Hidden Gems: Meet Sandra Schoenfelder of Los Angeles Responsible Pit Bull Owners

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sandra Schoenfelder. Them and their team share their story with us below:

LARPBO’s founder Troy Smith wears many hats, from accountant to one of LA’s best dog trainers. He founded Los Angeles Responsible Pit Bull Owners in 2011 when he couldn’t find activities to do with his beloved pit bull, Tito (who sadly passed a few years ago). People gave him strange looks for owning one of these controversial breeds. Ten years later, what started as a dog walking group has grown into a successful non-profit with a massive in-person and online community of like-minded dog owners who understand the value of balanced training.

We offer low-cost group training that allows members from all walks of life to attend. Additionally, we offer private training and free pack-walks throughout Los Angeles and Long Beach. Many members are especially thankful that we welcome reactive dogs, which are often turned away at other training locations, especially given their breed. We strive to create a space where everyone feels welcome, no matter what temperament their dog may display; we welcome all!

LARPBO members have made it their mission to educate the public and bust myths surrounding bully-type dogs through proper training and letting their well-behaved dogs speak for themselves. Before Covid, we regularly participated in holiday parades (Montrose Christmas Parade), led outreach efforts at the CA Science Center or summer events (visitors got to watch demo dogs perform, were allowed to pet the dogs, learn about the breed, etc.). Additionally, we work with local shelters to support them in their efforts to successfully adopt out bully-type dogs through our Shelter Intervention and Prevention Program.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road is sadly rarely smooth, much of it rooted in breed discrimination.

In the past, we have struggled to obtain park permits, while other times the fee’s to rent space for events were impossible for a non-profit to sustain. It is vital to us to operate in a natural environment to expose dogs to real-life situations and to use our group classes as a tool to show others what the dogs can do when given the right training tools. We have many people watch our classes and even join soon after.

Most of our team members are on a volunteer basis, which includes booth volunteers or pack walk hosts. At times it can be hard to invite people to lend their time so we can operate smoothly. LARPBO wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for the hard-working volunteers, they truly are the force that keeps us going!

We experienced high demand prior to covid already, often with people asking us whether we operate in other states or countries even. However, with the increase of adoptions during quarantine, the demand has significantly increased. At this time, we are still operating under strict covid-guidelines which limit group sizes per trainer. While we fully support safety for our members and team, it has made it difficult to meet the high demand and many people are left waiting weeks until they can join our beginner’s classes. It can be hard to meet that demand with our limited resources, whether monetary or in people. However, we are constantly turning lemons into lemonade: we are offering more online classes to assist those waiting and everyone else not able to attend in person and we have started our own trainer’s program to allow some of our most advanced dog handlers to obtain their trainer’s certification if desired.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Our mission is to join together in group activities, events, pit bull advocacy, education classes, training classes, and community outreach in order to promote a positive image of all “bully breeds.”

We are committed to educating the public about responsible pit bull and dog ownership, banishing the myths that the media feeds the public. We actively work together to share the truth about bully breeds: they are very loyal, loving, intelligent dogs who are amazing and wonderful family pets. Just like any dog, given proper obedience training, socialization with humans, and appropriate interaction with other dogs, this breed defies media misconceptions. By promoting attention and communication between dogs and owners, we can show the general public what we already know: these are amazing creatures deserving of full and happy lives.

LARPBO promotes the importance of spaying and neutering all bully breeds, as well as rescuing and re-homing. The overpopulation of these dogs currently creates the assumption that these dogs don’t deserve a chance.

We pride ourselves to accept every breed and temperament as we know first-hand what it means to be turned away. Often, desperate owners approach us as a last resort and we have successfully helped and saved hundreds of dogs from being returned to shelters. Many hundreds more have gone on to become well-trained dogs, many of which received their Canine Good Citizen test, the official AKC certificate for obedience.

What matters most to you?
With so much controversy surrounding the bully breeds today, our focus is not only to increase awareness of the issues that affect pit bulls and their ownership but to work together to be a part of the solution. Our goal with Los Angeles Responsible Pit Bull Owners is to gather pit bull loving friends and owners as a community – a community dedicated to making a stand for our best friends and strive to do so with the same fun-loving outlook that our dogs have in life.

Pricing:

• Group classes – $20
• Pack walks – free
• 1 x Private training – $150
• 2 x Private training – +$145
• 3+ Private’s – $100/ea

Contact Info:

• Email: info@larpbo.org
• Website: www.larpbo.org
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/larpbo?igshid=1is3gdbn6hdhm
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/LARPBO/
• Youtube: youtu.be/nX-0sbvkyIY
• Other: Meetup: www.meetup.com/LARPBOCOMMUNITY/

Image Credits:
Sammi Maon, Griffin Mekelburg, Tealeye Cornejo