She is seven months old and hyper. She is an outside dog, but she gets daily attention. We need help with leash training as well. She weighs about 40 pounds.
2007-05-15 03:11:16 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
She probably loves attention. Make sure you give her lots of praise when she does what you want.
Also, for leash training, put her on the leash and do things like walk around the house or water the yard. She'll get used to the idea that it's you controlling the activity instead of thinking that walking means that it's time for her pull you along. Be consistent with the way you correct her during leash training. "Heel", "wait", and "stop pulling" are my most commonly used commands.
2007-05-15 03:23:11 · answer #1 · answered by Mistress_Tiffany 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you really want to train her effectively, then she can't be an outside dog any more. Aside from all of the terrible things that could happen to her while she's out there without supervision, think of how her life is from her point of view. Why should she do anything you ask at all? There's plenty of other self-reinforcing things that she could be doing in her outside area. You want to increase the value that she has for working with you - and during her down time, she should be crated or put someplace where she can relax (and not self-reinforce by digging, barking, etc.)
A Google search for "NILIF" will help you a lot, as will reading Susan Garrett's _Ruff Love_ (link below)
Using a Gentle leader would be great, too. Be sure to introduce it to her properly. This is a kind, safe way to control her head and teach her how to walk well on leash. Good luck!
2007-05-15 04:10:47 · answer #2 · answered by Misa M 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Thank you for being a responsible pet owner! A well trained obedient dog is a joy to be around. Double for pitties.
Pit bulls are naturally energetic dogs. They also take about 3 years to "grow up" and "mellow" but even at that she will always be a bouncy, energetic dog. She's a terrier breed - not a hound. Remember too, Sweetums is still very much a baby.
Take her to a good obedience class. Do this now. It's a fun sport and pitties do really well at obedience.
Be firm but kind.
Work with her every day for about an hour. If you can do 2 times a day, that's even better.
Praise her. A lot.
Bring her in the house, for goodness sake. Pit bulls are wonderful house dogs.
My own Sweet Baby Blue is a great house dog.
2007-05-15 04:33:56 · answer #3 · answered by Barbara B 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Positive reinforcement works the best with "pit bulls" (and the breeds that fall under this category). Bully breeds are tough on the outside, but oh-so-sensitive on the inside, and yelling, hitting, or otherwise negative training measures are not effective and could be detrimental to the bond you are trying to form with her.
As stated on previous posts, pit bulls are extremely intelligent, and using the right methods, will be delighted to work with you. I own an Am Bulldog/Staffy mix puppy (9 mos) and I found "Bully Breed" Magazine to be really helpful, especially the "Training Secrets" issue. You can find it at PetSmart, or look it up online (I think it may be bullybreeds.com) and you can order it. I also enrolled my dog in obedience courses to get socialization and basic commands (he passed both beginner and intermediate, and is working toward earning his Canine Good Citizen title this summer!).
I'm so glad to see responsible owners taking proactive measures to make their bullies good breed ambassadors. Good for you!
Best of luck!
2007-05-15 03:50:56 · answer #4 · answered by Julie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Firstly, I would consult an experienced dog handler and trainer (I did for my German Shepherd and it really helped). They can start you out on the right foot with training. The most important thing to remember when training your dog is to use POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT, it works wonders! Pits are extremely eager to please which makes them (IMO) wonderful to work with. They are very much people dogs.
In regards to her being hyper, you really should exercise her more. Walk her daily. If you are a jogger..take her with you (I had a pit that sadly passed away due to cancer but he absolutely loved to run with me). Even though she stays outside she still needs exercise to burn off some of that extra energy. A tired dog is a happy dog!
Good luck to you and your dog!
2007-05-15 04:05:25 · answer #5 · answered by Manda 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
First she needs exercise, exercise, exercise, dogs in fenced area run some but not enough to tire them out. I only use a pinch collar on any dog I train, even my 6lb MinPin. They are much more humane than "choke" collars and can not hurt the dogs as choke collars can. A head collar can be used but it restrains the dog not trains the dog. Find a good trainer or class in your area. She is old enough to spay now and if you get it done now it will calm her some and she won't come in heat, attract males and spoil her class..
2007-05-15 03:28:47 · answer #6 · answered by ginbark 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Pits are a breed that need training above and beyond basic obedience. They are also a very smart breed, and if are under stimulated, they can become destructive or aggressive.
I highly recommend new pit owners work with a trainer with bully breed experience.
Some great sites for proper pit training
http://www.pitbulllovers.com/training-articles/pit-bull-training-tips.html
http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/training.php
http://www.pitbulltraininghandbook.com/
http://www.pbrc.net/training.html
2007-05-15 03:16:28 · answer #7 · answered by Nikki T 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am an advocate of not leaving dogs outside but some I find really do enjoy and prefer being outside dogs. However; Pit bulls it is a very bad idea. Please be sure to research the wonderful breed of pits and why the ones attack do attack. They are the chained and oputside contained pits that become aggressive.
I love pits its nothing against your pit but please reconsider the living situation. These are people dogs and require the presence of humans at their disposal 24/7 if they could have it.
2007-05-15 03:35:38 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would try using a gentle leader or something to that nature. it will help you with head control. She may be 40 lbs now but that wont last long!! The gentle leader gives you control of the head and then general rule is where the head goes the body will follow.
2007-05-15 08:04:34 · answer #9 · answered by Tabatha B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would suggest heeling with her. It takes time for them to learn but once they catch on they are great to walk with. I have a pitbull and It took about 2wks for him to catch on. Everytime she tries to get ahead of you I would just pull the leash back and tell her to "Heel" and she should be right @ your heel @ all times. Good luck!
2007-05-15 03:48:48 · answer #10 · answered by GLAMOROUS 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