[GoodBullyLLC]

I want everyone to throw out ideas for how a company can help the dog community. I'm talking about a training/rehab company, not a shelter or rescue center.

So besides rescuing dogs and educating people - what kind of events could a training company hold to benefit the community? What types of fund raisers could they do?

Are there any issues or problems in the dog world right now that aren't being adequately addressed or taken care of?

I'd love to hear everyone's ideas.

[Weebles]

I think one cool thing you can do is just hold a fundraiser for people and their dogs at a nice place where people normally cannot bring their pets. I went to one of these recently where people brought their dogs to brunch at the House of Blues, and there were all sorts of dog sponsors there (everything from silent auction donations to a consultations with a dog psychic). All of these proceeds and donations went to a local rescue group, and I'm sure they made quite a bit of money. I think it was $50 per person, and free for dogs. I think events like this can raise awareness and money, since most dog owners want to take their pets everywhere with them!

[Alpha]

You have bully breeds. Holding fun days for bully breeds affected by "pitbull" bans is something that goes on a lot around here.

It's like a correction match just for bully breeds and the general public is invited to see how these dogs, when properly trained and socialized, work in the presence of other dogs. You charge an entry fee of $5, if you mean fundraising for your own company, than you keep it for holding the match, or you can donate it to no kill rescues/shelters etc.

The general public isn't exactly educated when it comes to the breed, so allowing them to see that ALL of these dogs aren't neccessarily a menace to society, is in my opinion a benefit to the general public.

At one of the CKC sanctioned shows a few weeks ago, (so there were a large number of audience members, just watching) a friend on my trainers who owns three APBT, got some other pitty owners together before the show and put together a short routine, kind of a freestyle/ob routine.

Before the show started about 20 pitbulls did their little routine and it was suprising how many people were shocked and awed and had NO idea that pitbulls could be so formally trained.

So even just having a day where people can come for free and see what they could accomplish with their dog after attending your class and using a bully breed as your example, maybe even a short lecture about APBT in general as well.

[GoodBullyLLC]

interesting ideas - I'll start considering those.

Anyone else have anything?

[eley]

A lot of companies offer a certain number of hours of their services for free in hopes of "giving back to the community". In your case I think offering your services to certain demographics, I would think elderly people would be at the top of the list, for either free or reduced simbolic fees. There's two kind of help the way I've seen it, the kind that is made as a blanket effort and the kind that caters to a few individuals at the time. Depending on your resources you can do one or the other, or a little of both.

Another thing I can think of is, as a dog professional do you get special rates on dog food and health services? passing a certain amount of those discounts down to those who you decide to help could also help put a dent.

As a dog professional, I think people would pay more attention to you as to the benefits of spaying and neutering, if nothing else to reduce overpopulation. And there may be more things that because of the simple fact that came from a pro people will take more into consideration, whatever those may be.

Have you ever given the thought of creating a class to teach children how to hadle dogs, both their own and other people's? Something along the lines of a little obedience class, some propper way of meeting dogs etc.

I think that as a pro in the dog world you are in a great position to help dogs, and it's great that you're interested in doing so.

[luv4gsds]

My Dachshund group holds a fundraiser ones a year to help the local shelters and rescues. We have what is called wiener racing, costume contest, first aid pet booth, we had items that were raffled off and other things.

[GoodBullyLLC]

I think seminars for children is a great thing.

People could bring their children to learn how to interact and live with dogs properly.

Great idea. Thank you all for the suggestions - if you have more keep them coming.