| The answer to this question: | | | | and get angry or protective of their food and toys. I |
| Absolutely...YES!!! | | | | suggest with more aggressive breeds, to keep food |
| Knowing that this breed of terrier has been bred for | | | | out on a regular basis, instead of scheduled feedings, |
| their sheer size and strength, they have been known | | | | as this will allow them to feel as though they have no |
| to be a prime breed for use in the dog fighting arena. | | | | reason to "protect" the food as it is always supplied. |
| However, the dogs used in the dog fighting arena | | | | My Motto: "It's all in the way you bring up your |
| have been socialized to be aggressive and brutal. | | | | puppy. If you are calm, cool and collected, your dog |
| As with any of the dog breeds, the perfect situation | | | | will be too. If you and your family act like crazy |
| would be to adopt the pit bull terrier as a puppy, as | | | | people, guess what your dog will be like..." ~ Kimberly |
| soon as it is safe to separate the puppy from the | | | | Edwards |
| mother health-wise, so they can truly bond to you | | | | It is very important to make sure your pit bull knows |
| and your family as a unit. This will also ensure that | | | | that you are in charge at ALL times! They must |
| you can socialize the puppy properly around other | | | | obey your commands, so training your puppy is very |
| people, children and animals. It wouldn't even be a | | | | important to begin early using rewards for good |
| bad idea to meet and visit the puppy before it is | | | | behavior, and being stern and firm when they do not |
| separated from it's mother to start this bond off | | | | obey your commands. |
| right. | | | | It is also important to maintain a hierarchy in the |
| Pit bulls are very loving, loyal and intelligent, when the | | | | household, as dogs understand this in their packs. You |
| time is put in to training them. Adopting a pit puppy | | | | are the master/s, and they must know where they |
| into your life can be a very joyful and rewarding | | | | are in the "food chain", so to speak. Children must be |
| experience. Here are some very important facts and | | | | assertive and as the parent of the puppy, you must |
| suggestions to train your pit bull the right way. | | | | make it known how important your children and |
| "A person's perception is their reality." ~ Unknown | | | | other pets are in the household. Your dog will react |
| This quote is so true. For many folks, just knowing | | | | accordingly in the chain of command. |
| that your pit bull has been socialized as a puppy by a | | | | I am not even against recommending that you allow |
| loving family will ease their mind around the dog. This | | | | your dog to sleep in your room or at the end of the |
| may alleviate complaints of your puppy and may | | | | bed with you, so that they know how important |
| allow people to be less fearful around your pit bull | | | | they are to you, and they can really bond with you, |
| terrier, which by the way, dogs can sense and could | | | | as they would in their packs. |
| play up on. | | | | * Important Note: Many pit bull terrier puppy owners |
| People are more apt to want to help you socialize | | | | spend the intensive time bonding and training them, |
| your puppy by petting, holding, snuggling and playing | | | | as recommended above. This being said, pit bulls are |
| with the pit bull puppies because people are not | | | | especially prone to separation anxiety, as when they |
| particularly afraid of puppies. | | | | grow up, the intensive bonding and training tapers |
| Even one of my miniature schnauzers really plays off | | | | off. They are known to misunderstand this pulling |
| of people's fear. She senses a person's heightened | | | | away from them, as people's lives get busy and feel |
| emotion, and herself gets into a heightened mode of | | | | that their job is mostly done training their pit bull. |
| protection of our family. It's basic "fight or flight" | | | | If you cannot continue to devote time to this kind of |
| instinct. | | | | puppy care, this may not be the right breed of dog |
| Puppies, especially breeds known to be somewhat | | | | for you. Many other terrier breeds are more |
| aggressive, should be handled regularly, and should | | | | independent. When adopting a pit bull terrier, know |
| have a caregiver most of the day. Pit bull puppies | | | | that their average lifespan is 12 years and this is a |
| should be pet and touched all over their faces, ears, | | | | serious commitment to make, similar to a child. |
| feet and belly, so it is not a surprise when a stranger | | | | I hope these tips and tricks on socializing and training |
| or a veterinarian makes an effort to handle them. | | | | a pit bull terrier puppy are helpful and allow you to |
| It is also an important exercise to handle their toys | | | | build a wonderful bond and relationship with your |
| and food often, to ensure they are not possessive | | | | puppy. |