Of all of the dog breeds kept by humans, Pitbulls are often one of the most misunderstood. Many people believe Pitbulls to have a reputation for being aggressive, ill-tempered dog that does not socialize well with other animals. However, this is not the case. Though Pitbulls can be slightly more aggressive than other breeds, this does have a lot to do with the fact that they are fairly protective of the members of their “pack”. Pitbulls are also fairly friendly towards strangers, as long as they are not exhibiting behavior that could be interpreted as threatening. Actually, Pitbulls can be extremely well-mannered, lovable dogs as long as they are trained correctly. Understanding how to train a Pitbull requires that you do a bit of research into the best training method for this breed.
How to Train a Pitbull Puppy
In order for your Pitbull training program to be effective, it is best if you begin training your Pitbull while they are still a puppy. Pitbull puppies are energetic, rambunctious and very playful. To train a Pitbull puppy, begin by choosing a training program. Like most dogs, Pitbull puppies will respond well to a program that provides rewards for positive behavior. This type of training is also sometimes called “positive reinforcement” training. According to many dog behavioral experts, it is the proven most effective method to use when training a dog. Since Pitbull training requires you to pay close attention to your dog’s behavior, positive reinforcement can be used as a very effective training method.
It’s important to socialize your Pitbull puppy as soon as possible. In general, aggressive behavior in dogs is displayed when the dog encounters a new situation, sight, sound or smell. Dogs tend to fear things that they don’t understand, which makes socialization training a Pitbull puppy even more important. In general, socialization simply involves exposing your puppy to as many new experiences as possible. Help your puppy to become familiar with thunderstorms, the sound of passing cars, people with umbrellas, men in hats, small animals, approaching strangers and any other situation you encounter. Sometimes, it may be difficult to predict what type of situation could cause your Pitbull puppy to become afraid. If you wish, you can also enroll your Pitbull puppy in an obedience training class. Due to the importance of correctly training a Pitbull puppy, it can be extremely beneficial for you to seek the services of a professional trainer.
How to Crate Train a Pitbull
To crate train a Pitbull, you need to first start by purchasing a crate. As a general classification, the Pitbull breed of dog is designated as being a “medium sized” breed. At their adult size, a Pitbull will grow to be from 18 to 22 inches tall, with a weight from 35 to 65 pounds. It’s important to keep in mind that the crate that you use to train your Pitbull puppy will most likely be too small for an adult dog. For a puppy crate, you may want to consider purchasing a previously owned crate, since this will help you to save a bit on the expense of your Pitbull’s crate. Previously owned Pitbull crates may be available through your local pet supply store, though it’s recommended that you inquire with the manager of the store first.
Since the size of the crate is relatively important, you need to be cautious when purchasing a crate for your Pitbull. Buy a crate that is just large enough for your Pitbull’s size, since this can be helpful when trying to potty train your Pitbull. You are usually best off purchasing either a wire or plastic crate, since fabric crates are usually not strong enough to hold a Pitbull.
How to House Train a Pitbull
Proper Pitbull training also requires that you find an effective method to house train your Pitbull. House training is very important, and is best done when your Pitbull is still relatively young. The best way to house train a Pitbull is to use a crate. Most Pitbulls will respond well to a house training program that incorporates a crate. However, it’s extremely important that you never use confinement to your Pitbull’s crate as a form of punishment! This can make house training extremely difficult.
Pitbull Training Tips
Pitbulls are a fairly energetic breed, and require a lot of interaction in order for them to remain occupied. A bored Pitbull may resort to destructive behavior, such as digging, chewing or barking. Pitbulls are very loyal to their families, though may develop separation anxiety if left alone for extended periods of time. Due to the high energy level of the Pitbull, owning one requires that you have enough time to give your dog sufficient exercise. Pitbulls also have what is called a “prey drive”, which may cause them to chase small animals if not watched closely.
