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DOGS Saved by the Pit Crew Volunteers help socialize pit bulls and weed out negative behaviors By John Darling for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By John Darling for the Mail Tribune Posted Jul. 15, 2015 @ 12:01 am By John Darling for the Mail Tribune Posted Jul. 15, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> Although they are generally loving and friendly, pit bulls have a bad reputation and often end up at the county animal shelter. That's where the Pit Crew steps in. The group of  17 volunteers helps socialize pit bulls and other big dogs in play groups to weed out barking, nipping, jumping on people and being reactive to other dogs, all so the dogs can get adopted. “There’s such a stigma against them,” says Michelle Fox of Ashland, Pit Crew coordinator. “We use behavior modification on them, by letting them interact with other dogs and heal negative behaviors.” In a separate fenced yard by the Jackson County Animal Care and Control Center, near Phoenix, volunteers work with shelter dogs four days a week, rewarding them with snacks for good moves and squirting them with water for inappropriate habits — mainly pouncing on other dogs, overpowering them, barking too much. The Pit Crew started a few years ago, dealing with problem “pitties” one at a time. Then they were introduced to the new concept of half a dozen canines working together, getting socialized. Fox says being penned separately in the shelter caused good behaviors to degrade as the dogs got more lonely and anxious. Then, when the dogs got adopted, their new owners often didn’t know how to control or train them and would return them to the shelter. “We take them on hikes, too, and help keep the stress down,” says Fox. “Often, owners find the pit pups cute, but they’ve not got a lot of training. They jump and are mouthy and pull the leash. They don’t understand the social cues or were pulled out of the litter, where they learn cues, too soon."  Pit Crew volunteers give new owners a free training session. Pits and other big dogs at the shelter have an array of “issues.” One is afraid to get in cars, so she gets hot dogs and learns that cars are a reward. A big, black pit bull named Beauty suffers from general anxiety, so volunteers learn what triggers it and reward her for working through it — and pull her out of the play group if others get too rough. The shelter is an unusual, stressful environment and volunteers keep in mind that any dog can be a lot better behaved in a home. Many volunteers foster dogs to find out which naughty traits disappear at home. Dogs who get fully on track are called “rock stars.” “The goal is to keep all dogs sane and get them adopted out,” says Fox. The negative image of pit bulls, says volunteer Yvonne Rauch, may come from their use as guard dogs and the untrue belief that their jaw can “lock” on victims. Pit Crew volunteers generally adore pit bulls and know they’re working against a media stereotype. “We help them get to their 'forever home,'" says Pit Crew volunteer Kaye Geyler, a professional trainer with Go Rogue Dog Training in Medford. "We help them to be better dogs by playing with each other, so they’re less likely to fight and be reactive to other dogs. “They learn wonderful skills. They light up when they get in here. In cages, they’re shut down.” The Pit Crew, which just moved to the play group concept a month ago, is credited in large part with a decline in euthanizations of dogs at the shelter, from 26.3 percent in 2012 to 11.9 percent for this year so far. The live release rate in the same period went from 73.4 percent to 87.8 percent. Those wishing to volunteer for the Pit Crew may contact Sue Meyerott at 541-944-2021.  Reach Ashland freelance writer John Darling at [email protected] . By John Darling for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By John Darling for the Mail Tribune Posted Jul. 15, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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