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Training a Pit Bull Puppy

May 25, 2007

Pit Bull PuppyConcerning the training of "pit bulls" and other stubborn/aggressive breeds: If you've rescued a pit bull (or any terrier breed), it's very important to recognize this dynamic animal's character. They were genetically designed to be robust, strong, and ruthless in the execution of their intended duties. From the Jack-Russel and the American Staff (pit bull) to the seemingly "cute" long and short terrier breeds, you have a natural born killer on your hands.

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When training these dogs, it is paramount that you remain absolutely ruthless in your own right! They need to know who's the boss from the get-go. However difficult, it is necessary to be very stern with your cute little puppy. A loud "NO!", combined with a decisive but gentle pat on the rear end, goes a long way in establishing your dominance.

Don't even think about being violent with your new friend because first, it's cruel, and secondly it will create behavior issues down the road. And heck, this is your little buddy we're talking about here! The key is to establish yourself as the alpha male/female at a very early stage of your pet's development. I know it's hard, but it's imperative for the sake of the pet's mental health as well as your own. In saying that, it's equally important to offer love in ridiculous quantities the rest of the time (very easy).

By jhorn from Vancouver, B.C.

 
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22 Questions

Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.

January 28, 2020

We just adopted a 7 month old pocket Pit Bull. He is not neutered. He seems extremely good, but the only thing is he constantly is chasing the cats and and barking at them. I'm not sure if he is being aggressive or not.

He was with another cat before and constantly trying to mount the 5 year old Lab. Any help or tips? He is so good other than that.

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Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 105 Posts
January 28, 20200 found this helpful
Best Answer

You should actually get him fixed right away. As for the cat if he was friends with another cat he might want to try and be friends with your cat. You need to be consistent with his training and when he is bad to stop him and talk with him to let him know his behavior is not correct.

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it will take time to work with the dog nd teach the dog. If you are having some otherissues you can check into hiring a trainer to help you out.

 

Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 140 Posts
January 28, 20200 found this helpful
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Your dog is developing habits you need to stay on, 7 months old and mounting ,also the aggressiveness and barking. Talk to your Vet for options before he gets out of control with the other pets!

 

Gold Answer Medal for All Time! 617 Answers
January 28, 20200 found this helpful
Best Answer

aside from neutering him right away, the best tip is to exercise him a lot. I mean, a lot. I mean, an hour a day of strenuous walking, if possible.

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with this sort of dog sometimes they behave better when you put a little bag on them, because then they are 'working' and have an outlet for nervous energy.

 

Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 226 Feedbacks
January 29, 20200 found this helpful
Best Answer

I would get this puppy neutered immediately. Before hormonal urges become bad habits. I agree with another poster that exercise daily will help a lot. You could also consider a puppy training class.

 
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January 3, 2011

I have a 8 week old Pit. Is it OK to put him on his back and hold his mouth till he becomes submissive? Or is it OK to put him on his back and continue staring at him till he looks away? Should I not try these at all?

By ella from Seattle, WA

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January 4, 20112 found this helpful
Best Answer

I agree with "looneylulu". A Pit Bull doesn't need "special" training, only regular "good training". Even though they are a naturally aggressive breed, (which could be controlled with proper handling) the bad rep that Pit Bull's get is from obnoxious pet owners that train their dogs to be mean and fight for their lives.

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Please check into a local American Kennel Club (AKC) branch or chapter and ask about "Obedience Classes". A reputable club will accept all breeds, mixes and mutts and the skills you and your dog will learn will be a lifetime benefit for both of you.

One other point of advice, Ella. I know what you are talking about by trying to get your dog on his/her back for understanding submission, but this should not be tried without you, the human, being adequately trained in this procedure. Again, a puppy or dog (any breed, mix or mutt) with appropriate obedience training probably does not need this in the first place and doing so unnecessarily, causes excessive stress on the dog. Please don't try to implement this type of "training" without the help of a pet training professional.

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Please look into Obedience Classes. You and your pup will learn from and enjoy the experience and they are not very expensive, either. (Mostly they just cover the costs of the club offering the classes.) Take care Ella and puppy! P.S. Your puppy is a cutie pie! Wishing you and the pup the best of a long and happy friendship!

 
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June 4, 2005

Hi all, I have an 8 week old Pit Bull pup. I love the little guy to death but he's a spritely fella and bites EVERYTHING he puts his mouth on. I made the MISTAKE and gave him a tap on his mouth one day when he was biting my feet. Since then he looks at my hand as the enemy. Also, when I'm bathing him he cries and thinks I'm punishing or harming him. He used to be very responsive, but now when I call him (and he sees my hands gesturing this) he's a bit apprehensive. How do I correct this and rebuild his confidence in me?



Yendor from Trinidad

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March 10, 2005

I have a 9 week year old pit bull that I have many questions about. He keeps niping everything, me, my furniture, everything! When he licks my face he sometimes nips. What should I do?



Also i have an adult Sheperd that seems to get along with him but they play fight, should I let this continue.

