Dozer

Today I got the chance to work with an amazing young guy named Dozer. He was aptly named after a bull dozer because he has the unique ability to bull doze his way through doors, fences, and anything else in his way. Dozer's foster parents called me because he had been escaping and running a muck in the neighborhood. The shelter they rescued him from had label him as a dominant dog. However, when I met him that is not at all what I saw.

His tail and head position were not one of dominance, but insecurity. I don't know how Dozer became so insecure because I don't know his history or what has happened in his short life. My guess is that every interaction he has with a human makes the human project one of two emotions. a) fear, he is a very big pit bull with a giant head, even for his breed and he can look very intimidating. b) pity, Dozer has spent a lot of time in shelters and was at the top of the list to be euthanized.

Both of these emotions were giving Dozer an insecurity problem. How can he feel safe and secure when everyone around him is afraid or feeling sorry or both. Dozer just needed a strong leader. When a dog's pack is secure, so is the dog. So today I worked on not only building Dozer confidence, but also his foster parents. They did a great job and caught on quick!

It will take time and repetition to assure him that he can trust his pack leaders to protect him but he is well on his way to being a balanced, content animal!

*Remember when you meet a dog that pity and fear are two types of emotions you don't want to project. It is not healthy for you or the animal. To find out more or adopt Dozer you can click on the Boise Bully Breed Rescue link on this page.