What is the best way to socialize an adult pitbull that wasn't socialized properly as a puppy?

Question

His issues are mostly when he meets new dogs. He wants to dominate them right off. He wants to play with them like he is a puppy but the older dogs around him don't like it. They think he is being aggressive and dominant. He is just playing but they take it as him trying to dominate them.

His issues are mostly when he meets new dogs. He wants to dominate them right off. He wants to play with them like he is a puppy but the older dogs around him don't like it. They think he is being aggressive and dominant. He is just playing but they take it as him trying to dominate them. He seems to get overexcited and extremely hyper.

Answer 1

Please give us more information so we can help. What behaviors is the dog displaying.

I would recommend that you enlist the help of an obedience class. Often those classes have up to 10-12 dogs of all sizes and shapes. What better way to properly socialize him than with several dogs? I would also buy a gentle leader head collar for him-they work wonders. You probably have seen them, people sometimes mistake them for a muzzle. But they are so common now. Train your dog to sit and wait when he is approaching or approached by another dog. Allow the other dog to get the first "sniffs" in. Also teach your dog a release command if you have him a "sit and wait (stay)" I use the word "okay"-but you must say it in a higher than normal pitched voice. Basically you don't want to be on the phone talking and say "okay" and your dog jumps out of his sit/stay position.

If you haven't already spay or neuter this dog.

Answer 2

If you are socializing your pit with other dogs, then I can try to help. My pit was adopted as an adult and was only used to humans. I purchased a harness and two leashes. One short and one long.
You must take the time for your dog to learn. Patience is key here. My pit had a severe alpha dog problem only with dogs his size or larger. I put him in his harness and at first attached the shorter leash. I would let him meet the other dog, you know the butt sniff that's equivalent to a handshake with us humans? Well anyway, after that he would suddenly want to play and display his dominance. I would snatch him back with his leash and make him sit. I would then tell the other dog owner (always a patient friend) to let their dog off the leash. I told my dog to stay while the other dog had free reign. Basically over time, my dog got used to not being number 1, and I would then put him on the longer leash. After the dominance goes away, take him off the leash completely. I had to be patient and so did my friend. My pit now has a best friend and they both know each other is not the boss. Us owners are.

Answer 3

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Get Cesar's Way ... If you make yourself the master of your pack, you might gain more control, but too often I see the cases on Animal Planet Animal Cops shows that dogs like what you describe are unadoptable and must be given ... a lethal injection!

There is a difference between hard healthy play and dominance behavior, and I think you already know which your dog is doing.

I know a pit that is the sweetest thing with the sweetest face, but she also has this big scar on her side. Seems when she was younger she ran straight through the living room window (shattering it) and cut herself in the process.

I also know a big dopey older shaggy dog similar to a Newfie and very well socialized that picked up this tiny toy puppy about 2 months old in its mouth and intentionally snapped its neck. Needless to say the puppy died immediately. The behavior is not unique to pits.

Answer 4

Pitbulls are usually naturally dog aggressive from birth. I own a pit, whom I got from a rescue as an adult. Even though she is very well trained, because of her breed, you cannot ever trust that she will behave well with unfamiliar dogs. For this reason, I never let her off leash in public, or unattended around people she doesn't know. Its kindof playing with fire to expect to train your pit to be like a friendly Golden Retriever or other such breed. You really cant. Be a responsible pit owner, and keep your dog on leash around others. If anything ever happened (like a bite or a fight) YOU would be the bad guy, just cuz you own a pit. It is so unfair, but its true. Good luck

Answer 5

A pitbull? Well, those dogs can be hard to socialize at an older age. There was a dog on my road that had this problem. The dog didn't like many people and they had to get rid of it. But, if you fix this problem now, you might be successful. Try working with the dog a real lot or getting a trainer. Hope I help!:]

Answer 6

Good question,
As long as the animal is not overly aggressive, take it to a place like petsmart walk him around on leash, let him look and sniff and all.

Go a few times a week until he is calm and easy around other animals and people.

Keep in mind, this is a very short answer to a question with little information.

Answer 7

first off you need to disaplen and dominate the dog befor you social-anything. so if the dog acts out you can control it.
i say watch "the dog whisperer" on national geographic channel

Answer 8

If he wasnt socialised with people then take him out of his comfort zone to a park and just sit with him for a while to de sensitise him to noisy people then slowly introduce him to people at home, just one or 2 at a time and on a leash. Slowly increase the amount of people at a time. Works the same with dogs if that is the problem.

Answer 9

very gently. as pitties are amazing dogs they can learn fast, although they also have a nasty streek which can be taken out on the dog. check out this website, i think its great. there is a quiz about being the leader of the pack. once u know where u stand in pecking order with ur dog it will b easier to know how 2 help it.
http://www.dogpsychologycenter.com/

Answer 10

In what way!!1 For a Human or another dog? If a dog then simply hold your pitty while the other person holds the dog and simply tell your pitty be easy..... Just talk with let him no that your not going to let him go like forget about him:)