The REAL interview! Mary Harwelik of REALPitBull.com Speaks Out...

What a treat! Mary Harwelik, Pit Bull advocate, trainer, expert, and founder of The REAL Pit Bull (http://realpitbull.com) shares her story with Our Pack! She's pictured here with her AmStaff, Luca.

Our Pack: You're a respected Pit Bull advocate and trainer. How did you get involved in dog training?

Mary Harwelik: I grew up around dogs, cats and horses. Animals have always been 'my thing'. I started training dogs when I was 7 and went to my first dog training class and graduated at age 8 or 9. Everything snowballed from there, and I branched out to working with horses, got more of my own dogs, did some showing (horse and dog), and eventually decided I wanted to be a dog trainer. I apprenticed with several trainers, taught some classes, and took private clients.

OP: What kind of training methods do you use?

MH: Back then I did heavy-handed traditional training. Eventually I 'crossed over' to using positive methods when I hit a brick wall with my AmStaff's dog-aggression issues. It became very obvious to me that there were severe limitations with traditional dog training, and that the techniques were actually making my dog worse. I dived into the new literature that was coming out, went to school to learn more about psychology and learning theory, and over a period of time, switched over fully to positive methods.

OP: So what have you been up to since?

MH: I've been taking on clients of my own since about 1999 or 2000, and gradually as the rescues in my area became familiar with me, I started doing training, post-adoption counseling, and behavior consulting for several. Working with rescue and shelter dogs immediately hit me as 'my true calling', and remains the work I enjoy most. In 2006 I started Peaceable Canines which offers dog training and other services geared at educating people on the true nature of dogs, clicker training, and of course I specialize in Pit Bulls and shelter/rescue dogs. I teach classes and private training, do behavioral consulting as well as Pit Bull consulting, in central NJ. I am a Certified Pet Dog Trainer, or CPDT, through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers, as well as a Canine Good Citizen evaluator for the AKC. I also read like crazy and attend seminars - I am an info fiend! I am never satisfied with my level of knowledge, and always feel I have something more to learn.

OP: Wow! Sounds like your life has gone to the dogs. :) What would you say are your top priorities education-wise?

MH: I have two main missions in life: 1) to help end some nasty myths about dogs that lead to really unfair and severe treatment (like the 'dominance' myth, aggressive dogs need to be physically punished, positive methods only work on 'some dogs', pinch collars simulate a mother dog's teeth and 'don't hurt', etc) and 2) preach about Pit Bulls! I can do both through Peaceable Canines and I love it!

OP: So how did you end up specializing in Pit Bulls?

MH: My earliest memory of being aware of Pit Bulls was probably 18 years ago at a dog training class. One of the students had AmStaffs and a friend pointed out, "Those are Pit Bulls! They are so aggressive, with locking jaws!" and I remember thinking, "I can't believe they let those dogs in here!" as I grabbed my little terrier mix and pulled her close to me. I didn't think much about Pit Bulls for several years, but for some reason, one day, I sent for a magazine advertised in Dog World about the breed. To this day, I am not really sure what prompted me to do this. When I got the mag, it was one of those dog-fighter-in-disguise publications and I was HORRIFIED. I threw the magazine out. But something stayed with me, and I started doing more research. The more I read, the more enamored I became. And once I actually met some Pit Bulls, forget it, it was all over! I have officially been a Pit Bull addict since 1994 - I brought my first Pit Bull home in Sept, 1994. Pit Bulls have been The Only Thing That Matters to me ever since.

OP: They sure have a way of capturing your heart, don't they! But it must have been a long journey from buying that magazine to The Real Pit Bull - how did RPB evolve?

MH: I wasn't involved in Pit Bulls long before I realized just how confused the world was about the breed, and I started doing more research on BSL and figuring out how I could combat the fear mongering. I toyed with the idea of several organizations but they never got off the ground. When I got online in the mid to late 90's, I discovered a whole new world of Pit Bull people, fighters FOR the breed, and.....websites! It was such an education. And me being the writer and needing to speak my mind and my thoughts the way I do, thought that I could start a website about the breed with just some basic info and myth-debunking, that it would be fun and helpful, and leave it at that. I bought realpitbull.com and called my site The Real Pit Bull, and started writing. And never stopped! 10 years or so later, the site has grown tremendously, and I've turned an informational website into a breed organization.

OP: Did you realize what an important resource it was going to become? How did creating RPB change your life personally?

