How do i get this pitbull to behave a little?

Question

I asked my husband if I could get a teacup yorkie dog as i have wanted one for years. We live in the city. He surprised me with a big strong female pitbull named LuLu whom he adopted from a local shelter after she was abandoned when her owner went to prison. I do love this dog and want her to feel happy here. I am having a hard time handling her. I am 5 feet and 105 pounds and I don't walk her, she walks me. She pulls me all through the streets and I hurt my wrists just trying to hold the leash when she is pulling. Yesterday she ran through the living room so fast she knocked me over and I went flying on the hardwood floors and my back is killing me. Husband is hardly home and I work from home now. I can't keep her off my bed and if he is not home she sleeps on top of me. She steals food, chewed up my pillows and put a hole in the window screen when she saw me outside petting my neighbors little dog. She went nuts and almost came through the screen. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Sounds like you need to sign up for an obedience class, pronto!

You're going to wind up with a completely unmanagable dog (though it sounds like you've already arrived at this point) who is large, very strong and will definately be a problem. You don't need this dog to behave a little, you need this dog to behave A LOT. There are no boundaries in your house, apparently.

First, go to the yellow pages and find a dog trainer. If your dog isn't aggressive towards other dogs (some pit bulls can be), then you can enroll her in a class with other dogs. It doesn't cost that much, between $75-$150 for a couple months of classes once a week. If she is aggressive, you'll need to get a private trainer to come to your house and show you how to work with her.

Secondly, google the term "NILIF". It stands for "Nothing In Life Is Free" and is a way to manage your dog at all time. Basically, unless they do something for you, they don't get anything from you. Unless they sit, they don't get attention. Unless they lay down, they don't get their dinner. Unless they calmly allow you to attach their leash, they don't get a walk. Dogs are selfish and only understand one thing: Is this good for me? Stop making her misbehavior still be good for her (being on the bed is comfy--good for her, going as fast as she wants to on a walk is fun--good for her, running in the house is a blast--good for her, your food is delicious--good for her) and she'll change her behavior.

Small people can still handle large dogs. We have a family friend who has several bullmastiffs (larger than pit bulls and very very strong) who is about your size. My two dogs outweigh me and I'm able to walk them together at the same time. It's about the quality of the training, not the size of the dog or of you.

Answer 2

I'm surprised they adopted her to your husband. Personally, I would recommend returning her to the shelter....you are no where near prepared for a dog this size. Your husband was on the right track by going to the shelter....but if he's going to get a dog that's the complete opposite of what you wanted, he needs to be there to care for it. If you REALLY want to keep the dog...SHE NEEDS TO BE FULLY TRAINED. Get her into classes or find a trainer that can start working with her immediately. This is a breed needs a certain type of owner, the right environment, the right training, and lots of love in order to really do well. Remember that pitbulls have been trained and bred to be aggressive, so they really take a lot of work to combat that. With the right home, they can be really great dogs. Once she is trained, that training needs to be kept up...you can't just train her once and expect it to stick.

Answer 3

Why do you have a Pit that is out of control??????? That is just irresponsible on your part!
You can't get control of that dog now if she has been ALLOWED to act out!! You have a dangerous dog that obviously has problems. You should have had it trained along time ago!!!

I don't like Pits...not at all!! I have seen to many turn and attach adults, children, and other animals!! But in this situation I have to say this is all your own fault for letting your Pit be dominant and have no manners! You should have never gotten a Pit from a shelter to begin with.

I fear now that if you introduce any other animal or person into your home she will have a major problem with it and compete for your attention..most likely killing another animal and possibly attacking a person!!

Answer 4

My pit bull used to pull us too. We got a special harness that you put around their mouth so when they pull you the leash pulls down on their mouth. They don't like the feeling of it so they stop pulling. But pit bulls are very smart. Mine sometimes manages to pull it off! You can try keeping her in your bathroom so when you get home you just open the bathroom door and then shes free! You can try disipline too. When ever she jumps on you push her off of you and say "No!" in a strong tone. Do the same with the bed. The funny thing is my pit used to do all those things! But now its a real improvement. We've had her for 4 years and she has been great. It was wonderful that you adopted her. She still may be a little excited. How long ago did you get her? My pit bulls name is Sammy!

Answer 5

I also have a pit named LuLu, or Lucy. I suggest a little training.

I noticed some people said that you should take her back to the SPCA or get rid of her. I think that is totally wrong. Millions of innocent dogs and cats are euthanized each year because they are returned to the pound, for problems that are manageable if we take the time to correct them. Also you stated that you love her. Why would you give up something you love. It sounds like she loves you very much too, and wants to be with you. Take her to a place like petsmart where they have an obedience training with your dog, or hire a personal trainer.

Answer 6

1. Pick up a copy of "The Dog Whisperer" by Cesar Millan.
2. Do find a pit savvy trainer that understands thier dog aggression.
3. Join the Pit Bull Forum: http://www.pitbullforum.com/index.php (new member registrations are being temporarily halted but keep checking in)
4. READ these websites!:
http://www.pbrc.net/dogpark.html (definitely check out the rest of the site!)
http://www.badrap.org/rescue/index.cfm
http://www.understand-a-bull.com/index.htm
http://www.hugabull.com/
5. Pick up the Bully Breed magazines (there are 2 that you can find at Petco and other pet places)

Answer 7

A pitbull is no kind of dog not to have control over. I would consult a trainer, asap. It may be expensive but not nearly as expensive as getting sued because your dog attacks another dog or a human. Pitbulls are being outlawed all over the country so it's really important that people who own them are responsible for them and take appropriate measures to educate themselves and their dogs. It's nothing to be taken lightly. Oh and don't let her sleep on top of you anymore either, if you want her to sleep with you then let her be beside you instead. Good luck!

Answer 8

I have a pit and have worked with them since I was a kid. First, do not be intimidated by her. A few quick tips for better behavior.

- Lead her, Be the first to walk through the door. Make her wait on you.

- Before working with her make sure she is calm and relaxed. Do not get her excited before walking her etc.

- Use a choke type collar. You will not hurt her as long as you use short quick snaps to correct her. Also do not get mad when working with her, be a calm and confident leader.

Hope this will get you started. If you have cable television, watch The Dog Whisperer on The National Geographic channel, it comes on all the time.

Answer 9

Right now, it seems kind of obvious that your dog has taken control. You're not the leader anymore, your dog is. You need to be more assertive! If your dog pulls when you're walking, do your best to make her stop. When she's stopped pulling, keep going. In the house, you need to do something, because it's a problem. I'm sorry, I don't have suggestions for inside the house. :(

Answer 10

Take LuLu and sic a chupacabra on her. Chupacabras have to be the most deadliest terrifying cryptid in the solar system. A chupacabra would scare the living daylights out of LuLu and she will surely submit to your will. I know it's a tough thing to do because you first have to find this dreaded hellish beast. But if you do you will be more famous than the discoverer of Pluto! You may find this nightmare in Mexico and maybe the Bronx. Does this help?