Notes from her Foster Mommy 5/12/12:
Ivory is a wonderful dog! She's extremely affectionate and loving, she has a happy, sweet soul that brings a smile to your face. She is a pleasure and a complete joy to be around. Ivory has learned a lot of hand signals and face expressions, and responds very well. She also trots daily on the treadmill for AT LEAST 30 minutes, this helps tremendously with her focus. She is extremely food motivated, but waits patiently for her food during feedings--she gives eye contact for at least 3-5 seconds until she gets her hand signal to eat. She is eager to learn & please and is always looking for her human, she will bond strong with her family. Even though Ivory has good focus, she should always be kept ON leash if not in a fenced area. She LOVES water! She will play in the pool and enjoys getting baths. She will be a great dog to bring to the lake or beach with the family.
Ivory has been around children and has done well. She is being fostered with several other dogs, cats & birds and does very well with them. Ivory is a fairly easy dog, she just needs someone to meet her exercise requirements...just like any young bully. Once exercised, she can actually be a little lazy, she will entertain herself with a bone or toy. She looks forward to laying around and snuggling and is trusted to stay loose overnight sleeping with the family, but should still be crated when no one is home. Ivory would make a good "1st time" deaf dog for someone who is interested in owning a special needs pet. She has a great response and all she needs is just that little bit of extra effort.
Raleigh, NC - in foster care
Ivory is one of Rose’s puppies that were rescued last May. She was adopted out to a family in Richmond VA that was not able to meet the exercise or training needs of a young American Bulldog. Young American Bulldogs need a MINIMUM of 30 minutes of hard physical exercise PER DAY. This does not include just putting them in the backyard to play alone or with another dog, it must include actual physical exercise (flirt pole, spring pole, tug, fetch, running, a long walk, roadwork, etc). American Bulldogs are large athletic dogs and they are building their bodies when they are young and need a positive outlet for their teenage energy. American Bulldogs also need obedience training, it’s not negotiable when you have a dog that’s going to be a strong and athletic guardian breed.
Ivory’s exercise requirements will decrease as she ages, her mother was a low to moderate energy dog. She has been trained to use a treadmill in her foster home, she's so smart, she learned it in 5 minutes! This is a super easy way to make sure she gets her daily exercise. In addition to Ivory’s youth and breed, Ivory is also DEAF. She is learning hand signals in training. There are lots of ways to train your deaf dog - with laser pointers, vibrating collars, flash lights and just keeping focus on you with positive treat training. With Ivory, she’s very food motivated, if you have treat in hand, you have her undivided attention. She’s house broken, crate trained, walks like a dream on the gentle leader. She’s also good with kids, cats and other dogs. Ivory is not as tall/large as her mother - right now she weighs around 60lbs where her mother was 80 (lean and well muscled). She will be filling out within the next year and should gain another 10-15lbs when her chest drops. She’s got an underbite that gives her a pouty expression. She does great with grooming, tap the edge of the bath tub and she'll get right in. She's also great in a fence, she readily checks (eye contact) with her person. She's such a good dog, all it requires is a little extra effort and she is worth it.
So, what’s good about adopting a deaf dog? She won’t be afraid of fireworks or thunder, no barking to wake you up in the middle of the night for strange noises, barking at the doorbell (or those irritating dominos’ commercials). Here are some myths and facts about adopting a deaf dog: http://www.deafdogs.org/faq/myths.php
10 Reasons to adopt a deaf dog: http://www.squidoo.com/adoptadeafdog
Deaf Dogs Rock: http://deafdogsrock.com/youve-decided-to-adopt-a-deaf-dog-now-what
Training a deaf dog: http://www.deafdogs.org/training/
http://videos.howstuffworks.com/animal-planet/4502-training-deaf-dogs-video.htm
When Ivory is properly exercised, she’s a complete joy, she focuses well and loves to learn. She is so attentive, presents good eye contact and is a wonderful dog. She’s a snuggly sweet dog. When not exercised, she becomes a bit of a scatterbrain and can’t focus. Ivory is not a pit bull or pit bull mix. She is a purebred American Bulldog. Her mother was a Scott type (or standard type) - which is tall and athletic. She is a beautiful solid white with big warm brown eyes. Beautiful picture of health and athleticism. Ivory has no adoption restrictions, she can enter any home (kids, cats, other dogs) as long as they are willing to research the breed and do what is needed to keep her healthy and happy. Because she’s a big girl, we would prefer school age children and above. She does not HAVE to go to a home with another dog - she would do just fine as an only pet.
Please research the breed before inquiring about Ivory. The American Bulldog was originally bred to work stock in the south so they’ve got to be strong, athletic and fearless. Unafraid to go up against that bull or wild boar and then come home to watch out for the family. They are tough dogs but make fantastic companions and family dogs. Not for the sedentary family.
http://www.bulldoginformation.com/american-bulldog-types.html
http://www.bulldoginformation.com/american-bulldog.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Bulldog
to apply:CLICK HERE
Please keep in mind that we are a foster based rescue only. There is no facility where these dogs can be visited prior to application approval as they are all in private homes. This is for both the safety of our foster homes and our dogs. Please take a minute to fill out the adoption application if you are interested in one of our dogs. We also do not place our pit bulls in homes with dogs of the same gender. We adopt as single dogs or to homes with dogs of the opposite gender only. We appreciate breed experience.
