Get Well Soon Christy Mack

I've been a fan of Christy Mack for some time now especially after discovering that she is a huge Pit Bull lover and advocate and completely gorgeous, might I add. I recently reached out to Christy Mack because I wanted to write a feature story about her and her 2 Pit Bulls, Pitrick Swayzee and Cleopitra, and it is with great sadness that I am instead compelled to write this story about the vicious attack that she barely managed to escape from.

Christy had been dating MMA fighter “War Machine”, aka Jon Koppenhaver, and the two split up in May of 2014. On Monday August 8th 2014, Christy was at her Las Vegas, NV home with a friend when Jon came over unannounced and beat her and her friend.

She tweeted that she suffered from:

"18 broken bones around my eyes, my nose is broken in 2 places, I am missing teeth and several more are broken. I am unable to chew, or see out of my left eye. My speech is slurred from my swelling and lack of teeth. I have a fractured rib and severely ruptured liver from a kick to my side. My leg is so badly injured I have not been able to walk on my own. I also attained several lesions from a knife he got from my kitchen. He pushed the knife into me in some areas such as my hand, ear, and head. He also sawed much of my hair off with this dull knife. After some time, the knife broke off of the handle and he continued to threaten me with the blade. I believed I was going to die. He has beaten me many times before, but never this badly."

Christy barely managed to escape and get help from a neighbor who took her to the hospital where she remains and has released this photo of the aftermath of the atrocious attack via her Twitter @ChristyMack.

"War Machine" is currently on the run and avoiding the police. There is a $10,000 reward for information that leads to his arrest. Call Crime Stoppers at (720)385-5555. I hope that he surrenders himself soon and deals with the repercussions of his actions.

There is also a website available to those who wish to donate towards Christy's staggering medical expenses which amount to $100,000:

Christy Mack's Medical Expense Fund 

I am reminded of why I wanted to interview Christy in the first place. She sees the beauty in Pit Bulls and is not afraid to show the world. She stands up for the breed and is an avid supporter. These dogs go through some horrifying things in the hands of others and now Christy, this gorgeous woman has herself gone through a horrifying experience in the hands of someone who didn't know how to love her. Someone who used brute force on a defenseless being. Beating a human or animal senseless is an act of a sick person. I was going to ask her this question:

"What message do you have for those that beat their dogs?"

Christy, I am so sorry that you had to endure this monstrous experience and I hope that you keep your strength in this trying time. Having been through physically abusive relationships myself, I feel for you and wish you a speedy recovery. I send you all my love and support and I hope that you are surrounded by those that love you. You may feel alone at this time but just know that you have many people that care about your well being at this time. I look forward to seeing pictures of you smiling with your pups soon. 

With Love,

Babies and Pit Bulls: From the Experts Themselves, Parents!

Pit Bulls and Babies. This is a topic that tends to raise eyebrows, especially those of people that do not own Pit Bulls. As a proud Pit Bull owner and a first time parent to my now 2 month old daughter Camille Wynter, I've heard it all from “Oh my gosh! You let that thing around your baby?" to “Wow you must have 911 on speed dial!”  to the all time classic “Aren't you scared your baby will get attacked?”  and of course "Are you nuts?"  Well no in fact, I am not nuts and neither are the other vast amount of parents, first timers and the well seasoned alike, who choose to raise their children with a Pit Bull in the home.

After repeatedly defending my personal choices and my beautiful Pit Bull Bentley, I started to wonder if seeing a Pit Bull around a baby really was such a rare and shock provoking incidence or if it was just that these certain people lived with a rather negative view of these amazing dogs. Then I started wondering how people who were planning on having children felt about the subject and also how people who already had children and Pit Bulls felt. All of the negative comments have pushed me to prove to the skeptics that no, just because you have a Pit Bull around a baby or young child, it does not mean that he will rip their face off. So where do you go when you need help on a specific topic? You go to the source of course.

Welcome to Parenting with a Pit Bull 101

As a parent you always have concerns about the well being of your children. If indeed you are expecting your first child you must be overwhelmed with emotion. There is a tiny person growing inside of you (or your significant other) and it is your duty to provide them with a safe environment filled with love and comfort. Millions of thoughts must be going through your head as it is but then comes the question every dog owner faces: “How will my dog react to my baby?”. You now start thinking about every possible scenario that could happen. You've heard about dogs attacking children and then you look at your own and say “No, he would never hurt a fly.”  Well this is very often the case.

