Training a pit... Need advice!!!?

Question

I have a 7 months old pit who doesn't listen to any commands. He is very hyper and friendly, but doesn't listen when we ask him to do something. All he wants to do is eat and play. What is the best way to go about training him to comply to the basic commands (sit, stay, and come)?

Answer 1

Enroll in an obedience class. It will be of tremendous help to both you and your dog. Good luck

FYI pitbull jaws do not "lock"-they are just very strong by nature

Answer 2

Just be patient with him and don't listen to people who are afraid big dogs.
I own five Rottweilers and I have found that taking your puppy to a puppy socialization and basic commands training class works wonders.
Search the web and see if your have a local kennel club near you most kennel clubs offer training classes.
Another way to get him to pay attention to you is put him on a feeding schedule don't let him have access to food all the time this will let him learn when you put food down you expect him to eat all of it right then this way he wont become a picky eater.
Find out how much you are to feed a puppy of that size normally larger breeds are fed twice a day.
This feeding schedule will also help with training.
Pick a certain day you want to train him don't feed him that morning instead of feeding him get some treats and work with him on his basic commands be sure the first couple times there are no distractions around such as other animals,toys or people.
If he is hungry he will pay attention.
Note:I am not telling you to starve you dog I am just simply saying when you go to teach him it is better if he is hungry even a hyper puppy will work for food.
Hope this helps

Answer 3

This may not be the breed of dog that you can handle. Try going to a few obedience classes and get him under control. You are the boss and that needs to be pounded into his head. Right now he is just a puppy and still very much a baby.

The Obedience class teach you how to train your dog. With what you learn at the classes you do the training between classes and then learn something new the next time. There is a lot of home work or you won't stay up with the class.

Answer 4

I have two pit bull mixes and they're just like any other dogs. They need consistent behavior from you (the trainer) and rewards for good behaviors. Try a training class - most places offer a class for youngish dogs and they'll teach you a ton about how to train your dog. The short version: reward behavior you like, ignore the behavior you don't. And train him now, it won't get easier later on once he has bad habits.

For sit: hold a really good treat in your paw, above his nose and gradually move it backwards. most dogs will drop their butt into a sit. when he does, reward him with praise and treats. once he does it a few times, say "SIT" in a firm but happy tone of voice. do it like ten more times.

with stay: after he has sit down, keep making eye contact with him and telling him to stay. if he jumps up or moves, make a harsh correction sound, whatever comes naturally. if he holds still/stays for even a second or two, reward him calmly and gradually increase the length of time you are asking him to stay. when you're DONE (this part is important) give him a "release".. like "okay!" or whatever word you want that means he doesn't have to sit/stay anymore. ideally you should always use this word so he doesn't jump up and run off when you say good boy or whatever.

come: start with him on a leash so he can't get too far away. have some really awesome reward (hot dogs, really good biscuits, even baby food works for picky dogs). call him to you with his name and be really excited. when he's already coming towards you, say "come!" clearly. it's important to do it when he's already doing the behavior because then the right behavior gets associated with the word, instead of ignoring you like he does now. keep doing it and rewarding it. repetition makes him remember it. gradually try it from longer distances and with more distractions around.

good luck!

ps. the dog whisperer sucks and just intimidates dogs. it makes scared dogs and aggressive dogs worse. you don't have to be a jerk to get a dog to do what you want!

Answer 5

W. has the right idea, if you are inexperienced with dog training, your best bet is an obedience class. Training must be consistent, and if you go about it with no help, it can confuse the dog and create even worse behavior.
Don't buy into the pit bull "myths" they are some of the most loving gentle dogs out there.mostly... it is the training they receive that turns them into the "monster dogs" you hear about in the media.

Answer 6

your dog is still a baby he not got to listen just yet my didnt start listening till about a year and 3 months but the most important thig is to work with him everyday 4 as long as u can. make sure tho that he know ur in charge in takes time but he will listen.
sit: push down on his back end while u say sit
laydown: after your dog is sitting down push down inbetween his shoulders and say lay down
come: get low to the ground like your squating and say in a low voice come sometimes it helps if u snap your fingers or clap
stay: what i did was tolled my dog to sit and said stay and would slowly walk away while maintaning eye contacked and every time he moved i say stay it worked it just took alot of time

