American Bulldog

October 3, 2009 - It's been a long time coming...JACKSON has finally found his forever home!! His foster parents have decided he's part of their family. Huge thanks to Laura & Mike and Jen & Jamie for working through hard times with this guy so he could become the dog he is today. :)
Jackson has become a fixture with us at Barlee's. He's not an easy dog to place and while we've had continual inquiries and interest in him, he's not the dog for just anyone. Jackson came to us at 7 months of age and at that time his very strong personality was apparent. The assessment done at that time has proven to be very accurate (read it here http://tinyurl.com/bbn7sp). He's a boisterous, friendly yet confident and at times cocky guy who needs to be handled hands off; out-thought, not outmuscled. He has worn out several fosters and adoptors who have agreed to handle him under out direction, and ended up using hands-on methods, which do not work for him. He was returned by his first adoptor when we found out that training methods were being used that are not in line with how they'd agreed to handle Jackson, and were not humane (jerking hard on prong collars and unrealistic expectations). He was returned from a second adoptor as well despite doing well there - the wife, who has been told clearly that this is a big, energetic, loud, in your face, seemed to think they could 'cure' him. These things are Jackson's unique personality and not very changable.
Jackson is very very smart, and has an amazing ability to quicky read people. He can and will be a bull in a china shop with people who cannot command his respect. He's still a dog who will keep you on your toes, as he's always testing to see if yesterday's rules apply today. He is a lot of dog but he also has many great qualities - he is great with other dogs (clashed with one dog he fostered with, but the foster parent even acknowledged their dog routinely instigated fights), has fostered with cats (will chase them if they run), and loves people. He might be a bit much for a home with small kids but he is very friendy with them. He has the ability to read other dogs and adjusts his play with smaller or more fragile dogs. He has come a long way with jumping up and mouthing - a big problem when he was as young as 7 months old, and 86 lbs. Jackson is extremely trainable, but needs someone who is smarter than him and who will give him motivation to want to do as asked. He can sit, come, down, off, wait, and his house manners are much improved. He is good in the crate but has had periods where he'll bark, and has engaged in excessive barking as an attention-seeking behavior. He is the only dog in 10 years we've ever OK'ed to have an electronic collar used on for barking (self-correcting, not remote controlled, low setting) as his barking was that bad at one point, and neither behavior modification methods nor a citronella collar had any effect. This is NOT a standard tool we use but it was a last resort as his barking had become out of control, and he does not kennel well. It did work, and he seems to have for the most part gotten out of the habit since then - wearing it with no batteries is a good option if he were to start with the barking again. He loves to swim and has a very good recall.
Overall he's a great dog - just a lot of dog. Most of his fosters have thoroughly enjoyed him; some have been exhausted by him. He will be a great dog for someone who understands training and behavior, and who likes "dog dogs", but he is not for the faint of heart. He is very much a "Dennis the Menace" personality. If you think you can offer Jackson the forever home he deserves after close to 2 years in rescue, please fill out an application.
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Jackson has returned to Barlee's as he was not a match with his adoptive home. He is again available for adoption. Jackson is just coming up on a year of age and he's a very big boy. He is very active and energetic and not a beginner's dog. Jackson was a bit too much dog for his adoptors and was not responding well to the training/handling methods used on him.
Jackson needs to be trained using brain, not braun. As per his assessment, he does not respond well to physical methods, or older school fear-based training. Jackson has a lot of potential and when handled properly, is very responsive to positive reinforcement, as well as withdrawal of attention as an avresive. He is great with dogs but he's a rough and tumble guy who plays hard. Exposure to cats has been minimal and was a while ago, but went well. He's not well-suited to a home with small children due to his energy level and need to brush up on his manners. Jackson is good onleash and in the car and crate. Jackson could be described as big, goofy and silly, but also very smart. He knows sit, down, come, pay, stay and other commands but if he thinks it's optional, he may not bother...thus the need for him to go to a home that will earn his respect by lifting themselves up to a level that's worthy of it, instead of trying to push him down.
Jackson may sound like a handful, and right now, he is. We'll be quite careful about getting the right match this time and may want to do a transitional adoption with regular contact to make sure he gets going on the right track. His ideal home might have a fenced yard, active dog-experienced people, and another active dog to play with, but those aren't requirements.
On top of all of this, Jax is also cute as a button with some very endearing qualities, and he's ready to find his family and get on with the rest of his life!
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If you wish to adopt or foster this pet, please go to www.barlees.org and fill out an adoption form (mark it foster if you wish to do this).