| responsible Pit Bull owner wants a well trained pet. | | | | bag in your hand, as this will distract your Pit Bull, and |
| There are several training options which may be used | | | | may even get him to jumping up in an attempt to |
| to achieve the desired results. One of the most | | | | try and grab the entire bag. |
| popular methods used by owners is treat training. | | | | If you have more than one Pit Bull, or other dog for |
| Treat training is a reward system using either the | | | | that matter, take the time to put the other dog |
| dog’s favorite snack food such as cheese, | | | | away so you can do one on one training. Other |
| bits of hotdog or by using store bought treats. | | | | animals in the vicinity will only hamper your training as |
| Treat training allows the owner to use these small | | | | your Pit Bull will think the session is a competition for |
| bribes as a form of positive reinforcement for good | | | | which dog can get the treat fastest, rather |
| behavior. Proper use of treat training will enable you | | | | obedience training. |
| to teach your Pit Bull to follow the sit, come and lie | | | | Now that you’ve prepped your treat bag and |
| down commands, as well as teach him almost any | | | | have your Pit Bull alone with you, it’s time to |
| trick you can imagine. If used with friendly rubs and | | | | begin. |
| praises, it can also assist you to housebreak your Pit | | | | Take a bit of your chosen treat and hold it above |
| Bull. | | | | your Pit Bull’s head while giving the command |
| To teach your Pit Bull to sit, you’ll need to | | | | to “sit.” If you hold the treat high, the |
| prepare a treat bag just before you begin. A plastic | | | | dog will have to sit to see the treat. Once he sits, |
| zip top baggy comes highly recommended by me for | | | | give him the treat and be sure to praise him as a |
| use as a treat container. It allows you to put the | | | | “good boy” for the sit. You can |
| treats in your pocket while allowing you to keep your | | | | repeat this four or five more times, but after that |
| pockets from getting soiled and soggy. Believe me, | | | | give it a rest until the next day. I know it |
| try it without the baggy and you’ll not try it | | | | doesn’t sound like rigorous training, but it is |
| that way again. This is especially true if you opt to | | | | considered a full session. |
| use bits of table food such as the cheese and | | | | Once your Pit Bull has mastered the |
| hotdog slices. | | | | “sit” command, start to gradually |
| Decide upon what you will use as the treat. Think of | | | | offer gentle rubs and praises rather than treats. |
| what your Pit Bull likes to eat, but you don’t | | | | You’ll eventually phase out the food treats, |
| give him very often. This makes an irresistible bribe, | | | | and your Pit Bull will continue to sit on command. |
| and you will see faster results than if you’d | | | | Using treat training is an effective and gentle way to |
| used an every day treat. Once you’ve | | | | train your Pit Bull. It also allows you to be close to |
| chosen your bribe, put the baggy in your pocket so | | | | your pet for a session of giving treats and praises. |
| you can reach it easily. Don’t try to hold the | | | | Imagine how much your Pit Bull will enjoy that! |