how can i get my two year old pit bull to be friendly with other dogs?

Question

he loves people, but when another big dog comes around a dog fight breaks out i want to take him to the dog park but i cant till he gets used to other dogs

Answer 1

Please read these links:
http://www.pbrc.net/dogpark.html
http://www.realpitbull.com/parks.html

At two years old, your dog has reached maturity and has developed his mature personality. You can work with him to teach him to tolerate or ignore other dogs, but getting him to be friendly with other dogs at a dog park will be nearly impossible. He belongs to a breed of dog that was carefully selected for many generations to fight, so trying to socialize him to other dogs now that he's reached maturity will be an uphill struggle.

Dog parks are generally only good for highly social and extremely tolerant dogs, and it's a simple reality that not all dogs are highly social or tolerant with other dogs. I no longer take my dog (a Lab/Shepherd mix) to the dog park, because after she reached maturity at 2 years of age she became intolerant of other dogs who try to push her around. The few minutes of fun she has playing with submissive or neutral dogs just isn't worth the stress of trying to keep pushy dogs away from her.

Since you have a Pit Bull, you need to be extremely careful to avoid any situations that may trigger your dog to get into a fight. Even if your dog didn't start the fight, you can be certain that your dog will be blamed because it's a Pit Bull. And because your dog was bred to fight, if he ever gets into a serious fight it's probable that he may cause the other dog serious harm, which may result in financial or even criminal liability for you, especially if you took him to the park knowing he has a history of fighting behavior. Most dog parks have rules stating that aggressive dogs are not allowed. Since your dog has been in fights at the park before, avoid the dog park and concentrate instead on working to socialize your dog to behave well around other dogs when leashed. This book is an excellent resource for that: http://www.dogwise.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=DTB766

You may also want to check to see if there's a Pit Bull rescue group in your area - they may be able to recommend a trainer or behaviorist that can work with you to socialize your dog.

I know it's disappointing not being able to go to a dog park (I'm still sad sometimes about not being able to take mine), but you can find other ways to keep your dog happy and exercised. I take my dog hiking with me, and have a bike attachment to take her trotting alongside my bike, and use a clicker to teach her obedience and tricks. The link at the top of this answer lists several alternative activities you can pursue with your dog.

Answer 2

This is a problem in the breed. It generally surfaces between age 1 and 3 years.

Because you own a pit bull, I would recommend you never take him to the dog park. It's just kinda what you sign on for when you have a pit. :-(

I would NOT recommend you try to address this on your own. You could make it worse just as easily as make it better, and that would be bad, because pits are GREAT!! But they aren't always great with other dogs.

One thing you CAN do on your own is teach your dog to make eye contact with you on command and not look away until you say he can. Your dog CANNOT attack another dog while staring at your face. This won;t make your dog able to play with other dogs (that's where you will need a pro), but it will make you able to control your dog around potential problems.

Another thing you should know is that this is NOT about "getting used to" other dogs. Socialization ends at age 6 months. Right now, it's pretty much about showing guys who might challenge him that he has the biggest balls. (Even if he doesn't have any -- and I hope he doesn't if he is carrying those dog-aggressive genes.)

You can manage it, but you will never be able to safely take this dog to the dog park. You may, however, be able to have doggy friends come to your back yard -- but only after a few months of professional training.

You may also find that your pit LOVES to work, and then you can do the world's coolest sport -- Schutzhund!

Best of luck -- PITS ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 3

there is nothing wrong with ur dog.

pit bulls are just medium sized and were bred to fight so ur dog is intimidated by big dogs so naturally it will become aggressive.

dont take that idiots advice about a muzzle that will just make ur dog feel helpless and will probably just make it worse.

if u really do want to socialize ur dog then start it out with small dogs and work ur way up and when it has been playing "good" for a while reward him/her with a pat on the head or a treat

ur dog may never get along with big dogs so dont blame urself about, but u should take ur dog to a obedience class if it shows signs of aggression to small dogs

Answer 4

is he trained? ask a friend to bring their dog to your house on the leash and and have your on a leash as well. have them about 8 ft apart and neal down and pet hm and do whatever you do to soothe him to let him know its okay, if he growls or barks at the other dog correct him by saying no and make sure they are both sitting the whole time. do this a few times moving closer but not in the same day. and please dont bring your dog t the dog park. most people with other breeds of dogs look down on our pitty friends and think they are visious creatures. if somethngs goes down and the other dog started it your dog will get all the blame. leave the dog fights at the park for the poodles and golden retrievers and take your dog on a walk through soem woods with a freind and their dog.

