About
All information contained in this website is based on current scientific data and evidence (sources provided) or our own 30+ years of experience in dog training, dog rescue, rescue transport, and living with our own evolving pack.
Team Pit-a-Full is NOT a dog rescue nor is our organization Non-Profit / 501c3. All not-for-profit efforts funded internally by for-profit dog training & rehabilitation.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to strengthen the human-canine relationship through public education, accurate and current information, responsible dog ownership advocacy and comprehensive dog training & rehabilitation.
Our "the story of us" stretches over decades, includes creation and begin-again's, a revolving door of gain and loss, finding our way home and a never-ending learning curve.
(Click here to read further)
The story of Team Pit-a-Full begins as far back as very early childhood (circa 1968). There was always an attraction, a familiarity, a sense of family and belonging with dogs, and to the human/ canine relationship. Equally attractive was (and still is to this day) the question of "Why Dogs?" Out of all the species we share earth with... it's been canines we companion with. It was this question that launched a life-long pursuit. From our family's dog Kerri when I was a kid to the existing Team of today and all the dogs in between, home and family have always been where ever my dog(s) and I find ourselves.
Our approach, our angle to dog training and living with dogs is a culmination of dogs and their culture matched with fair and respectful and responsible leadership. With that foundation in place:
Just after my time in the U.S. Air Force (Travis AFB, CA), 1990 brought Doug (Pit Bull/ Black Labrador mix) and his older sister Alexandria (German Shepherd/ Standard Collie mix) into my life. We honed the "sense of group" and our no-one-left-behind ethic. I also began volunteering at the local shelter with their behaviorist and with local rescues, preparing dogs for adoption. This was the beginning of what would be a life-long love affair and learning curve.
Just The Highlights (those who have come, contributed and moved on)
1990-94 Doug and Alex
1995 Midnight
1998 Paco
2000 Petey
Late 2006: I was included in an email list about a 1 year old stray Pit Bull / Yellow Labrador. This dog was being abused by some homeless people and needed intervention. "Daze", who was already expected at the local rescue that afternoon, ended up in my living room instead. We would be together for a long time: through the crash of the economy (2008), and survive the living nightmare known as Breed Specific Legislation together. BSL introduced us to Denver, CO and Forrest and Kane, the first two Pit Bulls to be released from that city's "Pit Bull Death Row." Assembled... Daze, Forrest and Kane were the first generation of Team Pit-a-Full that exists today.
Daze 2006 - 2020
Forrest 2008 - 2014
Kane 2008 - 2015
Lily 2010 - present
Zoey 2010 - 2019
Obi 2010 - 2013
Nina 2014 - 2022
Darius 2014 - present
Roger 2015 - 2024
Logan 2020 - Present
Bentley 2022 - Present
Lena 2024 - Present
Honorary Members
Rolo 2000 - 2008
Sarge 2014 - 2016
Kota 2015 - 2022
Over the years... The team has changed dramatically. Those changes, though painful every time, have also brought new dogs and behavioral challenges to our family and repertoire of training experience. From dog fighting and abuse to neglect and abandonment... each brings their scars and strengths and "survivor" confidence to our group at large. That group, its stability and solidarity is what welcomes the next dog in need to our group.
This same stability is the foundation of our dog-assisted dog training and rehabilitation.
Please see our Images for photos and video of the entire Team.
A Day in the Life...
[a somewhat periodical journal of events, achievements, learnings and epiphany's in dog training and my life with dogs]
Leo's Fable
Leo McGarry, the White House Chief of Staff in the television drama "The West Wing" (1999-2006), in S2E10 "Noel" has an intimate and inspirational conversation with White House Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman. The fable or story shared has become one of our core values in dog training & rehabilitation:
This guy's walking down a street when he falls in a hole. The walls are so steep, he can't get out. A doctor passes by, and the guy shouts up, "Hey you, can you help me out?" The doctor writes a prescription, throws it down in the hole and moves on. Then a priest comes along, and the guy shouts up "Father, I'm down in this hole, can you help me out?" The priest writes out a prayer, throws it down in the hole and moves on. Then a friend walks by. "Hey Joe, it's me, can you help me out?" And the friend jumps in the hole. Our guy says, "Are you stupid? Now we're both down here." The friend says, "Yeah, but I've been down here before, and I know the way out."