And the potty training, he's not like any of the dogs I've had, I am having a lot of the problems, he dosent get the point that he shouldnt do that!
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Please help me with answearing these questions. Thanks,

Mike from North Carolina

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March 10, 20050 found this helpful

think of the nipping that he does, sort of like when a baby reaches out for you, then grips and pulls(like on your hair) it is motar skills combined with new things to explore. It isn't out of aggression or anything like that. They haven't learned yet how to control their mouths and such. I know those sharp little baby teeth can hurt though, so if he nips to hard, hold him up to your face and possible hold his mouth shut, very gently and say gentle,gentle. That worked with our dog. I wish I could be more help with the potty training thing... 9 weeks is still very very young. Take him out side or on the paper much more than you think he really needs. Say every 20 mins, and when he does go potty give him lots and lots of praise. He should come along as he ages. hope this helps you. enjoy your little fella.


morgan

 

Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 104 Feedbacks
March 10, 20050 found this helpful

On the play fighting - this is normal and should continue. The pup is learning and the older dog won't hurt it, unless it oversteps the mark, then she may nip it and the pup may yelp. The older dog is teaching the younger dog the equivalent of good manners. They are pack animals and need to know their place - with you at the top of course!

For the toilet training observation is the key. With my dog I just watched her behaviour. If she was asleep, as soon as she woke up I took her outside and wandered around and waited for her to 'go' after 15 minutes we went back indoors but almost invariably she had passed urine before the 15 minutes was up and she got lots of praise and taken indoors again. If she was awake, and hadn't been to the toilet for a while, I watched her and as soon as she started sniffing around looking as though she was choosing a place to go to the toilet I took her outside. My pup only ever had accidents when I was out, and very few of those. At night she slept on the bed and if she woke up so did I, and took her outside. She was toilet trained in a few weeks but she was 12 weeks old when I got her.

To learn about normal dog behaviour as puppies develop get a book on dogs and dog training.

Regards

Jo

 

Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 104 Feedbacks
March 10, 20050 found this helpful

On the play fighting - this is normal and should continue. The pup is learning and the older dog won't hurt it, unless it oversteps the mark, then she may nip it and the pup may yelp. The older dog is teaching the younger dog the equivalent of good manners. They are pack animals and need to know their place - with you at the top of course!

For the toilet training observation is the key. With my dog I just watched her behaviour. If she was asleep, as soon as she woke up I took her outside and wandered around and waited for her to 'go' after 15 minutes we went back indoors but almost invariably she had passed urine before the 15 minutes was up and she got lots of praise and taken indoors again. If she was awake, and hadn't been to the toilet for a while, I watched her and as soon as she started sniffing around looking as though she was choosing a place to go to the toilet I took her outside. My pup only ever had accidents when I was out, and very few of those. At night she slept on the bed and if she woke up so did I, and took her outside. She was toilet trained in a few weeks but she was 12 weeks old when I got her.

To learn about normal dog behaviour as puppies develop get a book on dogs and dog training.

Regards

Jo

 
By Joyce (Guest Post)
March 11, 20050 found this helpful

I did have i pit bull now & what i did was every hr i took him out side for a bit so he knew that is were he is suppose to go, but ( please don't laugh now ) i did put him in a baby crib with blankets & some chew toys that does help with the nipping so it was a very small place too clean up & in 2 - 3 weeks he was completely trained.

 
By Rebecca (Guest Post)
May 1, 20051 found this helpful

one trick to help house training is when you take the dog outside while he is going to the bathroom use a "key word" like potty or whatever you choose, and give him praise at the same time. After he is done give him a small treat. Repeat this every time you take him out. He will soon accoicate getting a treat with going to the bathroom outside. After a while you can ask him while you are inside if he needs to go potty and you will get a responce from him. It worked with my dog at least.

 
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August 19, 2013

I have a 9 week old male Pit Bull and he's very hyper. He bites everything, me, my clothes, furniture, everything and when he bites it hurts! When he does this I tap him on his butt and tell him "no", but this is not working. I also tried holding his mouth shut and telling him "no" but all he does is growl and bark at me. He's been getting way too aggressive and I don't know what to do. Can you please help?

By Emily

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November 15, 2018

When I'm trying to train my 6 month old Pit Bull puppy, my nephew is holding him back when I call for him. What is the best way to handle the issue? Should I take his collar off so he can't hold him by it? This is my first Pit Bull and I don't want him to have a bad mind set with a distraction of something like that.

I really dislike that he does it, but don't know what would be the best way to go about handling it. I was told someone can help me with this issue before it's too late for the puppy.

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April 18, 2010

What do I need to know in raising a Pit Bull?

By cocoa from Augusta, GA

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April 4, 2008

I am going to get a very young pit bull pup because the mother won't care for it. It's maybe a couple of hours old.

Cesar from Arizona

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September 28, 2011

My daughter was given a 4 week old Pit Bull puppy. Will he learn from her what to do and not do? I have heard puppies learn a lot from their mothers and siblings. I don't want him to be mean and aggressive.

By Fay

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