45 Responses to “Pitbull Training – How to train a Pitbull”
in my opinion and experience with a little insite from a life time pit owner.I currently have a 7 month old male pit.
pros- who is potty trained, good with kids,very protective,cage trained,trained in pulling weighted objects by harness,and over protective of my wifes weiner dog.
cons- requires alot of excersise, takes alot of motivation to train, hard to rent homes with him, doesnt do well with other male dogs.
my observed fact 1.
for those of you with pits 4 weeks to 1 year. (they will chew)juts pit nature and it is not stoppable( it is also healthy for them. your job is to direct their chewing onto their toys. once they hit 12 weeks they can begin to understand the word no. if the dog i chewing on their bed you say no with a deep voice and hand them something they can chew (most love rope and bones)eventually they will stick to chewing things you dont mind them chewing.
my observed fact 2. pits have one true bonded owner (which they will listen to above all others) but are able to love and listen to several.
my observed fact 3. pits are stubborn they take reinfocement and motivation. Food is number one on a pit bull’s positive motivator list.
observed fact 4. pit puppys can start potty training well at about 12 weeks but they cannot hold it very well. so if you stay at home let them out once an hour nd you shouldnt have a problem. If you catch them in the act in your house interupt them with a slap on the but and put them outside. if you find out after the fact you are to late just put them outside so they cant see you clean it up. rubing their nose in it will just make them hide when they do it again.no training gains. reward him for going in the right place with petting.
if you stick to a solid schedual of letting them out (weather you are home all day and let them out once an hour or work and let them out when you get back)and skold them when you catch them, then the pit will be able to hold it longer and longer until it nolonger happens inside. this is for several reasons.
1. the pit is little and cant hold it. as he grows so does the ability to hold it.
2. a set schedual lets him know if he holds it till owner gets home he will be let out.
3. he will realise he only gets slaped for going inside. but outside is his area to do what he wants. dog instinct is to mark its territory but not its home (so make him think inside is home outside is making territory.)
4. he is rewarded for doing it outside.
observed fact 5 – pits fight/ wrestle it is in their dna good luck changing it. there is good fighting and bad fighting. your job is to regulate it. mine played outside wrestling with siblings alot, cool. as they got older they started challenging eachother for dominance, not cool. this is where you step in and yell at him or spray him with a water hose. dont get between two fighting pitbulls. they hate water.witch leads us to
observation 6 – do not own two dogs of the same sex when one is a pit bull. pitbull males WILL fight males. females too. if you want two get opposites.
observation 7- pits are people pleasers. they will do anything (to include fighting to the death if asked) for their one owner. so to ecome this owner you must first dominate your pit and let him know you are the boss and should not be messed with. second you need to give hime time and love, food also helps. the less negative reinforcement the better. get your pit to love you but not want to challenge you.
observation 8- if you have kids get a puppy pitbull so it grows up with them. most incidents involving kids and pitbulls is because of two ituations. 1- the family with kid adopted an adult pit that wasnt used to childeren. 2. family with adult pit had the kid later and didnt help the pit adjust.
observation 9- dont leave you pitbull alone with other dogs unless. 1 they are opposite sexed pitbulls and they have been with each other for awhile.
observation 10- if the pit bull really wants somthing not even a solid wood door will keep them from it.
final observations- any dog can be rescued even a fighting pit(seen it done and couldnt belive the remarkable outcome)
pitbulls are the best dogs in the world I’ll never own a different breed.
Hello, I just recently got a 4 month old pit puppy and he is chewing up everything in the house, he is good with not doing his business in my house, he actually likes to nibble and bite a lot. how can i train him to stop biting on things besides his chew toys? Any tips to keep him from not trying to chew my whole house?
I just recently bought a 6 month old pitbull. He gets overly excited way to easily and leaves pee trails all over my house. Not sure what im supposed to do about that. None of my other dogs ever did that. He figured out what cat chow was. I tried getting him away from it, he snarled and almost took my hand off.. Any tips??
I have a 14 week old pit, and he is like that with strangers. we just started puppy class and they told me to have them walk in let her sniff them then feed her a treat but don’t let them pet until she is ready.
I have a red nose pitbull. She just turned 7 months old. She is very friendly with people an dogs except my boyfriends that is so a pitbull but after a while she will start bitting people and ignore me when I call her. How do I get her to behave.?
i just got a 9 wk old female pit pup and i been constantly working with her for about 2 wks now and we want her to be raised as a family dog and she still constantly tries to snap at the children when they try to touch her pet her what would i be able to do to make her stop at that because she ddoes well with potty training its just with people now and she is starting to growl and be aggressive towards people and other dogs what should i do?
I have a 4month old beautiful male pit bull named breeze.. (my baby) I’ve had him since he was five weeks old. Since I got him he has gone everywhere with me, as he gets older and larger people are not as welcoming towards having him constantly around. I’m going to have to start leaving him home ifor a little while at a time. I read somewhere that pitbulls can have sepeeation anxiety and I feel horrible about it. Should I not have not kept him attached to my hip?
