My friends saw him get hit by a car and took him to the vet. They couldn't keep him so we offered to take him. He's much better. He's about 5 years old, and he is very good around the kids, but adults seem to scare him.(he is not at all aggressive though) He's starting to warm up to my boyfriend and I but I know I need to walk him to socialize him and so he can get some exercise, but he's afraid of the leash. I dont want to corner him to leash him, because he is so scared. Does any one have any ideas to get him to trust me a little more.
I have rehabed other rescue dogs before and I'm used to the violent ones (mainly german shepards and small dogs pits are a completely diffrent animal) . So, I don't want him to become violent by forcing anything on him
2007-09-06 06:48:00 · 14 answers · asked by Tristan P 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I have rescued Pit Bulls for 10 years. First and foremost, thank you for saving this dogs life. It sounds like he was abused pretty bad and abuse could have also been done with the leash. Are there marks around the neck? Most of the answers ring correct, trust and time will alleviate the leash issue, however I would use a harness, they are better and the dog will like this more. I would leave it in plain view for awhile and praise him when he goes near it. I would definitely hold off on socialization, he is more than likely highly dog aggressive, even though he is probably extremely human friendly. At 5 years old and the abuse he has had, I hate to say it but he will have to be an only dog in the house and the dog aggression will always be there. It sounds like you have a great background in rescue, so as with pits, you have often probably heard it boils down to responsible ownership. Good Luck and thank you for saving this highly misunderstood breed. See badrap.org and pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull These are great sites for owners new to the breed.
2007-09-06 09:10:07 · answer #1 · answered by netbeagle 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This dog has likely had abuse issues or wasn't properly socialized to begin with. Socialization should begin in the first few months of a puppy's life, so any dog aggressive behaviors he may have may be ingrained permanently with no chance of correction, only management. So, in this situation, I recommend building the bond between you and the new dog. Food is a great motivator. Try teaching him a few simple commands (gently and with patience) and then, when the bond between he and you is strengthened, start incorporating the leash into your activities. Once he's comfortable enough with the leash, begin walking him around the property where he is least anxious and then go from there. The key here is to be patient and gentle. You may want to contact your vet and an animal behaviorist to give you some concrete advice on how to rehabilitate this dog. Best of luck!
2007-09-06 06:58:13 · answer #2 · answered by Rachel-Pit Police-DSMG 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Since he is scared of the leash- he might be aggressive if you did corner him to put it on. He obviously was never walked on a leash so I would wait a couple of weeks until he really trusts you and your boyfriend. Or just be petting him and talk sweetly to him, and be sitting down when you attach the leash. Act like nothing happened and get up and try to walk him. It may take a while considering he isn't used to a leash at all.
2007-09-06 06:52:48 · answer #3 · answered by Madison 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Give him time. If you can leave the leash down around him then he will get use to seeing it. He is probably scared of it because his past owner hit him with it or worse. Also it you sit on the floor or chair and have the leash next to you, when he comes up to you just show it to him and he will recognize that you are not going to hit him or hurt him with it. I wouldn't take him out until you can have people walk into your house with out him running away. but you can socialize him by having people come over. Hope this helps. Good Luck
2007-09-06 07:00:58 · answer #4 · answered by It's Me 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use positive reinforcement for everything. Put the leash out in plain sight and let him investigate it himself. When he's around it talk nicely to him, pet him, give him treats, etc. Use toys and play as reinfocement also.
Being scared is easy to over come, he just needs to have confidence in the leader and his surroundings. Once that happens he'll become more self confident.
You can also help to peak his curiosity. If you have a yard bury treats out there and let HIM discover them. Open the door and lure him out slowly, so he starts getting comfortable w/ being on his own.
Once you get the leash on him let him walk around the house w/ it. You dont HAVE to take him outside. Leave it on him in the yard, in the house etc.
Start training him as well. Basic obediance is a GREAT bonding experience and will help tremendously w/ the self confidence and stabilizing the hierarchy.
Good Luck
2007-09-06 07:00:52 · answer #5 · answered by sillybuttmunky 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I saw this on 'The dog whisperer' show.. Let the dog get used to you and your boyfriend before anything, let him gain your trust... And that's very easily done: feeding him, petting him, and taking him outside to go to the bathroom and to run...
After a couple of weeks he will trust you enough.. and if not, I would leave the leash out, on the floor maybe? (for a week or two). Or possibly where he lays/sleeps at, so he can sniff it and see that its not going to hurt him... You just have to give it time! I wish you the best of luck, your doing a great thing!!!
2007-09-06 06:58:40 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
it takes time and it also depends on the dog. some dogs are easily rehabilitated while others can take awhile. try cutting up bits of hot dogs and than feeding him some with the leash around your hand or near him. that will associate the leash to a reward, being the food. than after a couple of trys, put the leash around your hand than when he goes to bit the treat, put the leash around his head. than go from there. just make sure he relaxes before going onto another step.
also take your time. its important for him to trust you before you introduce him to others. you did a wonderful thing by taking in the dog!!!
2007-09-06 06:56:18 · answer #7 · answered by animluv 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get help from another rehabilitator or ask for some help from your Humane Center or animal shelter. Poor dog. Good thing you were there to get him or he might not have lived. Thanks for saving an animal's life.
You're right. Don't shove the leash on him. Pit bulls are very strong dogs and if they start fear-biting, it can get pretty grisly.
Best of luck! :o)
2007-09-06 06:54:36 · answer #8 · answered by Sunshine G 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
OH YOU LUCKY GIRL!!! I"m so jealous!
This will take time and loads of reassurance from you and your family - but eventually - sooner than you think - Pittie will become an integral member of you family- and will even accept BF as Alpha Male. Indeed, I'm willing to bet that if BF pays attention to him Pittie will stick to him like Velcro in no time.
Since you're already experienced with large and sometimes aggressive breeds - I wouldn't sweat it. Pitties are no different from any other large, misunderstood breed of dog - it takes time but eventually you will have a fabulously loyal and loving family pet.
One word of thought - Pitties are very single-minded. Pig-headed is often used to describe them - but they are highly intelligent, easily trained (well, mine is) and can learn by observation.
Lucky Dog!
2007-09-06 07:15:01 · answer #9 · answered by Barbara B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i'm 13 too. individually i do no longer decide for to get a pit bull till I graduate from college and get my own residence. considering college is commencing up in a pair days, I won't have that lots spare time to stroll him, and pit bulls decide for a brilliant form of excercise to stay happy.
2016-10-10 01:50:52 · answer #10 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