Appearance

• First impressions last the longest. Dress like you are going to meet prospective in-laws. Clothing should be blue hued – no strong bold colors – subtle works best. Avoid patterns. Avoid shiny.
• No tattoos (wear clothing that covers them), one good piece of jewellery, subtle earrings, minimal makeup, hair in control.

Public Speaking Hints

• Find a spot above the head of a face that looks familiar, pick two or three heads out and talk to their hair, not their eyes.
• If you do use eye contact, make it to the person you wish that particular point should be made to.
• SPEAK SLOWLY.
• BREATH between important sentences, not before an important remark.
• If your speech is short, use data and statistics, not emotions.
• Your speech cards should only contain raw data, when in doubt just state the facts.
• Remember that these people are sold a bill of goods about this non-existent breed. DO NOT refer to them with cutesy terms like pitties. Use the term BULL AND TERRIER.
• Always remember that these are just people, they are no better than you.
• Always thank those in attendance, and use their proper titles.

People should dress like they are going to a job interview. It truly matters. Even though we like to think our country is an egalitarian one, it is not. Dog owners who look like the council members will be better received by those members.

Of course, we have to do everything we can to change the notion that we’re all dog-fightin’, drug-dealin’ gangstas. Looking like your average doctor, computer programmer, teacher, accountant, professional person, whatever, will go a long way toward changing the view of Pit Bull owners. I’ve heard so many times, “You don’t look like a Pit Bull owner.” We need to change the way “typical” pit bull owners are perceived.

No one cares about how much we love our dogs. Keep whatever you’re saying more toward the facts than emotional stories.

I’ve found some points to be more effective than others such as, “Not one dog/human safety expert ORGANIZATION has come out saying breed bans are effective.” (It’s important to say “organization” because if you say expert, you’d be wrong as there are some lone wolves, so to speak, who do thing they work.)

How we present ourselves is so very important. There are those who insist that “thug” is OK because they care about their dogs as much as I do. Unfortunately, what these people do not seem to understand is you only get one chance to make a first impression.

The people to whom we are making our case already have a preconceived notion of pit bull owners – it is our job to show them that responsible pit bull owners are just like any other responsible dog owner.

It has nothing to do with how much we all love our dogs, it has everything to do with playing to and utilizing the rules of the game that those who hold our dogs lives in their hands play and that is all… politics and impressions. PERIOD.

Appearance is very important. Look professional as if you are going to work or going to church.

Unless you are an excellent public speaker or someone who is not intimidated by speaking in public, prepare notecards to keep your facts straight and to keep you on target. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Take into consideration that you are typically allotted a specific amount of time to speak, so keep your notes short and to the point.

Hold your tongue. Once something is out of your mouth, it is too late to take it back. Harsh words or criticism of the council could very well leave a more harmful than helpful impression.

Offer your assistance or help to the council in addressing the issue without banning or regulating breeds.

Be polite – thank the council for their time…ESPECIALLY if you are not local to the community.

Finally, sit through the ENTIRE council meeting. Do not leave after the animal control ordinance is discussed. Staying shows the council you have an interest in what is going on in the community.