The majority of dogs do especially well with children, if, and this is important, if you have a trained dog. It does not matter if it is a Pit Bull, a Golden Retriever, a Poodle, a Cocker Spaniel, or a Jack Russell Terrier. Any dog is capable of mauling a child, any. Do not think for once that any breed has a pre determined tendency to do so over another. There are people who get attacked by Chihuahuas all the time (of course these little guys can't cause too much harm now could they?). You want to be sure that you are fulfilling your role as a parent to protect your cub. I personally did not have any concern about my Pit Bull, Bentley, being aggressive since she has never shown any signs of aggression towards anyone, human or animal. Of course I am just one example.

With all the questions people ask me about the topic I wanted to know how others felt. I wanted to ask Pit Bull owners and parents specifically about their experiences and share what I have found so that others could see that it is not just a rare scenario, that Pit Bulls do not “eat babies” or any other nonsense you've heard. So I came to you the public asking for complete honesty. I asked if I could share your pictures and your stories and you so graciously responded. Here is what you, the experts, Parents and Pit Bull owners, had to say.

I asked the following:

 “How did you introduce your Pit Bull to your baby?”

"I came home and had my boyfriend keep the baby with him for an hour or so so I could spend quality time with Haze because we missed each other a LOT and I wanted to make sure he knew he was still super important. Then I let him sniff clothes and blankets the baby used at the hospital. His tail didn't stop wagging. He knew exactly what was going on and kept whining and pacing. Then we brought the baby in, he instantly laid down next to the baby and fell asleep with his nose touching him and they were the best friends ever since." - samanthacarmen9712

"My pit, #nachothepit, was a rescue at 5 months old. He has always been the most mild mannered dog I have ever owned so when my husband and I found out we were pregnant, we weren't worried! We had him stay with my in-laws while we were in the hospital and gave him a blanket that our son had been laying on. Once we were all home together, we let him come up and smell him (the baby) and he has been so gentle and adorable with him ever since!" - mommy_lemmons

"I was in my car seat and my parents put me down in the middle of the room. My dogs got love from our parents and then came up to meet me. They did it all on their own. They smelled me and ran around my car seat, then they moved on to laying around and getting love from everyone in the room. We all love each other." - mikiyahandherprince

"When we first brought our baby home, I let my 2 pits smell his blanket and onesie he wore. Once their tails started wagging we praised them. Then we brought our baby out and they fell completely in love. Now they play together, nap together, and our baby is the safest baby out there because our dogs are so protective over kids, all kids actually."  - mrsmariothebarber

"I first had someone bring a baby blanket home for him to sniff. When I came home I gave him attention since I had been gone for so long. Then I showed him the baby and for the next few weeks I made sure he knew he wasn't replaced by letting him cuddle with me and the baby and now he just loves her!"  - morgan_ss

"I adopted my pit mix when he was over a year old. They picked him up wandering around after a family abandoned him. I brought my baby along with me to the shelter so we could bond with him together. Once I had seen his temperament, I rolled her in the stroller and watched carefully. He went over, licked her feet, laid down and stayed there with her until we left. He has some anxiety that we work with but it just makes him more cuddly. He is so good with all three of my kids. He plays with the boys and gives gentle kisses for my girl." - tweetyburd87

"We just brought our daughter home in the car seat and put it down in the middle of the room and let our dog go check it out for himself. We had absolutely no doubt he would be fine with her. We were right, he's spent over three years looking out for her since!!!" - jsessbrown

"We were going to do so many thing and then life got in the way so we agreed to just do our best and "wing it". First we let the pits sniff the swaddled baby whenever they calmly approached out of curiosity. We also went out of our way to hold  the baby while giving extra pets and love to the dogs (that way they would know that we still loved them). We welcomed them to sniff and sit with us and be "involved" as much as possible. All while still being EXTREMELY cautious. No matter how much you trust your dogs you never want to leave children unattended. Slowly we would allow  them to lick her feet and then at about 4 or 5 months she would lean over to allow them to lick her face. It was the sweetest thing." - panamhunter

