Raising and training a pit bull, how to properly pump up a dog at home

The muscular American Pit Bull Terrier at first glance gives the impression of a stern and cruel dog. Many people associate it with crime news reports about fighting dogs that indiscriminately bite passers-by and are capable of not only tearing apart a small dog, but also biting a person to death.

Pit bull training: rules and features

However, the character of this breed is formed in the process of education, so the owner can raise both an aggressive fighting dog and an affectionate pet from a puppy. The second option is the most popular among dog breeders, as it is the most humane to the pet and the people around it. Training a pit bull is painstaking and hard work, which is rewarded by the appearance of a loyal and friendly pet.

Description of the breed: appearance and character

Pit bulls are considered one of the most mysterious breeds. They were bred after crossing a terrier with a bulldog. The result was powerful, fast, strong and with lightning-fast reactions. An adult dog becomes a good bodyguard and watchman. Modern pit bulls are still paying for their bad reputation in the past: in several European countries the breeding of this breed is strictly prohibited. In other countries they are perceived with caution, looking with horror at their pumped up muscles, furious grin and wild look. Only a few refuse to believe this myth of a killer animal.

Pit bulls were created by crossing a terrier with a bulldog.

But under the evil mask created by unfair stereotypes, there is a loyal and affectionate dog. If the owner takes up the upbringing with all his heart and responsibility, he will raise a good friend, and in the absence of upbringing, even the sweetest puppy will turn into an inadequate monster.

External characteristics of the breed:

height at withers up to 50 cm;
weight - from 15 to 27 kg;
the body is strong, toned, the skin tightly fits strong muscles;
the muzzle is small, rectangular, wide in the forehead area;
the coat is short and harsh;
the color can be any;
ears can be cropped at the owner's request;
the tail is shortened, set low, wide at the beginning and narrow at the tip.

Breed standards are clearly described, but allow a wide range of some characteristics.

Dog trainers do not recognize the breed internationally, so breed standards are not particularly limited. It is acceptable for a puppy to develop to any height and any shape. A pit bull can get all the documents, including a pedigree. There is even more information about the characteristics of the breed and its care in a special article on our website.

Training at 3 months. Socialization

Correct formation of the nervous system

This must be done very carefully, gradually, over and over again increasing the time spent in noisy places, so as not to overload the puppy or frighten him.

A city puppy must grow up in the city, in conditions that are saturated with external stimuli, such as: noisy streets, large crowds of people, other animals, birds, cyclists, cars, etc.

Meeting people and dogs

Puppy behavior on the street

The emergence of new places leads to new rules that need to be consolidated:

Recommended: How to Train Your Dog to Play Dead on Command

Training and practicing commands

Why is it important to properly raise pit bulls from puppyhood?

Selectors try not to use aggressive puppies for further breeding. Despite this, it is important to raise a dog with dignity so that in the future psychological qualities that are dangerous to humans do not creep into its character.

Important! Do not encourage the desire to bite and other aggressive actions of the puppy, create comfortable conditions for the pet for further development and everyday life. This is the only way to raise a calm, friendly and devoted friend.

How to choose an obedient puppy?

In order for upbringing to improve immediately and training to be successful, it is important for the owner to choose the right puppy. After all, it is almost impossible to rehabilitate a naturally aggressive child, a cowardly puppy will be afraid of active games, and an underdeveloped puppy will not be able to handle training and physical activity. When choosing a puppy, you need to look at all sides. It happens that the owner and the puppy immediately show mutual interest in each other. In this case, you don’t have to think for long.

Pit bull puppies

Table 1. Characteristics to look for when choosing a Pit Bull Terrier

Parameter	Appearance	Color	Character	Floor
Boy	Girl
What should you pay attention to?	A well-developed baby should have a small head, straight, strong paws, and a slightly noticeable hump at the withers.	The most valuable pit bull terriers are those of the same color: gray, brown, black, white	The baby should not behave fearfully or viciously - hide from guests behind “mother” or attack a person and start biting	the qualities of a security guard are more noticeable; you don’t have to bother with matings, childbirth and estrus	more intelligent and affectionate; don't mark territory

Before you start searching for a seller, you need to decide on the purpose for which you are buying a pit bull. If as a pet, just choose a puppy you like. But, if participation in exhibitions and performances is expected, and the pet should bring only gold medals, the choice must be approached with special care:

Examine the dog's parents, get acquainted with the documents. Parents must be healthy and adequate individuals.
Do not buy an animal on the market or from private breeders. You should contact kennels where dogs are kept in decent conditions and vaccinated. A seller found through a private advertisement can easily deceive the buyer.
Monitor the price and analyze. If the cost is very low, then perhaps the buyer is offered a mestizo - a cross with a mongrel or other dog.

