Pit Bulls Are An Excellent Choice For People Who Understand Dogs

Pit bulls have gotten a bad name because of late they have become popular with bad people. People who want to fight dogs have exploited one breed of dog after another for centuries. Within the last sixty years or so, we have seen these people ruin the reputation of German Shepherds, Dobermans, Rottweilers and now Pit Bulls.

The fact is, for a dog to be willing and able to be a fighting dog, it must be a very loyal, intelligent dog who will do absolutely anything to please its master. Meanness has nothing to do with it. It is eagerness to please that pre-disposes a dog to do something entirely foreign to its nature. Little do these loyal dogs know that if they lose the fights they are forced to fight, they will be killed or abandoned by the masters to whom they have tried to be loyal.

The dog that is commonly known as a Pit Bull started out as a "nanny dog" in England. This type of dog was bred to be loyal and protective of the children they were intended to watch over. They were trustworthy dogs that could always be depended upon. Unfortunately, the breed has been compromised by poor breeding practices and abuse.

Today shelters are overrun with Pit Bull type dogs. Most have been victims of abuse and/or neglect. It used to be thought that these dogs could not be rehabilitated, but now this belief is known to be false. These dogs are highly trainable and eager to please; however, it is best that they be placed with people who really understand dogs and know something about compassionate training.

Pit Bull types are active, strong-willed dogs. They need to know that the person who is in control is actually competent. They respond best to consistent, compassionate training techniques, and they need to be active.

If you are seeking a dog at a shelter, you should certainly give the pit bulls a chance. Most of them are gentle and trainable and will make a wonderful life companion for an active man or woman who is able and willing to participate in proper training and obedience classes.

The same goes for families with teens and older children. The right  Pit Bull can be the perfect pet for a family. As long as you can provide consistent, correct training and activity on a regular ongoing basis, you should not have any significant problems.

If you are looking for a dog that will lie around and not want to do much, a Pit Bull is probably not the right dog for you. When looking at dogs to adopt, be sure you take your time at the shelter. Visit with the dogs you have in mind and handle them. Make sure all members of your family meet the dogs you are considering. By taking care in selection and following through with good training and ample activity, you will surely have a successful match.

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Keeping Your Pit Bull Socialized And Friendly

Pit Bulls are naturally friendly dogs. They are smart, loyal and highly trainable. The key to having a friendly pit bull is to be friendly yourself. You must be a cheerful and loving pet parent in order to have a friendly and loving pet.

If you are a person who is not home much or who doesn't really want an active dog, you should not get a Pit Bull to begin with. Pit Bulls are active, athletic dogs who want to spend a lot of time with their people doing fun things. If you want a dog you can take on runs and bike rides and play Frisbee with, a Pit Bull is a good choice.

If you know quite a bit about dog psychology and are ready, willing and able to take your dog to obedience classes and maybe even agility classes, a Pit Bull is a good choice for you.

Pit Bulls are highly sociable, and they cannot abide being left alone and neglected. They tend to get anxious when left alone, and this can lead to problems like chewing and excessive barking. Just as with people, anxiety is generally a bad thing and can affect every area of your Pit Bull's life.

To be sure that your dog is not anxious and is confident and friendly, you need to spend time with him and make sure he is well socialized. Ideally, this should begin when your dog is a puppy. You should handle him and talk to him regularly and allow him to be a member of your family. Never crate him punitively or keep him separate from your family. If you do not want another family member, don't get a Pit Bull (or any other dog).

Take your puppy to the vet for a checkup as soon as is reasonably possible. If you can have the vet look him over before you make the final decision to adopt, that's best. If not, do it as soon as possible afterward. Be sure to keep your new family member up to date on all vaccinations. This is an important part of being ready for socialization.

When your puppy is old enough, take him or her to puppy classes. Many large pet stores offer these. Community centers also often have this type of class to offer. Follow this up by working with your puppy regularly and moving on to obedience classes once puppy classes are mastered.

Being well trained and well socialized helps your dog know how he is supposed to behave in public. If he is used to being around people and knows how to follow voice instructions, he will not be overly excited or anxious. He will be relaxed and friendly.

Even though we have mostly discussed puppies so far, it is important that you realize that an older Pit Bull can also be socialized. If you adopt a bully dog from a shelter or receive one in some other way, take your time to get to know the dog, get all vaccines and talk with your vet about appropriate training classes for your mature dog.

All dogs can be socialized with proper care and attention. It may take a little longer with a mature dog who may have bad experiences to overcome, but it can be done. Dedication, attention and affection are the keys to having a friendly Pit Bull or, indeed, a friendly dog of any breed.

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