Pit bulls continue battling the odds

The Staffordshire Bull-Terrier came into the shelter very unsocialized. This is not uncommon. Many dogs come into the shelter, dogs that have never even been on a leash. She was an exotic chocolate brown. We called her Asia.

Over the next 2 weeks we put Asia through our behavioral evaluation. She didn’t do well. She simply didn’t trust people. We figured she had probably been a backyard dog with very little human contact. When representatives from BAD RAP (Bay Area Dog Lovers Responsible About Pit Bulls) flew up to view our shelter and see our pit bull program, we had them take a look at Asia.

We decided to give Asia a little more time to see if her behavior improved. If it didn’t, Asia was not going to be an ambassador for her breed and would not be re-homed. But then she got sick. She got very sick - she wouldn’t eat, she wouldn’t drink. She just lay listless in her pen. Each night we covered her with a blanket and told her not to die on us.

Every morning when we opened her pen we just knew we would find her dead. But she didn’t die. On day five Asia ate her food, drank water, wagged her tail, and was a totally different dog.

Over the next couple weeks Asia was evaluated again. She allowed all body handling and became integrated with the other dog population. She played wonderfully with other dogs and quickly found a small purple ball that she would bring to people so they would throw it for her. Asia began obedience training and preparation for her AKC Canine Good Citizen certification. She adored children. She was a keeper.

Over the nine months that Asia was at the shelter there were many people interested in adopting her. Because our pit bulls go through such extensive training and preparation to be good ambassadors to their breed, only ambassador homes are selected. Those are the homes that know the breed and get them for the right reason--a family companion.

Judy Plympton, from Shasta Lake, called us in December. Out of 12,000 pit bulls she looked at on www.Petfinder.com Asia was the one that stood out. She completed a pre-screening application and a visit was set up so she could meet Asia and bring her other dog, Max, to the shelter to see how they got along.

The two hour visit went beautifully. Another visit was set up for Judy to bring her 9-year-old son Tommy and husband Greg as well as Max again. It seemed to be a match made in heaven.

A home visit was performed and Asia was left as a “foster to adopt” dog. Never being in a house before, Asia didn’t know what to do. She jumped on the coffee table. She jumped on the dining table. She raced around like a little kid in a candy store. She discovered herself in the mirror and was mesmorized by her reflection. She had no concept that the potty area was outside.

Rules and boundaries were established immediately. Asia needed to learn house manners if she was going to integrate into the Plympton home.

A crate was purchased the next day and Asia began housetraining. She quickly learned which rooms were off limits and where her boundaries were in the house. She learned that potty behavior belonged outside. She knew that Tommy had a nice warm bed and she could snuggle with him. Judy continued with Asia’s obedience training and Canine Good Citizen preparation.

Asia accompanied Judy to Petco and WalMart and Ace Hardware where people commented time and time again on what a well-behaved dog she was.

Three weeks later, Asia and Judy were ready to take their AKC Canine Good Citizen test. They needed to pass so that Asia’s adoption could be finalized. Unfortunately, they didn’t. Judy adored Asia but she was giving her conflicting cues on what was expected. A couple “people training” sessions were set up and Asia and Judy passed their Canine Good Citizen test the second time around. We are happy to report that Asia is now a permanent member of the Plympton family.

In order to pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen test, both dog and handler must score 100 percent on the following 10 items:

1. Accept a friendly stranger

2. Sit politely for petting

3. Appearance and grooming

4. Out for a walk on a loose leash

5. Walking through a crowd

6. Sit, down, and stay on command

7. Come when called

8. Reaction to another dog

9. Reaction to distractions

10. Supervised separation

The AKC Canine Good Citizens test is available free of charge to any pit bull and their owner. The AKC Canine Good Citizens Incentive program is made possible by a grant from Animal Farm Foundation (www.animalfarmfoundation.org) who provides a cash incentive to Second Chance Pet Rescue for each pit bull/owner team that passes.

The money earned through the CGC Incentive program is used to continue the training of Pit Bull Ambassador dogs at the Corning Animal Shelter. If you would like your pit bull to be tested for the AKC Canine Good Citizens certificate, please contact Debbie Eaglebarger at 824-1985.

Second Chance Pet Rescue is a non-profit organization, which volunteers its time at the Corning Animal Shelter. The shelter phone number is 824-7054