News
Eliminating Misconceptions... Part II
February 04, 2008, 4:30PM MT
By Denise A LeBeau
Second in a series that chronicles how the other Michael Vick dogs are progressing.
Second in a series that chronicles how the other Michael Vick dogs are progressing.
By Jennifer Hayes, Best Friends Staff
47 of the former Michael Vick dogs have been given a new chance at life. 22 of the dogs were awarded to Best Friends Animal Society and the other 25 dogs had been distributed to seven rescue organizations around the country. Representatives from these groups are now able to talk about the dogs who have been in their care.
This is the second in a series of three articles about their stories and how they are changing America’s perception of former fighting dogs.
SPCA for Monterey County:
Justin Phillips, the SPCA for Monterey County Shelter Supervisor, was one of the nine people selected to participate in the initial evaluations of the dogs seized from Michael Vick. As part of the team, he traveled to Virginia and helped with individual assessments, specific to pit bulls.
(Ginger poses for the camera. Photo provided courtesy of Beth Brookhouser of the SPCA for Monterey County.)
Three of those dogs were taken in by the SPCA. All are currently in foster homes and will be considered as potentials for adoption when eligible. Beth Brookhouser, the SPCA’s Director of Community Outreach, says “Every dog that comes through our doors is evaluated on an individual basis. We’re happy that the dogs from this case were given that same opportunity to show their unique personalities and qualities.”
(Ginger looking very cute as she snuggles in for a nap. Photo provided courtesy of Beth Brookhouser of the SPCA for Monterey County.)
Ginger is inquisitive and quiet, Lil’ Red is well mannered and easy going, and Stella is “a kissing machine,” but all three have been slowly getting used to living within a home. Things that most people take for granted, such as ringing doorbells and crossing thresholds, were previously unknown to these dogs. Each is experiencing these for the first time and Lil’ Red is currently fascinated with ceiling fans and television.
They were all given time to decompress and have now begun their training. Basics such as sit, stay, down, off, and the look command are all needed so that they can pass their Canine Good Citizen tests. One of the dogs is considered a good candidate for further training to become a therapy dog and another shows an aptitude for agility. They are all people-oriented and strive to please, so verbal reinforcement has been very effective in their learning process. Brookhouser notes, “The goal is to get them as far as they can with their training to make them true ambassadors for their breed.”
BAD RAP (Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pitbulls):
Donna Reynolds, the Executive Director for BAD RAP, was also on the original team of evaluators of the dogs. She states that their organization took in ten of the more resilient ones, all of which have been in foster homes since October 23, prior to final custody assignments. Reynolds says, “It’s no different than the other dogs in our program.” They are currently undergoing basic obedience, leash manners, and distraction work as they progress towards passing their Canine Good Citizen tests.
(Uba is being held by Letti, her foster mom. Photo provided courtesy of Donna Reynolds of the BAD RAP.)
Although the dogs are each individuals, they have all proven to be very food motivated, so instruction has proved to be easy. “I think it was the only thing they had in their lives that was good,” says Reynolds. The trainers provide treats as positive reinforcement so that the shy dogs begin to form good associations with fearful things, such as a stranger on the street. Others, who were already very confident, have needed to reign in their energetic behavior through training. According to Reynolds, “They give them freedom in small doses as they earn it to reinforce good house manners.”
(Uba taking a snooze with her friend Lulu. Photo provided courtesy of Donna Reynolds of the BAD RAP.)
Uba is being successfully fostered by a home that has not only another dog, but also a cat. Originally he was a bit timid, but according to Reynolds, in his time there, “He goes from this shy worried dog to Mr. Happy.” He now runs to people to jump up and give them hugs. Although they would not encourage that behavior, since he is so small at only 38 pounds, they allow him this pleasure. In fact, the person fostering Uba has already requested permission to adopt him.
On the flip side, there is Teddles, who is so big that he has been compared to a bull in a China shop. Now he lives in a home with Sam, who is only two years old. Teddles has learned to be careful around a little person and Sam actively participates in his training. Every morning, under Mom’s supervision, Sam will say, “Teddles-Baby, sit" and will wait for the “look command” prior to letting him out for his first run of the day. Sam will even correct his mother’s training, and note if she has forgotten to praise Teddles for an appropriate behavior. Reynolds chuckles, “We have a two-year old toddler training a Michael Vick dog how to have good house manners and Ted is responding.”
