Sooooooo I am told I have to be grouped with the Pit Bulls

[ravendarat]

So in preparation for my forthcoming puppy I started looking at classes today to enrol in. Last puppy I had I tried training myself and long story short, I want help with this puppy and having structured classes for him to meet other people and dogs also is appealing. So I decided that I would look at my local shelter. I know people that have done classes there before and their dogs are very happy polite puppies. So while looking I notice that they have specific classes for Pitbulls. I didn't really think anything of it but then I was talking with the desk worker there getting some more information like what methods they do, general time the classes run and stuff like that. She asked what kind of dog I was getting and I said it was an English Mastiff. She kind of stopped in her tracks and asked if I could wait for a second. She disappeared in the back and then came back to the desk and said that he had to be enrolled in the Pitbull class.

Normally I wouldn't care but then I asked her out of interest why he needed to be in that class and she said that it was the case that all bully breeds needed to be in that class due to their aggressive nature. Now red lights and sirens started going off in my head. I didn't say much else to her, just thanked her for her time and left but my problem is that I am not sure I am comfortable going somewhere where they think EM are these aggressive giants. I have no problem with pit bulls and actually would own one but the laws here make it more troublesome than what I want. But to me it seems like they don't have any idea what these dogs are like. I personally have not met a EM that I would consider to be aggressive, more just slimy sucks lol. If they had told me that they want them in that class because other members could be scared of their size or whatever than I could accept that but the reasoning they gave me kind of left a sour taste in my mouth. Am I blowing this out of proportion or would you all feel the same way about this?

 

[NeoBull]

Wow, that's weird. You can put a pitbull in a regular class in a Petsmart! I've never heard of this. I've seen an all Doberman class, but that was only because the woman bred Dobes and offered the class free to her puppy owners.

It's one thing to have a separate class for dogs that have actually exhibited aggressive behaviour, but to just assume they are more aggressive is stupid. Or to divide dogs by size even... Anyway, it's all kinda beside the point, I've never heard of EM's labeled with "bully breeds". They're not on any of the restricted breeds lists for insurance companies that I've seen either.

I'd definitely find somewhere else to take a class.

 

[Cody]

Do NOT support this organization by giving them your time and money!
In fact I would do the opposite and post their ludicrous fear mongering policies every where!
Is blatant discrimination and if they are not familiar with your breed, or any judging by their policies based on prejudice and incorrect stereotypes, they will be of absolutely NO help to you.
I suggest really doing your research in finding a good trainer. Talk to working breed breeders in your area and see who they recommend.
If I ever heard of any organization attempting to segregate based on being a bully breed I would LOSE it. They obviously have very little canine knowledge.
Just the thought of that sort of BS makes my blood boil!

 

[Marrowshard]

I've heard of size-sorting and I've seen notices that say "no human-aggressive dogs" allowed in group classes. I HAVE heard of mastiffs being classes "bully" but it's usually by people who wouldn't know the difference anyway so I always dismissed it as ignorance. You would think a shelter, of all places, would know better than to stereotype like that, especially with puppies who aren't going to be straight-up aggressive right out of the gate anyway.
I agree with NeoBull, find another class or ask to speak to the boss. I know at the shelter we use some of the desk staff (all volunteers) aren't great at giving accurate information and so it's best to speak to the owner.

~Marrow

 

[mia]

Run, Run as fast as you can

 

[shadedingray]

So put all supposedly dog aggressive breeds in one class? Doesn't sound like a productive idea to me..

 

[ravendarat]

Marrowshard, I was thinking the same thing, that the desk woman just wasn't informed properly but even having a separate class specifically for bully breeds just kind of came off as "dog racist" to me. I will look else where for my class. I only went there first because honestly it would have been the most convenient as it was located about 5 blocks from my work so I could have went there easily with my dog after I got off but I am not gonna sacrifice quality for convenience.

 

[NeoBull]

So put all supposedly dog aggressive breeds in one class? Doesn't sound like a productive idea to me..

