Pit Bull Training Team Expands to Charlotte, Atlanta

	Trainer Jeff Jenkins reminded students that treats are a good motivator.

Text and photos by Laurie Maxwell

Every Saturday, Jeff Jenkins and his assistant trainers set up agility equipment such as hurdles, cones and tunnels at the Carroll Care Community Center in Chicago and wait for the students to come—and come they do.

"I have more students than I can fit in right now," said Jenkins. Indeed, the small brick facility is at capacity on Saturdays, filled with young people and their pit bulls. Many have been involved with the program for months, but there are always newcomers. Neighbors and spectators fill up any empty standing room.

The Humane Society of the United States offers the free Pit Bull Training Team service as part of the End Dogfighting in Chicago program. The Pit Bull Training Team is an attraction in a neighborhood where it is definitely needed.

An Alternative to Dogfighting

The Pit Bull Training Team classes launched in early 2008 to provide young people with an alternative to dogfighting. Most of the Pit Bull Training Team's participants live in an environment in which people are desensitized to violence and dogfighting is the norm. It is not unusual to have dogs with fresh fighting wounds attend the class.

Often pit bulls are brought in on makeshift leashes, such as heavy chains or phone cords. Jenkins exchanges these for brand new leashes on the condition the owners come back to class.

John Hardin watched attentively as Jenkins demonstrated urging a dog, TIP, over the hurdle.
The trainer let TIP know that he performed well. Success followed as Hardin and TIP  jumped the hurdle together.

"We are here to show them another way. Once the guys see that their dog can jump hurdles, run over A-frames and then sit and pay attention as the next dog performs, it blows their minds," said Jenkins.

"That's the idea. We want to pique their curiosity and leave them hungry for more," he continued.

Expanding Our Reach

Building on its success in Chicago, the Pit Bull Training Team expanded to two other cities, Charlotte, N.C., and Atlanta, Ga. In February, Jenkins met with Amber Burckhalter, Jake Humphries and Gretchen Hollifield, three talented dog trainers from these two cities.

	Interacting constructively is a key concept.

"Charlotte desperately needs this program," said Vickie Hughes, who coordinates End Dogfighting in Charlotte. "There is a huge dogfighting problem here, but we hope this program will turn that around. We've been spreading the word about the coming Pit Bull Training Team classes in the Amay James community for months. The guys are so excited to be a part of it."

The enthusiasm in the air was palpable. After Jenkins briefed the trainers one final time, neighborhood teenagers started showing up with their barrel-chested pit bulls at a grassy fenced-in area at the Stratford-Richardson YMCA in Charlotte, where the weekly dog training sessions are held.

Community Messengers

Calvin Alexander and Harvey and Sharima Harmon serve as Charlotte's anti-dogfighting advocates. Natives of the targeted Amay James community, they are employed by The HSUS's End Dogfighting in Charlotte campaign to spread the anti-cruelty message in their community. Youth anti-violence expert Tio Hardiman trained them to walk the streets of their neighborhoods three nights a week looking for pit bull owners to reach out to and, if needed, intervene on dogfights.

They've been doing this since October in anticipation of the Pit Bull Training Team classes. All their hard work started to pay off as the people they met showed up with their dogs.

When person and pet focus on each other, all tasks become easier.

The young people and their dogs all lined up around the agility equipment. Oscar, a rescued pit bull owned by End Dogfighting in Charlotte volunteer Amy Murphy, took the stage. Murphy told Oscar's story: how he was rescued from a drain pipe as a puppy, but is now happy and healthy and practices agility. Oscar demonstrated the agility course, jumping every hurdle with ease. The new Pit Bull Training Team students erupted into applause.

"This is what your dog will be doing soon," Murphy encouraged them.

Jenkins then laid down the rules for Pit Bull Training Team. No cell phones, no yelling, dogs on leash at all times. Each student and his pit bull were assigned a short box or half barrel.

The first task was to get each dog up on the barrel in a fun, upbeat and gentle way and have them sit. With the help of the new trainers, each student was successful.

Challenging People and Their Dogs

The idea is to give the people and dogs tangible challenges, as opposed to having the teams work on routine "sit" and "stay" commands. According to Jenkins, basic obedience could quickly become boring for this crowd.

"We need to challenge them immediately. Engage, inspire and educate is what we do," says Jenkins. Having the students use the training equipment right away keeps their attention and bolsters their confidence.

Later, a small hurdle was brought out. The apprentice trainers patiently helped each student get his dog to jump the hurdle. One of the biggest lessons learned was praise and encouragement.

Strengthening Bonds

"When your dog does something good, you have to express excitement in your voice and movements. Get down and hug him. Let him know you're happy," Jenkins told the class. This did not come naturally to a lot of students, so Jenkins demonstrated the point repeatedly. By the end of class, the students were visibly more comfortable giving physical praise to their dogs, which, Jenkins noted, is a huge step forward.

Calvin Alexander started Mickey off briskly, sat him on the box and rewarded him with a pat.
The most important part of the lesson was encouraging affection between people and their dogs.

"We want to strengthen the bond between these kids and their dogs, so they will become more concerned with their welfare, and ultimately, think twice before involving them in a fight," he says.

As for the Charlotte- and Atlanta-based trainers, they were enthusiastic about taking on their own Pit Bull Training Team classes. Charlotte's classes will continue at the Stratford-Richardson YMCA. Atlanta's will start in the Decatur neighborhood on March 14.

"I am thrilled to be a part of the Atlanta team and this grassroots movement," said Atlanta's new trainer, Amber Burckhalter. "Atlanta needs this program desperately, and the impact on our communities and these dogs will be life changing. I cannot wait to get myself and the other trainers started! Finally, a program that strikes at the heart of the street dogfighting epidemic—the dogs and their owners."

What You Can Do

Help us continue vital programs like End Dogfighting in Chicago, End Dogfighting in Charlotte and End Dogfighting in Atlanta. Donate to our campaign today.

Laurie Maxwell is Deputy Manager of The HSUS's Animal Cruelty and Fighting campaign.

See the Video

Dogfighting

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The Pit Bull Training Team, off to a Great Start

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Jeff Jenkins