"The day we brought the baby home, my older daughter and husband took my pit bull Carrie and my other 2 dogs Romeo and Booga for a walk so when they returned I was already inside and in my room with the baby. My husband and daughter let the dogs sniff the baby's blanket and told them NO. I had a gate in the doorway to my room allowing them to see and hear the baby. After a few hours of them patiently waiting by the door, we allowed them in the room. I picked up the baby and allowed all three dogs to sniff her. Carrie, my pit, is the one that showed more interest, we even let her lick the baby's feet. After that day, every time time my baby cries, Carrie is there wanting to help. Carrie likes to sleep near the bassinet, she is our gentle giant." - msevilyn

"We had no problems at all with our pit bull. He was a very friendly dog to start with so I guess that helped. When we brought Hallie home, we let him have a smell of her, then we made sure not to exclude him from anything that he used to be part of. He was allowed near her and he was just his usual self, no strange behavior at all. She is now 16 months and they love each other. I'd have no hesitation leaving the room while they are alone together. We've also adopted another pit bull who is very sweet and have had no trouble with her either. My daughter can crawl all over her without a problem. I guess it all depends on the dog. A good dog will always be a good dog, if you know what I mean." - jasonsteer

After receiving so many wonderful pictures and stories of how parents introduced their Pit Bulls to their babies, you can clearly see that there are different techniques that each parent uses. Each of them knows their own dogs and their behaviors and therefore were able to devise a plan of action that made them comfortable, and that's the most important thing to remember. You have to know what you are comfortable with and what will work for your unique situation. What may work for someone else may not work for you and it is your decision to make. Some parents use the blanket technique while others go down the slow and gradual path.

What all these parents, as well as the numerous others who answered, have in common is that not one of them had a negative experience. With a combination of a well behaved dog that you trust, no matter the breed, and adult supervision, you should not have a problem. It is obviously a process that you must get comfortable with first and of course it is a case by case basis.

 Hearing about all the successful baby introductions conjured up another question. I wanted to know how many parents trusted their Pit Bull 100% around their children, so I asked: "Do you fully trust your Pit Bull around your child?" This question received so many positive responses, even Pit Bull owners who did not yet have children of their own answered. Out of about 100 people that voluntarily answered, the outcome was once again all positive with everyone answering YES, that they did trust their Pit Bull around children. Below are just a few of the responses given.

​"Yes I definetly trust my year and a half old pittie around my 8 month old little boy. She loves to give him kisses and when he's crawling around on the floor she lays beside him! She's definetly his shadow." - a.doberman.and.pitbull.life

" Absolutely! Our almost 6 month old gets nothing but kisses and cuddles from our 2 year old pit. He just adores our daughter and is always laying near her to keep an eye on her." - brande_kramer

"YES 100%. My dog and my daughter are born on the same day. They believe they are siblings...I guess they kind of are." - discoveringranchlife

"Yes I trust them completely around my children. Just as my kids are a reflection of me, so are my pits. I raised them right to respect everyone. The kids know to respect everyone. The kids know to respect the pits and vice versa. Any dog, if raised to be mean and aggressive and treated bad, will be exactly that. There is nothing wrong with Pit Bulls or bully breeds. It's just a stereotype." - nisee_baby87

"I trust my boys (8 and 3) around any child, any age. Supervised with little ones because my guys are pretty big (over 100 lbs), I don't want anyone to get stepped on or pushed over. Some children I don't trust to be nice to my boys, so they (the children) get supervised." - jaketheamstaff

"Yes I do. However, it took some time. He came as a foster from someone we knew well. We'd been around him quite a bit but I still wanted to really get to know him and any triggers he may have. Does he take food gently? Does he jump on people? Is he food aggressive? How dog social? etc... His only issue is too much affection and not knowing when to stop. We're working on it but he's much better now." - pamddavidson

This last response is a great answer because no matter how big or small, or how much you trust your dog, at the end of the day he is still an animal and caution must always be exercised when caring for young children and babies especially. Such tiny, delicate humans need us, their parents to ensure their safety and be good role models. By teaching your children from an early age how to and how not to interact with a dog you are instilling in them the proper ways to behave around any dog, which may be the leading factor in an avoidable circumstance.

All of the responses have left me with a sense of pride in the fact that so many of you out there are wonderful parents and you feel confident raising your children with a Pit Bull. A Pit Bull is just a dog. He wants to lick you, love you, receive praise from you and live a normal life with his pack, you, his family.

I've read of unfortunate circumstances where a dog has in fact attacked a child and you know what the most common reasons are? 

1) The dog was left unsupervised  with the child.