The price of a puppy also depends on its age: the older the animal, the cheaper it is sold. It happens that animals at the age of 6 months are given away for practically nothing. It is very difficult to retrain a dog at this age, and the owner will have to put a lot of effort into training it.

Important! You cannot choose a pit bull based on a photograph: you need to come to the kennel in person, or better yet, several times to make sure that you have made the right choice. The breeder socializes the puppies very early, so already at 2 months the difference in character becomes apparent. It becomes clear how the puppy will grow up - angry or affectionate, friendly or withdrawn.

Preparation for purchase

Before the puppy appears in the house, it is necessary to create a pleasant, comfortable environment for him. The baby needs to allocate his own corner where the bed will stand. It is better to place it in the far corner of the room away from radiators and drafts. You need to prepare the following items:

two bowls - for water and food. First, simple ones are taken; when the dog grows up, metal bowls on a stand are purchased;
dry food, if such a diet is expected;
a diaper where the puppy will pee. An oilcloth or rubberized mat should be placed under it so as not to spoil the covering on the floor. At first, the baby will do his business in the apartment, so you need to teach him to perform the ritual in a certain place;

Diapers for puppies

collar and strong leash. There is no need to prepare a muzzle, because the puppy’s muzzle will still grow. They buy it for an already grown-up pet and take the puppy out for a walk only in a muzzle, because many people are afraid of pit bulls due to established stereotypes about aggressiveness;
rubber toys, bones, ropes. The puppy needs to constantly chew on something to scratch the gums under the teething teeth;

The puppy chews on various objects

cage or carrier. As a rule, newbies are frightened by the prospect of locking a puppy in a crate, but this is, first of all, to protect property and the pet itself. The puppy may chew on the owner's things, find a bottle of toxic cleaning substance, drink it, or lick the socket.

The baby's access area should be cleared of wires, fragile or expensive items. Pit bulls quickly get used to the fact that they are only allowed to chew on toys, but at first they all try to test their teeth.

Pit Bull Terriers love to drop things and see what happens.

When should you start training pit bulls?

You can start working with a puppy from the age of four weeks . At this age, puppies begin a period of socialization. It is very important not to miss this time, especially when training pit bulls, since the pit bull was originally used in dog fighting and aggression was cultivated in it. At this time, you need to introduce the puppy to as many people, dogs, and situations as possible. Do not neglect this advice; it is extremely important for your future comfortable life with your pit bull.

We recommend showing your puppy different types of transport (car, bus, trolleybus, train...) and different surfaces (ground, grass, concrete, sand, water...). Perhaps in the future you will want to take your pet on vacation, go to exhibitions or sporting events. In this case, the dog will not be stressed when the environment changes. We also recommend feeding the puppy in different places (at home, outside...) and from different objects (bowl, floor...).

Four weeks of age is the ideal time to start training. Don't start training by learning commands. All you need at this age is to show the puppy that the best place in the world is next to you . It will be just ideal if you can give all the food to the dog from your hands, and not from a bowl. Play with the puppy and praise him. If in the future you plan to engage in sports with a dog, then it is extremely difficult to overestimate the importance of proper play with a puppy.

Basic rules of education and training

Good parenting is based on two main rules:

Subsequence. A prohibition stated once must always be maintained. It shouldn’t happen that today a puppy was forbidden to chew on the owner’s old slipper, and tomorrow they had mercy and gave it to be torn to pieces. If the dog is prohibited from jumping on the table, then this becomes a permanent rule. If good behavior is rewarded, then it should always be so.
Consistency. Affects the animal’s regime: the owner establishes control over the pet’s regime, and it must be constant. The dog eats, walks, and goes to bed at the same time every day. This is not only convenient for the owner, but also very important for the dog’s health.

