[wmcelesta]

Hi Everyone--
Rosco and I are living in Newport Beach, Ca for the next year or so-- and I can't find any cage free places here that will accept Pit Bulls! I have two great places up in LA but that is now over an hour drive, and sometimes I have to be gone for many hours, or sometimes a couple of days and no one down here will take car of my baby- despite the fact that he perfectly trained, extremely well socialized, has stellar recommendations and can pass ANY temperament test anyone cares to give him-- it's really discouraging, at every dog park, groomer, or doggy daycare center I have brought him to he has received nothing but EXCELLENT reviews-- any suggestions?

Thanks! Lisamarie & Rosco

[tuszit]

Hi, neighbor!

Off the top of my head, I cannot think of any that would accept Rosco, and I can understand why they would be very hesitant. Not because Rosco is a horrible dog, but because the potential risk is too great.

If one day, soemhow and for whatever reason, Rosco gets into a fight with another client's dog, the doggy daycare would face major issues. Most are not well enough staffed (in numbers or bully breed expertise) to handle it.

My suggestion would be to find the finest in-home dog sitter/dog walker that you can.

How old is Rosco, just out of curiosity?

[buyviagraonlineusatoday]

I would not leave my dogs in a cage-free environment. If my dog is interacting with other dogs, I want to be there. I won't leave my own pack in a cage-free environment in my own home if I am not there to supervise. And mine would also pass temperament tests.

Is there a reason your dog can't be in a kennel run when he is not being exercised? When I board my dogs, which is rare because I'm a headcase and a control freak, I pay for an hour of exercise each day. This is a one-on-one service. Maybe something like that would make it more do-able for both of you?

[PhillipHer]

I wouldn't trust a cage free care for ANY breed of dog. Cages arent a bad thing if they are getting exersize daily

[kasandrasikl]

I agree with others. I would never trust someone to watch my dogs in a cage-free environment; I generally don't trust anyone to watch them ever.

[Laqswrnm]

cage free day cares always make me nervous for any breed for that matter. the best thing to do is find a bonded animal sitter that can come by and check on your pets. I have seen several listings in petsguide magazines in the orange county area (i also live in orange county) they would probably charge about the same as day care but you have the dog in the saftey of your home knowing that it is not full of germs or bugs and dogs. I would make sure it is someone that it licensed and bonded.
btw welcome to orange county

[wmcelesta]

hmmm, Rosco LOVES going to doggy daycare, he's extremely social and a truly an exceptional pit bull, we'll figure it out - thanks for the replies.

[Laqswrnm]

how old is he?

[wmcelesta]

Rosco is 4.

[Krruqgwt]

Cage free anything with any kind of Terrier or bull breed is asking for trouble. I want my dogs alone, clean, comfortable and safe when I'm gone. They can play when I'm home.
Even if your dog is great with others, one stupid human mistake of any of the kennel workers and *YOUR* Pit Bull will take the rap...

[Laqswrnm]

he looks so young
i don't know if they allow pitbulls but you can always give this place a call.
http://www.campbowwowusa.com/ if they don't maybe they can give you a referral?

[wmcelesta]

Thanks for the warnings on cagefree folks - I get your point - I'm an extremely responsible Pit Bull owner, and understand the breed - I understand my dog even more so, we all have our preferences and opinions, and dogs are as individual as humans. On that note if you don't have a resource for me, please move on - I'm sure you all mean well however redundancy is not necessary.

---------- Post added at 04:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:08 PM ----------

Thanks PeanutsMommy!!

[Leaters]

I wouldn't trust a cage free care for ANY breed of dog. Cages arent a bad thing if they are getting exersize daily

I agree. No way in hell I'd leave my dogs unsupervised around dogs/people I don't know. I care far too much for my dogs to do that to them.

Okay look. If you love your dog, stop taking him to doggie daycare and the dog park. You own a bulldog. Treat it like a damn bulldog. One day he's going to up and react like the breed is hardwired to in one of these situations and it is not going to be pretty. The breed was developed for dog on dog combat. But seriously why do people turn a blind eye to what these dogs are hardwired for and set their dogs up for failure?

I'm sorry, but you are not going to be a responsible APBT owner or ambassador of the breed until you manage your dog responsibly and stop setting him up for failure. That "what if" isn't worth it.

Find a good bulldog saavy kennel that you can actually trust with your dog's wellbeing. I'm sure people could recommend something in your area.

Some useful stickies you should read:
Pit Bulls and Dog Parks
A Day at the Park
Always Expect a Bulldog to Fight
Degrees of Exposure
Don't Leave Your Dogs Unsupervised

[wmcelesta]

I'm very familiar with the literature that you post. On the contrary, with my particular pittie I've had nothing but positive experiences socializing him with both dogs and humans over the last 4 years. My dog is extremely well cared for and I've only ever left him with bully savvy places. We are excellent ambassadors of the breed, having changed the perception of pit bulls on countless occasions. Not all, but many pit bulls can be socialized, perhaps not all owners however.
While I'm sure you are attempting to come from a good place, you don't know me or my dog, and your comment is highly rigid, redundant and condescending-- please refrain from interacting with me again-- we really have nothing to offer each other. Respectfully.

[occafeVes]

When you view life the way you just did in your post above, then yes, no one can tell you anything, and we can just wish you luck, and hope for you, your dog, and those around you, that he stays cold.

[ZAtlLVos]

Just because you are a responsible owner, does not mean someone is going to be responsible with your dog. Especially your dog being a bully breed.

You don't know how strictly supervised they are and how under-staffed they are.

It's best you get someone to come to your house and play with your dog and walk your dog while you are gone.

Not in an environment with strange dogs and inexperienced people to the breed.

Now I work at a dog daycare and people do bring their bully breeds; however we are all experienced with bully breeds and know what to do if they get in a fight such as using a break stick.

But do not expect someone else to be responsible with your dog.

They may say oh we have tons of bully breed experience and they really don't. I wouldn't be willing to risk it. It's not opinions to tell you the truth, it's facts that a bulldog may not start a fight but they sure as hell will finish it.

[EliteFranceska]

The first question I ask potential kennels when we are looking to board is "Do you require group play?" If the answer is yes, I would never leave any of my dogs with them. Even our most socialized dogs that have grown up with multiple dogs have dogs they do not get along with. I also have known plenty of people that have worked at the most reputable doggie day cares in our area and they have told us horror stories about dogs getting into fights and they don't even allow bully breeds. Have you looked into dog walkers? They are usually around the same price and will spend one on one time with your dog in your home.

You posted on a public forum, people are going to give you their opinions.

[Vokbeelllicky]

Use a cage free kennel at your own risk. I lived at a facility for a couple months and while the idea is fantastic it is actually absolute hell. Dogs got hurt daily and serious injuries happened weekly. I'm not saying this is typical but just to be careful who you leave your dogs with.

[Leaters]

When you view life the way you just did in your post above, then yes, no one can tell you anything, and we can just wish you luck, and hope for you, your dog, and those around you, that he stays cold.

Well said.

[duceswild]

i have to agree with the rest in stating its a bad idea...

take into consideration the damage your dog can do if another dogs who is not so obedient attacks him. then take into consideration the ability of the people who work there and whether or not they can handle a bully fight (most doggie daycares tend to hire young women as in their 1st job or older women who have empty nest syndrom). will these people have the physical ability to stop a fight if one was to break out?

however, this is your dog and you will do as you please. just keep in mind that you can have all the faith in the world in your dogs, but maybe its not your dog you should be worried about you know?