2) The child aggravated the dog by pulling on his tail or any such behavior.

3) The dog was not trained.

These three things are imperative in the protection of your young. Obviously the first should come as no surprise. Now the second reason is the avoidable one that was stated earlier. Any and every dog owner should do a little research and get to know the mannerisms of a dog. You should know what behaviors to look for in a dog to tell if he is angry or getting aggravated. Some dogs don't mind having their tail or ears pulled while this may cause another dog to growl or even snap. Some dogs are food aggressive, some don't like to release their toys or treats to you. If you know what bothers your own dog you can teach your child and if you generally know the early warning signs or body language a dog gives off, you can avoid a mishap with a stranger's dog. Since dogs do not speak, their body language is an instant indicator of their mood. So please, do you research. While the following is just a short list of what to look for, it may be all you need.

Here are just a few warning signs of a dog in an aggressive state:

1) Retracking of the lips and showing teeth ( may be accompanied by growling)

2) Ears pulled completely back

3) "Flagging of the tail" (raising the tail making it high and rigid and moving it back and forth)

4) "Whale Eye" (when a dog doesn't look directly at you but from the corner of his eyes and you see more of the whites of his eyes)

The third reason is extremely important. Some people decide to get a cute little puppy but either do not know how to train a dog or just do not follow through with any training. That right there is losing the battle when it comes to Pit Bull owners especially.

If you are planning on owning a Pit Bull, or already do, and you haven't trained him or decide that you don't want to bother with it then you are the problem and you should not be allowed to own any dog. You are the reason why these dogs are under such extreme prejudice, like Breed Specific Legislation, which has caused the death or removal of so many dogs and has caused heartbreak for families all around the world. Having a dog in your backyard that doesn't have any social skills and doesn't know any commands is a recipe for disaster.

Dogs like this develop aggression and a strong desire to guard their territory from any and everyone. Many of these types of dogs are the reason that attacks happen, so please, please, please train your dog! It is not that hard, it just takes repetition. There are classes you can take your dog to, videos, articles, books, dog trainers... there's NO excuse! You wouldn't want an untrained dog around your baby would you? Well neither does anyone else and you definitely wouldn't want to be the reason for someone else's heartbreak. 

Now that you are armed with reassurance from so many responsible parents and Pit Bull owners and know a few warning signs of an aggressive dog and the key factor (training), it is up to you to put the pieces of the puzzle together. If you choose that you want to add a dog, Pit Bull, or any other breed at that, into your home, if you are expecting a child or already have children, do you research. Pit Bulls make amazing companions and everyone that I have encountered that has one is over the moon with them. It is pretty much guaranteed that with a trained and friendly Pit Bull that you have greatly socialized from day one, you will be a happy Mommy or Daddy knowing your child will get to experience the joys of growing up with a great dog. After all, there is a reason the dog is called man's best friend.

Now If anyone is still a skeptic about having a baby and a Pit Bull in the same home, maybe you should take a look at some more adorable pictures of babies with their Pit Bulls and if you still feel nothing, then maybe, just maybe, you are a robot. Seriously though, have a look at some more cute pictures of little humans interacting with their best buds.

THE CUTEST BABY AND PIT BULL PICTURES EVER!

Cheers,

Would you consider adding a Pit Bull into your home after reading this article?
	Yes, Absolutely!
	Yes, I already own one or more
	I would consider it
	Probably not
	No way!

Art with a Heart

I have recently had the pleasure of getting to know an amazingly strong woman who's story is truly inspirational. I would like to introduce you all to Painter Sam.

Samantha Bennet is an artist currently living in Columbus, Ohio. She paints a variety of subjects including our favorite: Dogs, more specifically Pit Bulls. Samantha's passion for art began when she was just a child, in the hospital. When she was 9 months old, she was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis that threatened her life but she lived. The impact that the disease has had on her body is evident. She is missing fingers, toes and half of her right foot. She has had over 25 corrective surgeries and is still having them today, 38 years later.

Despite all of this, she has not let is stop her from doing what she loves, Art. She has been exhibiting her artwork and donating proceeds to The National Meningitis Association. One of the subjects that she painted for a show was her very own dog Duke, an American Bulldog and Pit Bull mix. She wanted his true personality to shine through in her painting and not for people to dwell on the fact that he was a Pit Bull. Following this exposure, Bully lovers have shown great interest and are supporting what she does by having Samantha paint their very own dogs.