Teams should be perceived as an element of the game. During walks and games with the owner, the puppy learns to stand, sit, lie down, spin around its axis and perform various tricks. This is the only way to channel the irrepressible energy of a pit bull terrier into an innocent and useful direction.

Pitbull puppy on a walk

Nuances of training:

If the puppy begins to show aggression, he is turned over and allowed to lie on his back for a few seconds. This position is submissive and will quickly remind the puppy who is the leader.
Before the start of classes, the baby needs to be taken for a walk so that he can concentrate on understanding the orders.
Every week you need to learn one unfamiliar trick or order, consolidating the exercises you have already completed at the end of the lesson.
After correctly performing the command, the four-legged animal is sure to be praised in a gentle voice and given a favorite treat.

Important! Pit bull terriers should be allowed to run without a leash, but only in fenced or deserted areas. This is especially true for puppies under 4 months. Before releasing your pet, you need to make sure that no one is on the premises.

Pitbull listens attentively to its owner during training

How should an owner behave during training?

Serious demands are placed not only on the pet, but also on the behavior of its owner. The owner must remember that he is a good friend and guarantor of protection for his pet. At the same time, he is an authority figure who should be the undisputed leader for an energetic dog. This idea must be instilled in the dog from an early age. To emphasize the position of the dominant, the owner is recommended to:

Always enter the room first, leading the dog with you.
When walking, keep your baby on a leash and lead him only next to you, not allowing him to run ahead. An adult dog is allowed to walk without a collar only in a place where there are no people, preferably in a vacant lot.
Give the puppy as much attention as possible. They love affection and care.
Under no circumstances should you raise your hand to an animal; it is strictly forbidden to shout or hit. The pit bull will sense anger and respond in kind.
When first introduced into the family, do not leave pita with pets or children. They can offend the baby without even noticing it, but the situation will affect the character.

The Pit Bull Terrier is a born extrovert, so the owner must communicate a lot with the pet, give it affection and love until the last days of its life.

Video - Little housewife trains pit bull Ricci

What you need to teach your dog and how to do it correctly

First of all, you can teach your pet to jump in order to get a treat. If the puppy instinctively tries to get to the owner's face or neck, it is necessary to stop his actions.

To do this, you should give the command “Fu” or “No”, give a treat for alternative behavior . If a pit bull is not taught to restrain its emotions, as it matures, it will begin to jump on people while walking.

If you disobey, you can pull the leash.

During walks, starting from 5-6 months, pit bulls will begin to show character and pull the owner along with them . It is necessary to wean the puppy from such disobedience. It should be remembered that it is difficult to keep an adult. The reason why a dog starts to pull on the leash is because the owner is behaving incorrectly.

For training you must follow the following rules::

at the beginning of the walk, the leash should not be tight, it can be loose;
it is necessary to periodically force the dog to turn in the desired direction with the help of treats;
while moving, you need to communicate with your pet, encourage obedience, give commands with your voice and gestures;
when the pit bull begins to pull on the leash, you need to stop and turn around in the opposite direction - the dog must understand that wayward behavior leads to stopping the walk.

How to raise a pit bull adequate and healthy?

In order for a pit bull terrier to grow up adequate and healthy, it is necessary to work daily on its future. This is long and painstaking work, so the owner needs to be patient. A happy future rests on three axioms, which both the dog and the owner must get used to following every day.

Axiom 1. Touch your dog's nose regularly.

It may sound fun, but only at first glance. Your pit bull's nose should be cold and damp. A warm and dry nose indicates problems in the body, which can be quite serious, and your pet should be taken to the doctor immediately. A sick pet is passive and refuses games and food. His eyes may water. Over time, the owner will determine at first glance whether his four-legged friend is healthy or sick.

Axiom 2. Control your diet

The Pit Bull Terrier should not be hungry after eating, but it should not be overfed either. The food must be properly balanced and given daily according to the established schedule.

Important! To find food that will help your puppy grow healthy and strong, consult your veterinarian. He will develop a diet that meets the individual needs of the pet. Perhaps it will be dry food containing microelements and vitamins.

