Many dog breeds are negatively labeled as aggressive, but the pit bull is certainly the prime example of such unfair and unfair stigmatization. However, any dog breed can be aggressive and dangerous towards people or other animals. Despite the stereotypes, pit bulls are often incredibly mild and loving animals, particularly when they are raised the right way from an early age. The care to be dedicated to a pit bull puppy is essentially identical to that intended for other puppies: they must be fed, raised and trained effectively. If they are cared for in the right way, they can make excellent companion dogs, lovable and affectionate with people.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Keep a Pitbull Puppy Healthy and Happy
Step 1. Start training and socializing right away, like you would any other puppy
If you buy it from an expert breeder, he will have already started the training process, accustoming the dog to physical contact and to become familiar with the shapes, sounds and situations typical of domestic contexts. Many breeders sell puppies when they are around 8 weeks of age. In Italy, but also in other countries, the law prohibits the sale of dogs that are less than 2 months old.
The first socialization period for puppies is 3-5 to around 14-16 weeks of age. During this phase the dog is like a sponge, so it is the perfect time to induce him in a quiet, gentle and safe way to get familiar with other animals, people, children, loud noises and so on, so that he does not manifest fears over the following years
Step 2. Make sure your garden or patio is a safe place with a solid fence at least 180cm high
Simple wire nets can be climbed over and are not a visual deterrent to anyone who might annoy the dog. Insert the subcutaneous microchip and put on a collar with his identification data, in case he escapes. This way you will have a much better chance of finding it if it gets lost.
Since they are escape artists and animals that also have some value on the market, it is perhaps even more important to microchip these dogs than to microchip other breeds. Go to your vet and ask him to insert this recognition tool into your puppy
Step 3. Treat your pit bull puppy in a kind and responsible manner
Be loving towards him and he will be more likely to reciprocate your affection. This also applies to the training program you will have with him: use positive reinforcement to effectively discipline him. The clicker is a very useful tool for training most dogs.
Step 4. Take care of your puppy's health
As soon as he is adopted, take him to the vet for a check-up and then repeat visits every year. Know the best time to spay or neuter him, then follow your vet's directions and don't hesitate to have him undergo this surgery.
Step 5. Feed him high quality puppy food
Contains a limited amount of poor ingredients, such as meat by-products and grains. Consult your veterinarian about the diet he or she should follow if you are unsure about your dog.
There are independent sites that can help you rank the market analysis done on various products and make informed decisions about feeding your furry friend
Step 6. Remember that training and raising a pit bull is not that different than it would be with any other breed
Do your research and learn how to choose the right rewards based on the training you need to give them. Have a great time with your dog every day and prepare him for the long life ahead of him.
- Get help from a qualified and experienced dog trainer to learn the correct way to interact and discipline your dog. Take advantage of the website of the Italian National Dog-loving Body (ENCI) to find a qualified trainer.
- Learn about dog training before getting a puppy. Here are some great reads on the subject: "The Art of Dog Training" by Karen Pryor, "Clicker Training: The Dog Thinks!" by Luca Rossi, "How to develop the intelligence of the dog" by Anders Allgren, "The education of the puppy" by Valeria Rossi, "On the other end of the leash" by Patricia B. McConnell, "The dog's best friend" by Jan Fennell and "The Mind of the Dog" by Bruce Leaves.
Method 2 of 3: Keep a Pitbull Puppy Active
Step 1. Exercise it
Make sure you have enough space for your dog to exercise - a garden is a good idea, but pit bulls need a lot of activity, so take him to the park once or twice a day, even if he's a puppy. A tired dog is a quiet dog, because by consuming his energy he will not be inclined to cause trouble. Playing throwing and returning items is a great way to tire him out.
Step 2. Fight boredom
Pit bulls, like dogs of other breeds, are highly intelligent and can be destructive if they have nothing to do. Don't leave your puppy alone for a long time, and if you have to go outside, place him in a confined space, such as a carrier or a modular dog playpen (also called a "dog pen") with a variety of toys at his disposal.
- Consider feeding him regularly using something like Kong toys (which can be filled with food), so that he will have to work hard to get the food out, instead of the ready-made baby food in the bowl, which he can swallow in a few bites.
- Many trainers strongly recommend getting puppies to earn their treats with training exercises. You may also want to consider burying toys and treats in an area of the garden set up for this purpose. By digging and hunting, the little dog will be forced to burn his energy and keep himself mentally trained.
- There are also puzzles for dogs on the market that stimulate the brains of our furry friends. the dog
Step 3. Check how he interacts with other dogs
Always monitor your pit bull puppy as you would a small dog of any other breed, while playing with other dogs. If a problem arises, take action to moderate the situation. Learn to spot - and manage - the escalation of wrong behavior. It is in these circumstances that the game can turn into combat; if a dog bites another dog, there is a risk of physical confrontation. A similar situation certainly occurs if the bite is accompanied by oscillations of the head and the immobilization of the opponent on the ground. Stop this type of behavior, then praise the dogs once they have calmed down.
