PIT BULL???? My pitbull mix is 7 months of age, I am enjoying her and yet I am searching for techinques ......

Question

I am searching for techniques to curve behaviors, she isnt unloved thats is for sure yet, she is taking over the home and my family should be the Alpha Dominants as opposed to the dog running the house. Yes, she has a "house"/cage. she is feed at the same time and such but yet, she definatley is very protective of her home and all of us here (4) family members. When we have house guests thats where the issues take place, the barking, the glares, the agression and so on... I want her to protect us but I refuse to loose my home and such to a four legged animal suggestions??????????

Answer 1

Yikes! Sounds like you have a huge problem there. I have an American bulldog/Pit bull mix, and he's never aggressive. The sad truth is, some pits no matter their great upbringing, can exhibit terrible aggression.

The reason bad traits are being purposely breed back into them, are for meaner, big bad pit bulls. Even if you got your dog from a good breeder, you still don't know if he received good or bad traits.

First off, until you get the aggression under control, keep your dog away from all guests. It is not harmful at all for your dogs mentality, to be outside while guests are present. I have 2 wolves I always put outside when I have guests. I know they wouldn't intentionally hurt people, but they are VERY strong, and get too excited when guests are present. Plus, just because I know my dogs wouldn't hurt anyone, doesn't give me the right to parade scary, intimidating animals in their face.

Second, you must regain the 'alpha' roll. Dogs can see kindness for weakness, and assume the top role, because you are a pushover.

Ways to attain and maintain the 'alpha' role are......
Always eat first, and do not share. Alpha dogs always eat first. Once you are done with your food then feed your dogs. If your dog is in your chair or a comfy seat, make him get on the floor and take his seat. Never let your dog sleep on your bed. With a normal dog that knows their place, this is okay. However, your dog is too dominate to enjoy this luxury and must not be allowed to sleep in the bed.

When your dog is in a dominate stance, or is acting aggressively, you must force him to submit to you. Dogs must at all times, know their place in the pack. So it's time to take him down a notch.

This is the best submissive pose for any bully breed. Take him by the collar and put your other hand on his back. Make him lay down. Next roll him onto his back, and put one hand on his chest,(to hold him there), and take the other hand and make it into a claw. Then put your clawed hand onto his cheek, or side of the neck. (use pressure, but don't hurt him, just firm) Now you need to stare directly into his eyes, until he looks away. He just submitted to you. Keep doing that for a few more seconds, then let him up.

Aside from these things you can do at home that would help establish dominance, you might need to think about other things you can do. Training would be great, because then your dog would understand what you want from him. That will also give him an outlet for his boredom. Just like a child, if a dog is taught, how to act, their much more pleasant to be around.

Pit bulls are amazing dogs. There's no other breed like them. Their capable of giving such affection, joy, and happiness. But....Make no mistake about it, they can really do some damage. Fortunately, you've recognized the need to solve the problem.

Good luck with your dog.
Remember to be consistent with whatever training you deem necessary.

Answer 2

You need to watch the dog whisperer and learn techniques as you should make sure you really read up on pit bulls before the purchasing of one I have 2 they are time consuming and need to be in the right enviorment and take them to training class that is the best ! It may be expensive but put time into your animal and the money if you can't afford training classes get rid of the dog because it Will just confuse her and make her a more aggressive dog and when you try to correct her later she will be on the attack and not care!!! Good training classes start at $250.00 per session!!!

Answer 3

Oh boy, I agree with Lori R. A properly trained & bred bully should NEVER show signs of aggression towards humans, they are one of the few breeds specifically bred to NOT to do that. I have had 3 Bullies so far & none of them have ever shown human aggression. But it does sound like someone gave her the right attention at the wrong time. Find a trainer who specializes with aggressive dogs, read as much as you can about Pits, & remember that Not everyone needs a Pit Bull, but every Pit Bull needs someone.

Answer 4

A properly bred, properly trained Pit Bull should be extremely human friendly. Should welcome everyone as a friend. At 7-months, should definitely NOT be protective.

My suspicion is that when your pup first growled (in a moment of slight fear), rather than correcting her with a harsh tone of voice, you mildly admonished her, "Now, now, sweety, please don't growl at our friends. You know they are nice people, please don't be naughty, sweet heart."

This tone told her you LIKED her attitude to the 'strangers'. So the next time strangers came over, she repeated her actions, to please you, and, lo and behold, you again repeated your gentle discouragements.

IMO, you should really get professional training help. If this girl, at her very tender age, is displaying this behavior, she needs to be IMMEDIATELY corrected. It seems that the members of your family are not up to the task at this point of your knowledge of dogs.

For your dog's sake, for your friend's sake, for the sake of the possible loss of your home (just ask some people who've been sued after a severe dog bite...), get help on getting this dog trained properly.

Answer 5

Natural aggression in Pit Bulls in not common, in fact, Pit Bulls are usually not a dog that one would buy, and expect to guard their home. Whoever you bought your Pitty from, must have instilled some form of aggression in her... before you bought her. Now that she has that aggression, she needs to be taught that her aggression is not appropriate. Take your Pitty to a dog obedience class.

Answer 6

Get rid of the pitbull and invest your time in a more reliable breed, or start socializing your pitbull with other human contact besides your immediate family. Is this breed really worth loosing your home to if she were to ever attack anyone, you could be in debt for the rest of your life...especially if she ever took a life herself!

I don't trust pitbulls at all, they can be very protective over their own territory and are always in the news about how unpredictable an untrained pit can be.

Answer 7

My pit bull welcomes everyone in the house like they are offering him a steak dinner. He shows no aggession, yet alot of people are scared of him just for what he is. What other breed is she mixed with? Maybe she has that breeds traits!