IDENTIFYING HIGH-RISK APPLICANTS SO YOU PLACE FAD BREED “PIT BULL” DOGS WITH HIGH-BAR ADOPTERS.

 

It is important to screen your dogs, selecting True Ambassadors, before offering them for adoption.  In the case of an exploited fad breed, it is even more important to screen your adopter, so that you only place dogs in high-bar homes.

 

Fad breeds attract impulse adopters, who, though well-intentioned, may be without the resources to provide a safe, permanent home.  “Pit bulls” also attract people with the wrong motives.  The following list is a first step in your screening process.  

 

BE CONCERNED WITH ANY ADOPTER . . .

 

1.                  Who is on record for having a dog picked up, or has been previously cited for allowing a dog to run at large.

2.                  With a history of exploiting animals (e.g. breeding fad breeds, animal collector, dog fighter, drug dealer).

3.                  Adopting the dog on impulse (e.g. because it’s cute, because he feels sorry for it, because it’s a popular breed), instead of researching which breed is best for his or her situation.

4.                  Who is a first-time owner, who has not researched the breed, its attributes and challenges.

5.                  Who does not have a six-foot-high secure fence (or alternative means for safe, regular exercise).

6.                  Who does not have a safe, secure place to leave the dog when adopter is not at home.

7.                  Who will leave a young child unsupervised with any dog.

8.                  With a “busy” household, with small children and their friends coming and going.

9.                  Who lives in a “busy” neighborhood where other dogs may be off lead.

10.              Who believes their kids can do anything to a dog and it won’t bite them.

11.              Who wants to adopt an adult dog with no known history, to take home with children, without first bringing the children (and other family dog) to the shelter, to see how the dog reacts.

12.              Who is a multiple-dog owner, who is not cognizant or willing to manage intra-species (dog/dog) and other animal aggression, should it manifest over time.

13.              Who wants an unspayed/un-neutered dog, or has such a dog or dogs at home.

14.              Who moves frequently, so that the dog may fall victim to rental discrimination and local breed laws.

15.              Whose life is in transition (for example, renters, students, military personnel, etc.) and may not be able to provide a lifetime home:  fad breed dogs don’t often get a second chance.

16.              Who believes that dogs can be “trained” to stay home.

17.              Who believes that dogs are good by osmosis, and is unwilling to attend obedience classes.

18.              Who lives in a high-risk community (dog fighting, drug dealing, street fighting).  A dog placed in such an area may be stolen or fall victim to extreme prejudice and discrimination.

 

This list is not meant to be all-encompassing; and, though many of these concerns apply to all dogs,  we have tried to focus on those most important when screening applicants seeking fad breed “pit bull” dogs.  Remember, these dogs are unlikely to get a second chance. A bad placement may result in further damaging the breed’s reputation, as well as placing the dog in harm’s way. 

 

Please consider the following “pit bull” breed predispositions. Individual dogs may manifest some or none of these traits, and in varying degrees and intensities.  When you consider these predispositions in conjunction with your standard adopter evaluation and application process, you will see how some candidates, while fine adopters for some dogs, may be high-risk adopters for this breed. A first-time owner with the appropriate home site should not be eliminated out of hand, but would be best matched with a dog who is lower-energy, lower prey and play drive . . . that is, low on the scale of those traits that may be challenging for an inexperienced owner. We suggest you consider how your candidate “matches up” with these virtues and challenges.  Remember, as well, the current climate and prejudice, which comes with “pit bull” ownership, and determine if your candidate will present his dog in a positive light in the community.

 

BE AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING BREED DISPOSITIONS . . .

 

People-loving and needing

Prone to intra-species aggression

Loyal, eager to please

Comical

Steadfast

High energy, athletic, strong

Easily aroused, but are highly trainable

Love/need to have “a job”

Soft dogs who respond to positive training

Possibly protective/territorial, but they are not guard dogs

High prey drive

            High play drive

 

The following ten musts in pit bull placement will also help eliminate high-risk candidates in favor of high-bar owners.

 

1.                  Insist on spay/neuter, and implement early spay/neuter (not a deposit program).

2.                  Conduct a home check in light of the demands of the breed and the individual dog.  Be certain there is a safe place for the dog to spend his days and nights, where he can’t get out, and others can’t get in.  Require written landlord approval for renters. Determine if the neighborhood is high-risk.

3.                  Verify an adequately fenced yard or evidence of an alternate method of sufficient and safe exercise.

4.                  Be certain the adopter is familiar with, or has adequately researched, the breed and demonstrates an understanding of its virtues and challenges . . . and has the resources (time, place, money) to meet them. 

5.                  Avoid same-sex placements and multiple-animal households. Require a frank discussion of dog-to-dog aggression and prey drive. Caution against “pit bulls” in dog parks.  Require that the dog be leashed at all times in public places.

6.                  Implement a vet check with particular attention to the disposition and condition of the applicant’s previous dogs.

7.                  Require puppy obedience class(es). Strongly recommend obedience class(es), as well as continuing work with all dogs.

8.                  Conduct a frank discussion of “pit bull” prejudice. The pride is worth the prejudice; but is your applicant prepared to live with the prejudice that may come with “pit bull” ownership: homeowner insurance discrimination; landlord discrimination; community and media misinformation; breed-specific legislation?

9.                  Conduct a frank discussion of children and dog safety.  (The AKC Child-safety video features a “Staffie”, aka “pit bull.” Contrary to the media image, the “pit bull” was known to generations of Americans as “the nanny dog.”) Will your applicant work with the dog when the new baby comes? Do you feel the applicant will be responsible for the safety of the child(ren) and the dog? Will they provide appropriate supervision and separation? Do they have the resources to meet the needs of all family members?

10.              Give every adopter an information packet. Include our resource list (to be found in your handout). Provide follow-up assistance and referrals. Monitor the success of your placement.

 

We welcome your suggestions for additional cautions, specific to “pit bull” adopter selection, so that we can continue to help others find more responsible homes for these wonderful dogs.

 

When you place a True Ambassador dog with a responsible, well-matched owner, you are a part of the solution.  Thank you!!

 

 

Animal Farm Foundation, Inc.

http://www.animalfarmfoundation.org/