-=> RICHARD WEBB wrote to WAYNE CHIRNSIDE <=-   
      
    RW> Hi Wayne,   
      
    RW> On Mon 2039-Apr-18 14:53, WAYNE CHIRNSIDE (1:123/140) wrote to RICHARD   
    RW> WEBB:   
      
    RW>    
    RW> This time, we're treating more aggressivly:  PRednizone   
    RW> (spelling) and Doxycycline (spelling) the doxy ends this   
    RW> week, we cut back the dosage on the steroid.   
      
    RW> HE says if this doesn't seem to do the trick then we're in   
    RW> for some complex diagnostic stuff, which will mean sedating   
    RW> her etc.   
      
      
    WC> I kept my Pit Bull going some three years afer he'd otherwise have   
    WC> had to have been put down on dexamethasone.   
      
    WC> Of course I limited the dosage to 1/2 what the vet recommended as   
    WC> there's downsides to steroid use and 1/2 seemed to do the trick   
    WC> right up to where the end was inevitable and there was no putting it   
    WC> off.   
      
    WC> So I had a non neutered Pit Bull on steroids and still he was the   
    WC> sweetest tempered, most trustworthy and most gregarious dog I've   
    WC> ever  known.   
      
    RW> Wouldn't doubt it, all in how they're raised and treated.   
    RW> I'm hoping this steroid regimen seems to solve the problem   
    RW> for quite awhile.  WE get her over this I'm just going to   
    RW> have to find more opportunities for her to get good exercise too,   
    RW> that'll help maybe.   
    RW> Strengthening can't hurt.   
      
    RW> That later ws on the agenda for this spring/summer anyway,   
    RW> but now this.   
      
   Well an addendum is in order for both clarity and good information.   
      
   I NEVER stopped training the animal.   
   Not that that training required much in the way of time or effort    
   it was hugely important that the animal be consistantly reminded   
   who the pack leader was.   
      
   Simple as demanding quick response to commands from time to time on   
   his daily routine and walks.   
      
   Now were you to treat him as some kind of overgrown stuffed animal   
   and dismiss this training for a extended period of time all bets would be off   
   and I'd not guarantee his behavior at all.   
      
   For instance, giving him his first bath after acquiring him as an adult   
   at two years of age was shall we say interesting?   
      
   Thereafter he walked into the tub on his own on my command.   
      
   A few times when I'd gotten complacent about his reliability   
   for a period of a couple of months I was reminded by him    
   being stubburn or challanging me.   
      
   This requires immediate and forceful response which in these cases   
   consisted of little more than a sharply barked command.   
   Never any physical discipline, what'd be the point, the breed's   
   essentially invulnerable to pain.    
      
   Not a breed I could recommend for the inattentive or irresponsible.   
   Given proper attention and care I'd have no other.   
      
   Best of continuing luck  with yours.   
      
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