MH: I started getting invited to host educational breed booths at fairs, get tons of calls/emails from owners and others looking for breed advice and behavioral help, reporters looking for info, and requests for behavioral evaluations. All because of the exposure I was getting through realpitbull.com. Without really specifically looking to turn RPB into an organization, something more than a website, it morphed into one on its own.

OP: RPB really has become an irreplaceable fixture in the Pit Bull community. I hope you have help running all this?

MH: RPB is run by me and my boyfriend Scott Amorski, and we have several volunteers. RPB does breed education, provides free informational materials on the breed, offers training and behavioral help, counseling, etc. Our newest offering is CGC testing for Pit Bulls done at no charge for shelter/rescue dogs. I hope to see RPB continue to grow and our services expand.

OP: That's fantastic! Our Pack is thrilled to highlight the awesome work you do. Thanks for sharing!
MH: This work is something I love doing and the breed means more to me than I could ever express. Thanks for letting me share about my work with the breed and talk about RPB!

To learn more about The Real Pit Bull and the services it offers, visit the website at: http://realpitbull.com.

Mutts and Stuff

Again, we believe in angels. Gale Frey at Mutts and Stuff is one for sure. She’s been rescuing Pit Bulls for 7 years now. She recently worked with us on the Missouri fight bust case.

Check out her website and what she does. She’s awesome www.muttsandstuff.com

Gale also sent us this article as it’s hitting her literally where she lives. Please blog along with us. We’d like to hear your views on this topic. Click here for the article!

Thanks for all that you do Gale!

Marthina

Three Amigos: Living with a Pack

When I tell people I live in a zoo, I'm only half kidding.

At the moment, the current count is 3 dogs, 3 cats, 2 hamsters, and a 100 gallon fishtank. I've always surrounded myself with animals and I suspect when I finally move it will be to a farm (I have my eye on a pig, goats, and miniature horses). I mean, who doesn't adore being followed to the bathroom? Or constantly tripping on chew toys? Or waking up with something furry asleep on your face? My idea of heaven, really.

So when I decided to add Miso Luvlee, my beloved Pit Bull, to my existing pack of two - Harley the Pug and Chubby the French Bulldog - I figured I would be tripling the fun. And tripled things have, although it's definitely more than fun I'm getting extra doses of!

I've heard people say 1 dog is easy, and 2 is fun, but 3 is work. While there's definitely some truth to that, I think it depends on the combination of dogs you have too. With certain breeds come certain challenges, and as you can guess, it's been quite a challenge training and managing my.....Pug.

That's right. Of all three dogs - Pug, Frenchie, Pit Bull - the one with the glaringly difficult issues is the wee Pug. (Please don't tell her I called her "wee" - I'll get an earful for weeks).

On any given day, I can be heard yelling for one or more reasons:
1) Somebody is trying to scrape the flesh off my legs, begging for breakfast to come sooner. Honestly, what kind of kitchen is this?
2) Somebody peed on the couch leg. Or my favorite blanket. I mean, gosh Mom, you just LEFT it there.
3) Somebody eats a turd. Don't ask.
4) Somebody chases the cat. Apparently the Triple Crown for pet dogs is fast approaching, and speed is everything.
5) Somebody barks their head off. The dogs next door have wildly fascinating things to say, and conversations must be kept at full volume for the benefit of the neighborhood.

But that "somebody" is not Miso! Of course, any dog can develop bad habits. I fully accept my complicity in rendering my first furry child a spoiled brat. (And honestly, for as much as I complain here, I truly adore ALL three of my dogs). But gosh, it sure is nice to have a Pit Bull.

When I yell, "QUIET!" the Pit Bull is the first to stop barking.
When I demand the kitty pursuit cease, the Pit Bull turns around and comes back to me. Apologetically.
When I catch my wolf-pack devouring the dirt in my potted plants, the Pit Bull somberly comes back into the house (with the Frenchie in tow, and the Pug still head first in the pot).
I have yet to have a potty accident on my favorite blanket or elsewhere from the PB.


It's not that Miso is perfect. But, true to her breed, what I think of her matters to her. A LOT. In fact, my boyfriend and I have a running joke about our Pit Bulls. Scold them and they'll be needing to call their therapists. I mean the regret and remorse is absolutely tragic, dahling. They practically can't keep on living in such shame. The miserable look on their faces, the pathetic slump of their dejected bodies.....somebody fetch the leather armchair, quick!