Sadly Duke has passed away at the age of 11 but he still inspires her paintings to this day and has also inspired her to raise money to help save Pit Bull breed dogs by donating proceeds of her exhibits to rescues. 

This is the painting of Samantha's dog Duke

We feel that Samantha has something in common with the Pit Bulls that she paints. They are both strong and beautiful and full of life. Most times humans choose to discriminate based on outside appearances and typical stereotypes. Seeing the perseverance of certain people to make a positive impact in the world is not only encouraging but shows so much selflessness.

This is why we admire Painter Sam, she has not let anything discourage her from doing what she loves, spreading awareness and donating to the cause. Beautiful! We tip our hats to you.

"My scars are my story and I am proud of them. I embrace the curious stares of strangers. Most of all, I hope they look as intently at my art and see that I am following my dreams." 

Above  is a video of Painter Sam's story. For more information and to view more of her work please visit her website :  www.PainterSam.com

To learn more about Bacterial Meningitis please visit:  www.NMASU.org

Cheers,

Galunker The Pit Bull: A Children's Book

As you may already know we are pro pit bull advocacy and love supporting people and ideas that represent the positive aspects of these dogs and put to sleep the ugly and misconstrued stereotypes, so naturally we had to share this special project with you. Why are we so "head over heels" about this project? Simple. There isn't really anything on the market right now that is specifically targeted towards children in the area of pit bulls. Most people think the words "children" and "pit bull" shouldn't even be in the same sentence. Well we say that's bananas and we introduce to you Galunker.

“Galunker is a pit bull. He looks mean, but is about as threatening as a marshmallow. The dog catcher is determined to capture Galunker, and bad guys want to make him fight. But Galunker just wants a home!”

The great thing about this book is that it is aimed towards children. Children are the most influenceable beings and acquire learned opinions and thoughts from their environment. This book can completely break down barriers with its educational qualities and acceptance of pit bulls.

I absolutely love this concept since I am a new mother and a pit bull advocate myself. I do not want my child to be surrounded by negative views about pit bulls and this book is another way of instilling a sense of respect and acceptance of these dogs. Discrimination against breeds is a lot like racism in the sense that it is absolutely ridiculous and shouldn't continue to be taught to our younger generations.

Here is a short excerpt from the book:

"Galunker was hated by all of mankind.
And it bothered Galunk. And I'll bet that you'd mind.

Because nobody likes to be hated, I deem,
No matter how hateful they happen to seem.

You would hate to be hated if you were a worm
Or a spider or lizard or rodent or germ.

You'd find this forlornsome if you were a snake
Who snuck through the forest and lurked in the lake.

(It is hardly your fault if you sneak and you lurk
If sneaking and lurking are just how you work.)

You'd resent this if you were a freak or a frog
And Galunker was none of these things.

Just a dog.

No, Galunker was not even hateful at all.

He bolted and bounced; he did not even crawl.

(And crawling is not such a rotten thing, too

If crawling is what you were brought up to do.)

But hated he was, and he always had been

For Galunker, though never his fault, Looked real mean.

His name was tattooed on the back of his ear

Which helped him look fierce (didn't help him to hear).

It was never his fault that the people he met

Upon meeting Galunker became so upset,

That they flinched or they frowned or they scrammed or they screamed --

He was not even slightly the way that he seemed.

And today poor Galunker was really a mess"

Author of the book, Douglas Anthony Cooper has written novels for adults and children and was featured on the Financial Times Bestseller List and has also received titles such as “Book of the Year”. Illustator Dula Yavne has had her work exhibited all around the world and featured in top magazines and newspapers. Together they have created a Kickstarter campaign, which you can access here: Galunker Kickstarter Campaign,  to help raise funds for their project geared towards ending the pit bull stereotypes.

We first heard about this project via Instagram and immediately started to follow the journey. Now we are thrilled at the growth that has happened in the short time frame that we have know about Galunker. Not only are people starting to notice but they are supporting and donating to the cause.

People are sharing and talking about this project in a positive light. Galunker has already received support from Amber Benson, Actress from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Saturday night Live's Abby Elliot via Twitter.

We cannot wait to get our own copy of the book and give this project 2 big thumbs up!!

