Is it possible to raise a super sweet Pitt Bull?

Question

I have a new pup and his name is going to be "Quagmire" do you think that I can raise this pup into being a nice dog and defeat the reputation of what Pitt Bulls are known for (thereby people won't get scared to come over my house)?

do you have any tips? By the way I am a nice, caring and loving owner who believes in friendly dogs.

Answer 1

Please do not listen to all of the anti-pit people on here. There are plenty of us responsible owners on this site. I grew up with a pit bull and he was the best dog in the whole world. He became very protective of me as a child. No strangers were allowed into my yard with out his approval. He was with me for 13 years. I still miss him to this day!

I currently have a 5 month old pit. She is the sweetest dog I have ever had! I believe with the right amount of training and love any dog can be a sweet and loving animal. A dog seeks approval and praise from there owners. As long as you treat this young pup as a member of your family you will create a wonderful dog.

Now for some tips:

1. Never teach this dog how to play tug-of-war. This teaches them to bite and not to let go. You would not want a dog to do this to a body part now would you??? Teach them how to play fetch and don't grab the toy or ball from there mouth. This teaches the pup to release when you say "Drop it". Also get a toy that is for strong chewers. As pup's they will destroy most dog toys. I really have been impressed with the Kong line of products and the Nylabone. They sell these at most major pet stores.

2. Pit's need a ton of exercise. They are a very energetic breed of dogs. Long walks and playing fetch are wonderful because they tire them out. Also when you are taking them for a walk make sure that they stay at your side or behind your feet. You are the leader and this is something that pup need to learn at an early stage. You do not need to use a choke collar a regular one will work just fine as long as you start the walking early. Even if you do it in your own back yard or inside your home.

3. Positive training is the key. NEVER make discipline physical. They will not learn from this! You should start out with crate training. I believe that this type of training assist in the house breaking. It also gives the pup a safe place to go while you are out or too busy to watch him. This will also save your belongings from being chewed up. However the pup will not have control over his bladder or other end right away. So make sure if you are putting him in the crate for night time sleep that you take his food and water away 2 hours before bed time. Take him out right before you put him inside the crate so that he can go if necessary.

Lastly make sure you netuer the little guy. This helps with aggression most dogs that have bitten were not altered.

Hopefully this helps you! If you need anymore info feel free to email me! [e-mail]

Answer 2

I can only speak for the American Pit Bull Terrier as I have no experience with the other Pit breeds. My Pit is four years old and had no specific training. She got used to people that came to the house. She has loved everyone that has been here from family, my grandsons friends to service people. She even loves burglars, I have been robbed twice, hence the alarm system. She has gotten along great with the other two dogs as she is the youngest and was raised with the older dogs, a Chi/Rat Terrier and a Beagle. My biggest concern was dog aggression when we brought in another Pit puppy a couple of weeks ago. She would growl and snap at the puppy. That was two weeks ago, now we have this 55 lb Pit and the 9 lb puppy running around the house playing.
Pits are great and you will have no problem raising the most friendly dog there is.

Answer 3

Jahp, I have a Pit that sounds a lot like Dawn's. His name is Oro. Although he's still a pup at 1 year old and has yet to develop fully, this dogs most aggressive activity is a tame "wrestling" match with me. He demonstrates no ferocity toward my other dogs.

Since I kinda "know you" (smile) , I tend to believe you when you say that you are nice, caring and loving. THAT is so important when raising any animals as pets. Certain breeds DO possess certain traits. You need not obsess over this and treat your little friend differently, but you must always keep the image and reputation stored away, at the least, in your secondary thoughts. Realize that neighbors and strangers can easily mistake your "sweety" for the vicious killer that resides in their minds.