But that's a Pit Bull. Cuddle they must, scold them they bust!

Granted, I'm responsible with my pack too. Everybody is crated when I leave, no valuable treats or chew toys are left on the floor, everyone eats in their crate, I keep tabs on their play, things like that. And yeah, it can be a hassle sometimes. But the payoff is HUGE. Who wouldn't want their life filled with this much cuteness?? ~ Stephanie Lam, Our Pack volunteer

Dog Loving

One of these days I hope the word "fighting" will no longer have to be associated with Pit Bulls. Despite their lineage, I don’t see Pit Bulls confiscated from fighting rings as "dog fighters." "Animals abused by cowards" would be more like it.

In March, Leo came with me to the Alternative Placement Academy (http://network.bestfriends.org/stopbsl/news/24603.html). One of the things I mentioned to the kids was that only cowards fight their dogs, NOT brave men. “If someone wants to have a fight, so be it. But don’t have your dog do your fighting for you - work it out.” Their supervisor wrote me a few days later and said, “….any information we can give the cadets regarding how bad dog fighting is and how animals should be treated is so important. I thought it was great when you told them that cowards have their dogs fight for them. Thank you for all your help.”

The people who teach and lead our children see the importance of putting a sense of humanity back into our society. They see the downward spiral that can occurs in a society that engages in and endorses barbaric, abusive activities like dog fighting. They understand that it’s not the dogs’ fault - it’s the human being’s (lack of) responsibility.

In doing rescue, I've found that dogs that come from fight busts do astonishingly well in homes, make great pets, and some (like Leo and Zoe) have even become therapy dogs. It's not because we're transforming them into what they could become, it's that we're unearthing who they truly are. A positive, well-managed environment and good training brings their inherent human-loving trait out. It's no surprise these Pit Bulls seem to be born for therapy work.

Ultimately, it's about who is guiding the dog. Dogs are not doctors and lawyers for a reason! They don’t make executive decisions, we do. They depend on US for guidance. So what THEY do, we are responsible for…..period.

I think this picture shows how these dogs just bring the love out of someone. Hopefully putting these kids on the right track towards love, respect, and most importantly, responsibility for the life of an animal.

While one might say I'm simply defending Pit Bulls, I'd have to disagree. There's nothing to defend as they are not guilty. (Any guilty parties are the people involved, not the dogs). But it is a plea for folks to recognize the real root of the situation - the cause and effect that people have with dogs.

Marthina McClay

Leo's Latest Adventure

What Leo’s up to now?

Leo’s not only helping folks feel better at hospitals and breaking the monotony of work routine with “doggie breaks” (instead of coffee breaks), but he's also affecting change in our community's future generations.

Leo visited a school recently for kids that are in Juvenile Hall who have been in recent trouble.

The kids really loved Leo! They could see that he’s a feeling, loving being - not a “thing” or something “cool” to own....even though he looks pretty dang cool!

While I talked with the kids, Leo made a presentation of his own by communicating through his eyes, his tail wags, and his affection that “only cowards fight their dogs, not courageous people.” Leo’s pretty darn smart.

We covered topics like the importance of spaying and neutering (that was a tough one), and why you shouldn't chain your dog to a tree or abandon him in the backyard all day. Our goal is to fill the void in education about dogs, animals, and especially Pit Bulls, in our community - to replace ignorance and abuse with understanding and compassion.

The kids fell madly in love with Leo and they were very happy that he came to share his story. They even admitted that they learned something, and invited him back for another visit!

A survey of these kids told us that all but one are very interested in learning to train dogs in a positive way. What a success for Leo and for Pit Bulls!

After an amazing day like that, I'm reminded of Leo's courage. He’s so brave - going out into the community despite the agony he's been through and sending a message that we must NOT let the abuse he's suffered continue to take place in our civilized society. How we treat our animals demonstrates our level of intelligence and compassion; it's an indicator of how we likely treat our children, spouses, friends, and co-workers. We can’t let humanity become an unimportant subject.

WE BELIEVE IN ANGELS

We want to thank Nicole Rattey who drove Leo out here from Virginia. Leo wasn’t trained yet so I KNOW what a task that was! Thank you Nicole - you have a heart the size of Virginia itself.

We also want to thank Professor Rebecca Huss for caring so much about the correct and proper placement of these dogs. I don’t think she slept the entire time! Thank you for being their guardian angel and truly fighting for the rights of the Vick dogs.