I have a 10 week old pitbull puppy that thinks he’s a “people.” He has his own doggy bed, but he loves to lay beside me sometimes at night. I am also having an issue with him wanting to bite everything. Is there anything that I can do to stop the biting? I’m not too worried about the bed situation, but my fiance is.
We have a 10 week year old pit bull mix/rottweiler. It’s tough trying to potty train her right now cause every time we miss when she has an accident in our apartment. We recently bought a kennel and trying to teach her where to go to the bathroom, but it’s not working. Any helpful tips would be much appreciated.
I have a 4month old blue-nosed pitbull named Sky. She is not potty trained yet and she poops more than a human does everyday. Everytime she gets excited she will bite anything that she can grab with her mouth. When I try to get close to her face, she will snap and try to bite my face. She chews on everything like shoes, bears, grass but doesnt wanna play with her toys. Please help me how to make her stop with the biting.
I have a 4month old blue-nosed pitbull named Sky. She is not potty trained yet and she poops more than a human does everyday. Everytime she gets excited she will bite anything that she can grab with her mouth. When I try to get close to her face, she will snap and try to bite my face. She chews on everything like shoes, bears, grass but doesnt wanna play with her toys. Please help me how to make her stop with the biting.
what is the right age to start training a pitbull puppy.because mine is 5weeks old is that too young to start training?
We adopted a pit mix from animal control 3 months ago. He is one of the sweetest boys ever! But he is hugely destructive (I guess when he’s bored?) but we run him on lead, he plays in the yard with our Pyr and we have tons of toys and tugs for him. He STILL climbs on top of tables, destroys any bedding in his crate and eats our other dogs’ beds. Do you have any advice? We LOVE him and thank you!
I have a 2 year old shih tzu and a 4 month old blue nose pit bull. My shih tzu was quite easy to train (if you have time to spend with your dog you can teach it to do anything) I took her outside and encouraged her to go to the bathroom rewarding her with treats when she did. My pit is getting the hang of it but he is still going in the house and not always on the puppy pad
*the time you put into your dog will show, make sure to give it love and alot of attention. Dogs have a personality and feelings and they get hurt and lot easier then ours, and they just want your love so give that to them and thats all you’ll get back inreturn.
my dog is wild and crazy.he bites peoplea clothes and even potty on the floor we had a chain colar for him and then we got him a harnesse for him to spot pulling and he does not play WELL with dogs at all. We been training with him for awhile and we bought him a muzzle soooooooo…. what should i do?
Found a new pitbull puppy and I am absolutely in love with him, he’s always sleepy and super calm. I live in an area where pitbulls are illegal. I want him to be active, go out and meet other dogs but again he’s illegal in my area. What should I do?
Rebeca: If you found the puppy, how do you know for sure it is a pit??? I think you will find that a “dobie/hound mix” makes just as much sense if anyone should ask…. just sayin… only DNA can prove otherwise.
I have a staffordshire pit brendle and every once in a while she gets attached to a stuffed play toy and she thinks it is her baby. She will spend a few days with this thing as if it were just born. My Son takes them or it from her and she spends time looking for em. I think its maternal instinct and it will pass. Although he always takes them away and we never really know how long she would behave like this. What should we do? She is 3yrs. and hasn’t been fixed.Since he took her babies away I made her one out of a funny sock and she took right to it. Right or wrong. Thanks, Trish
I have a 6 week old pit that hates his crate. Soon as I put him in it he screams the house down any advice?
Firstly Janelle, puppies generally have to go potty every half hour to hour because they have very small bladders. Secondly, you should not keep a puppy in a crate unless you are leaving the house or going to bed. What works for me & my 6 week old puppy, is to keep him on a leash by my side so I know to take him out as soon as I see him start sniffing, as well as when he wakes up from sleeping. When you do put him/her in the crate, put a treat or a few pieces of food in there with him/her. When he/she whines, do not correct & say “quiet or hush” as this teaches him/her, even if it is negative, you are still giving attention to him/her & that is all a puppy wants is attention. When your puppy quiets down is when you pet or talk to it, that lets it know that you will only give it attention if it is quiet. I hope this helps!!
i just got a pitbull puppy and having problem with her going to bathroom in her crate whether were here with her (if i leave the door open) or if we are not home (she gets it all over herself and cage). anyone have any suggestions. how to stop it
I have a 7 week old red nose pit. He always wants to chew on my hands and feet. Also when i have on my basketball shorts. I have a 4 and 5 year old an have explained to them to keep their hands away from his mouth so they don’t get scared and think he’s tryin to bite. We have toys for him but he goes after my hands half the time.. is this normal and what other Common behaviors should I watch out for?
