I have to agree with Will on this one. A lot of dogs that I work with are from breed specific rescue chapters. Currently I work with GS, Boxer, Rotti and sometimes bulldog rescue groups. A lot of dogs are in the rescue for aggression issues and they cannot be adopted until the dog has had an honest evaluation and some serious work done with them. This is why an experienced handler/owner is required. Liability and chance of injury is high.

Two weeks ago I worked with a 150 lb Mastiff that a 110 lb woman rescued. In the span of 3 weeks the dog killed 2 cats, attacked a worker on the horse property for getting too close to a bone, attacked a family dog who came near its food bowl, chased and cornered a guest onto a table, and almost killed a boxer at a dog park (Don't get me started on that one!) The dog constantly had missile lock on other cats, a sheep, a pig and the chickens.

I was only aware of one cat killing, the food and dog fight issue when I went to the woman's home. I wasn't too worried as those three incidents didn't really cause me concern for what I was there to do. Knowing this dog's penchant for quick attacks, I worked as cautiously as I could but still got bit twice. Fortunately for me, I was smart enough to not put the dog into a position where he would be food/object guarding. The aggression he showed towards me was reactive. He instantly backed down when I stepped into him after he bit me. Had I reacted differently, he would have tore me up.

This dog was billed as a gentle, fun loving family member when it was sent to the rescue by its original owners. Yea Right! It was sent there because he was just plain nasty. Anyway, the lady has smartly decided to send the dog back.

I believe the good people who work with rescue groups know deep down that plenty of rescue dogs have issues and they should find potential owners and surrogates that have experience, and rightly so. I always hope they'll quit calling me but thats only while I'm still in pain. Otherwise, I'm good with it.

Howard

I would like to add that reading about handling dogs that need "expierienced handlers only" is a world of difference from actually doing it. You may have a lot of "book smarts" but unless your really dog savy your only going to get in trouble when the $#!+ hits the fan.
Find someone that can help you learn by watching and doing!

Just to look at it from a different angle, how about looking to a good breeder that may have a retired dog that they would like a home for and that way you could establish a relationship with someone who could be sort of a mentor for you. A female 6 or 7yrs old could be a good dog you could learn with and maybe be a first step to being an owner people would want to own one of their dogs.

Hello Ashley. I work exclusively with rescue dogs of security breeds. The majority of my customers come to my when well intentioned people look on Craig's list or wherever and see a dog in need or "rescue" or re-homing.When they allow their heart strings to be pulled and they get their little bundle of joy, they soon find that the behavior issue(s) that most likely landed little Rex in the shelter in the first place has now once again reared its ugly head,but in their custody. Most folks feel that they didn't sign up for such a task, feel overwhelmed and admit to not having the time or skill to handle what it takes to correct these dogs Issues. Some Simply cannot be corrected and where pulled in error from a shelter,In my opinion. The majority can be worked into a palatable pet, but its no easy task. This is when they send give up and send the dogs to me. Others return the dogs to the shelters.
Yes many rescues want an experienced handler, but what that boils down to is that they want a foster or owner who will be passionate about the care and control of their dog and is WILLING and ABLE to become experienced. Many Rescues I work with will be happy to interview you, then they will Foster the dog to you and check up on you quite often to see how you and the dog are developing. Once your pretty sure your not in over your head, they will require you to sign a contract stating that you will enter the dog into obedience lessons at a place they approve of when you complete the adoption process.
What most rescues are trying to do is place their dogs in good solid homes. They don't expect everyone to be Cisar M, but they also don't want to hand the dog over to someone who THINGS they want a dog for its appearance or for any reason which does not address the dogs true needs..

Lastly, remember that a reputable rescue will divulge all that they know about a dogs history and temperament where a person trying to re-home their dog may not want to highlight the dogs issues.

In my limited time in this game( 1 year), I generally have not found the Cane to be one if the more difficult larger breeds. Sometimes size works in your advantage. They cannot jump as high and although they are massive and powerful, the duration or their energy is shorter than say a GS or wirey breed that can go on and on and on. Thats not to say they are easy, 140lbs not willing to move as you ask it to is always a problem, but mastiffs in general are usually big babies willing to learn apposed to say the GS I am working with now that reads me like a bad poker player and will actually catch his leash in mid correction if I am too animated. m Like a heavyweight boxer,The mastiff is hugely powerful, yet runs out of gas more quickly than some other breeds and is then easier to get right to his lessons and training more easily in his exhausted state.