hope my advice helps good luck with your pit

Answer 7

If he loves to eat and play, then you can probably motivate him with treats and toys. Are you familiar with the idea of positive-reinforcement training? Try to find a trainer or an obedience class that uses this type of training. The idea is to find something that motivates the puppy and use that as a reward for good behavior and for learning obedience commands.
Two easy commands you can teach him yourself:
1. Sit - take a small treat in your hand and hold it a few inches above his nose so that it's close enough for him to smell but not so close that he snatches it! While saying the word "sit", move the treat further over his head. He will tilt up his nose/head trying to get to the treat, but as he leans back, he will naturally sit. As soon as he sits, give him the treat and lots of lovin'. Repeat this several times, and he'll catch on pretty quickly.
2. Down - After he learns to sit, you can teach him to lie down. Have him sit, and take a small treat in your hand. Let him smell the treat, but don't give it to him right away. Close your hand. With the treat in your hand, lower your hand to the floor between his front paws. Because he will try to get the treat, he'll lower his head and his bum will slide back so that he's lying down. As soon as he starts to lie down, say the word "down" and give him the treat.
To teach him to come to you, grab one of his favorite toys (anything squeaky or noisy) and show it to him. Say "come" and show him the toy. If he comes, let him play with the toy.
Most importantly, be consistent with him. If you ask him to do something, be sure that he does it.

Other commands can be a bit harder to teach. If you have a PetsMart in your city, ask them about enrolling your little guy in Puppy HeadStart or in Basic training. I live in Austin, and my lab and I had a great experience with the PetsMart trainer in our neighborhood.

Good luck!

Answer 8

I do think it is a good idea for you to spend some time watching the dog whisperer, or at least reading his books...It is an awesome responsability raising a pit bull...it is our responsability to raise the nicest, sweetest well trained doggies (I own a part pit too) to fight that stupid belief that all pits are dangerous.
first of all though, when he is loose, keep him on a lead with a prong collar or a gentle leader...give him a "pop" when he doesn't listen-demand that he pay attention to you..
also, it sounds like your doggy has too much pent up energy..(pits are high energy dogs) take him out for more and longer runs...use roller blades or skateboard or bicycle, whatever you have to do to tire him out...dogs that behave overactive/not listening like this are often not getting enough excercise.
no, playing fetch is not excercise..he needs to run far and fast to wear out that energy.
and definately take him to a good reputable trainer. (not one of those that trains the dogs for you...you have to go learn too) :-)
good luck

Answer 9

Make training fun, and add food into the mix. With our dog (which everyone thought was untrainable), I would push her rear-end down while saying, "Sit", and give her a treat every time her butt touched the ground....even if she didn't do it herself. Then we moved on to me just saying the word, snapping my fingers, and pointing downward. If she obeyed, she got a treat. If she didn't, we went back to pushing her butt down.

Well, today, all I have to do is snap my fingers and point...not even a verbal command needed. She will sit, get down off the furniture, or come to my side depending upon how I point.

Stay is a bit harder for dogs.

Answer 10

If he is food-motivated (and many dogs are) you can start by feeding him his daily meals through training exercises. Rather than put all his food in his bowl, only feed him half that way. Put the rest of that day's food in a bag and throughout the day have short (5-10 min. top) training sessions, in which you reward good behavior with food. Keeping it short helps to keep his attention, as does using food. Also, by using his daily food, you don't have to worry about overfeeding him!

Answer 11

Train him to sit like this: At feeding time, hold the bowl of food over his nose but out of reach. He will jump around or whatever, but you just stand there and don't give it to him. Eventually he will naturally sit down, looking at you. At this time you say "sit" and then put the bowl down. After enough repetitions of this he will sit on command. Have a longer training session by giving a few bits of dry kibble at a time by hand, and then let him finish off the bowl. You do not have to push his rear down. That is rubbish.
My pit was sitting on command by 10 weeks old without my ever putting a hand on him.

Do not be afraid to let your dog get hungry, depending on his age, 6-8 hrs hungry, 12-, 18-, even 24-36 hrs hungry for an older dog, so that he will be eager to work for food. Dogs are descendants of wolves and wolves are adapted to going days without food.

I have taught my dogs to come to me by saying "Come Here, (dog's name)" or "Here, (dog's name)" whenever I hand them a treat. After doing this enough times they are conditioned to come to me whether I have a treat in hand or not. You can use a leash for longer training sessions.

Terriers historically worked farmlands independently, patrolling on their own, killing vermin. Having terrier blood, pit bulls are fairly independent animals thus it takes a little more work on their master's part to train them. But it certainly can be done. I'm currently training my pit to go fetch, so that we can toss a ball for exercise when I don't have the time or energy for a long walk.