Hi Everyone,
I was wondering if any of you have experience with raising, training pit
bulls.

We've just adopted one from the Humane Society and while I'm looking
into $$$ obedience training I'm hoping I can find some helpful advice to
carry me through until I find some proper local training.

Right now "Romeo" is NOT aggressive and quite friendly, however his
previous owners did not train him at all, and just left him alone in the
backyard.

Any specific training tips would be greatly appreciated. In the meantime
- I'm surfing the net printing everything I can get my hands of.

Thanks in advance for any advice you may offer.

Miss Puddin

Miss Puddin, I'm a Siberian Husky man...but I do have a few tips. What
you're doing is fine...as in surfin' the net...also there are good shows
on Animal Planet. In books, the best I've seen regardless of breed are
by a fella named Kohler..think that's the right spelling. He has a few
and has high credentials...check his stuff out!

Ive had dogs all my life and currently have a 14 yr old shepard/wolf
mix, go to the library and check out an Evelyn woodhouse book, shes got
excellent advice in dog training!

Thanks Mikey and Doc - Much appreciated.

More advice welcomed :)

check ur mail

hello missP...
I have a pitbull/lab mix....he found me when i was in dire need of a
friend... he has the best personality i have ever had in an animal....
I was worried cause of the pitbull in him.. but the only time that comes
out is if a cat is in the yard....he had the best demenor and is great
with all kids....
he has only peed on one person and i told them to get off my property
first((hahaha )) you should have seen the look of suprise when Rufus
hiked and peed on her..
hes a great "guard dog" although his bark is way more scary than his
bite cause he's NEVER bitten anyone...

he's great with other dogs too....

My advice would to be treat your pitbull with kindness and he/she will
be just as kind show him you love him and he will adjust with no
problems.. oh yeah.. get em fixed it seems to help lose the agressivness
in them...

oh yeah KEEP HIM STOCKED IN CHEW BONES!!! will keep him from chewing up
your stuff.. and i reccomend lids to 5gallon buckets for frisbees...
Rufus ate a regular frisbee in 2 bites once and that was a hefty vet
bill....(a spoon of canned pumpkin helped him pass it.. FYI it's a
natural laxitive to animals)

Thanks GreenEyed,
Actually - he has just been neutered.

I have 2 other dogs - a poodle and an american eskimo.

The pit is good with the other 2, however the poodle barks like mad and
the eskie bares his teeth at the pit.

The pit is just sniffing for now - no negative response.

MP

Reply: There is a difference between dogs called Pitbulls. You have to
go to library to get specifics. But I will give you a brief scenario as
to what at I have learned. Other pit owners can give u their version.
There is the pit that is more squatty and lower to the ground...more
tough looking, and then there is the American Staffordshire I think
which is bred in the USA. They are different from the squatty pit, and
the American Bull Terrier. But still considered a terrier. These dogs
are loyal, good companions, highly intelligent, strong, independent, and
fierce at times. I read somewhere that in ancient times, they were bred
to go into bear dens.....or something like that. I have had 2 American
Staffordshires, and while they are the most loyal companions, and good
family dogs, you have to keep your eye on them. They can be
unpredictable, taking a dislike to something. They can hate other dogs
with a passion, and it is equally worse for cats. Then, if one has
aggression, can hate any dog smaller that itself. My first AMS, Jake,
was not such a good watchdog, but he was a loyal protector. IF anyone
approached me, he would sit between my legs looking either direction for
the enemy. My present AMS, Cookie, does not do the above, but she is a
keen scenter, very agile, but very stubborn. She was a stray, with no
obedience training, and it has taken no less than going outdoors 10,000
times, repeating the same behavior of getting in her kennel with a
biscuit as reward, before she did it on her own. I went to a dog
trainer, and they recommended obedience first, agility training second.
That is as far as I have gotten. I hope this helps, and if you learn
anything else, please let me know.

Thanks Duffy,
Going by what you said, this probably is a staff then.... they called
it a pit... However, in Ontario they are trying to kill out the breed.
All have to be neutered or spade, wear a muzzle and cannot be younger
than 1 yr 9mos.

Any that aren't are being sent out of the province, or euthanized!

In Ontario, this applies to staffs, pits, everything that even looks
close to a pit, or is mixed with these breeds.

I have heard the government is being challenged in court now, regarding
these laws, but I don't know any details....

So thanks to everyone. Please continue to reply, or email me I
greatfully appreciate any help.

Kind regards,
MP

i have raised Pitt Bulls for the last ten years
they are the best disciplined dogs you could ever have,

heres a couple of tips
they will love you and become territorial to the area you keep them in
they do not pant to bring moisture down their noses like other dog s do
there fore tey can get heat stroke qoick so in the summer months you
have to make sure they have a cool place to rest and always plenty of
water

Now they are an animal capable of killing a grown man they have a
tremendous strenght that you have to controll
so you have to put the fear of your power into their minds
you should be harsh with punishment and always use a firm voice
and use good commands

always remember in the dog world it is instinct to be part of a pact
the biggest dog is the leader therefore always make sure you deal with
him where he has to look up to you never disipline him on an eyelevel he
will not respect that you are the leader

this also goes for children and any dog most children are eyelevel to
medium sized dogs and the dog will look to a child as nothing more than
a friend or foe, never leave a child with any dog unattended

good luck with your dog become his friend but make sure he knows you are
the boss at all times

very well said lisa.!!!!!!!!

MissPuddin: My sister has a 1/2 pitbull 1/2 ? from a no-kill shelter.
This dog was found abandoned at a trailer park, and she would not leave
her pups long enough to look for food for herself, so she was half
starved. She is the sweetest dog alive, and you could not ask for a more
loving pet. Good luck!