My own dogs are all acquired from animal shelters. I troll them looking for pit bulls mostly. I train them and put them to work for me in various ways such as competition, foster surrogacy, pet therapy, get adopted. I do not support breeding.

Little Known Animal Shelter Statistics in 2022

• Around 3.2 million shelter animals are adopted each year.
• Annually, 6.5 million animals enter US shelters.
• About three million shelter animals are euthanized in the US every year.
• Five states are responsible for 50% of shelter euthanasia. 
• The US boasts more than 2,000 no-kill shelters.
• In 2019, Delaware became the first no-kill shelter state.
• There are around 70 million stray animals in the US.
• Only one out of every ten dogs will find a permanent home.
• 88% of pets living in underserved communities aren’t spayed or neutered.
• In 2015, 36% of abandoned animals were taken to a shelter.

This is a link to an AWESOME dog food I have been using for a decade, called Raw Paws Pet Food . All natural, they have frozen raw: beef, lamb, chicken, turkey, goat, salmon, mackerel, duck, rabbit, pork, venison, organ meats, tripe, and bone marrow. You can order w or with vegetables. The raw frozen comes in 1 lb or 3 lbs chubs. I have lots of dogs and students, so I order the 3 lb chubs and thaw one at a time . You can feed only raw, or supplement your dry dog food with a healthy handful on top. When you order, always first tell them I referred you, you get 30% off your first order. I believe you can get a sampler for $79. with no shipping costs the first time. Also remember that after that, you should always stock up your freezer and buy $199.00 then the shipping is always free. If you only have one or 2 dogs, it will last you a long time:)

Here is the link: https://rawpawspetfood.zinrelo.com/ref/LIS5WE0L

Dry food can be a cheap way to go to feed your dog; especially if you are on a budget. It is also the easiest, just open the bag and pour or scoop. So that is a pro. The cons are, dry dog food is highly processed. It is not enzyme alive. So it draws on your dogs finite enzyme stores to break it down. Vets suggest for dogs that have trouble digesting dry food, should supplement with probiotics. Also, dry dog food it is dehydrating; requiring a lot of water; and is especially important when considering potty training issues. If you must feed your dog dry food, make absolutely sure it has ZERO corn, wheat, soy, barley and zero canola oil. Make sure the first ingredient is actual lamb, or beef or salmon and not some sort of meal. Then consider augmenting the dry with some real food on top (minimally processed). Perhaps a bit of ground beef, lamb, turkey, or salmon.  

Potty training: A common choice is to not want to crate a dog and think it is cruel or a prison. This is not understanding that dogs need a quiet safe space to self regulate. I do not like to use potty pads unless there is a medical need. It will take a few weeks/months for your dog to build its bladder capacity. And the crate is how they are motivated and learn. A common mistake is to feel sorry for the dog. If the dog cries or barks, the human gives in and lets the dog out and then the dog ends up relieving itself in the house. This can lead, over time, to imprinting and the dog never learning how to go potty on grass or dirt. So we go out first thing in the morning in a quiet place with no stimulation. Give it 5-10minutes. If the dog goes, we give praise and reward it as finishes its business. Let it try one or two more times to evacuate properly. Then back and crate. Over time, this routine expands.

I have worked with dogs on the east coast for 15 years. In the cold, humans can be overwhelmed by rain and snow, as can the dog. So in frustration, the human just goes back inside and lets dog pee/poo on floor or on pads. Once imprinting of pee inside takes hold over 3-12 months, the situation can be very challenging to ever fix. It may even require you getting a play pen and staying out all day at a park or in back yard. In the playpen, the dog should have a toy and food and water. Out for hours in the shade of course, eventually the dog will have to go. This may have to go on for a few days, or more, until the dog learns to pee/poo on grass. This is correcting a grossly neglected mistake so the dog can learn.

yes- good-good girl- good boy

sit- — sit stay +hand signal

down — down stay +hand signal

wait + hand signal

come + hand signal

here 

leash

paw

go outside— go potty

look + hand signal

back—go lay down – stay + hand signals

heal- -heal come—heal wait 

Ok

break

get it——bring it——drop it— leave it

up

gentle — gentle w the babies

Slow