Marysville workshop teaches responsible pit bull ownership

It's not quite a baby voice. But when Sacramento pit bull advocate, trainer and attorney Dawn Capp gives her dogs their instructions, the tone is something less than commanding.

Still, the dogs obey: Sit, stay, come, down.

When a young pit bull-in-training walks by — barking and straining at its leash — her dog Tauri yawns.

On Saturday, Capp will be at VIP Pets in Marysville to conduct a workshop on responsible pit bull ownership and training.

Capp says the steady stream of news stories highlighting vicious dog attacks should be reason enough for owners to take their responsibility seriously.

All such incidents, she said, "can be traced back to irresponsible breeding and irresponsible pet ownership."

Bad aspects of the breed's reputation, she said, are a product of human behavior.

"They're often neglected, and they're overbred," Capp said of the "bully" breeds, including pit bulls. "And they're victimized. They make up a large percentage of dogs euthanized at shelters."

Her Saturday workshop will be among several simultaneous events the D Street pet supply store will host to celebrate its official grand opening.

The store also will kick off the opening of a self-grooming area in the store where pet owners can bathe their animals with a new wet vacuum device, said Emma Chan, manager of the D Street store.

On Saturday, customers and their pets can participate for free.

Yuba County Animal Services also will bring adoptable animals for potential pet owners to view at the store.

Ten area dog owners have reserved a spot and are scheduled to attend Capp's pit bull workshop, said Chan.

The one-time, free introductory session is sponsored by Chako Pit Bull Rescue, a nonprofit organization founded by Capp.

Capp, whose Sacramento law practice often takes on canine-related cases, teaches a regular schedule of six-week pit bull obedience classes in and around Sacramento, as well as dog reactivity workshops and canine citizenship and testing workshops.

Contact reporter Nancy Pasternack at 749-4781.