Presenter: Stacy Coleman, Exec Director, Animal Farm Foundation
When we breed label a dog we are making behavioral predications. But, we’re virtually always wrong….
What’s a Pit Bull? Descriptions vary across the board. When we look at a dog, we’re guessing, but 75% of the breed label predictions in shelters are wrong.
There is no behavior that’s unique to one kind of dog. – Aimee Sadler, Longmont Humane Society, CA
The well-known myths and generalizations abound….terriers, dog-aggressive, high pain threshold, enormous prey drive, will do anything to please.
Cropped ears are a fashion statement (or an attempt at one). Scars happen for a multitude of reasons. Making an assumption on a dog based on scars provides no useful information. Dogs are individuals.
Policies and practices
You will be successful and fulfill your mission and manage risk when you:
Observe the dog, document observations, disclose known facts, stick to the facts, transfer ownership to the new owner.
There are lots of discriminatory policies –
If you have special restrictions on PB adopters, screening processes, mandatory training just for PB’s, special screening process, you are being counterproductive and harming your mission.
Have your cutest, best behaved and friendliest PB work up front as the greeter.
Teach your PB’s cute little parlor tricks: high five, pray, etc. Don’t give away free lunches, keep them busy, exercise their minds. Find good energy outlets.
Best marketing practices:
Happiness sells, sadness repels. Emphasize the human-canine bond. Take photos at dog level, not from overhead. Happy dogs are just plain cuter.
Have the PB pose with the white fluffies and the goldens. Include local landmarks and popular spots. Picture dogs already living in the community. Use costumes and props. They work (even if you think they’re absurd).
Stop naming your dogs Tank. Give them cute names – ICarly, Hanna Montana
Get yourself a video flip or good quality camera. Use it liberally.
Make business cards for your dogs! It’s easy, you can do it on a computer. Give the dog a vest, with business cards in the pocket. Take your most adoptable PB’s to a parade, dressed up in a cute outfit. Market them…with business cards! Promote shamelessly.
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