Is it to late to train my APBT?

Question

She's about 2 years old in people years. She has problems with greeting people. Always jumping on everyone. I know this is a sign for attention but I want to know if its too late to take her to a obedence school or something.

Also when we are out @ the dog park she doesn't like other dogs. Gets along well with most people. She gets extremly jealous when I play with other dogs and actually attacked another dog due to me playing fetch with the other dog. she loves to play in the water. I want to take her swiming with me but i'm afriad she'll runaway.

This dog was my Brothers dog and he's abandon her and i've grown to like her and i want to get her the proper training.

I also have another dog in my house hold. An 12 year old beagle(people years.)

One more thing. Is there a list online on places i can take her to get training in the washington D.C. area? and how much do you think it will cost?

Answer 1

One other thing: As the PROUD papa of two female pittys, I urge you to stop taking your pitty to the dog park.

You can certainly train your dog not to jump on people when she greets them, as other posters have explained, but you can NEVER train a PBT not to have a strong prey drive any more than you could 'train' your beagle to have pointy ears..... it just can't be done. Then, if something happens, and your PBT should kill some stupid person's Pomeranian, the fact that the Pom attacked your pitty won't matter in the eyes of your town council... they might come out with Breed Specific Legislation and ban ALL bully breeds in your hometown.

You wouldn't want that, would you?

One idea you might look into... Find a group of other responsible PBT owners. Then try and find a dog park with multiple areas: say an area for big dogs and an area for little dogs and set up a 'pitty day' where one area is reserved solely for pittys and their responsible, attentive owners.

That'd be a fun day at the park right there!!!!.

Answer 2

It doesn't sound like it is too late too train. An obedience class at Petsmart will run you $75-$100 for 8 weeks, and will do wonders for you and your dog.
Otherwise their are alot of shows on TV that can give you training tips, Dog Whisperer on NGC and some other's on the Animal planet.A ton of books are available too.
Also, stop taking your dog to the dog park immediately!
Pit Bulls can have Dog Aggression , and shouldn't be put in that chaotic situation especially when the dog is not trained or socialized yet, and you don't fully know it's temperament.
You can do some basic training at home with treats, and take her for long walks just the two of you, training and treating along the way.
Take her to the park or Petsmart/Petco, on leash to get socialization with other dogs. And it should be a quick walk by the other dog, you say"say hello" let them sniff for a count of 3 if she is fine with it, then keep walking and tell her "good job" and give a treat. She should get tons of praise and rewards for good behavior. And ignored, or removed from situation as needed for bad behavior.
We have two rescued APBT, one was adopted as an adult with no training, and he is amazing now, so don't give up on her. Take your time, do some research and do it right.
Go to Pitbullforum.com for great advice and training tips.
Best wishes !

Answer 3

I have an 8 year old Pit mix (3/4 pit, 1/4 char pei), and here's what I've learned from owning him and knowing other pit owners...

First, it's not too late to train her, but you must start immediately! Take her to a professional if you can afford it, but warn him of her potential aggression towards other dogs so he can train her individually or with a small group of other well-behaved dogs. Also, pick up some books on the breed and on training (The Art of Raising A Puppy is a great one, by a group of monks who train shepherds - it has useful info even for a 2 yr old dog).. There is A LOT of important info out there about pit bulls - and a lot of myths and assumptions, too.

My dog is dog-aggressive. He wasn't always, but he's gotten that way over the past few years from not being around as many dogs as he used to be. If your dog has not been well-socialized w/ other dogs, it may be very hard to train this out of her - AND you will always encounter people who are scared of your dog, no matter how much you tell them she's friendly. Be prepared to keep your dog on a leash almost everywhere. I take my dog to run off the leash only when I know we won't run in to other dogs. He LOVES people, but he is also very strong and I don't want him knocking anyone over unintentionally! They are very, very active dogs and need a lot of excercise and activity to keep them calm in your home! One or two little walks a day won't do it, but lots of exercise and lots of good training will give you a well-behaved dog when she's indoors. Make sure everyone who comes in contact w/ the dog knows what to do when she jumps - don't just push her down. Dogs take that as an indication to play, surprisingly!

I take owning a pit bull very seriously, but many people don't, and aren't aware of all the problems you can run into. However, they are the friendliest, happiest, smiliest dogs around when they are well trained! They simply LOVE people and want to please them (which is why they do make such good guard dogs, when trained). Unfortunately, too many people own them as a status symbol or to appear "tough"...and that is when it always turns out badly for the dog. Realize that dog's actions are never predictable, even for the most highly-trained dogs, so you will have to be careful w/ her when she's around other people - but you'll also have the most loving dog in the world! Good luck.

