Does anyone have any Cesar Millan tips for an aggressive pit bull ?

Question

I have a female spayed pit bull that is just about a year old. There is no doubt in my mind that she goes by my energy around strangers 75% of the time. If I am comfortable and steady- she will act the same. However, there are days where a kid- say about 11 yrs old walks by and she lunges and barks with her hair raised. Just certain people she decides to not like at all. It is embarrassing to take her out in public b/c I don't know who she will decide to like and who she won't. It doesn't matter race or size. She is the same way with dogs. Some she likes, and some she doesn't-big or small..male or female. I have spanked her and made her submit to the other dog or person by putting her on her back and petting her and talking to her while they get on her level and talk to her. This doesn't seem to change her attitude much. I also make sure to remain calm and tell her how wonderful she is when she shows no sign of aggression. I want to be able to socialize her and be in public.

Answer 1

Sounds like you have a liability on a leash. Once they are aggressive, it is hard for them to change. be careful. I had a VERY AGGRESSIVE Siberian husky who was only aggressive to people he did not know. we had to put him down because he bit my neighbor where she had to get stitches. We did all of the dog training and behavior specialists. We even used the electric colors and on full blast, it looked like a tiny pinch on him. He would turn on anyone in the drop of a hat but I'll tell you what, if someone broke into my house, that burglars days of breaking and entering would be over, i can guarantee it! So just be careful.

Answer 2

Pits are not dangerous if they're properly trained unless they're very poorly bred. Inbreeding causing all sorts of problem and there are too many irresponsible breeders. I can't give you direct tips regarding your Pit but my dachshund, who think's he's a Great Dane does this. Now when I see him reacting I make him sit/stay until the person passes. Its much harder for a dog to be hyper and/or aggressive when they're in a sit/stay. If you can't do that yet work on it because it can help. Also look into Paul Owens and Jan Fennell, they both are excellent trainers who have techniques simular Cesar Millan that use the "pack" type training. I'd recommend books intead of DVD's. You can get alot more info and examples of application in a book and you can take that book anywhere with you.

To everyone who is convinced all Pits are dangerous, has no one ever watch the Little Rascals?? THAT was a Pit Bull. I live near a Petsmart where a cashier takes her Pit Bull to work with her and he obeys her without hesitation. It takes good breeding and good training but they're perfectly fine dogs.

Answer 3

First of all, this doesn't sound like a dog you should be taking into public. Even if she hasn't bitten anyone, she can be classed as a dangerous dog if she's made threats or attempts to bite through snarling, lunging, etc. Pit bulls really do vary in personality. Some are sweet and gentle, and will tolerate anyone. Others, though, just don't like strangers and are unpredictable. When you get a pit bull, you should be realizing the risk that you might be getting a dog that you will not be walking around downtown and busy centers.

Forcing the dog to submit to a person or other dog is not going to help -- it will only make the matter worse. You should never force a dog to submit. This is not true submission, and it will only make the dog distrustful and defensive.

Please hire a professional behaviorist. A dog like this should not continue to be exposed to strangers walking on the street. A behaviorist will help to solve your dog's problems. You choose to own a dangerous dog -- you should at least be willing to hire some professional help to take care of the matter.

Answer 4

Praising your dog when she shows no signs of aggression is fine. Otherwise, stop everything you are doing. Making her "submit" is likely only making matters worse. I don't know about you, but if I tell someone to back off, I'll be REALLY unhappy if I then have to lie down and be restrained while they touch me. And hitting teaches absolutely nothing other than to be afraid of you.

I know that people mean well, but do not purchase a prong collar without the recommendation of a trainer/behaviorist. They can help some dogs, but they can also make some behaviors worse. Seek the help of a professional who uses positive reinforcement methods in order to change how your dog feels about people and dogs, not just squash the symptoms of her dislike/fear/etc.

Answer 5

I don't know about the dog whisperer, but Jon Katz made a good point about pit bulls. By no fault of the dog's, they are dangerous animals, even though pit bulls may not necessesarily be more likely to bite or behave aggressively than any other dog - the results of this behavior can have far more serious, even deadly results. When a cocker spaniels snaps, you might get a scrape, at worst, need for a stitch or two. When a pit bull snaps, you end up with life threatening injuries and even death. You have a huge liability with an aggressive pit bull - do you really want to be responsible for what these dogs can do? At the very least keep the public and other animals safe, you must recognize your repsonsibilty and the potential for tradgey and take every precaution. The safest thing to do is euthanize.

Answer 6

Here is his web site http://www.dogpsychologycenter.com/
Temperament
This terrier breed is playful, friendly and loyal to its family. It is responsive to its owner and good with children except for a tendency to jump on smaller kids. It is so gentle with children that it has earned the nickname of the Nanny Dog because of its willingness to entertain kids. It is usually friendly toward strangers, but aggressive with strange dogs. Although the Staffordshire bull terrier will not look for a fight, it will stand its own if approached or attacked. As a puppy, this breed tends to chew excessively and is difficult to housebreak.

