Instead of shouting or hitting your dog, you'll want to use more effective punishments, like ignoring them or withdrawing your attention. Since dogs respond to positive reinforcement, your dog will quickly learn what behaviors to avoid.
Positive reinforcement strategies, such as clicker training or using training treats, are likely to produce greater results. The majority of pit bulls in training are eager to learn and would gladly work for a reward. Make sure you give your pitbull the best and healthiest treats.
Pit Bulls are very active dogs that need a LOT of run around time and exercise, but are generally not compatible with off-leash dog parks. Don't get a young Pit Bull if you live your life in the slow lane.
Dogs that are hit will not trust their owners. Owners should be the ultimate source of trust and guidance. Battered dogs, instead, may cower upon being pet and may get scared of sudden movements. They will not grow to their full potential because too much energy will be spent living in fear of their owners.
Pit bulls will commonly start developing signs of dog aggression between the ages of 8 months and 2 years, although it can develop at any age and can come on either gradually or quite suddenly.
Some dogs will misbehave because they are bored and have not had enough exercise, others lack proper training. A dog who is feeling anxious may also exhibit behavior that appears to be a case of misbehaving.
Reid says many things can lead to a tendency toward aggression. That includes breeding dogs for protection, dog fighting, social status, or financial gain. Abuse, neglect, chaining, tethering, and inadequate obedience training and supervision also make the list.
Pit Bulls are very eager to please people.
These dogs crave our attention and approval, and are very social with humans. This devotion to people has contributed heavily to the bad reputation of Pit Bulls, because a bad person can use a Pit Bull's eagerness to please to train the dog for nefarious or criminal purposes.
Unlike humans, dogs do not always understand why they're being punished or the consequence of their actions.
If you want your dog to know that you're mad, they're probably going know without any training, because of your facial expressions and tone of voice. However, if you want to do more, you can try to give your dog a treat every time you're laughing or smiling.
Signs of dominant behavior in dogs:
Resistance to voice commands. Aggressive response to eye contact or verbal correction. Food guarding or other aggressive behavior while eating. Persistence about leading the way on walks or through entryways.
Stubborn
Some American Pit Bull Terriers have a stubborn streak. They can be strong-willed animals that like to get their own way. It's important to give your pooch proper training. You have to teach them that you're the boss and be consistent with your commands.
Secure your Pitbull puppy to a short leash each morning and walk him around the perimeter of the space you want him to protect. If you want him to protect you, keep him with you for a short while. This will help reinforce where his territory begins and ends.
Aggression in dogs commonly includes body language or threat displays such as a hard stare, growling, barking, snarling, lunging, snapping, and/or biting.
Though they may get along great, Pit Bulls can have “temper tantrums” and this can escalate and cause great harm to another dog or cat.
There are ways you can tell if a dog feels uncomfortable around you or doesn't like you very much. It's a bad sign if your dog is deliberately avoiding you or leaving the room every time you enter. Sometimes a dog's body will stiffen up if they are uncomfortable in your presence.
The command, pull, and release should be immediately repeated if the “problem behavior” is repeated, and positive reinforcement (treat, patting, play) should be provided if the dog continues to “behave.” Using a leash and head halter, an upward and forward pull can be used to immediately and effectively control barking ...
Pitbull Training 8-12 Weeks
This is an age when your puppy can learn more focus-involved commands. The puppy's attention span and intelligence increases at this age. And since your puppy has already learned some basics, this is the perfect time to teach “come when called,” as well as potty training.
According to several behavioral measures, Coren says dogs' mental abilities are close to a human child age 2 to 2.5 years. The intelligence of various types of dogs does differ and the dog's breed determines some of these differences, Coren says.
After two years of age, most Pitbulls will calm down.
They're fully mature at this stage, and their temperament will reflect that. Don't be surprised if short periods of puppy-like behavior come out. Pitbulls have their moments. But it's mostly calm demeanors moving forward.