- When they settle down, let them play again.
- Make sure you drag both dogs with 180cm leashes to control them. Even a honk or a jet of water can be a great way to curb excessively unruly behavior on the part of a dog.
- Don't wait for the situation to get worse: intervene when dogs are interacting with each other. Get their attention by calling them or throwing a toy, and reward them for their consideration. If they come to you when you call them, fill them with rewards and praise!
Method 3 of 3: Socializing and Training a Pitbull Puppy
Step 1. Fight pit bull prejudice by training your dog properly
An extraordinary way to fight against the preconceptions that hover about these animals consists in emerging as tenacious ambassadors of the breed, providing for the socialization and training of your puppy. Having a polite and friendly dog, who behaves amiably around people and other animals, is the best way to overshadow negative information and adverse views about the breed he belongs to.
Step 2. Start socializing your puppy right away
Introduce it to different people, friends and family. The earlier you start, the better. Try to take advantage of the first period of socialization that goes from 3-5 to 14-16 weeks of age, during which the puppies have a strong spirit of adaptation to various situations.
- Get used to being in contact with different types of people: big and small, men and women. Always keep some rewards with you and reward him when he celebrates people. Get other people to give him treats as well to produce positive associations.
- Rewards can also help keep your puppy's attention when he is surrounded by loud noises or is likely to freak out in certain situations, such as the presence of bicycles. It is advisable that the puppy does not feel oppressed, but that the surrounding environment is peaceful and happy.
- The first period of socialization is fundamental and positively or negatively affects the rest of his life. Start pulling him away from situations that might scare him, and gradually decrease the detachment until he gets used to it. If not, choose different days and times.
- Once you get the impression that he has settled in, try taking him out among the people. Show him the world! The more you get him used to everything he goes through, the less fears and defenses he will develop.
- Remember that it is better to go through the steps gradually, rather than throwing yourself into situations without any preparation.
- He will have the opportunity to get to know the world over the following years, once the first period of socialization is over, but he will be much more predisposed and balanced if he has dedicated the first months of life to become familiar with the surrounding environment, without reacting excessively.
Step 3. Discuss vaccination prophylaxis with your veterinarian and monitor his physical and social activity before he has finished all vaccinations
Usually, to ensure proper immunization, puppies are vaccinated against distemper and parvovirus from 7-8 weeks up to 16-18 weeks of age every 3-4 weeks. Vaccination coincides with the period of socialization, so it is important that you have safe contacts, avoiding the danger of contracting diseases such as canine parvo. Puppy schools are also a great choice. Enlist the help of family and friends who have children, healthy and vaccinated animals, and who are equipped with motorcycles, bicycles and other means of transport.
There are socialization courses for dogs that have not yet received all vaccinations. Contact your veterinarian or the National Animal Protection Agency in your area if you cannot find information on these courses on the internet
Step 4. Don't allow your dog to bite while playing
If not, you will give him the impression that this is acceptable behavior. Many puppies are cheeky and must learn to restrain themselves from biting when in contact with people and other dogs.
- You can educate him using a variety of methods, but often just saying "ouch" in a firm way and stopping the game when the puppy's teeth touch the skin to tell him that he is not doing well.
- Have him take a toy out of your hand as you play and teach him to leave it for the game to continue.
- Getting a puppy used to being in the crate for short periods can also help calm down.
Step 5. Touch it on its paws, ears, tail and all other parts of the body
Get your puppy used to physical contact and feeling under your control. If it has no problem being touched anywhere, it will also be easier to clean and brush.
Step 6. Make the training enjoyable
When you train him, don't get mad at him. He's just learning new things and, as a person, he can make mistakes. Many rewards and lots of affection will tell him that he is doing well.
- By repeating an exercise, you will let him know that he was not doing it well. Let him rest once he almost manages to behave as you wish. Remember to proceed gradually.
- Always be on the lookout for a reason to praise him, even if it's just a "small" success. For example, praise him and give him a reward when he calms down.
Advice
- Try joining a federation that safeguards the breed, such as the Pit Bull Syndicate Italy.
- Consider advanced training to better educate your puppy. For example, the CAE-1 is a test conceived by the ENCI (National Body of Italian Dog lovers) as a certification of good management and a balanced relationship between the dog and its handler within the urban context.
Warnings
- Never hit your dog. Violence against a puppy only creates fear and distrust. There is a risk that you will learn to protect yourself from yourself and others and, therefore, develop aggressive manifestations generated by fear. At first ask for help from a professional dog trainer, then continue to turn to him to dispel all your doubts and avoid problems in the future. No one can have the skills of a dog trainer without having adequate training, so any owner can be disheartened.
- Always monitor the dog closely when there are children. Always keep him on a leash to stop any misbehavior and get his attention. When they reach the right age, teach children to pet him and play correctly with him. A puppy can get very nervous when babies start screaming and clapping. Also, when they are old enough, explain to them that they shouldn't run or the puppy can chase them and cause them to fall to the ground. NEVER leave a dog or puppy unattended in the presence of small children.
