Terrier Lover

The answer to this question:

Absolutely…YES!!!

Knowing that this breed of terrier has been bred for their sheer size and strength, they have been known to be a prime breed for use in the dog fighting arena…However, the dogs used in the dog fighting arena have been socialized to be aggressive and brutal…

Photos: My friend, Amanda’s Pit Bull Terrier Puppy, “White Boy”

As with any of the dog breeds, the perfect situation would be to adopt the pit bull terrier as a puppy, as soon as it is safe to separate the puppy from the mother health-wise, so they can truly bond to you and your family as a unit. This will also ensure that you can socialize the puppy properly around other people, children and animals. It wouldn’t even be a bad idea to meet and visit the puppy before it is separated from it’s mother to start this bond off right.

Pit Bull terrier puppies are very loving, loyal and intelligent, when the time is put in to training your pit bull. Adopting a pit bull into your life can be a very joyful and rewarding experience. Here are some very important facts and suggestions to train your pit bull the right way.

“A person’s perception is their reality…” ~ Unknown

This quote is so true. For many folks, just knowing that your pit bull terrier has been socialized as a puppy by a loving family will ease their mind around the dog…This may alleviate complaints of your puppy and may allow people to be less fearful around your pit bull terrier, which by the way, dogs can sense and could play up on…

People are more apt to want to help you socialize your puppy by petting, holding, snuggling and playing with the Pit Bull Puppies because people are not particularly afraid of puppies…

…Even one of my miniature schnauzers really plays off of people’s fear…She senses a person’s heightened emotion, and herself gets into a heightened mode of protection of our family. It’s basic “fight or flight” instinct.

Puppies, especially breeds known to be somewhat aggressive, should be handled regularly, and should have a caregiver most of the day. Pit bull puppies should be pet and touched all over their faces, ears, feet and belly, so it is not a surprise when a stranger or a veterinarian makes an effort to handle them.

It is also an important exercise to handle their toys and food often, to ensure they are not possessive and get angry or protective of their food and toys. I suggest with more aggressive breeds, to keep food out on a regular basis, instead of scheduled feedings, as this will allow them to feel as though they have no reason to “protect” the food as it is always supplied.

My Motto: “It’s all in the way you bring up your puppy. If you are calm, cool and collected, your dog will be too. If you and your family act like crazy people, guess what your dog will be like…” ~ Kimberly Edwards ;D

It is very important to make sure your pit bull terrier knows that you are in charge at ALL times! They must obey your commands, so training your pit bull puppy is very important to begin early using rewards for good behavior, and being stern and firm when they do not obey your commands.

It is also important to maintain a hierarchy in the household, as dogs understand this in their packs. You are the master/s, and they must know where they are in the “food chain”, so to speak. Children must be assertive and as the parent of the puppy, you must make it known how important your children and other pets are in the household. Your dog will react accordingly in the chain of command.

I am not even against recommending that you allow your dog to sleep in your room or at the end of the bed with you, so that they know how important they are to you, and they can really bond with you, as they would in their packs.

* Important Note: Many Pit Bull Terrier puppy owners spend the intensive time bonding and training them, as recommended above. This being said, Pit Bull Terriers are especially prone to separation anxiety, as when they grow up, the intensive bonding and training tapers off. They are known to misunderstand this pulling away from them, as people’s lives get busy and feel that their job is mostly done training their pit bull.

If you cannot continue to devote time to this kind of pit bull puppy care, this may not be the right breed of dog for you. Many other terrier breeds are more independent. When adopting a pit bull terrier, know that their average lifespan is 12 years and this is a serious commitment to make, similar to a child.

I hope these tips and tricks on socializing and training a pit bull terrier puppy are helpful and allow you to build a wonderful bond and relationship with your puppy.

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I hope you enjoyed this installment of Terrier Lover! Until next time…

Love Your Terrier,

Kimberly Edwards ;D

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