If you have any trouble with the above player, please click here to play it in a different player or to download a Mp3 version.
Julie Kinsey is the official trainer for Rounder’s Ruffians, a top breeder of American Staffordshire Terriers. She’s highly respected by other trainers, especially in the obedience circles, and has put at least 28 titles on 10 different dogs – 8 of them American Staffordshire Terriers (AST’s). These intelligent, passionate, challenging dogs are the focus of great controversy. Insurance carriers won’t insure homes that have them. They were banned in the Netherlands, and multiple US cities. The news is telling us, again and again, about savage attacks perpetrated by ‘pit bulls’. Join us as we talk about these issues and more. Join us in support of the responsible ownership of the dog of your choice – whatever choice that is.
Shown: Julie Kinsey and Rounder’s Etta Jane CD RN
More information on Rounder’s Ruffians Please Click Here.
Contact for Julie Kinsey: minionw@hotmail.com
Julie gives open classes on Wednesdays and Fridays in Houston, Texas. Julie is a certified SATS Level I-III trainer.
If obedience is the foundation, then the parameters of relationship live within that. What is good and bad is governed by that foundation.
Is not relationship and the interpretation between those in the relationship the foundation that governs obedience?
Is willingness any part of this?
Can we live a dog without going through obedience?
In regard to the Am Staffs, why promote the breed at all if they are such a reactive breed and need such stringent controls and maintenance? Is not the ego of the breeder involved as well?
A question that needs to be answered by anyone desiring to live with a dog, what is the dog’s purpose, function in the environment intended? Then help that dog understand it. Otherwise, you’ll be surprised everytime as to what nature can do.
Hi Don,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us. Working dogs often don’t make good pets. With properly expert and equipped owners, they can be great companions. I sometimes work with working dog trainers, and they need great working dogs. Many pet dogs make poor working dogs. Bulls make bad pets. But, they are vital to dairy farming. Dairy farmers and other bull-handling professionals get educated and equipped to keep bulls safely. They don’t try to make pets of them. Sometimes there are still accidents, but no one talks about eradicating bulls or cattle. Similarly, let’s get dog owners educated and equipped before they take a working dog home as a ‘pet’.
Thanks again!
Kayce
Thanks for supporting and defending our Breed Julie. It is an honor to have met you in the past and see the work you do with your Amstaffs. It must be hard always feeling the prejudice against the breed as I too have felt in the several years I have owned the breed. Obedience meaning some kind of training to help build a relationship with our dogs is excellent advice. Some people never bother to build any kind of relationship with their dogs (in which why you suggested training) and the proper care, nutrition, training a dog should get. The “american pit bull terrier” or the “american staffordshire terrier” or the “staffordshire bull terrier” or the “bull terrier” and other names I have missed are NOT some kind of evil lurking time bomb waiting to go off they are DOGS first…canines. I understand how you meant some have high drives and should be educated on how to work with certains breeds and that obedience CAN BE the foundation to a great start and realtionship. And how the rumors grow..oh my… thank you for your stance on our breed and excellent advice.
Hi Pamela, Thanks for weighing in on this topic! You make a very good point: all dogs can be dangerous. I recently worked with a group of rather small dogs who were severely aggressive at times. We corrected the problem, but not before one had been blinded by the others. Education is vital to the well-being of dogs and owners. Make that ‘ongoing’ education. All relationships must be nurtured and developed to keep them strong and at their best. I hope this interview will be a useful tool for you as you educate your clients.
Thanks again.
Kayce
I don’t own a pit bull and neither have I trained one. They are banned in my country (unfortunately). However I have always felt that it is the fault of irresponsible owners rather than the breed whenever a dog bites.
It’s great to hear about Julie’s accomplishment in the ring. If anything, it shows that such dogs, like any others, can be trained and controlled.
I am inspired by your work.
Hi Lily,
I agree with you, and I join you in being inspired by Julie’s work. She is a truly great trainer. She holds an open class in Houston, Texas, which is a wonderful resource. However, you have to seek her out. She does not advertise and she is really low key about her training. However, I recommend her class to anyone serious about training. It is a place to learn and do amazing things.