Axiom 3. Daily training

By nature, pit bulls are calm, they easily learn commands, but require constant repetition. If commands are not practiced daily, they become aggressive and uncontrollable.

Features of the American Pit Bull Terrier breed

Currently, dog owners note the friendliness and playfulness of their pets. Representatives of this breed are very smart and excellent protectors. The pit bull treats its owner as a friend and ally, and is a very loyal and obedient pet.

For your information! Pit bulls, like bull terriers, are very touchy and can take revenge over time.

Where to start learning?

It is very important to walk your pit bull twice a day for 2 hours. Walks should be energetic, athletic, with a lot of running and physical activity. If, while playing with other animals on the playground, the puppy becomes overexcited and loses control, it is better to go home. Otherwise, he will start attacking other dogs. For him this will be an element of the game, but animals not accustomed to such behavior will be afraid.

Walks are a necessary part of raising a dog.

Training begins with the simplest commands:

the pet learns to respond to its name;
sit, lie down, approach the owner;
if a puppy tries to bite the owner, he says “No!” and stops the game: the baby must get used to the fact that there will be an immediate response to his bad behavior;
endurance training: the command “Wait!”, which the owner tells the puppy, and he remains waiting, no matter where they are.

The last point is an important element of training, especially for a pet with a complex character. The pit bull has a very good memory, so he easily remembers commands and tricks. He can be taught a variety of tricks, not limited to the standard ones. He learns as he plays, but he always learns a new trick after he has completely mastered the previous one.

Important! If the owner is unable to subdue his energetic pit bull even at the initial stage of training, he should contact a professional. Otherwise, a dog left without training will pose a real threat to others due to its incredible physical strength.

Pit bull terrier walks without a leash with its owner

Teaching discipline at home and outside

It is important to instill in the Pit Bull Terrier rules of behavior that he must not violate under any circumstances. They concern:

street toilet. It is necessary to take the baby outside regularly. Explain where they are allowed to go to the toilet, for example, on the grass. If your pet makes a mistake, you need to explain to him again where he can do his business. Be sure to explain calmly and without cruelty;
home toilet. There is a place in the house for the toilet; it is better to use disposable diapers for this. They can be a salvation for a puppy if the owner is late at work and does not have time for a walk;
using a leash. You need to accustom your puppy to a leash from the age of two months and wear it on every walk. The owner holds the leash pulled back so that the puppy walks next to the owner or slightly behind. If the four-legged animal begins to jump or pull the belt, a clear command is pronounced, for example, “Back!” or “You can’t!” If you do not train your pet to do this in time, an adult pit bull will be able to break free and run away. The pit bull must obey even when the leash is loose. If your pet allows you to not pull on the leash, praise him and give him a treat;

If your pet makes a mistake, you need to explain to him again where he can do his business.

rules of the game. It is necessary to teach the dog that during active games it is forbidden to bite the owner. He must get used to the fact that biting people is bad while he is still a puppy. If the dog bites, you should scream and leave for a while, returning only after 15-20 minutes. This is how the baby understands that because of his behavior the game stops. Another way to stop biting is to buy your puppy a lot of toys for him to chew on. This will redirect his energy.

During training, you need to focus not on the result, but on the learning process itself. This will allow the puppy to better understand what the owner wants to achieve from her. It is imperative to reward your pet for following even the simplest commands - this will instill in the dog trust in the owner and reduce the level of aggression.

Training a pitbull puppy at 4 - 5 months

By this time, the American Pit Bull Terrier puppy has already become accustomed to your home and usual walking areas, and no longer needs your support and care so much. Therefore, he begins, flirting with other dogs, pretending that he does not hear you when you call him, and showing a certain persistence and disobedience when executing various commands.

This means it’s time to move on to full training . In classes at this age you can already be persistent and demanding. At the same time, the most important thing is not to overdo it, remember that classes should bring joy to both you and your dog, and only then will you be able to achieve the desired result.