Answer 4

Absolutely!! I got a pit mix specifically for that reason. The most important thing is to keep socializing him. Not just as a pup, his whole life! Start now and take him anywhere dogs are allowed, make him behave (sit and stay) and let people pet him. They will want to now 'cause he's a pup. He'll get used to it and learn to love people's affection (even tho pitties do anyway). Also look into therapy dog training. Therapy dogs go to nursing homes, hospitals, and schools for emotional support and education. All you need is a dog with a good tempermant that is well behaved (def take an obedience class). They have to pass a behavior test when they turn 1 year and then they can start their therapy work. Good luck!
http://www.tdi-dog.org/

Answer 5

YES, it is VERY possible and I know that without question. Our family Pit Bull is the absolute sweetest, most loving and goofiest dog. He is now 5 years old and never ever has had a mean bone in his body. Not to mention I have many friends who have Pit Bulls and everyone of them are sweet well natured dogs. On a regular basis we all get together to have a "Doggie Social Day" which includes my 2 Labs, my Pit Bull 8-12 other Pit Bull, 5-7 Rotties, 3-4 GSD, 1 Cane Corso, and 8- 13 Labs. We do it for many reasons, most of all for the socialization off the dogs, but NOT once in 5 years have we had a fight. Ironically the only problems we have ever had is when we allow friends to bring their small disobedient dogs. The little ones are the nasty ones, and the Pits put up with it.(trust me there were many times if I was one of the dogs I would have hate one of them little dogs)
Pit Bulls are great dogs, but a dog is only as good as its owner. It is important that you socialize your dog ALL the time. Around other dogs, animals people and kids. And do this from a very young age, and all through your dogs life. Obedience training is also very important. All dogs need rules, discipline and training. Dogs have instincts that are normal for them and that is what they follow if not taught proper behavior.
We use to take our Pit to stores, to family parties/get togethers, any where he could go he went. Anything you want a dog to do or be use to he needs to be well socialized to it all through his puppy years. Many of our friends got Pit Bulls because of our dog. He was my brother's dog and my brother spent hours a day working with him, making sure he was well trained, and socialized.

Answer 6

It is very possible to raise a super sweet Pitt! Make sure that he is well socialized as a puppy. Once he has his shots take him everywhere you can, get him in as many new situations as you can (try to make sure they are all positive). I would also suggest obedience classes unless you are positive that you can do it yourself successfully.

Other people may have bad reactions to your dogs, but it is just their prejudice. My pup has a few Pitt friends at the dog park and people are always getting scared when people bring them in, but once they start playing they are always saying how amazed they are that they play so well with the other dogs. A dogs behavior is all in how it is raised!

Answer 7

Absolutely!! Just make sure to keep an eye on strangers when they are around your dog. Most people are ignorant and prejudiced against the breed. We need more people who know its how you treat a dog (any breed), not the breed itself!
How old will the pup be?
Socialize your pup when he has all of his shots. Bring him to the petstore to walk around, or to a nice dog park. The more experiences your dog has, the more likely he will adjust to things and be friendly and not scared.
Teach him obedience from a young age. You can enroll in an obedience class at Petco, or Petsmart, which is another good socialization opportunity for him.

Answer 8

way to go in getting a pitty. Pitt bulls are just like any other dog, if you train her to be super sweet she will be. I have a super sweet pitty, she's about a year old. Give your pup lots and lots of love, use your hands alot so shes used to being touched, toushher all over, even her mouth, feet and while shes eating, touch her food so shes used to that in case a child does that, then she wont mind. I recommend reading "the power of positive dog training" by pat miller! Wonderful book for training your pooch! Good luck!

Answer 9

It is definitely possible to raise a pit with a great disposition and a york terrier with a devil streak.

My best friend used to rescue pits from fighting rings in NYC. He and his sister changed my mind about pits. Yes, some are aggressive, but like humans, each dog has individual personalities.

If you are loving and caring with your new pup and he is showing no signs of aggression as a puppy, then chances are, you will have a wonderful dog.

I do, however always recommend that people invest in training, especially with larger breed dogs. The money spent to insure that your pet obeys, out weighs the cost of a potential lawsuit.

Answer 10

A lot of it depend on how the dog was bred.

If bred for fighting & didn't have what they want in the pit they may sell the pup as a pet. But due to breeding the dog would have a very good predisposition for aggression.

If bred in a loving atmosphere you will more likely be able to raise him to be a good dog.

Also keep in mind that when a dog matures their temperament changes. Some for the good & some for the bad. It is usually when a dog reaches 3 to 4 years of age. Just like a teenager when they reach 21. Complete attitude change.