P.S. is it ok to let the kids help with training?
That is totally normal, he is just exploring the world around him with his mouth. You wouldn’t be scared that your children were going to grow up to bite people because they chewed on a finger when they were a baby would you? It is a behavior that you want to stop but at least with mine this was easily taken care of with steady training once she understood “no” and “stop.”
I know what u mean my 5 week old gator/red nosed pit does it too…..I always say “no” then give it one of her toys,when she bites my arm,I treat her like baby and grab back of neck with my mouth and slightly pull up and she stops! silly hu. she’s a ankle biter too….can’t wait for that to pass.
It is so true about the “prey drive”. My pit bull loves to chase squirrels in the park. Do not freak out. I always have her leashed and next to me. Even though it involves me being chasing her back. But still do it because I see she has fun and burns her incoming energy. I will never let her take one though.
I have 2 pitbulls Dakota and fatboy. I never had to potty train fatboy because We live in a apartment with a balcony but when I walk him people
Stay way from him and watch him closely and some say wow he looks mean. He Is the sweetest dog I’ve met. And Dakota is very well trained that my little brother who is 10 can walk her but fatboy on the other hand is very hard to walk. He’s still a big puppy and he’s learning still but they are the best breed I would ever own
tevans:
Make sure you take her outside regularly, when she goes to the bathroom, simply reward her with a treat or praise her, dogs like to be talked to, tell her she is a good girl. She will start to like going outside and doing her business because she will begin to understand going potty means getting a treat, a toy, or even pet. Make an area inside of newspaper so she knows where to go before she fully learns to go outside.
I have a Colby Gator mixed with a Colby American Pitbull, she is almost 6weeks and she doesn’t really use the bathroom outside but as soon as she gets back in the house she poops and pees in the house . Why is that? And My uncle and auntie has the brother of my pit , and he is already trained comin to there comand and everything mine isn’t , please help .
I just got a seventh month old pitbull. He is purebred and is not too aggressive, but he doesn’t like his crate at all! He goes in and out. He will stay there for a couple of seconds and leave and keep doing that. He also can’t be left alone for more than ten minutes. He will whine and cry. He doesn’t know how to bark. He has a crate and I am trying to crate train him. What should I do so he can be left alone more often and for longer periods of time. Please help.
I have a 4 week dog. Got her real early, how do I train her to use the restroom outside and the rest. When does she start seeing? I need some answers about a baby pitbull.
i just got not long ago a 10 week old blue nose our lovely red nose pit bull passed away in jan. we miss her alot and its been hard on my boy dog he is 13 he is seeming to adjust to the new puppy but it seems he is still a little depress about our other dog that passed away they where buddies for 11 years and i dont know how to get him to feel better he seems somewhat happy with the new girl but i can tell in his eyes he misses our other dog that passed is there a way that i can help him heal from the pain its depressing seeing him all sad when he see her toys and her outfits we had for her. the new girl is total oppisted of our old dog our old dog was very hyper and total bossy and total diva and this baby she is mellow lay back and just wants to please everyone expectal our boy. so what can i do to help my boy dog stop being so down when the toy basket is out?
well jennifer, what i did to my dog when almost the same thing happened is i gave her a chew toy or a blanket or sleeping spot that your old dog used to have and show it to the dog that is depressed. usually it helps them feel comfortable or sort of gives them a feeling of the presence of the old dog. i hope this helps!!
Jennifer,I have a differant plan than the last reply. I do not want to hurt anyones feelings BUT….My my feelings are. Your older…13 yr old is depressed. He is used to the to the 10 week old .He senses the absnest.My adive to you would be spend alot, and more more time with the older dog. Things will work out!!!! ANY ADVICE FOR ME AND OUR NEW ARRIVAL????
Sounds like all the comments here are pretty much the same
Few Dog owners (let alone some one who has a pit bull) no anything about dogs!
Let alone training!
Getting a dog means putting in the money for a good trainer:we think of toys /vet care/food::: Well about training!??
I have been a trainer for 25 years I have worked around every type of breed and problem and yes aggressive pit bulls made that way by there owners who should not have any dog let alone a pit bull that needs a very high energy leader!(and these dogs are great dogs:if in the right hands
And guess what!?