Additionally we want to thank Tim Racer and Donna Reynolds from BAD RAP for the fact that they were part of the evaluations of the dogs. We also want to thank them for the support they’ve given Our Pack and the work they’ve done for all Pit Bulls, not just the Vick dogs, since…..well, dinosaurs roamed the earth!

Marthina

Meet Leo, Our Michael Vick Dog!

Meet Leo. He’s a cheerful, sweet greeter. He’s fond of cuddles and hugs. And he spends his free time sharing his affection with the sick and elderly at a local hospital (having recently passed his therapy dog tests with flying colors). He also spent the first part of his life under the dark, demeaning ownership of football star Michael Vick.

Yes, Leo is one of the fifty Vick dogs confiscated from the football player’s property late last year – although to meet him now you’d never guess at his unfortunate beginnings. In fact, it seems wherever Leo goes he garners adoring smiles and effusive compliments. What a sweet boy! Where did you get him? He’s so well-behaved! To which he responds with tail wags and dreamy gazes from his kohl-rimmed eyes. His most adoring fans are schoolchildren.

Leo doing therapy work

It’s amazing to watch, surprising to some, and yet to those who know the Pit Bull breed, not a surprise at all. Leo is the consummate example of true Pit Bull spirit – despite the life he led before with his former owner, he has made a quick ascension to stardom: ace-ing his obedience classes, playing and socializing with other dogs, and revealing himself to be a true ambassador for all canines, not just Pit Bulls. He has already begun work as a Therapy Dog with Therapy Dogs, Inc. (www.therapydogs.com), and is invited weekly to a local South Bay hospital to bring comfort and smiles to the patients there. His biggest supporters aren’t just the patients either – staff, nurses, and EMTs have taken to calling him “Dr. Leo” for his healing touch.

All in less than two months.

Leo (far right & center) hanging out with his buddies

Marthina McClay, Leo’s trainer, foster mom, and founder of Our Pack, Inc., can’t get over his popularity. “I’ve worked with hundreds of dogs. People are drawn to Leo. I’ve never had a dog that was so magnetic.” She’s quick to brag on his personality, “He’s such a tenderheart. When he came to me, I was prepared for anything. But I never realized I would be meeting the Casanova of Dogs. He has this way of romancing you with those brown eyes of his - he’s truly amazing.”

Of course, if you spoke with Leo today, he would likely gloss over his accomplishments and the association that has made him famous. Instead, he would politely take a seat beside you, plop his head in your lap, gaze up at you with those dreamy eyes and talk about how he enjoys Sunday afternoons playing with his doggie brothers and sister, and how much he looks forward to visiting more people next week.

This is the true Amercian Pit Bull Terrier: resilient, people-loving, willing to please, and just so good-hearted!

(You can also read this article on our website at http://www.ourpack.org/leo.html. Article & pictures by volunteer Stephanie Lam.)

Pit Bulls & Optimism

Our newest rescue, Gino, has Ectrodactyly otherwise known as "lobster claw syndrome". It's an extremely rare birth defect that happens only in a few species including canines and humans. In the fetal developmental stages, the two bones in the leg separate down to the paw into what looks like a lobster claw. He walks on his deformed leg with a limp and runs holding it up.

When I and 2 other members of our rescue group went to temperament test him it was a dreary day. There had been an outbreak of ringworm and sulfur solution was all over the place. Yuck. He was in a crate across from another dog barking at him waiting for his resident kennel to be cleaned. This would have been my worst day on the planet for sure.


He came out of his kennel with happiness and joy to be alive; he seemed positive that we were there to see HIM! He held up his paw as if to shake our hands and thank us for stopping by. We laughed so hard. My day was already so much better. He actually changed the way I felt about life at that moment.


When we got to the testing area, we cried. He seemed to be smiling at us - anticipating being loved, cuddled, and kissed. His disability and a really crappy few days had not "turned this off" in him. He was a true gentleman when we tested him. Biddable, respectful, and careful of our bodies. It seemed as though he wanted to just snuggle together and ponder good times.



This is what I call optimism. Being "optimistic" on a good day is easy. Being optimistic, happy, loving, joyful, and full of appreciation for life on a bad stretch of days or a part of one's life is true optimism. That was Gino in a nutshell.

This is what I think of when I think of the American Pit Bull Terrier.

Being human, hmmmmm, well....... true "optimism" seems to be taking me a bit longer to learn.

- Marthina McClay