SociaBulls: Living in the City with a Dog who Fears Strangers

As we've been recapping our SociaBulls walks, we've been featuring different members and how the walks are working for various dogs. Lola is a gorgeous pitbull-type dog (also from Miss M and Bessie's rescue group!)  who we first 'met' when they shared their dog-friendly trip to Harbor County, Michigan; we were quite excited to meet them in person. Since then, her mom has stepped up as Event Co-Cordinator, with Izzy's mom, helping arrange and coordinate the walks. As her mom explains below, Lola has severe stranger fear, which can be hard living in a big city where nearly everyone is a stranger! Read below to see how SociaBulls walks are giving Lola the confidence to meet new people, and see photos of last weekend's walk.

Like most of the 2011 SociaBulls, I first heard about the group via Two Pitties in the City. I'd followed Mr. B and Ms. M's adventures for a few months, and was totally smitten with them and the blog, so when they announced the group walks I knew we had to join just to meet the celebs in the fur. We missed the first few walks due to other commitments, but Lola and I joined the pack in September.

Lola is a middle-aged (4-5 year old) American Bulldog/Pit/?, who has a split personality. She excels in training classes and is great one-on-one, but can get over-excited around other dogs, and has serious stranger anxiety. I figured that exposing her to lots of dogs in a controlled environment, and taking advantage of access to dog-educated, friendly strangers would only help her.

She cried and pulled and whined for the first part of her first walk, then something magic happened. She became a part of the pack. The leash loosened. She became calm and focused. She still gets excited when we get to the walks, but now usually quickly settles into her groove, especially when she's walking near one of her pals.

Each week, I try to have someone she doesn't know come talk to me, and pet her at the end of the walk. She's becoming more comfortable and accepting of strangers.

I'm starting to see this new confidence and sense of security where it's most important. At home. Until just recently, guests did not receive a warm welcome, but as she's getting more exposure to strangers and getting more confident, the barking and freakouts are becoming shorter and shorter, and recent guests have commented on what a great dog she is.

I love being a part of this mass of people and dogs walking without incident through the city, showcasing what great dogs look like. I love seeing the faces of people as they watch this pittie parade pass them by. And I love the dogs (and their people) that I've met on weekend mornings.

You can also read more about Lola, and her adorably small muppet-like brother, on their blog A Franklin a Day. And you can read about SociaBulls members: Zoe (The Dog who "Loves Too Hard"),  Izzy (Being a good pitbull ambassador while working with an energetic dog) and Maize (Being social with an unsocial pup).
We have been astounded with all the new member requests, and we are working on a process to responsibly integrate everyone into the group. You can also stay up to date with photos, updates, doggy snow fashion and announcements on our SociaBulls facebookpage here.