It is the owners that are impossible not the dogs!
Dogs are so easy to train but not the humans attached to the leashes!
Even what I read here proves this:owners that do not even have a clue what a dog is about or how to train
Training is on going:not just because you have a puppy:it is a life time of training
Advice?
Get a trainer(who will train YOU) or do not get a dog and make sure it is someone who is compassionate and kind and who knows what they are doing
Look into back grounds:do not pick a trainer because they are “cheap”
You get what you pay for!!
Can you recommend a good trainer in and around Essex County New jersey. My daughter brought home a beautiful pit/puppy last November. She is one of the smartest dogs I have every seen. She has a ton of energy that we cannot fulfill, because we both work. Is a trainer what your suggest?
I have A Bull Mastiff/Red nose pit mix (Kujo) and also a Boxer/Pit mix (Tiger) they are both very intellgent dogs But Tiger can not be house trained I have tried everything he is not a yr old yet and he will sit lay down, shake with both paws, and high five! but wont stop going 1 and 2 in the house what do I do???
my pitbul hates other dogs cant be around not even girl dogs or puppys he is 7 month i want to be pertectful but not kill everything in site
i just got this adult pittbull off a friend an he said his friend abuse it.. hes very very loveable an dont realy play much my ? is how do i get him to play an protech my family because hes way to friendy wit everyone??
You shouldnt buy a dog for the purpose of protection. You should buy a dog for companionship and love. I think you got a pitbull for the wrong reasons if you think its “too friendly”.
I have a baby pit he is 7 weeks old, he is scheduled to get his vaccinations next week therefore i havent taken him out, i am keeping him confined to a small section of my house until his crate arrives. He makes huge messes and he tends to pick at his feces. I never had a dog before and all this is driving me insane, there at times when he pottys where he is suppose to and other times he just makes a huge mess. I dont know where to start, please help
We adopted our pitbull when she was 1. She ate our couch, went potty on the floor and did unusual things. We installed a doggy door so she can have free roam and go outside when needed. No problems at all! She knew right away what to do! She has not used our floor as a bathroom or ate anything in the house. Best thing we ever did for her.
just make a designated area for him/her to “handle his business” in and treat him with praise and treats when he uses the area and punish him by showing him/her what they did and 1 or 2 firm swats on the behind.
It is never ok to hit or swat a dog, particularly a strong willed breed such as a pitbull. A dog is relying on you to be a loving, strong leader and to rise above such displays of temper. Showing him his poop will not teach a dog anything- they don’t have the attention span or the understanding to connect the poop with the correct behavior.
Instead, you need to catch the dog BEFORE he has an accident, and be VERY consistent with teaching what you want him to do. A pit bull is VERY motivated to do what you want because he loves you, but he is waiting for you to show him what you want him to learn, and sometimes show him over and over with patience and a “good dog!” when he does good and ignoring when he does not.
Most pit bulls, such as the 7 week old puppy, get into mischief either because they are puppies and they are learning or teething; or because they are bored and need a LOT of playtime/exercise and training. I highly recommend training with a well reputed dog training facility that uses positive reinforcement. Education about this particular breed is also important to your sanity- they are very rewarding, but you have to be willng to put in some work. Then your dog will give you huge rewards.
You are truly a team with your dog. You can have a happy, well behaved pit for life! My last pit mix was so well behaved that my children’s grandparents bragged to others that she was the best dog they had ever seen (sadly,she died about a year and a half ago of a tumor). Now we have an American Bulldog/Pit puppy who is a lot of loving work!! Good luck to you!!
I have a blue nose pit she.is 3 to 5 months old I found her well she found me when I was coming out of my dads in the ally. Shes a gift from God but im a 16 year old girl & she barks & act.hyper so I try to take her for runs whith me but she draggs me.
How can I teach her to run whith me & my speed somebody please help me
Its also my first time having a dog & puts are very unique & diffrent im on step one. (:
You don’t want to pop them on the behind or yell because it can make them ashamed that they even went at all. Put newspaper or training pads down where you want him to go and and keep placing him there after he eats and drinks. Keep his area small because most dogs wont potty where they eat or sleep. Once you get his crate, feed him inside the crate and this will help him understand not to go in his crate. Just remember to take him out everytime you feed him and only water him when he eats. While he is a puppy at least and this will also help with not having accidents inside the house.