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Shelter interactions with a Pit Bull
Since talking about the history of the American Pit Bull Terrier, you would now know that they were at one time a fighting dog. Because of that and what is in their genetics, they do have a high tendency to be Dog Aggressive. ALWAYS assume a Pit Bull that you don’t know very well is Dog Aggressive. NEVER allow interactions with other strange dogs in a shelter situation unless necessary.
A shelter, AC or Humane Society can be highly stressful for a dog. They are in an unfamiliar environment, confused and alone. The smells and sounds of the other dogs, strange people walking about and even sometimes the smell of death can upset a dog’s mental well-being.
That being said, a correct temperament Pit Bull should be able to withstand these stresses and still wag their tail in a friendly gesture. When entering a kennel that holds a Pit Bull first and foremost make sure that there is no other dog walking by so that you can safely enter the pen without a dog/dog interaction. Never enter a pen or kennel if the Pit Bull is growling, snarling or acting aggressive. A Pit Bull acting in that manner is an incorrect temperament and will need to be re-assessed immediately. Always notify managers if and when you see these things in a dog.
When taking the dog outside for yard time, walks or even a dog meet-and greet with a new prospective family ALWAYS have the dog on a leash until you are in a secure area. Hold the leash with two hands, one at the handle and another down lower on the leash at all times. Pit Bulls are notorious pullers on a leash so if you don’t feel confident walking one in the first few seconds, put the dog back.
When in the yard, still stay watchful of other dogs that may be coming and going in the shelter’s everyday schedule. Watch for fence/fights between the Pit Bull and another dog, watch for small children that the Pit Bull might knock over in their excited dash to lick their face, and watch for people that might be frightened of the dog. In those cases use the opportunity to educate the fearful person with the things you have learned about the breed!
When walking in the approved Dog Walking areas, never allow your Pit Bull to sniff or interact with another dog. If you see someone approaching with a dog, ask that they keep their dog away and continue on your walk.


Breaking up a fight

The best way to break up a dog fight? AVOID them!
Assuming all Pit Bulls are dog aggressive needs to be a reminder in ALL shelter workers and volunteer’s minds. Sometimes all you have to go on is assumptions and in the case of a stray Pit Bull with an unknown history, it’s better to err on the side of caution.
Avoiding a dog fight is a lot easier than breaking one up and a lot better for you and the dogs involved. Keeping ALL dogs you are walking on a tight leash, being aware of your surroundings at all times and warning others who might forget that they need to keep the dog they are walking away from the dog you are walking are good things to practice.
So what happens if a dog fight between a Pit Bull and that barky Lab mix breaks out? Even worse a Pit Bull and another Pit Bull? USE YOUR LEASH!
Since policy mandates that all dogs be on leash coming to the kennels or going to the yards, then one could assume that a fight would be with at least one dog on a leash. Hopefully both of them are on leashes and then the tables are in your favor.
If both (or one) dogs are on leashes…. PULL. Don’t turn your back to the fight when you pull, instead get a really good grip on the leash and pull back with a sharp and hard jerk…. Let your body move steps backwards, not just your arms.
Hopefully if you are quick enough with your reaction that no dog has latched on and simply pulling them apart would be enough. If that is the case, return BOTH dogs to their kennels and notify a manager.
Let’s say when pulling the leashes you find that one dog has latched on to the other and is not letting go…. What do you do?
First let’s start with what you DON’T do and work our way from there!
DO NOT reach or wade in the middle of the fight
DO NOT grab collars
DO NOT yell or scream at the dogs
DO NOT allow another volunteer to get involved to help

Now what about the DO’s?
DO ask someone to throw you a leash if you do not have one
DO ask someone to go get a staff member ASAP
DO not attempt to break up a fight alone, always have two people
DO remember that these dogs are in fight mode and will bite you without realizing it

Ok now that we have the DO’s and the DON’T’s let’s talk specifics.
HOW do you break up a dog fight? Well usually it will be one dog with a latch on and the dog that doesn’t have a latch will be scrabbling for a better position to get a latch as well. Use this to your benefit and go after the safe dog first: The one with his mouth full!
Talk to the person with the other dog, communication is KEY so that neither of you get bit. Whoever holds the leash to the dog with the latch, drop the leash and grab that dog’s hind legs. The person who has the dog that is not latched on is to tighten the leash and HOLD ON!
Now the person with the hind legs (think like a wheelbarrow race) will need to pull backwards and at the same time, swing the dog from left to right. Usually this will cause the dog to let go as their balance is upset as is their orientation.
Make sure that when you are swinging the dog from side to side that you are doing it in gentle motions. A hard swing could actually cause the dog’s head to come back around close to you and you could be bitten. Soft swinging motion is sometimes hard when your adrenaline is pumping but it is very crucial.
Now say the dog drops it’s latch! Hooray the fight is over!! Right? Wrong!
How you end the fight can be just as important as how you break it up. If you manage to get the dog to drop the latch and you then in turn drop the dog…. What will happen? The dog will just run back and start the fight all over again!!
So what do you do?
You remind the person that is holding the other dog on a leash that they need to IMMEDIATELY leave the area. You then ask a staff member to come and grab the leash of the dog before you let go of the legs. Once the leash is in a steady hand, you can drop the legs.
Scary?! That is why we say AVOID the fight at all costs…. It can save not only a dog, but your nerves as well!

Pacific Northwest Pit Bull Rescue

A little bit about who we are and what we do
Pacific Northwest Pit Bull Rescue was formed in July of 2006 in an effort to support the growing need of rescue, education and adoption of the pit bull breed in the community.
We rescue, foster, rehabilitate and adopt out pit bulls that we believe truly are breed ambassadors. We do not take owner surrenders, all of our dogs come from death row and have faced euthanasia in area shelters.
While we love the breed, we accept that not all pit bulls are good candidates for adoption. It is for that reason we are selective on the dogs that we choose to be a part of our program. Abuse, neglect, and poor breeding/genetics, resulting in health and temperament problems are just some of the things that can be an issue with this breed. There are tens of thousands of pit bulls in need in shelters across the country and beyond, but choosing the best of the best is for the betterment of the breed as a whole and for the community that we live and work in.
We are combating the trouble that faces the breed that we love so much not with the attitude that we can “save them all”, but that we can save the few that can become true ambassadors for the breed and stand beside us as we fight BSL and say “Punish the Deed, Not the Breed!”
We advocate responsible pet ownership for all breeds and strive to provide current and future pit bull owners, as well as the general public with the TRUTH about pit bulls and how we can stop what has truly become an epidemic, BSL (breed specific legislation).
If you love your dog, please be a responsible owner, spay and neuter your pet, educate yourself, then stand up with us and FIGHT for our dogs.