What commands are practiced by an American Pit Bull Terrier puppy at 4 months:

Calm movement next
to the owner with and without a leash, with landing when stopping, with a change in pace and direction of movement
Return to you
upon request
Staying
in a free or certain position (sitting, lying, standing) for a long time: if necessary, wait for the owner on the street, when visiting a store or other establishment
Indifferent attitude towards treats scattered on the ground
Inhibitory command
to stop unwanted actions
Execution of a set of commands “sit”, “lie down”, “stand”
at a distance and near the leg, when giving commands by voice and gestures
Stop barking
on demand.

Let's start serious training

The powerful body of a pit bull simply “screams” that the dog is created for sport. A representative of the breed will be happy to engage in agility , a sport involving overcoming many obstacles and competitions. Such activities train muscle strength, agility, endurance and intelligence well.

Pit bull in agility

However, if the owner does not intend to connect the pet’s life with professional sports, this does not mean that one can forget about supporting muscle definition and activity. It is necessary to fully load the dog, for example:

ride a bike with her: the pet will happily run after the owner;
swim with your pet;
play ball or Frisbee;
walk a lot in the forest and in areas with obstacles.

Full-fledged weightlifting can be included in the upbringing of a pet, starting from one to one and a half years old. You should first show your dog to the veterinarian. The doctor will explain which exercises are available to the animal and which are prohibited.

Jogging with a cyclist owner

So, due to certain diseases, certain exercises may be contraindicated for pit bulls. For example, for a dog weighing more than 40 kg, only calm walking over long distances is suitable. They should not jump or run to avoid heart or paw problems. The reason lies in the special structure of the body of large dogs.

Frisbee game

Training in endurance

It is recommended to accustom your dog to the art of endurance from 3-5 months. The puppy must learn to patiently wait for the owner or orders from him. To start training you will need:

take a leash and your baby’s favorite treats;
Go for a walk with your pit bull.

You need to start training after the baby has had enough exercise. The principles of the lessons are presented in the table below.

Table 2. Algorithm for training endurance in a pit bull terrier

Puppy's starting position	Standing, lying, sitting.
What should you achieve?	The puppy must remain in a given state for as long as possible, even if the owner moves a long distance
End of the exercise	A successful end to the training is when the puppy approaches the owner only after his permission command
Promotion	Be sure to praise the puppy and give him a treat if he sits still.

Learning process:

It’s easier to start training from a lying position. When the puppy sits near the owner’s left leg, you need to give the command “Lie down!” and make sure that the dog lies down for at least 20 seconds. Then you need to praise the baby and play with him a little, take a break from the training;
After a few minutes, put the puppy down again and let him lie there for about 40 seconds. Praise again and interrupt;

Executing the command “Lie down!”

in this mode, you need to continue training until you reach 1-2 minutes of quiet lying;
if the dog does not obey and tries to run away, you need to pronounce the order louder and in a more stern tone. Then pull the leash to return the pet to its original position;
when the dog gets used to this variation, you can change the position to sitting or standing. The principle is still the same - to ensure that the animal remains calm in the selected state for as long as possible.

Once mastered, the exercise can be made more difficult. The owner gives an order and gradually moves away from the dog, without giving a treat. If the pet was contained and did not run after the owner, praise and give a treat; if not, repeat until the command is mastered.

Basic mistakes

Many inexperienced dog breeders make mistakes, which will result in, at a minimum, bad manners and stubbornness of the pet. In the worst case, you can disrupt the psycho-emotional state of the dog.

To prevent negative consequences, you should familiarize yourself with what not to do while training a pit bull.:

Train your puppy in public places and noisy areas. External stimuli will constantly distract the dog, which is why it will not be able to concentrate on the owner’s commands.
Say the pet's name before announcing the command. In such a situation, the dog will follow the order only after it hears its name.
Use physical punishment. You should not resort to violence not only to develop a reflex when a command prohibits actions, but throughout the entire training. Pain can destroy the relationship between the animal and the owner, causing mistrust and aggression in the pet towards its owner. In some cases, the pit bull will become afraid of people and training.
Give your pet a treat until the command is completed.
Saying things too loudly. The dog may perceive the exclamation as dissatisfaction and refuse to follow the command.
Give a prohibiting command or “Near” without any influence (for example, jerking the leash). The dog may not understand what is required of it.
After executing the “Come to me” command, fasten the leash to the collar and go home. The exclamation will be the signal for the pit bull that the walk ends. Therefore, the dog will stop listening to the owner.

