shelter Pits to Service Dogs

[ccmcguire597]

I am in California. Taking a job as a consultant with a shelter that has almost 100% Pits as large dog impounds.

If I can alter them and teach them to sit, fetch and they are non animal aggressive and under 3 years of age, do you think they could be placed with any trainers to be trained as services dogs?

I have had great luck in the past with Border Collies, shepherds, goldens and other working dogs, hearing dogs, border patrol dogs, dogs for police, etc. I've never worked with Pits. Is this a realistic idea? Please post all suggestions you may have.

[sharron]

I don't see why not . Pit bulls are intelligent, willing to please and can be trained in any field of service.

There are pit bulls in Search and Rescue , bomb sniffing , cadaver finding , drug sniffing , and therapy dogs. The list is constantly growing on what these dogs are capable of doing.

You will be amazed once you start training them !

Please let us know how it goes !

sharron

[adoptapitbull]

It's absolutely realistic.

Like any breed, you can expect large numbers to not be fit for it. However, I'm sure you can find some who fit the bill and will excel.

We have some therapy dogs on board here, so hopefully they can chime in with their experiences.

[loverocksalot]

Hell Yeah!

[RealPitBull]

Pit Bulls can make great service dogs.

[catstina]

I "like" a Pit Bull Service Dog on Facebook who was adopted from a shelter and trained by his mom to be her service dog. He has already saved her life twice according to the page. I am currently in the process of training my Staffordshire Bull Terrier (the smaller British cousin of the Pit Bull) to be my Service Dog and he is doing really well. Pit Bulls and related breeds are intelligent, eager to please, affectionate, and sturdy all of which lead to a good Service Dog. As long as you do the proper temperament testing and training, I say go for it! What would they be Service Dogs for?

[ccmcguire597]

I was hoping you guys could tell me what kind of service they would be best suited for. My biggest problem is locating trainers who will give them a try. I was thinking bombs, drugs, and PTSD Veterans who don't need a service dog to be quite as highly traind to 150 commands. (company for mental health, etc.) I would think a pit and a marine might be a good match. I just need trainers that would be willing to give shelter dogs a try. Would love some phone numbers if you have any. Colleen

[maryellen]

diane jessup in Washington state has numerous pit bulls that are detection /drug dogs working on the ferries and with the state police out there she doesnt breed them for detection work anymore..

here is one of them K9Dilley

K9 Boldog Dilley
Narcotics Detection K9 with WA State Patrol
K9 Dilley & Trooper Matt awarded "Trooper of the Year; Region 8 2010)
Owned by the WA State Patrol
DOB 09.01.06

WSP K9 Brie was a pound dog that was on k9 patrol but didnt come from diane Jessup. she was a pit mix




then there was k9 hemi





then there was Neville who was pulled from a shelter and was a k9 cop:

www.nwcn.com/news/washington/Pitbull-on-Patrol-88957032.html

and some others:

mypitbullpro.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5111

[maryellen]

k9 Shaka:

[maryellen]

Punchline's 50 Cal, Human Remains Detection K9 "Buddy Love"
Bred by Chris and April Fraize
Frisco/Mims on top and Camelot (of all things) on the bottom half

[sharron]

Where in California are you located ? I am in Santa Cruz , California.

Actually these dogs can be trained in any field of work. I don't think they should be 'boxed' into any field . Every dog has his / her own personality and one dog can excell in police work , while another can be a Therapy dog. It really depends on the dog and it's interests.

sharron