"Dogs, like humans, are in a constant state of learning. They are learning even if we don't notice. There are so many variables and subtleties in this process that it is difficult to explain." -Cinimon Clark
There's so many rumors that it's impossible to train pit bulls because they're stubborn, don't want to listen, etc...THIS ISN'T TRUE, if you know how to train them correctly! As the quote above states, dogs are always learning, so the owner needs to be willing to train them over the entire course of their lives! This takes a lot of work, but it can be very simple as long as you know good training tips:
Pit Bulls are a very dominant breed of dog. This means that they like to be in control of situations so they attempt to out-dominate one another to earn that sense of being in charge. So, if you have a pit bull, part of your training will be establishing your dominance in the relationship. Don't worry girls, this shouldn't be a hassle for you just because you don't have a deep voice! You can do this by making your dog earn everything it receives from you. This includes food, treats, attention, toys, play time, etc.
Another important part of training is teaching your dog to go to the bathroom OUTSIDE! While he/she is a puppy they will need to go a lot so you need to watch them closely for signs that indicate they need to go! Make sure you give them lots of praise when they use the bathroom in the right place, and if they mess up don't scold them too harshly. Instead of rubbing their nose in the mess, firmly tell them "NO," and take them outside to the correct place. Always take a puppy out 10-15 minutes after it's eaten, before bed and immediately after you wake up. If you do this consistently, your dog should catch on in no time! I followed these guidelines with Dozer, but sometimes on the weekends I would sleep in. I noticed that the days that I would slack off on being a good owner were the days Dozer had the most problems peeing and pooping in the house. It's sometimes not your dog's fault for messing up if you are the one who forgets to take them out. You should remember this, and try to improve if your dog begins having problems with messing in the house.
The last important part of training a pit bull that I want to talk about is socializing. You may wonder why socializing a dog could be so important? Well, it's been observed that most dog bites are from dogs that have been chained up with no contact in their back yards! If you socialize a pit bull it allows them to learn more and more about their surroundings, people, children, etc. The more they learn, the more behaved they will be around these things. You need to make sure you start socializing them when they're young, and introduce them to as many people as possible (in all different age groups). When you begin introducing them to other dogs, do it slowly. Make sure the other dogs are nice and that you can trust them. You don't want their first experience with other dogs to be a bad one! Show them that meeting new people and dogs is a positive thing, and give them plenty of praise for handling the situations well. If you continue to do this throughout the dogs entirely life, chances are that you and your dog will both be very happy with the results and your dog will be enjoyable for everyone!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Thinking About Getting a Puppy?
Deciding to get a new puppy is a BIG decision although it may not seem like one. Choosing the right breed for you is very important too! The American Pit Bull Terrier is a very loving and loyal companion to have living in your home. However, there are a few things you need to ask yourself when thinking about getting this breed:
First, how much time do you have to devote to your dog? Pit Bulls are filled with energy and they are very athletic. This means that they need plenty of exercise, and if you're some one who loves sitting around at home, then this breed is definitely not for you. However, if you like staying active by running, playing and swimming, then a Pit Bull could be very enjoyable for you. I usually exercise by going on a run, but I always run out of motivation to keep going! Since I got Dozer it's been much easier to keep running with him by my side. Every day after we get done with our run Dozer gets to jump in the river for a quick swim to cool off. I'm always amazed that he still hasn't run out of energy by that time. I care a lot about Dozer's health, but no one informed me about the amount of time that I would need to spend wearing him out by playing with the ball or frisbee. Fortunately, I have plenty of time do this! If I didn't, I would have ended up needing to find him another home. Therefore, I think it's very important that people understand the amount of time that must be devoted to this breed before they decide to go buy one.
The second thing that you need to ask yourself before getting a puppy is whether or not you have the money to support them. This doesn't just apply to Pit Bulls; it matters for any type of dog. So many people make the decision to get a puppy on a whim because they can't resist how cute it is. A few weeks later they come to realize that they can't afford all of the vaccinations, heartworm medicine, flea and tick medicine, dog food, leashes and collars, vet bills, etc. It's really overwhelming when you add all of the expenses up, and it's really dissappointing if you have to give up your brand new puppy. Money definitely played a role in my decision to get dozer, and everything worked out as planned so I've been able to provide everything he needs. However, he's gotten sick twice already, and trust me, going to the vet can be extremely expensive. You don't want your dog to be unhealthy, so seriously think about your financial situation when going into something like this.
The third thing you need to consider is if you're prepared to train a puppy. Training a dog isn't simple, and it's something that you have to continue to do throughout the dog's entire life. It's not just about teaching your dog how to sit, stay or lie down. You have to be in control of your dog, and the only way that you can be is if you consistently train them their whole lives. This takes a lot of time and patience, and it starts right when your puppy is brought home for the first time. If you slack off on training because you're lazy, you're going to see problems down the road as your dog grows. I'm going to discuss training a lot more next time I blog so you know exactly what it takes!
Please remember to consider choosing a rescue dog as your new addition to your home if you're thinking about getting a puppy. They are much more inexpensive than dogs that are bought from breeders, and the small adoption fee that you pay is used to help fund more rescuing. These dogs need a home, and you know you will feel so good being able to give them one that they deserve! Here are some links if you're interested in this:
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