Answer 5

i have 2 pit bulls myself.my one is great with people and other dogs.the other one(his son) is very dog aggresive.it had nothing to do with what i did or didnt do so dont let anyone tell you that.i socialized him ALOT through out his life with other dogs.if you look into your dogs breeding background i guarantee thats part of the problem.i checked my dogs background and it turns out he had a lot of aggresive ancestors.so it turns out its not his or my fault hes like that that unfortunetly is what his pedigree is bred to do.the best way to answer this question is play it safe and dont take him to the park.if a fight breaks out you're reliable(especially beings its a pit bull)(totally unfair but true) for the vet bill and you might have to put your dog down good luck

Answer 6

At this point it will be very hard and very time consuming.

I'd suggest you get your dog into a good Obedience/Behavioral training course as soon as possible.

And to all the people that may reply to your question negatively, they should know that aggression towards other dogs is in all dog breeds! It is pack mentality, and that is that.

Answer 7

Pit bull dogs are not friendly dogs to other animals.It is a dog that should not be around other animals that they do not know.Pit bulls are not dog friendly.

Do not hit or punish the dog it will make this alot worse.

Answer 8

Since your dog is a male i would recommend introducing him to puppies (Female first for a while) at first do this for a few months, this would show him that there is not alway a threat with other dogs and would assist with socilization. After a few months take him to training classes to start socializing with other dogs. It is always advisable to train this type of breed. One thing a person should realize is that you have had your dog by himself at home and he hasn't been socialized and therefore he will always try to be the dominant animal "he is lord of his castle" he will try and overrule any other dog, he needs to be socialized to realizes that he cant rule every thing and every other dog.

one must always remember the Ten Commandments of Pit Bull Ownership
1. Thou shalt NEVER trust thy Pit Bull not to fight

2. Thou shalt contain thy Pit Bull securely when not supervised by an adult

3. Thou shalt NEVER leave thy adult Pit Bull alone and unsupervised with another dog

4. Thou SHALT attend obedience classes most faithfully with thy Pit Bull

5. Thou SHALT keep thy Pit Bull socialized with ALL KINDS of people

6. Thy Pit Bull wilt NEVER be allowed off-leash in a public place

7. Thy Pit Bull wilt NEVER be allowed to roam free in thy neighborhood, EVER!

8. Thou SHALT take thy well trained Pit Bull out in public and show him/her off - on leash for good breed PR!

9. Thy Pit Bull shalt go forth into the world as an ambassador of the pit bull breed

10. THOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY WRONG DONE BY THY DOGS!

Hope this helps and assists you in socialzing your dog good luck

Answer 9

find a good obediance class and socialize him well....muzzel him with other dogs around till he learns to behave....although he may never like other big dogs.....i had a pom that for some reason hated pit bulls and she would good after them anytime they came near her....she never got over it

Answer 10

i have a pitbull that is already 11 years old i have been with her all my life she is so friendly so i know you need to put him on a leash and a very strong collar take him to a dog that you know hold his leash as hard as you can make sure that the collar is at the top of the dogs neck you are controling 60 percent of the brain pull up when he pulls forward and say sh...sh.....sh..sh and make him look at you then tell him to sit let him look at the other dog then if he gets up and starts to pull or stay siting and pull,or just gets up but doesnt pull say sh............sh...shsh...............sh..sh...sh..........sh...sh... ok and also say no to him if he does those things that i just mentioned ooohh and dont forget to praise your doggy if he stays sitting and does not bark at the other dog or anything bad ok that is pretty much how to do it