Seriously! lol

 

[natsan6]

WOW! Even at our local Petco where I am taking Jagger they don't even ask breed and temperament questions on puppy classes. They do size Large Breed, Small Breed but that is it! They were excited to hear they were getting a new EM!! When this women gave me that info I would've been very upset and not just for my EM either. Why do they bother with a puppy class for bullies at all if they think they are all slobbering at the mouth to bite someone....puppy classes are just FULL of people and dogs that are aggressive fighters, sheesh. IGNORANCE drives me nuts especially in a setting like a shelter. I can only imagine how the bullies that are surrendered to them are treated . The poor dogs are judged before they even wag a tail. I would follow everything Cody said I would go somewhere else..AFTER I blasted that shelter and its practices on every site and place possible. People are donating money to this shelter and if it is county or state based funds are going to this place, people have a right to hear its policies before supporting it.

 

[AKBull]

There are several things you mentioned that are upsetting here. The dog segregation and them considering an EM as an aggressive breed. That whole system doesn't seem like it would work very well for the dogs. I could possibly understand them being ignorant if you had a Bullmastiff because I've heard a few people comment when they ask me "what is it?", "oh, pitbull and mastiff cross"...
If you do decide to go some place else, make sure you tell them why you were turned off.

 

[Oak Hill Farm]

I can understand separation for dogs that have been deemed aggressive, because owners know what they are getting into, but to segregate breeds, specially puppies is crazy! You make a socially acceptable good canine member of society, by training classes and exposing them to different situations, people and types/breeds of dogs. That is what is great with puppy and beginner classes, dogs are exposed to other breed types: the way they play, and look, while the puppies are in that "open window" of registering new good experiences.

I agree take your money elsewhere.

 

[natsan6]

I thought about this post tonight while I was at petco with Jagger(my 11wkEM). There was only him and a little blue pit in the class named Roxy. Hahaha she rolled Jagger...jumped on his back... growled, bit at him, all kinds of stuff trying to get him to play rough...He just laid down under a chair and looked at her. It was hilarious! I completely forgot how hyper other puppies are, my Jagger has me spoiled .... but OH Yeah so "aggressive" :lolbangtable:

 

[Zoeymil]

Ha that's so ridiculous!! Is her name Marilyn! Lol. My stepmom won't allow my dad to bring their ankle biting lhaso apso to our house because she says English mastiffs are vicious! People are so ignorant! Run as fast as you can! But laugh!

 

[AmberScheuer]

I was a, "co-trainer," at our local petco where I did grooming as well, the trainer and I both felt that- until the dog [NO MATTER THE BREED!] had acted out aggressively, it was in the puppy's/dog's best interest to be socialized with ALL other breeds... small and large alike! I still believe it is crucial that they interact with smaller breeds and larger breeds- That place sounds like a crock- I wouldnt go there. Also- be careful of trainers at certain petsmarts and petcos- worked at both places and personally I feel a few trainers here and there are complete SHAMS! Make sure you watch how they interact with their groups- and are calm but confident... I remember one girl- she would get so ralled up that she put all the dogs on end! Ridiculous. Good luck!

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

^ Ditto! RUN!

I took Thor to a Petsmart class when I got him at 8 months ( never paid for the class) for socialization with another friend of mine. I Did the training myself, for the "basic" class, Thor was considered too "advanced" lol and was usually the demo dog.

 

[LadyDogLover]

You're not being too over the top. Don't waste your time or money on their classes...run as fast as your legs can carry
you. Unfortunately, the people who work in shelters more often than not, do not know enough about dogs...specifically,
various breeds/temperaments, etc. If I had a dime for everytime I went to a shelter and found a mislabeled breed, I would have a nice chunk of change. Try PETSMART or seek out local training clubs in your area; ask your vet for a recommendation.

 

[Honor Pup]

Good suggestions here. Don't spend your money where it's not helping out. Look around there's lots of places that are a better to support.
If they have any questions suggest the attend a few classes to see the right way to teach others.