As promised, I wanted to share a very insightful interview that I had with my trainer, Rebecca Cushman! But we call her Becky! I've previously mentioned that she not only is an incredible horse trainer, and a mentor to me and her students, but she also has a passion for pit bulls. She cares deeply about the controversy surrounding the breed and is on a mission to help educate and open people's minds about pit bulls and animal behavior in general so they can be better dog owners all around and see beyond the negative stigma that society has placed on these beautiful dogs.
Becky and a clearly ferocious Violet. Two beautiful ladies inside and out!
Mentioned in the interview are a few dogs who join us at the barn everyday, Violet (I like to joke that her name is Violet because it rhymes with violent...), Tanner and little Petunia! She's an adorable terrier cross with big personality...I have a feeling that she too thinks that she is a "rough and tough" pit bull! Violet and Petunia belong to Becky, and Tanner is currently looking for a loving and forever home! He is quite handsome and very sweet and adventurous! See for yourself!
Ok ok enough with the bla bla bla's, here is the interview! I hope you enjoy, and learn a thing or two!
Heeeeeere we go!
Me: What made you so passionate about pit bulls?
Becky: My desire in general is to help animals in need. People, I believe for the most part, have the ability to access avenues to help themselves---animals are largely at the mercy of the hands they land in. Pit bulls have morphed into a breed that attracts owners from demographics that aren't typically educated in dog training, animal husbandry, animal socialization, nor the broader effects that their lack of knowledge will have on the breed. 55 million dogs were euthanized in the USA by the Humane Society and Animal Controls last year, I don't know the exact percentage, but at least 50% of those dogs are believed to have pit bull as a primary breed. If the pit bull owning population would spay/neuter their dogs, and if we could place a moratorium on breeding, even for one year, that number would plummet.
Lack of training is perhaps an even bigger issue. A barking dog, even one with a tail wagging, can be intimidating---a barking pit bull can be downright frightening.....even while wagging its tail! It is the owner's responsibility to teach their dog how to exist in human society. Largely this doesn't happen, not just with pit bulls, but with all breeds. However, because of pit bulls perceived ferocity, the chances of an untrained, unsocialized pit bull being euthanized for 'aggressive' (actually instinctual behavior for any dog) is shockingly high. One of my client’s previous dog was a Jack Russel Terrier---he bit over 10 people drawing blood. Eventually she opted to euthanize him to eliminate the legal risks. This was a personal, very sad decision for her. If Violet did the same thing, she would have been euthanized after the first incident----even if it had been incited by neglectful, abusive, or ignorant behavior on the part of the human. Perhaps even more shocking is that no news agency ever reported anything about that dog, no insurance company denied them coverage (well, not until they were sued!), no reports were filed. If that dog had been a pit, it would have made national news!
Soooooo, I'm passionate about helping pit bulls because they deserve people like me who are educated and have experience handling them, to make an effort to turn the tide of misconception about the breed. These are loving, kind dogs, in general, experiencing a genocide based on the reactionary behavior of an ill informed public. Being anti-pit bull because some are aggressive is tantamount to being anti-African American because there are some bad seeds in Oakland, or anti-white male because of the pigs on Wall Street.
Me: I have heard you mention that Violet has changed many people’s minds about the breed, of course because of her gentle and loving nature, but how difficult has it been for you to change people’s minds about pit bulls? What obstacles have you faced? And what have the majority results been in your efforts?
Becky: In general it is difficult, but can be very rewarding. The biggest obstacle faced is the behavior of other people. I have worked with over 100 pit bulls in the last 5 years and without exception I would classify them as kind, tractable dogs. They aren't immune to all of the bad behaviors that can crop up in any breed, but consistent, thoughtful training can resolve these issues. But in the eye of the public, a focused or excited Violet is an imposing looking Violet. If I am at a horse show and Violet is straining at her leash trying to play with the other dogs being allowed to run wild---Violet is regarded as an aggressive, dangerous dog, even if she doesn't act aggressive! When I moved to the barn, several boarders left because I insisted on bringing Violet. Some were fearful of their own safety and not willing to meet or interact with Violet, others were concerned for the safety of their horses or the barn cats. Violet graduated from a pit bull training program with top honors, has as many references from all types of people as anyone could ever ask for, she doesn't have a single mark on her record, she is even afraid of cats!---but if people won't take a logical, informed approach to meeting Violet or any other pit bull, it is hard to educate them.
On the brighter side, I spend a lot of time at the adoption events with a pit bull upside down on my lap getting a belly rub. Fortunately I have a big lap, some of them tip the scales at over 80lbs. It is hard for people to resist interacting with a smiling, goofy, floppy looking dog. Many people haven't seen pit bulls in that light, it sparks their interest, and a conversation ensues that ultimately gets people to consider opening their minds to looking at pit bulls in a different light. Sometimes people can be so intrigued by seeing the other side, they return to adopt a pit bull! This is really rewarding!
Me: Approximately how many homes have you found for your foster pits or others from the rescue?
Becky: In 2011 Dale (her husband) and I fostered and found homes for 8 dogs, 6 were pits or pit crosses. Our rescue placed 78 dogs, over 50 were pits. Before last year we did a couple dogs a year.
Me: What have your challenges or frustrations been as a pit bull owner? More specifically socially, how do strangers react to you or your dogs when you are out and about with Violet or Tanner? (For example: that mean and ignorant lady in the waiting room during a doctor’s appointment of yours who was ranting very loudly and angrily about how dangerous they are and how it is wrong for people to have them as pets after seeing violet barking in your car while she was waiting for you in the parking lot).
Becky: My biggest challenge is to attempt to make my dogs ambassadors for the breed. If I can train them to act in a socially appropriate manner, especially while enjoying freedom (their temperaments are more believable than for a dog in lock down) people can see their positive attributes. This can be hard at times, because dogs are dogs. They bark, they growl, they are rowdy, and I am not a dog trainer!
Reactions are mixed. Some people will literally cross the street, others will look nervous, and some can't resist a goofy looking dog. People’s reactions are largely based on personal experience--I just try to keep anyone's personal experience with my dogs positive. Tanner is still young, and will make mistakes---it is my job to try and keep him out of trouble until he learns to handle himself. It is also my job to explain to people we encounter the reasoning for his behavior so they can be compassionate rather than reactionary.
The people in the parking lot---they saw barking dogs and were scared. They didn't take time to notice that the dogs were contained, safely and considerately (for the dogs comfort and theirs). I can't always be with the dogs to run interference. I am fairly certain that if I could have spoken to those people, explained that Tanner had lived in a cage for the first 4 months of his life and Violet the first 16 months of hers---they would have softened enough to listen. Then, I could have pointed out that the dog that they perceived to not be a threat, Petunia, was the one instigating the behavior---they could have started to view Violet and Tanner as merely dogs, not PIT BULLS. Opportunity missed.
Me: Any dog training tips that you can recommend for people seeking to adopt or already own a dog in general?
Becky: Training tips from a non-dog trainer???
1. Take the time to train the dog. Specifically, teach the dog how to sit or lie down when they are excited. Dogs that drag their owners, bark, etc. are a nuisance to the general public and the object of negative energy.
2. Take the dog to as many places as you can. They won't be bored and they will learn to not be over-stimulated.
3. If you are adopting a pit bull---educate yourself on what you need to do as a pit bull owner.
Me: And feel free to add anything else that comes to mind that you would want people or me to know! Thanks so much!
Becky: Bad Rap www.badrap.org is a great website for pb education