(Teddles poses with little Sam. Photo provided courtesy of Christine Allen of the BAD RAP.)
Christine Allen, who is Sam’s mother and Teddles’ foster parent says, “Teddles has come such a long way from the beginning when he would flinch if we raised our hands too quickly, be tense and alert every time we brought him out of his crate, or not want to or be able to lie down near us outside of his crate. As every day passes, I see Teddles becoming more and more settled, relaxed, and truly enjoying the comforts of family life -- nestling into a warm bed, sun-bathing, zooming around with the other dogs, shamelessly soliciting love and attention from people, and just being part of a family.
What's wonderful about children like my Sam is that every dog that he meets is treated like an individual with a clean slate because he doesn't have any stereotypical or preconceived notions about different breeds. And I hope that when he's old enough to understand what stereotypes or preconceived notions mean, that he will be continue to be compassionate and humane enough to judge all living things on his or her individual merit. Those community leaders who still believe that all pit bulls were bred for ‘unstoppable violence’ and are unfit to live as family pets have a great deal to learn and could take lessons from my 2-year old.”
(Teddles playing with Isabella. Photo provided courtesy of Christine Allen of the BAD RAP.)
Reynolds explains that this is a landmark case. “The Vick dogs represent a tipping point for pit bulls, especially because so many Americans wanted to see them rescued. This is the first time that not only the federal authorities allowed it to happen, but it’s the first time that Americans stood up and said that these dogs are individuals; they deserve to be evaluated and given a fair opportunity.”
The government does not generally get involved into the welfare of dogs after a fight ring has been broken up. Known as a burden on the system, they are commonly referred to as “kennel trash,” because the dogs are not adoptable, yet take up valuable resources. After Michael Vick’s case, Reynolds says “It’s a phenomenal story because it shows us a new level of understanding and compassion for the victims of dog fight operations.” Now authorities and shelters know there is a different way to treat the dogs seized from illegal fight rings.
One would think that the Vick dogs received special treatment due to the celebrity surrounding their story; however, last October, Missouri law enforcement had one of its largest ever dog fight busts. In addition to fighting paraphernalia, 26 dogs were seized and three men were arrested. While the dogs are being retained as evidence for the case by the Humane Society of Missouri, once the trial is complete, the dogs will be evaluated to see if any are suitable to be adopted or go to rescue organizations, instead of being systematically killed. “It’s a new way of doing things,” comments Reynolds. “It happened because it’s the right thing to do.”
For now, the 10 former Vick dogs in BAD RAP’s care continue their healing process and training and are all expected to progress to the point where they can be placed in permanent homes. Reynolds is hopeful that this ground-breaking event will help future seized fighting dogs. With so many separate organizations cooperating together, including prosecutors, the USDA, representatives from the federal government, shelters, and rescues, “Everyone was focused on helping the dogs and that’s how we were able to pull this off. We can move mountains to help abuse victims, to help pit bulls.”
(Teddles gives some love to Sam. Photo provided courtesy of Donna Reynolds of the BAD RAP.)
For more information:
• Eliminating Misconceptions and Becoming Canine Good Citizens – Part I
• Stop Breed Specific Legislation Campaign
• Canine Good Citizen
• Association of Pet Dog Trainers
• Therapy Dog
How you can help:
• With all of the media attention these Michael Vick dogs have received, many people have expressed interest in adopting them. However, there are many other pit bulls, not famous but just as wonderful and deserving, that also need forever homes. If you are interested in providing a home for a bully breed, please adopt a homeless dog from a local rescue organization.
• Support the lifesaving efforts of the organizations which were given custody of the other Michael Vick dogs.
SPCA for Monterey County
1002 Highway 68
PO Box 3058
Monterey, California 93942
BAD RAP (Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pitbulls)
PO Box 320776
San Francisco, California 94132
• Richmond Animal League
• Georgia SPCA
• Recycled Love, Inc.
• Animal Rescue of Tidewater (A.R.T.)
• Our Pack, Inc. (Pit Bull Advocates for Compassion and Kindness)
Lead photo shows a smiling Teddles with his friend Lola. Photo provided courtesy of Donna Reynolds of BAD RAP.