Training and Socializing Your Pit Bull

Many people believe that pit bulls are vicious and aggressive, however this is not true.  Pit Bulls are very intelligent and loving canines. Their goal in life is to make their master happy, and to protect their family. Their brute strength is the one thing that can make them dangerous in the wrong hands. With the proper training and socialization, a Pit Bull can become an asset to the family.

When getting a Pit Bull puppy, you must be sure to begin training him immediately. Get educated on the breed and know the best techniques for training your ABPT. Pit Bulls consider their family to be their "pack", and they need to know that their master is the alpha dog in the pack. They need to know that their master is the one that is in control.

Pit Bulls may show territorial aggression. Territorial aggression is their way of protecting their home, their family, and even other animals in the home. When they see a stranger intruding on their territory they may act aggressively by barking, growling, lunging and snarling. If a person is simply walking by the house and the dog sees them walk away, the dog may think that he did the right thing and scared that person away, only reinforcing his belief that he was a good protector.

Using positive rewards is the best way for training any dog, especially a Pit Bull. Reward them with treats, toys, or affection every time he exhibits good behavior. Pit Bulls strive to please their owner, and this will teach them that the best way to do that is to behave well.

Here are a few things you can do to begin training your Pit Bull at a young age:

• Socialize early. As soon as you get your Pit Bull puppy begin taking him on walks, and around different people, children and animals. This will get him comfortable with other people and animals, and teach him that they are not a threat.
• Teach your dog basic commands such as sit, lay down, and stay. Stay is a very important tool to use when training your pit bull.
• Have different family and friends come to your home. This will teach your Pit Bull that it is ok for others to be on his territory, and not everyone is coming to hurt his family.
• Do not use any kind of force, or aggression with your dog. Do not smack, hit, or spank him, shock him, or use a prong collar. These things will only hurt your dog and may make him aggressive towards you in the future.
• If your dog shows aggression, do not back down from him. This will only reinforce his behavior and he will think he was doing a good thing. If he growls, or shows his teeth at you give him a stern "NO!", and remove him from the situation. Once he is taken out of the situation make him sit and stay for a minute, or so.
• If he barks, or snarls at strangers coming onto the property, simply call him to you and order him to SIT and STAY. Make him stay there until he calms down.
• Using a spray bottle filled with water is an effective way to train any dog. When your dog exhibits bad behavior such as barking, chewing up shoes, or furniture, simply spray him with water. After a few times, he will most likely not do it again.
• Get your dog spayed, or neutered. Having a male neutered will decrease the possibility of aggressiveness with other dogs, and also stop him from wanting to roam around looking for that female in heat down the street.
• Pit Bulls tend to be aggressive with other dogs. Even if they get along while you are at home, you will want to take special care to not leave them together alone. There have been many instances where a family has come home to find tragedy when their dogs were left alone.
• Keep your Pit Bull on a leash at all times whenever you are outdoors. You never know what other animal he may see and go after. For everyone's safety, please keep him on a leash.
• Get the entire family involved with the training, including the children in the family. This will earn everyone in the family the dog's respect.

This article is just touching on the base of Pit Bull training. Do your research, talk to trainers, and get educated on training your Pit Bull. With proper training and socialization, a pit bull will love you unconditionally for the rest of his, or her life.