IMPORTANT!

Pit bull puppies are highly trainable, so owners can cope without the help of a dog handler.

At the same time, inexperienced dog breeders may not be able to cope with such a stubborn breed . Beginners who are not confident in their own abilities are advised to turn to specialists so as not to harm themselves and the animal.

Preparing for the hunt

Due to its great strength, endurance and agility, the Pit Bull Terrier is a good hunting partner. It reacts with lightning speed to prey and can hold even large animals for a long time. City dwellers rarely have the opportunity to go out into the forest to hunt, so you can train your pit bull at home so that its hunting spirit does not disappear.

City dwellers can train a pit bull at home

For training you will need the skin of some small animal and a long stick. The algorithm is as follows:

show the future trophy to the hunter, let him smell it;
tie the skin to a stick;
command “Take!” and raise the skin above the pet’s head so that it reaches out to it and barks;
raise the stick high, you can do this near a tree - it will be easier for the hunter to get it;
After a few minutes of this “hunt”, give the prey to the dog: let him pat it a little.

Important! Do not forget to encourage the animal in the process: it is very important for pitas that their owner is proud of them.

Power training

Weightpulling has become widespread among pit bull terrier breeders - these are sports activities that involve moving heavy weights over medium or long distances. The phenomenal endurance and power of the breed’s representatives allows in this way to train not only the dog’s muscular frame, but also to consolidate already learned commands. This strength activity is included in training when the dog reaches one and a half years old. At home, you can use an ordinary car tire as sports equipment. You can equip it with special wind-pulling equipment. This is a kind of harness that is attached to an animal with a wheel already on it. Sold in specialized departments.

Video - Pit bull training

The essence of the lesson:

the dog pulls the tire on itself, training its muscles;
the tire clings to rocks and uneven surfaces, the dog overcomes this braking and develops endurance;
During this, it is permissible to practice simple commands that have already been learned by the pet: “Come to me!”, “Bring it!”.

Weightlifting for dogs

You can also build a finish line where your pet’s favorite toy or owner will be waiting with a treat. Then the dog will try to cover the distance as quickly as possible.

Let's talk a little about the characteristics of pit bulls

It's no secret that the pit bull, or American pit bull terrier, was previously used in dog fighting, and therefore society is very wary of representatives of this breed. Their history can be traced back to the 19th century, when pit bull terriers were used for bull baiting in England, Ireland, and Scotland.

It was a dog that was supposed to attack large animals . Then, dogs began to be used in dog fighting. Now pit bulls are used for protection, they are successfully used for herding livestock. Representatives of this breed successfully perform in sporting competitions. But of course, due to the specific nature of their use, these dogs have some peculiarities in their upbringing.

Pet socialization

Pit Bull Terriers are extroverts and are designed to be social. For the best results, they need to be taught to communicate with their peers from an early age, although adult pets can be taught to be friendly. In order for the puppy to get used to communication, you need to:

Take him for a walk where other dogs gather. Some breeders advise enrolling your pet in training courses: there he will not only learn commands, but also get to know other puppies.
Introduce your pet to the neighbor's puppies. You can do this on a walk with potential friends, but only in a neutral place so that one of the pets does not start defending its territory. It may take about a week to get through the dating stage.
Keep your pet under control when interacting with other animals. If you leave everything to chance, the dog may become overexcited from active play, attack the new friend to play, and inadvertently scare him.
If the puppies liked each other when they met, you can allow the pit bull to sniff the new acquaintances. During the process, the puppies must stand so that the pit bull is not in visual contact with the dog. If one of the dogs tenses and tries to rise on its paws, it is better to separate them to the sides.
You need to teach your pit bull puppy to socialize with other dogs from an early age.
Games without a leash. After a successful sniff, you can allow your pet to play with another puppy without a leash. It is better that one pet has a strap and the other does not. The games take place in a fenced area, from where unnecessary objects (toys, bones) must be removed, because the animals may quarrel over them. If the game is comfortable, you can release the second dog if the owners are nearby and control the process.
An overly sensitive pet. If, when playing without leashes, the pit bull becomes overexcited and begins to attack too actively, pick it up in advance. For example, you notice that 20 minutes after playing the puppy behaves inappropriately. Therefore, next time, pick him up 15 minutes after the start of the walk.
A pit bull that is constantly overexcited in the company of other dogs may not enjoy socializing at all. In such cases, it is better to provide the pet with its own space where it can play alone, and not force it to make friends with animals if it does not want to.

