Sadly, the words 'Pit Bull Aggression' seem to be more and more common-place in today's society. Too many people are using pit bulls and other similar breeds as fighting dogs, giving them a bad, aggressive reputation that they certainly do not deserve. They are actually a very loyal, intelligent, people-loving breed that with the proper training, truly are man's best friend.
Owning a dog like a pit bull is not for every one. They are large, very strong, pack-driven animals that without a determined trainer can quite quickly be difficult to control. They have a real need to know and understand their place in a pack, so owners must immediately ascertain the alpha role in the house hold from puppy-hood and maintain this position throughout the dog's life. A dominant pit bull in a home can be extremely dangerous for everyone.
There are a variety of different methods to best train this breed so you have an obedient & loyal friend, but at the core of these is the importance that you assert your dominance from the beginning.
Clicker training is an incredibly fast & effective form of training your pit bull that will get you results! A small plastic and metal device is used for this and can be purchased for a few dollars from your local pet supplies store. Your dog initially associates the clicker with a food reward and then just the clicking sound with the fact they have done a good job. A click reinforces the behavior as a positive to them. It is an easy and inexpensive way of giving direct commands that make a stronger connection in your dog's mind than just verbal commands alone. This is because the clicker is a distinctive sound that will only ever be used as positive reinforcement in training. The sound of your voice is used constantly around your dog, so at times it is a lot harder for them to differentiate between certain commands and positive behaviors, than with the use of a clicker.
Obedience classes are another very beneficial way of successfully training your pit bull and should be attended at a young age. Your pit dog will not only learn how to respond to a variety of basic, but important commands, but also get the chance to socialize with a group of other puppies and dogs. This socialization at a young age is a must as it will alleviate a lot of aggression and dominance related issues you may otherwise face in the future. Lack of socialization is directly related to how aggressive or dominant a dog is. A lot of pit owners have these issues if they neglect to give their dog the chance to familiarize itself with other dogs and people while they are still a puppy.
Overall, consistency is key in all aspects of the best training techniques. An owner must always reinforce commands and positive behaviors. If your attitude starts to lapse at any stage, then so will your dogs, and all the hard work you have previously put in will go to waste. It can be very hard to get control back when this happens - but not impossible.
Pit Bulls make wonderful pets and when you put in the hard yards at the start of your relationship, the pay off you get from their friendship and loyalty in the long run far outweighs the time spent training them.
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