interest in meeting Doogie and said they would be coming to his next class to observe and meet him. Our hopes were doused when they did not show and we did not hear from them again.

The following week another potential adopter contacted the shelter. Once more we had a potential adopter planning to observe and meet Doogie at his next class. Just like the last time, we watched the clock and the door and our hopes began to fade. At last the door opened-Doogie's potential new family had arrived after having difficulty finding the training center. The visit went well-Doogie liked them and they liked him. We left class that day with a completed adoption application in hand. Was Doogie finally going to find his forever family?

Within a few days a home visit was scheduled with the applicants. The home visit went well with no surprises. His new family was excited about bringing their boy home. Doogie had one class left in this training session. I felt I needed to do that class with him for my own satisfaction and to fulfill the commitment I had made to Doogie. Doogie's new family agreed to bring him to class and allow me to complete what I had started.

Our last obedience class together was a proud day. Doogie completed the session like a champ, received his certificate, and returned to his new home with his family. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

The rambunctious little puppy in the big dog body provided me with the most fulfilling experience during the entire seven years I have been volunteering with the Caroline County Humane Society. Although I have put it into words, I could never truly describe the enjoyment I felt taking Doogie through those seven weeks of obedience training and watching him flourish. The bond we had between us cannot be described.

The last e-mail I received from Doogie's family reported he is doing very well with his family. They absolutely love him as we did at the shelter. With the exception of a few normal puppy behaviors, Doogie has settled into his new home nicely and is now taking his family to obedience classes at Canine Training Solutions.

One of the most often overlooked areas in care of Pit Bulls involves dental health. It is important not only in caring for his teeth, but in also protecting his overall well being. Being able to chew food properly affects digestion, which can lead to all kinds of health problems for your Pit Bull. Learning how to care for your Pit Bull's dental health needs at home can save you a lot of out of pocket expense over your Pit Bull's lifetime.
Believe it or not, you should try to brush your dog's teeth at least once everyday. Just like you, your Pit Bull will have plaque and tartar that can destroy his teeth or lead to gum disease. It could result in your Pit Bull losing his teeth, or developing an infection.

If you haven't already developed a dental hygiene routine for your Pit Bull, you may need to take it slow and easy to get him used to the idea. Begin by getting him used to you holding him and looking inside his mouth. If you have an older Pit Bull, just holding the dog long enough to look in his mouth may be a challenge at first. Once you get him comfortable with you holding him and looking inside his mouth, start lifting up his lips and moving his tongue around so you can actually see his teeth. These first couple steps may take your Pit Bull some time to get used to, so be patient.

Once he is comfortable with you messing with his mouth, see your veterinarian to get a toothpaste recommended for him. Start by using the toothpaste on your finger for a few days, to get him used to the taste and feeling of you rubbing his teeth. Your Pit Bull will probably enjoy this, especially if he gets flavored toothpaste. He will definitely love the extra attention.
Eventually, your Pit Bull will let you brush his teeth, which will help protect his teeth and health. Dental problems in Pit Bulls can be very painful for them, and can often be hard to treat successfully.

If by some chance you have a Pit Bull that absolutely will not let you near his mouth, let alone brush his teeth, there are some alternative ways to ensure his dental health. Your veterinarian can recommend a good dental rinse that can be added to your Pit Bull's water bowl to help rid the teeth of debris. Chew toys will also help clean the teeth and keep his bones strong and healthy. Be careful when buying chew toys for your Pit Bull to make certain the toy isn't hard enough to damage his teeth, and is large enough so he can't get choked on it.

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There are some dog foods now available that are supposed to provide dental care, which actually means that the food sticks to plaque and tartar as the dog chews, therefore getting it off the teeth.

Remember, that to provide proper care for your Pit Bull, you cannot omit his dental health. By taking the time to provide dental care when your Pit Bull is a puppy, you can start ensuring his dental health in the beginning, which will save you a lot of costly vet bills as time goes by.

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