To read more about Galunker please visit the website at: www.Galunker.com

Another Friendly Pit Bull Shot

I am always connecting with people through social media and love to hear stories about Pit Bulls. Some are sad, like the loss of a long loved family pet but most are positive and happy. When I came across this Instagram user I felt an instant connection because what has happened to their dog rings so close to home.

Years ago my half Pit Bull half Lab named Nova, aka the escape artist, got out of our back yard and the cops were notified. I had no idea and luckily I was home to hear the commotion outside. I thought that it was the neighbors from down the street bringing Nova home because she always went over there to see their two Rhodesian Ridgebacks. When I oppened the front door what I witnessed made my heart stop. A gun had been drawn and was pointing directly at my dog. If I wouldn't have quickly intervened she would've been shot and for what? Barking at an officer that was on her property with no intention on attacking. And the kicker? She was just an excited puppy. Yes a small puppy. I couldn't fathom how an officer could be scared of a puppy. It blew my mind and after that day I was paranoid about her escaping again. 

Naturally when I saw this user post the pictures of their Pit Bull I immediately felt compelled to write about their story. Just like my dog had escaped, so had their Pit Bull and Japanese Chin and of course their neighbors called the authorities. This resulted in their Pit Bull, named Tweety, being shot in the face by an officer that was scared and acted too quickly. This caused immediate heartbreak and sadness to his family. Imagine the feeling you would have if someone shot your dog and you didn't know if he would live or die.

On top the the stress on Tweety's family, his mom was out of state and had to spend extra money to take the first flight back to California to see her baby. The vet bill was an addition expense and on top of everything the Veterinarian said that by the way the bullet entered Tweety, it showed that he wasn't even facing the officer! Luckily Tweety lived and he continues to be a handsome guy with a huge Pit Bull smile. Just look at him, how could you ever think he was aggressive?!

Yes I agree with being cautious around strange dogs but to shoot a dog in the face when he hasn't attacked is not right. Pit Bulls all over the world are getting shot because of the strong stereotype that affects these dogs.

What's the solution for dealing with a dog on the loose? Should the first line of defense automatically result in a gun being drawn or can the police department devise another course of action to avoid such drastic measures and possibly taking the life of a non aggressive family dog?

I believe in protecting one's self 100% but there has to be a different approach that needs to be taught to all officers that are placed in this same predicament. I hope that enough people reach out and demand for this, after all, would you want your baby being shot?

Hula Hoop Jump in 3 easy steps

Hello All!

I get asked all the time about Bentley's tricks and how she learned to do them so I thought I would share with you this very easy and fun trick. Once your dog knows his basic commands, this trick should come with ease. However remember to be patient with your dog as you should be with every new command or trick you introduce him to. Do not get angry or frustrated and work with your dog. This should be a fun activity for both you and your dog.

Step 1.

Go out and buy a hula hoop! I got mine from Target for about six dollars but I know Walmart, Toys R Us, or any sporting goods store carry them as well.

Note: Your dog might be scared of the hula hoop at first especially since it might be a new object for many dogs. Bentley was a little put off by it, but that's nothing some encouraging words and enticing treats can't cure. If your dog does have issues with the hula hoop do your best to reassure him that it isn't a threat and instead associate it with fun and playtime. Put it on the floor and play with your dog and his favorite toy. Let him investigate and smell the hula hoop. When he gets close to it, praise him and show him it's not something that should frighten him. Start lifting the hula hoop up and praising your dog continuing to reassure him that this object is a good thing. Keep playing with his favorite toy while holding the hula hoop. Let the hula hoop touch him and continue with playtime until you feel he is 100% comfortable around it.

Step 2.

Once your dog is comfortable around the hula hoop you're ready. You may wish to stand up or remain sitting, whichever position is more comfortable for you, I prefer standing. Now extend your arm and hold the hula hoop out to your side with it touching the ground and have your dog sit in front of it. With your opposite hand, hold a treat out on the other side of the hula hoop and encourage your dog to walk through it. Do this a few times and reward your dog.

 

Step 3.

Now that your dog can comfortably walk through it's time to raise the hula hoop off the ground a little and encourage your dog to walk through in the same way as before. Start raising up the hula hoop more and more so that he has to jump now instead of walk through it. Keep practicing until he no longer needs treats as motivation. You can raise up the hula hoop as high as your dog can manage.

Once your dog has this trick down you can incorporate it into his playtime as it is a great form of exercise.

It doesn't get easier than that. Now go out and buy that hula hoop!