Video - Socialization of a pitbull puppy

Important! Just in case, take a spray bottle with you when going for a walk with other dogs. If your pit bull gets too aggressive or something doesn't go according to plan, spray him.

Pit bull terrier communicates with a small dog

Communication with children

When the pit bull terrier is already accustomed to the basics of good behavior, knows how to follow commands and obey the owner, you can teach him to communicate with children. To do this, the dog must trust the owner, feel comfortable in a number of situations and perform well in socialization with animals.

Pit Bull Terriers love to play with children, but it takes some getting used to

You shouldn’t let a pit bull near children too early: it can actually attack the baby and bite. It’s worth holding off on introductions if the owner is not sure that the pet is ready to behave with dignity in any situation.

Important! Pit bull terriers love to play with children, but it takes some getting used to. The belief that representatives of the breed cannot tolerate children is another myth. However, if you often walk with children, but the pit bull is not used to them, you will have to give up the pet.

Chatting with strangers

If the owner intends to teach the pet to communicate with strangers, for example, guests often come to the house or the dog will have to travel frequently, the dog needs to trust the owner unconditionally. You must go through the entire training cycle and raise your child with dignity before allowing him to see people. During training, you need to follow this algorithm:

Invite a person who is unfamiliar to the dog and with whom you have undergone preliminary training. The guest must know how to behave so that the dog does not get angry.
The visitor should not touch the dog, come close to it or look directly into its eyes. The person should act as if he does not notice the dog's presence, moving slowly around the apartment.
“Ignoring” will give the pit bull the opportunity to sniff the unfamiliar person and get used to his presence.

There may be several such “excursions”. When the dog behaves calmly around strangers, they can get closer to him. But the owner should always be nearby.

Video - Puppy, games, children, strangers and control

Training scheme

The main task of the owner is not to train the animal through violence and fear. Strong pressure can destroy not only partnerships and trust, but also the pet’s psyche .

As a result, the dog owner may experience outbursts of aggression and disobedience. A person should teach a puppy basic commands before the age of 6 months.

The dog must be familiarized with the norms of behavior, otherwise, with the onset of adolescence, it will be more difficult to re-educate it and show itself as a leader.

Before familiarizing yourself with the training scheme, you need to familiarize yourself with the behavior pattern of a pit bull at different periods of life.:

From 1 to 3 months . The puppy explores the world around him and learns social skills. A young pit bull copies the behavior of people or other pets in the house, so during this period it is easy to build friendly, trusting relationships and raise the animal correctly.
From 4 to 5 months . The dog begins to understand that the world is not limited to home and walks in the parks. At this age, there is a high risk that the pet will try to escape. Therefore, it is necessary to walk your pit bull only in familiar areas, wearing a collar with a leash or harness. Adolescence sets in, which can cause the dog to become stubborn and ignore its owner's commands. During this period, it is worth teaching the animal prohibitive commands, the orders “Sit” and “Come to me”.
From 6 to 8 months . During adolescence, basic commands must be learned. At this time, it is necessary to complete the training of the pit bull, consolidate the acquired knowledge and eliminate gaps in education.

Next, you can study in detail the training scheme for pit bulls, starting from puppyhood. Moreover, after learning a certain command, you need to repeat it regularly so that the dog does not forget its meaning.

To learn and consolidate the acquired skills, it is worth conducting short, regular training sessions. They are much more effective than irregular and long-term training .