Recommended Maintenance

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier requires minimal grooming an occasional brushing and a bath when necessary. It is an athletic breed that must maintain a rigorous exercise program to maintain its muscle tone. Daily walks or active games in a safe area are ideal. This terrier should be kept on a leash in public places. It adapts to city life well as long as it is given the proper amount of exercise. It can live outdoors in mild weather, but reacts negatively to the cold and craves human contact, making it a better indoor pet. The Staffordshire bull terrier is easy to train, but can have a stubborn streak. It needs consistency and socialization to other animals.

Pit bulls jaws do not lock that is a myth. You could have corrected your dogs behavior before he acted that way. Even after that you still could have corrected it. I am very glad he didn't hurt anyone I feel bad that you had to put him down, I truly do. But you could have researched it more how to correct his behavior. You unwillingly taught him that. Is it all your fault know you didn't know that you were doing it. There are lots of breeds in loving homes & they end up mean or little terrors. People need to learn how to treat their pets they are Dogs not people you can love them with everything you have they are a part of the family, my dogs are. You have to understand that they are NOT humans. dogs need balance, boundaries , love. CESAR MILLAN can help any one http://www.dogpsychologycenter.com/...

Answer 7

I don't have a pit, but when I first got my dog he was aggressive on walks. Our trainer used a pinch collar on him, which is a choke chain with little metal prongs (it looks scarier than it actually is.... i "corrected" my leg to see how it felt and it pinched, but didn't feel as horrible as it looks). Smacking your dog will do nothing. If you must, walk your dog muzzled until you get her problem under control. She may be sweet at home, but you do need to remember that she is a pitbull and genetically is designed to do damage. I love pits, but taking any dog that is unpredictable out into public unmuzzled, especially a dog with jaws designed to crush and lock on its target, is not only unresponsible, it is a crime. If something were to happen remember, you could not only lose your dog, but your freedom as more and more people are facing jail time for their dog's behavior.

Answer 8

You don't need Cesar Milan but what you do need is someone to come to your home and asses the situation in the dog's environment. You're unable to take an aggressive dog to training "classes" and I never recommend classes for an older dog anyway - they are a waste of time.

One thing you're doing wrong is giving her attention when she is being aggressive.

Talking to her, consoling her, yelling at her, spanking her, petting her ANYTHING like that is give her reinforcement. In her mind - your attention is telling her she's doing the right thing.

Also when you pull her back that will make her pull forward even more. (They are a "bully breed" it's in thier nature).

You need to fill the void as Alpha. Dogs act out when there is void and they don't feel secure. Most aggression is fear or anxiety.

Purchase a prong collar. Yes they look like some horrid torture device but they DO NOT hurt the dog. They in fact mimick what the mother dog or Alpha would do with unacceptable behavior. In a pack the Alpha would nip at the neck or chest. The Prong collar mimicks that nip. You don't want to tuck on it, just one quick snap and tell your dog to sit.

Refocus it's attention onto you. If it escalates give the leash another snap and get the dog in down. KEEP the dog in down. NO cooing, coaxing etc.

Watch for signs such as ears folded back, wide eyes, shifting eyes, straight body, straight tail, slow wagging tail, hackles raised, lip raised, low gutteral growl, or a quickened pace.

Once you see any of these signs get him in sit and/or down before it escalates further. For every dog you see, get him in down. Dont' test to see if he'll get along or not. Every person, do the same until it becomes constant.

Make sure to refocus his attention and he is on you while he is in sit and down.

Eventually you'll be able to go anywhere and under stress he'll lay sit or down. Eventually he'll be focused on you.

Also.. when your dog is in the heel position he has to concentrate more on you and the pace instead of the environment. Don't let the dog walk in front of you (YOU'RE ALPHA.. you should be walking in front).

With the prong collar - while walking keep him on your left. Loose leash. When he starts to pull turn quickly and walk the other way - give the leash a quick tug go get his attention. Do this over and over and over and over and over etc.

He will have to focus on you and the pace of the walk instead of all the other things around him.

Answer 9

i have a one and a half year old male pit. he generally doesnt show aggression except at other dogs in his territory, or if he thinks someone is trying to hurt me. in the summer i sit out on the porch with my dog without a leash, and when he barks or starts whining, i try to comfort him and let him know that no one is trying to hurt him. i also have a pinch collar for him. it is the best thing we every bought. when we first started putting him on the porch with us, we would have his collar on adn leash. if he tried to go off the porch, or bark at someone we would pull on the collar adn tell him no. i know they say hitting your dog doesnt do anything, but sometimes its the only thing you can think of at the time. dont listen to people when they say that its your fault cause you trained them that way. unless you did of course. some just need more attention than others.if you can rent the dog whisperer i strongly recommend it. we try to watch it as often as possible. good luck, and dont let people bring you down because they dont understand pit bulls

Answer 10

First of all, spanking is not going to solve your problem. You need to get her into some training classes, no other options. They are a strong breed of dog and need a person who understands them to be able to handle them. Go to some classes, even speak with a behaviorist but you AND her need to learn the right way and the only way is going to be to find a good trainer.