Answer 4

It's never never to late to train a dog. I got my golden trained recently by an AWESOME trainer and she was 5 yrs old. I've taken my dog to Petsmart, TWICE, and Petco and they were all such a joke!!

My dog was also dog aggressive, pulled on a leash, ran away when she caught a scent, and jumped.

I now have two dogs, I'm able to jog w/ both of them in heel position w/o a leash, come to a dead stop to cross the street w/o them running in front of me, they are trained to a whistle to come back, I can have to door WIDE open - go in and out of the house w/o them rushing out the door, they no longer jump, snatch food, ..oh the list goes on and on and on.

Check out Chris Valdes. He's the one who helped me out.. I live in Woodbridge, VA.

I have to admit ..he's a bit pricey HOWEVER I'd honestly pay twice as much for what he did to help my girls. It's so easy living w/ them and since they will be around for 10+ more years, it was money well worth spending!!

Answer 5

Its never to late to teach your dog manners, what is acceptable and unacceptable. Do a search online in your area to find private trainers, or your local pet superstore or veterinarian should be able to povide you with information about training as well.

That being said, I commend your efforts to step up to the plate and take on the responsibility of your brother's dog.However, you MUST do some research immediately on the breed because owning a "pit bull" is a bit different than owning oher breeds of dog. They are a little bit more of everything, and you MUST be prepared educationally in order to be a responsible owner. Don't be a part of the problem; be a part of the solution!

STOP taking your dog to the dog park. Once pit bulls reach the age of maturity (different for all dogs, but generally occurs anywhere from 10 months to 1 year), they slowly begin to have less and less tolerance for other dogs. Dog tolerance exists on a continuum, and most (not all) pit bulls lean toward the more intolerant side. Given the breeds' ugly history, it should not be suprising that they have a GENETIC propensity for dog aggression (NOT human aggression, which is totally different in terms of purpose and function), which CAN NOT be loved or socialized or trained out of them. The most responsible owners are aware of this genetic trait, respect it, and take PROACTIVE measures to ensure the safety of their dog and the pets of others. Dog parks and other off-leash situations for pit bulls are an accident waiting (or not waiting) to happen. The best piece of advice I received as a bully breed owner is NEVER trust your bully not to fight!! They don't often start it, but you can BET they will finish it. Don't stick around to witness what your pit bull is capable of. You've already come close to this, as you mentioned her jealousy and attack on another dog. PLEASE heed your dog's warnings and only let her play off-leash with known dogs, and ALWAYS supervise!

Because you have another dog, ALWAYS ALWAYS (I can't stress that enough) supervise them when they are together. If you can't, crate one or both. It can prevent alot of heartache.

Here are some really great websites that can help you to become a more responsible owner, and to help your dog get on the path to becoming a excellent breed ambassador:

www.understand-a-bull.com
www.blessthebullys.com
www.stopbsl.com
www.happypitbull.com

The latter is my personal favorite. Please be sure to check out the Pit Bull Owner's Code of Conduct. If you can't committ to EVERYTHING on the list, please consider placing the pit bull for adoption. She doesn't need to become another statistic!!

Best of luck.

Answer 6

It's never to late to train your dog. You have a typical APBT. They like to jump and they are extremely hyper. Your dog has not been socialized with other dogs and this is recommended to do when they are puppies, but it's still not to late. Keep your dog on leash while socializing her. I would suggest you reading up on the breed so you know how to handle them properly. But she sounds like she is eager to please her master as well greeting other. Good luck to you.

Answer 7

If you're willing to drive about 30 minutes north, there's a place called Precious Pet Cottage, we have a wonderful trainer who is especially good with difficult adult dogs. Go to www.preciouspetcottage.com for the address and phone number.

Answer 8

The classes where I have my puppy signed up will take dogs of all ages. If it is aggressive with other animals you have to have private lessons, but that's just the one I am going to.

I have seen dogs of all ages doing the Petsmart classes.

Answer 9

It is NEVER too late. Old dogs can learn new tricks, and yours is still young!
Please do go get training! With patience and love, you and the dog will do fine!

Answer 10

firekeeper is correct, dogs are never to old to train. the dog could be jealous since the original owner had left her. she is not protective so you wont leave her.

i would check your local pet stores to see if there are business cards for pet trainers.

good luck to you.