Tips for raising a Pit Bull Terrier

In order for the upbringing to be successful, and for the pit bull to grow up healthy and joyful, the owner should listen to 6 important tips:

Remember: dogs live in the here and now. If the owner praises or scolds him, he is convinced that the reason is his actions at the moment. Therefore, there is no point in blaming the puppy for old misdeeds. For example, if you find a pogrom committed at home a few hours ago, there is no need to furiously wake up the culprit, who has been sleeping in his rightful place for a long time. He will be sure that he was punished for his careless sleep.
Never change already established rules. So, if yesterday the pet was not allowed to sleep in the owner’s bed, then today/tomorrow/any other day this should also be prohibited. No matter how much he wanted it. Otherwise, the dog will get used to begging, and this will be difficult to change.
The pit bull remembers actions that bring rewards and repeats them. And this applies not only to learning commands. For example, if a dog is howling in a cage and the owner lets him out, the dog will perceive freedom as a reward. After this, she will howl constantly while in the cage. When rewarding your pet, make sure that you are rewarding an behavior that you would like to see in the future.
Remember: the pit bull terrier always strives to please its owners. A true educator simply needs to guide the dog, and he will continue to learn with pleasure. Forcing training will only intimidate the dog or teach it to become distracted, which will slow down the learning process.
There is no need to repeat the command several times in a row or raise your voice for no reason. This will not help the pit bull progress in training, because they hear perfectly. If the dog does not respond to commands, you should guide it and show it what the owner wants. Perhaps in such cases it is worth slowing down and going back to the basics in learning.
Patience and only patience! This is the main thing you can wish for the owner of a pit bull terrier. Not everything will go smoothly, but this does not mean that you need to stop training. The main thing is to be a confident owner who is always in a good mood during training.

Pitbull happily playing with a ball

Features of education

Under no circumstances should you encourage or support aggression in pit bulls. This applies to aggression towards both people and other animals.
Be sure to educate and train your pit bull.
Pay special attention to your dog's socialization.
Never leave your dog alone with small children or other animals.
Pit bulls do not tolerate cold well; carefully monitor their walking schedule in winter.
Be especially attentive to the dog while growing up; during the period of hormonal changes, they need especially enhanced control and discipline.

Personality of pit bull terriers

In the photo the dog breed is American Pit Bull Terrier.

Having not entirely peace-loving ancestors and having their own fighting history, pit bull terriers were known as vicious fighting dogs, unsuitable for other purposes. Is this really true?

For decades, selection work with the breed was aimed at cultivating the spirit of competition and readiness to fight in dogs, but at the same time it was considered unacceptable to show aggression towards people.

Yes, there is some anger in the blood of such dogs, but it is directed exclusively at other animals. As for people, American pit bull terriers are friendly and easy to make contact with. They love affection very much. Of course, with special diligence, you can develop hatred of a person in a dog, and this is quite easy to do. But it is not difficult to embitter a representative of almost any breed in this way.

Among the positive qualities of pit bulls are a keen mind, boundless courage and self-confidence. They often show themselves in dangerous situations, for example, saving people from fires, exposing themselves to bullets, protecting their families from robbers.

When participating in competitions, pit bull terriers show amazing performance and endurance. Possessing a huge amount of energy, they can play for hours without getting tired. In addition, they love it when their owner participates in their fun.

They do not have natural stubbornness; pit bulls respond with pleasure to tasks, performing any, even physically difficult, tasks. On the contrary, such actions are necessary for the good shape and psychological state of the pet.

Pit bull terriers have proven themselves well as companion dogs. They treat children well, allowing them to do various pranks. But, given the strength of dogs and the speed of their reactions, you still shouldn’t leave small children alone with such formidable animals.

Of course, dogs of this, as well as any other breed, have their own characteristics. Pit bull terriers are far from decorative dogs and require early training. It is necessary to stop their tendency to dominate even in puppyhood. The dog must understand that he is the boss here. Of course, with such genetic baggage and physical development, an improperly trained dog can become a dangerous weapon.

It is worth knowing that the increased activity of pit bull terriers requires constant long walks and intense exercise. Otherwise, the dog begins to find its own, not always acceptable, ways to release excess energy.

Since the times of fighting and hunting, the character of these dogs has been ingrained in their rejection of other animals. You should pay attention to this point, especially if you want to adopt a pit bull, but there are already other pets at home. Of course, this does not apply to all representatives of the breed; there are, and often are, exceptions, but you need to be prepared for this.