SociaBulls: A Small Dog in a Big-Dog Group

 One question we hear a lot about our SociaBulls dog-walking group is whether you need to have a pitbull-type dog to join. We know all dogs can benefit from pack-walking socialization so we love having a broad range of dogs in our group: including a couple of little guys.

You may recognize Franklin in a cameo from this post where a rivalry between former foster dog SuperLevi and Franklin was born (it's been an on-going competition about who's the cuter pooch!). Franklin lives with pitbull sister, Lola, and he doesn't realize he's actually a small dog; he even likes barking smack. The group is helping him realize how to positively interact with other dogs. Read the story of Franklin and see photos from one of our latest walks:

While most of the Chicago SociaBulls pack comes from the Pit Bull side of the Pit Bull Terrier family, our smallest member is firmly from the Terrier branch. Franklin is 17 punds of Shih Tzu- Miniature Schnauzer (our best guess) mix. Franklin, however, does not realize that he's any different from the rest of the pack. He probably thinks he's a pittie himself, since the only other dogs he sees regularly are his life partner Lola, and his friends at SociaBulls. 

Because he thinks he's a big dog, he has no issues going up to big dogs and getting right in their faces. There are two St. Bernards who live down the street, with a combined weight of close to 300 pounds. Franklin jumps right up on them and barks smack. I worry about him doing this to the wrong dog. Participating in the walks gives Franklin a chance to learn how to act respectfully with dogs who outweigh him by probably 50 pounds and outmuscle him considerably. Having a group of well-behaved big dogs is the perfect training ground for Franklin. 

Franklin gets along well with most of the pack, sometimes he leads the group and he fits into the walking order wherever we need what we call a "buffer dog" (a dog who can walk by excitable dogs without issue). He does however have a nemesis, who we try to keep him away from. Franklin and SuperLevi do not get along. There appears to be a little cuteness competition going on in the smaller part of the pack, and I think that Franklin knows that I have a serious crush on Levi, and if I didn't already have Franklin, I would've seriously considered adopting Levi. But I couldn't be happier to have Franklin and Franklin couldn't be happier to be a SociaBull.

And if you want to read more about adorable Franklin and his pitbull sister Lola (and cats!), check out their blog: A Franklin a Day.

You can also read about more SociaBulls Members: Gordon (Learning to Be Social and Have Dog Friends),  Nabi (A Shy Dog Making Sense of a "People World") Sprocket (Teaching a Dog When it's not Time to Play), Lola (Living in the City with a Dog who Fears Strangers),  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).
Plus, join our Chicago SociaBulls  Facebook page for more photos and information about group walks. And check this link from the DINOs (Dogs in Need of Space) group to read more about the benefits of dog-walking groups and to see if there is a group in your area.