Our Pack, Inc. began with advocating for pit bulls in 2006. We worked on cases like the Michael Vick case, taking a dog named Leo from that case who became a therapy dog and changed many people’s minds about pit bulls.

When we started our rescue and advocacy programs, there were so many misunderstandings, not only surrounding pit bull type dogs, but surrounding dogs in general. Much has changed for pit bull dogs since then, fortunately.

Although manifested differently, we’re finding similar threads of misunderstandings with bunnies. Their diets, housing (most pet stores will advise you to buy cages that are far too small) and what their behaviors mean.  Also, many people don’t realize what sensitive and feeling beings bunnies are.

Dogs and cats have much more advocacy then they've had in the past. Not that they don't still need it but they have much more than rabbits do.

Education as well as spay/neuter services can lower the numbers of surrenders to shelters and over population of dogs and cats. We believe that providing similar public assistance to bunny owners will slow the amount of bunnies being surrendered to shelters and from being abandoned on the streets.

There are people that have come to us needing help with a bunny they’ve found, we’ve given hay if they need it and advice on bunny care. We have also given assistance by providing help with spay/neuter.

Bunnies are loving, feeling animals that need love, care, and happy homes to live in.  We’re here to help new or current bunny people in any way that we can to facilitate the life-long bond between bunny and human.

If you’d like to donate please go to www.ourpack.org/donate.html

Marthina McClay, CPDT-KA 
Founder, Our Pack, Inc.
Dog Trainer; Behavior Specialist
Licensed House Rabbit Society Educator                                                           

Media and Pit Bulls

We have had the good fortune of great media surrounding our dogs in recent years. Most reputable reporters will check quotes with us for accuracy and have no intention of throwing pit bulls under the bus or any other breeds, to "defend" pit bulls, under the bus either.

However, once in a blue moon, unfortunately, we still see reporters trying to make a career for themselves or help sell their paper by misquoting or twisting statements to turn the pit bull image into something it isn't.

This is a photo of Posie. She's our spokesdog for our, Don't Judge, Learn campaign. She looks like what most folks would call a pit bull. Without meeting her, knowing her or taking in a full view of her personality, many things can be said to defame her and a breed that she may, or may not, even be... Well, without media hype she is a dog and family member.

Thank you for supporting our page so we can continue to represent the dogs, factually, without being misquoted, and with correct representation. Please share!

Also, see National Canine Research Council for ACCURATE info http://www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/dogbites/whatisadogbite/ and also see Our Pack's article, The Truth About Pit Bulls www.ourpack.org/truthaboutpitbulls.html

Training tip:
Getting lots of calls and e mails about this lately -Puppy play biting.
Puppy biting is normal. Puppies in their early months should bite when they are young, to learn how to bite softly as an adult. They also learn proper s...

ocial skills from each other by play biting and wrestling.
A yelp will let the pup know that a bite hurts. This is what pups do with each other to signal the one biting to soften his bite. To be able to keep playing, he will soften his bite. Thus he learns that if his mouth is soft, fun continues and if his mouth is hard then the game ends.
If your pup is play biting and bites too hard, give a yelp. If that doesn’t work then give a louder Ouuuch! and just leave the room. End all play at that time for several seconds then return.
After teaching him to soften the bite, teach him not to exert any pressure at all while biting. This way he will use only a gentle mouth as an adult. Be sure to have lots of chew toys available and direct him to the chew toys as well when needed.

If you are concerned or feel that you need more assistance the best thing to do is to hire a trainer to come and help you or enroll in a class near you. Getting advice over the internet for concerning behavior is not the best way to help your dog. Trainers are far more helpful when they can actually see the dog. This training tip is a general tip for young pups with normal play biting behavior. If you feel you need assistance, hire a trainer from this list in your zip code: www.apdt.com

Socializing Our Dogs --
http://www.ourpack.org/socializing.html
I hear the phrase, "it's all in how you raise them" quite a bit. Well, in our experience, we've taken dogs from all sorts of abuse cases such as fighting cases, neglect cases..., etc. But outside of rescue, I'm a trainer by trade and I see all breeds and types of dogs. I've seen dogs grow up in perfect environments that can still have issues. I'm not saying that environment is not important, I want to be clear on that. BUT to say that a dog has to have issues becuase he/she was abused only puts him in a box that can be hard to get out of. Some dogs come out of tough cases just fine and some dogs have issues with a perfect environment. That just tells us that they should be assessed as an individual, based on what they are NOW. Having said this, I'm posting tips on socializing our dogs in positive situations.. It is important to socialize, train and manage throughout a dog's life. However, while at times history is certainly important to take in, in many cases it may be a moot point. Look at him for who/what he is and not what was.

Dexter's Good Dog Recipe

Recipe directions- Take 1 or more dogs, socialize in large amounts. Train to taste. Spay/neuter. Contain, add love, stir in some leadership and top with management. Note: mixture can vary in composition even w...hen using the recipe properly. That's normal. Enjoy! - All dogs are individuals. They respond to training, socializing and the environment differently. We've taken in some dogs from abuse cases that slid right back into life with no problems. Some had a more difficult time. Some dogs that have perfect homes, can also have issues, so this is variable. However, as responsible humans, it's best to set our dogs up for success as much as possible and as early as possible.

Justice for Bernie

Bernie came to Our Pack from a dogfighting case in Ohio. Our devoted volunteer and trainer, Anna Seekamp drove him out to us from New York! He was later adopted from us. His people Lark and John McIntosh and family have provided a wonderful and loving home for him and he has thrived. We love you guys!Today there is also justice. Bernie is upside down with happiness, his previous owner has been bro...ught to justice. Bernie never deserved his previous life. And thanks goes to The Humane Society United States and Animal Farm Foundation for helping the 200 dogs in this case! Thanks also goes to Christina Aquistapace for her loving and caring foster period that helped transition Bernie. Here's the link to the article http://www.humanesociety.org/news/press_releases/2012/02/ohio_man_convicted_of_felony_dogfighting_activities.html#.Tz1_c0SZPis.facebook

Ohio and HB 14

These two are relaxing and peaceful because the Ohio House of Representatives agreed with the Senate amendments to HB 14 to remove the statewide "vicious" designation automatically placed on "pit bull" dogs. The bill now goes to the the Governor. His signature is needed next to make it a law. YES!!! Stay tuned.