Training an American Pitbull Puppy
Pitbulls require assertive owners who are adamant of being the leaders in their households. Laid back owners who can’t be bothered to work with the dog in obedience training, should rethink their decisions to getting a Pitbull.
Pitbulls want to be the dominant entity in the home and without a strong leader; the family and home will be in chaos and under the control of the dog. It’s vital that any Pitbull owner establish themselves as the alpha early and often to avoid any potential problems. For this reason, the Pitbull is not recommended for first time dog owners. It takes an experience, patient, and special owner to train this dog properly.
All training should be done in a positive way. Harsh and physically abusive techniques will only cause the Pitbull to balk or protect himself. Indeed, dogs do have the same fight or flight instinct that humans have. Positive training techniques using praise and treats work best for Pitbulls. Balancing that treatment with the firm hand necessary to remain the alpha is quite tricky. It takes a special type of person to train a Pitbull right, but they will have a perfect companion for life.
Every dog has their own quirks and traits, and each of them has a personality that can be considered unique. Pitbull dogs can vary from headstrong, willful dogs to sweet, gentle giants. There’s no rule set in stone as to how these dogs behave, but one thing’s for sure: socialization and training play the crucial role in their temperament.
If a Pitbull has been treated unkindly and been taught that aggression is a desirable trait, it will take a lot to rehabilitate them. However, if you take a Pitbull and start with positive reinforcement training and socialization early in their life, there’s no reason why they would become violent or moody. In fact, a lot of these dogs are therapy or service dogs and can learn to become the sweetest companions to humans in need. It all comes down to environment, making it clear that the so called “dangerous” Pitbulls that earned such horrible reputations were the result of abusive homes.
As a blank canvas, Pitbulls defy the stigma that surrounds them. Not only that they’re not naturally aggressive, but they’re affectionate, smart, and quite goofy. Their lovable temperament really shines through when they have the right person by their side.
