SociaBulls: The Dog who 'Loves too Hard'

Since we’ve started our SociaBulls group, a lot of people have been asking how the dogs benefit from the experience. We have a wide-range of dogs who join for different reasons, so we thought it would be interesting to highlight different member's experiences.
Zoe is an adorable pooch we met in our neighborhood back when we were still fostering SuperLevi. We were all heading to a rally to save our local police station when Levi literally stopped dead in his tracks and wouldn’t move. Short of dragging SuperLevi across the concrete, his reluctance to move was the serendipity allowing us to meet the amazing Zoe and her mom. They have since become integral members of the group: never missing a walk, always dressing in the latest doggy style (just check out all her 'costume changes below', and her mom has even become New Member Co-Coordinator .

Here is Zoe’s story, along with photos of last weekend’s snowy SociaBulls walk.

Adopting Zoe
The first time I saw Zoe, I knew that she and I were meant to be.

When I first saw her at PAWS Chicago, she was cuddling in a room with a little German Shepard puppy and a Rhodesian Ridgeback mix. Though I was immediately drawn to Zoe with her soulful eyes and heart-shaped nose, the PAWS volunteer showed us the Ridgeback mix first. To be sure, she was a beautiful dog, but I just couldn’t get that little brindle puppy out of my mind. So, I asked to see her. We were taken to a room where we could play and toss a ball around for her. Instead of playing with the ball, she ran from person to person, butt wiggling and tail wagging. She was just happy to be alive. After much wrangling with my landlord and my husband, we took Zoe home less than a week later. It truly was one of the happiest days of my life. Zoe walked out of PAWS with us, hopped into our car, and never looked back. Neither did we.


Working with an Energetic Dog in the City

At five months old, Zoe was a ball of energy who required daily 4-5 mile walks. Though time-consuming, I looked forward to our adventures. It was like experiencing Chicago as a tourist, as Zoe and I visited new neighborhoods and explored previously overlooked sites. While this was great exercise and lots of fun, I longed for other like-minded dog owners to join us.

Finding SociaBulls:

Fortunately, Zoe and I ran into A. and SuperLevi in the neighborhood when our dogs literally brought us together. Zoe and I were walking behind A. and SuperLevi when our dogs caught sight of one another. SuperLevi started to pull A. backward toward us, while Zoe began to drag me forward toward Levi. Before we knew it, A. and I were walking side-by-side, commiserating over our dogs’ boundless energy. After describing my lengthy daily walks with Zoe, A. mentioned this dog-walking group she had just formed called Chicago SociaBulls. The instant I heard about a group with a philosophy of “owners-helping-owners,” and a commitment to pit bull type dogs, I was on board. Within an hour of meeting A., I had emailed her and requested to join the group. Before we knew it, Zoe and I were on our way to becoming part of the pack.

Even on our first walk with SociaBulls, I realized how much this experience could help my excitable Zoe. As a dog with the attention span of a peanut and the strength of a horse, Zoe desperately needed to become a more attentive and restrained walker. In her excitement to meet new people and dogs, Zoe had a tendency to throw herself at the nearest person or dog in sight, going into what we refer to as “bucking bronco mode.” As my husband’s friend describes Zoe, “She loves a little too hard.” Walking with 


SociaBulls:

Fortunately, SociaBulls has been a place where Zoe and I could work on those behaviors without judgment or embarrassment. After her initial excitement at the beginning of walks, Zoe has learned to settle into a rhythm with the other dogs in the pack. She does especially well when walking next to Mr. B, whose calm demeanor is a positive influence on her.

Because our dogs are not allowed to directly interact, Zoe has learned that she does not need to greet every dog she sees on the street. Additionally, she has become much calmer when walking in large crowds – something that is essential in a busy metropolis like Chicago. Finally, Zoe has become much better at paying attention to me with lots of distractions around her. While we still have more to work on, we have come a long way.

Indeed, SociaBulls has not only improved s Zoe’s behavior, but it has connected me with a group of dog owners whom I not only respect, but consider dear friends. I can say without irony or exaggeration that I feel I have become part of a community that has changed my life. And as the New Member Co-Coordinator, I hope to offer this experience to other interested dog owners. As our group expands each day, I cannot wait to see what awaits us next.
You can also read more about Zoe’s adventures in Chicago with her feline siblings by visiting their blog 'Two Kitties, One Pittie'. And you can read about SociaBulls members Izzy (Being a good pitbull ambassador while working with an energetic dog) and Maize (Being social with an unsocial pup).
You can also stay up to date with photos, updates, doggy snow fashion and announcements on our SociaBulls facebookpage here.