Woman who grew up terrified of dogs adopts 30kg American Staffordshire Terrier called Mocha
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A young woman who grew up terrified of big dogs has revealed how she was able to overcome her fear and adopt a 30kg American Staffordshire Terrier.
Lauren Irvine, 28, spent most of her childhood and teens believing that bully breeds, like pit bulls and bull terriers, were unpredictable and would often attack people.
His father bought him a small Maltese Shih Tzu named Ted when he was in high school, but it wasn’t until years later that he came face to face with one of the breeds he had feared his entire life, a Pitbull named Yoda that his mate was taking care of.
“The dog had been badly abused,” he told Daily Mail Australia.
“You could take out a flip-flop and it would hit the ground and it would get wet.”
Lauren Irvine and Mocha have been inseparable since she adopted him in June 2020.
Ms. Irvine was requesting dogs ‘left, right and center’ before finding Mocha (pictured)
Ms Irvine, who grew up in Sydney but now lives in Brisbane, said just one weekend with the calm and sweet Yoda transformed her long-held perceptions of bully breeds.
‘I could tell these dogs were really sweet. Yoda was sleeping a lot,” she said.
The former personal trainer and freelance writer said Yoda had a positive effect on her anxiety, something she has struggled with all her life.
“He would put his head on me or in my lap, and I found it really relaxing,” she said.
She and her partner, a builder, began soliciting dogs “left, right, and center” after finding out how many bully breeds were living in shelters, and many were on death row.
Through a contact at Sydney Dogs and Cat Home, they heard that a litter had been born inside the shelter whose parents had been abandoned by their owners.
“We didn’t know if the pups were going to survive. We had to wait eight weeks and at that point I wanted a dog so badly,” Irvine said.
People on the streets assume that Mocha is aggressive due to the stigma surrounding bully breeds.
Mocha (pictured) has helped Mrs. Irvine overcome her long-standing fear of stalker breeds.
Mocha and the couple’s other dog, Ted, have become best friends and roommates.
The center vetted the couple about their income, lifestyle and living arrangements before making sure a Staffordshire X Labrador pup named Mocha could get along with Ted, Ms. Irvine’s Maltese Shih Tzu.
They adopted Mocha in June 2020 and went to work, spending thousands of dollars on her training and working with a dog behavior specialist.
“We were responsible from the start, we had training lined up because we knew he was going to be a big dog,” said Ms. Irvine.
Life changed quickly once Mocha was fully grown, now weighing 30kg.
The couple soon began to notice people crossing the street when they saw Mocha coming.
On another occasion, Ms Irvine overheard a mother telling her five-year-old son that “dogs like that can’t be trusted” and urging him not to touch them.
In her communal garden in her Randwick apartment block, a neighbor began screaming and yelling as Mocha reached out to give him a pat.
The couple have had to adopt various tactics in response to people’s reactions.
The pair use a long leash to take Mocha for a walk, where he chases balls and goes swimming.
Ms. Irvine said her experience with bully breeds is that they are sweet, loving and calming dogs.
She says communication is key when talking to other dog owners about Mocha.
They tell people that Mocha is part Labrador, which ‘calms people down’ and that although he may be nervous, he is not aggressive or violent.
Ironically, it’s her 12-year-old Shih Tzu Ted who’s most likely to bite, another anecdote they tell dog owners they see peering warily in Mocha’s direction.
“He has a bad back and can be mistrustful of people,” Irvine said.
“We often have to chime in and say that Ted doesn’t like being patted, but Mocha does.”
However, due to the stigma surrounding bullying breeds, the couple can no longer face going to the dog park.
Instead, they take Mocha on ‘adventures’ where she can go swimming, complete agility courses and chase balls in large open fields without so many dogs.
Mental stimulation is also extremely important, as the couple hide treats around their house and create puzzles and snuffle mats.
Mocha is now three years old and has become a much loved and important member of the family.
Mrs. Irvine takes Mocha for walks by herself and has never had to worry about holding him down or keeping him in check.
“I feel like it’s my responsibility to defend my dog,” he said.
Her top tips for people curious about adopting a bully breed like the Mocha include doing your research and investing in training.
“My advice would be to work with a trainer,” he said.
Ms. Irvine said adoption was also a good way for aspiring pet owners to “try before they buy” and see how a new dog or cat would fit into their home and lifestyle.
Ms. Irvine comfortably walks her 30kg canine on her own and has never had to worry about not being able to hold Mocha down or keep him under control.
“The best way to find information is online, there are so many educational blogs about fearful dogs or how to bring a rescue dog home,” she said.
I am a true advocate of rescue dog adoption.
American Bulldogs, American Staffordshire Terriers, and Jack Russell Terriers are the top three breeds most commonly found in shelters, according to Cuddle Clones.
These breeds are followed by Pit Bulls, Boxers, Dachshunds, German Shepherds, Chihuahuas, Beagles, and finally, Labrador Retrievers.
One in six Australians believe that pets in animal shelters do not get along with other pets or humans, with common stereotypes of rescue animals and certain breeds being difficult to handle, aggressive and even violent.
If you are interested in adopting a shelter dog, click here.