Responsible Pit Bull Ownership
· Never allow your Pit Bull to roam free. Dogs are just like human children. When not supervised, the decisions they make are often not for their best interest. When a Golden Retriever runs up to a person, they say, ‘How sweet!’ When a Pit Bull does the exact same thing, people say, ‘Vicious dog!’ The public doesn't wait before calling animal control or even the cops when they see a Pit Bull on the loose. Due to their bad reputation, these dogs are frequently killed by police officers. This is an unfortunate truth. Let's not make the reputation of the Pit Bull worse than it already is. For the safety of your dog and the general dog population, keep your Pit Bull behind a fence!
· Always keep your Pit Bull on leash. Even if you believe you have full control of your dog and a good recall, you can't predict his/her reaction if a cat or a squirrel runs in front of him. Keep in mind that those dogs are "Terriers". A high prey drive and urge to chase other animals is an inherent trait of the breed.
· Never take your Pit Bull to a dog park. Even if you think your Pit Bull is wonderful with other dogs, all it takes is once. If a Labrador starts a fight and your Pit Bull finishes it, whom will everyone blame? Let's face it; the Pit Bull is always at fault in the eyes of the public.
· Take your Pit Bull to obedience classes. Yet again, in the eyes of the general public Pit Bulls are menacing creatures. The more socially acceptable they are by having impeccable manners, the better the reputation they will have. And remember, once is NOT enough. Ongoing obedience classes are best.
· Be a responsible parent! Do not allow your Pit Bull to be subjected to people who are belligerent or cruel. By ‘forcing' your dog to ‘say hi' to these types of people, you are being an irresponsible parent! You would never expect your human child to simply take whatever you dish out and like it. Please do not expect this from your dog.
· Know where your dog is at all times. Don't leave your Pit Bull outside unattended. Who knows what is going on in the back yard while you are away. Are children teasing your dog? Is your dog learning to be aggressive by having to defend himself in these situations? Don't leave the parenting up to others. Responsibility is the key to proper and safe Pit Bull ownership.
· Pit Bulls need a job. Whether this job is obedience classes, taking a walk with you everyday, sitting at your feet while you are on the computer in the evenings, or something more intense such as search and rescue, a Pit Bull needs to feel important and needed. They are highly intelligent animals with fine tuned problem solving skills. They need an outlet for this energy.
· Daily exercise is a must! Playing fetch, hiking or whatever you love to do, your Pit Bull will be more than willing to participate.
· Understand that Pit Bulls may be dog-aggressive. The breed was initially created and developed for the sport of dog-fighting. As a result, Pit Bulls have an important predisposition for dog-aggression. Take precautions and use common sense. Don't allow your Pit Bull to run up to unknown dogs and never allow unknown dogs to run up to your Pit Bull. Remember, you are the leader! Pit Bull owners should not expect their dog to be friends with unfamiliar dogs. Some Pit Bulls cannot be around any other dogs at all. With Pit Bulls you cannot ?train out' the desire to fight another dog anymore than you can ?train out' the desire to chase running rabbits in the Greyhound. You can curb this behavior and often control it, but not stop it altogether. As long as you understand this and can love your dog for who and what he is, you've got it made!
· Never leave Pit Bulls alone and unsupervised with other animals. Even though you think they are the best of friends, it's better to be safe than sorry! All it takes is one time for a fight to break out. This is especially true with multiple Pit Bulls in one household. Don't take any chances and remember this saying? Never trust your Pit Bull not to fight another dog? ever!
· Keep your Pit Bull in an enclosure that is escape proof. Pit Bull proof your fence. Those dogs are very strong and resourceful. Pit Bulls should be kept in the house in crates when home alone. This is the utmost in safety. Just make sure your dog cannot get out to roam. If your dog makes a mistake, all Pit Bull owners pay for it!
Know Your Breed. The more you know about pit bulls- their history, proper temperment, behavior, current, legal, and social issues surrounding the breed, the better an owner you'll be.Be sure to read books on Pit Bulls/ Dog Training in order to learn more about the breed.Do not allow a child to walk a pit bull alone. Pit bulls are very strong and difficult to handle for children and even for some adults. Adults must always accompany a child while child is walking a pit bull.Own a breaking stick and know how to use one. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, but accidents can still happen. Know what a breaking stick is, how to use it, and the best way to break up a dogfight.Be a polite Pit Bull Owner. Always clean after your dog. Respect the public's fear of your breed and never impose your dog on no one. Do not allow your dog to invade anyone's personal space and be empathetic towards others.Seek immediate help for behavioral problems or for health problems from a professional trainer or a veterinarian.Become a spokeperson for the breed. Always present yourself and your dog in a positive manner and be willing to educate others about the breed. Understand that Pit Bull Ownership is a Lifestyle not just a part time interest. Pit Bulls require lots of attention and dedication. This breed deserves 100% from its owners because it gives !00% to its owners.
