Happy Pit Bull

http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/ci_15251250

The Pit Crew – Program brings out the best in dogs, volunteers

By CAROLE BRODSKY
Updated: 06/08/2010 08:37:03 AM PDT

It’s Wednesday evening at Mendocino County Animal Care Services in Ukiah. About 20 individuals are gathered at the shelter for their twice-weekly “Pit Crew” training.

Started almost four years ago by Leslie Dodds, member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, Pit Crew consists of specially trained community volunteers who work specifically with pit bulls and pit bull mixes at the shelter. Dodds and the crew members offer a kind of finishing school for adoptable dogs, providing individualized training for each animal which will, it is hoped, ultimately result in the dog finding a new home.

“Dogs selected for the Pit Crew are thoroughly evaluated. There can be no history of violence or aggression with people or other animals,” explains Sage Mountainfire, adoptions coordinator for the shelter. Dogs must pass a multitude of tests prior to admission into the program. “They are tested for handling, aggression with other dogs, and whether they guard food or toys,” says Mountainfire. Dogs who exhibit what are considered normal behavioral challenges such as pulling on a leash or shyness may be considered eligible candidates.

“Pit bulls have had a bad rap,” says Mountainfire. “People have been fearful of adopting them. Like all our animals, we want our pit bulls to be better-behaved dogs when they are adopted than when they came. In many cases, pit bulls are the best behaved dogs in our shelter,” Mountainfire notes.

All of the costs for the Pit Crew program are covered by donations. “Everyone is a volunteer. They raise money for anything they need, including leashes, treats or other equipment,” Mountainfire notes.

Being a member of the Pit Crew requires extensive training, which Dodds provides. “People interested in being part of the Pit Crew must first attend an orientation. Then Leslie provides mentoring with each crew member. When she is satisfied the member is ready, she very slowly transitions the member to a one-on-one relationship with one of our shelter dogs,” says Mountainfire, who notes that the Pit Crew program is one of many unique animal care services usually found only in large, urban shelters.

“The program has really blossomed since we started,” notes Dodds, who estimates over 200 dogs have graduated from the program. Dodds uses a positive training technique with the animals, many of whom come to the shelter as pups.

“We don’t use leash corrections. The idea is to use humane methods, rewarding dogs for good behavior, especially around other dogs,” she explains.

Contrary to public opinion, Mendocino County has a significantly lower rate of pit bulls in its shelters than other counties.

“Forty-five percent of our dogs are pit bulls or pit bull mixes. In urban areas almost ninety percent of shelter dogs are pit bulls,” Mountainfire explains.

Abandoned pit bulls in this county are also not fallout from the marijuana industry, according to Mountainfire. “Four years ago we used to get in a lot of dogs in the fall that were very skinny and aggressive. That is not happening anymore,” she notes.

“Animals that guard pot gardens are not family pets. They are resident dogs who have had no love and no attention. Most of these kinds of dogs are too damaged to make it into our program,” stresses Dodds. “Although we have seen a few of these dogs that can be helped, chained-up dogs will usually end up with aggression issues.”

Ninety percent of the dogs in the Pit Crew program end up adopted, according to Dodds, who gives the credit to the many volunteers who come back every week. “I joined the crew a year ago and I’ve been here ever since,” says Monica Corral, 13. “We have saved many lives.”

“Working in the Pit Crew has meant the world to me,” says Maria Vega, a high school freshman. “When I look back on all those lives that would have been gone, I can really tell that our work means something beyond our understanding.”

Dodds and Mountainfire hold the pit bulls to a higher standard than other breeds because they have to.

“Pit Bulls score as high or higher than Labs on the American Temperament Test, but people think any aggressive dog with a blocky head is a pit bull. It’s really a case of dog discrimination,” says Dodds.

Mountainfire agrees, citing the long history of maligned breeds: German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Dobermans and now Pit Bulls.

“People need to look at a dog’s behavior, not the breed. In a few years, another breed will take its place. Larger dogs of course have potential to create more problems than smaller dogs. Right now, we have a wonderful 15-pound Schnauzer in the shelter that doesn’t relate well with children. Should that dog be euthanized?” she postulated.

Potential volunteers are encouraged to attend an orientation on July 7 at 5:45 p.m. “The public is always invited to come and observe our program,” notes Dodds. Pit Crew classes are Wednesdays beginning at 5:45 p.m. and Saturdays at 9 a.m.

“We have so many success stories,” says Dodds. “I love seeing our volunteers with their arms wrapped around a pit bull, and they’re both smiling. These dogs come in just like unruly teenagers and leave the program like ladies and gentleman,” she smiles.

For information, phone Mountainfire at 467-6453 or Dodds at 367-1874, or log onto pawstoadopt.com/pitcrew.html.