TRAINING QUESTION - How do I stop leash pulling?

Answer: To stop leash pulling your Pit Bull Terrier can never be allowed to pull you. If this means you stop after 5 feet of walking and return home, then that's what you have to do.

You can use a prong collar but sometimes this doesn't work because once the collar is removed the dog pulls again.

The best method I know of is to change direction alot. Start off by walking and when your dog is almost to the end of the leash, do a 180 turn and walk in the opposite direction.

They will self correct themselves. As you do this turn call them to you in a happy voice and speed up your pace until they catch up.

Once your Pit Bull Terrier is almost at the end of the leash, turn to the left, turn to the right etc... Keep changing the direction up and your dog will eventually start looking at you because they have no idea where they are going.

Repeat this a lot. If you only get 30 feet, that's fine, take them out to the yard and play fetch or spring pole them for 20 minutes to get that exercise in.

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TRAINING QUESTION - How do I stop annoying behavior problems?

Answer: Oddly enough it has been proven time and time again that unless there is a medical or genetic flaw in your Pit Bull Terrier behavior problems are a result of:

(A) Lack of training and discipline
(B) Lack of exercise and mental stimulation

Try taking your Pit Bull Terrier for longer walks (during the hot months use caution and take a lot of water) more often. Instead of 5 10 minute walks, try two 45-60 minute walks per day. This alone can curb and has been shown to stop behavior problems in their tracks.

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TRAINING QUESTION - How do I house train my Pit Bull?

Answer: Take your Pit bull terriers out a lot. Adjust their feeding schedule and wait 20-30 minutes depending on the age of the dog. Then take them outside and let them do their thing.

Wait until they have used the bathroom before you bring them back in. If this takes some time, bring them back in, wait 2-5 minutes and then take them back out.

The idea is to show the dog that going outside is a good thing. Do not hit, scold, rub their nose in it, simply say NO when you catch them, take them outside and be done with it. If you don't catch them, clean up the mess and go on with your life.

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TRAINING QUESTION - My dog is stubborn and won't listen to me. What can I do?

Answer: First and foremost dogs are not stubborn. This is a myth. What we see as stubborn is what I call handler mistakes and dogs doing what they have been allowed to do.

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TRAINING QUESTION - Are Pit Bulls harder to train than other dogs because of their dominant nature?

Answer: First and foremost as a breed Pit Bulls are not dominant by nature. They are, on a whole a submissive breed. Some individuals can be dominant by nature, but for the most part they are not.

To the first part of the question, no, they are not harder to train and do not need any special handling (other than proper technique) in order to train them.

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TRAINING QUESTION - How old should my dog be before I start training her?

Answer: With positive training a Pit Bull Terrier can be started as early as 7 weeks of age. However, to teach formal obedience the dog should be older. 4-6 months of age is a good time to start formal obedience training using positive methods.

One important note, in order for a dog to learn a new behavior they have to be old enough to be able to understand that behavior. Teaching a 7 week old puppy to heel would not be a good behavior to teach simply because it takes concentration that a puppy of that age doesn't have yet.

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TRAINING

Training is a critical consideration for the Pit Bull Terrier. This is a strong-minded dog that needs socialization as a pup to accept humans as the beings in charge and obedience training to keep him from setting out to control the household. Meek and mild potential owners should forget about this breed and choose another.

The training relationship should not be one of master and slave, however. The dog should be shown what to do and made to do it without any yanking, smacking, jerking, or other punishment. Firm guidance will lead to respect and trust; physical penalties will lead to disrespect and distrust.

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HEALTH INFORMATION

The American Pit Bull terrier is a hardy breed of dog, which means that it has some, but few, health problems running throughout its blood. Some of these dogs experience hip dysplasia, grass allergies, and heart disease.

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TEMPERAMENT

The Pit Bull Terrier is a breed that is loyal to friends and family, and is generally friendly towards strangers. People have been known to be afraid of them because of their bad reputations. Nonetheless, an Pit Bull Terrier can be a very congenial pet. Proper training can make the dog obedient and have a high desire to please. Without proper guidance, though, the breed can become dominant and destructive. According to the UKC, "aggressive behavior toward humans is uncharacteristic of the breed and highly undesirable." A study done by the CDC showed that "pit bull type" dogs accounted for the majority of dog related fatalities in the United States between 1979 and 1996, though the study admits some limitations in its data. These attacks were proven to be by pit bulls that were highly under socialized.


The American Temperament Testing Society shows a pass percentage of 84.3% for Pit Bull Terriers. Still, a firm, even hand and early obedience training are best. They generally have a lot of energy and high prey drive ; they need exercise and stimulation in order to channel their energy properly and not become frustrated, bored, and destructive.

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GROOMING

As it happens with most hard and short coats of Pit bull terrier, baths are not required on such a constant number. Pit bull terriers are only recommended every once in a while and of course it is always important for you to use the adequate products such as shampoos and ointments. In such occassions, you must remember to wash the entire body of your Pit bull terrier, especially those delicate areas in which folding skin may produce infections if not properly cleaned. Once the dog is completely clean, drying it with a strong towel will add a lot of shine and beauty to its coat.

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Height and weight

The Pit Bull Terrier must be both powerful and agile so actual weight and height are less important than the correct proportion of weight to height. Desirable weight for a mature male in good condition is between 35 and 60 pounds. Desirable weight for a mature female in good condition is between 30 and 50 pounds. Dogs over these weights are not to be penalized unless they are disproportionately massive or rangy.

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COAT AND COLOR

The coat of Pit bull terrier is glossy and smooth, close, and moderately stiff to the touch. Any color, color pattern, or combination of colors is acceptable, except for merle.

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GENERAL APPEARANCE

American Pit Bull Terrier is a medium-sized, solidly built, short-coated dog with smooth, well-defined musculature. This breed is both powerful and athletic. The body is just slightly longer than tall, but bitches may be somewhat longer in body than dogs. The length of the front leg (measured from point of elbow to the ground) is approximately equal to one-half of the dog's height at the withers. The head is of medium length, with a broad, flat skull, and a wide, deep muzzle. Ears are small to medium in size, high set, and may be natural or cropped. The relatively short tail is set low, thick at the base and tapers to a point.


The American Pit Bull Terrier comes in all colors and color patterns. This breed combines strength and athleticism with grace and agility and should never appear bulky or muscle-bound or fine-boned and rangy.

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START TO KNOW

His ancestors were brought to the United States in the mid - 1800's by Boston-Irish immigrants. Originally bred from a variety of bulldogs and terriers, American breeders increased his weight and gave him a more powerful head. A forbearer to the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, they were originally bred to be a fighting dog. Bull baiting was banned in England in 1835 and these dogs are no longer being bred to fight. There is some complication in registries of this breed.

The AKC considers the American Staffordshire Terrier as separate and distinct from the American Pit Bull Terrier, yet the UKC will register both as American Pit Bull Terriers (APBTs).
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INTRODUCTION

Welcome to our Pit Bull Terrier dog blog. Here you will learn about Pit Bull Terrier health care, any tips and you can find good comments from many people who love Pit Bull Terrier.

Pit Bull Terrier - Dog Lover