Pitbull Training 101

You can’t expect a Pitbull to figure out what you would like him to do (or don’t want him to do) unless you show him what your expectations are. And your Pitbull won’t be trained properly or be willing to heed your commands unless you use efficient training methods.

Pitbull training can be started at any age, the sooner the better. You can start simple training with your puppy as soon as he or she has settled into his/her new home. Adult Pit Bulls are as well receptive to training,  although several might be less keen or quick to learn than a younger Pitbulls.

Done correctly, pitbull training should be fun, both for you and your pit, as well as exercising his brain and reinforcing the good quality relationship between you.

A Well-Trained Pit Bull Is One Who:

• Doesn’t beg at the table
• Comes when called
• Doesn’t jump on people
• Doesn’t bother guest
• Doesn’t pull on the leash

Pitbull Training-Positive Rewards:

In order to be valuable and to achieve the finest results, all pitbull training must be based around positive rewards. Positive reward training works for the reason that if you reward your dog with something he wants as soon as he does what you ask, he is far more likely to do it again. Rewards can be anything that your dog or puppy really wants and may well include; food treats, a favorite toy, playing a certain game or petting. If you are using food treats, you will need to reduce the size of your dog’s regular meals or use his full meal divided up into smaller portions, to prevent your dog putting on weight. Always combine the giving of a reward with verbal praise such as “Good dog”.

As soon as teaching a brand new command, you will need to reward your dog each time that he does what you ask right. When he has the hang of the command, it is a good idea to switch the way you reward by only giving the reward every now and then, because this will make your dog try harder for his reward. All the time verbally praise your dog, even if he is not being rewarded with a treat.

Pitbull Training-Why Punishment Doesn’t Work:

Punishment must never be used in pitbull training. If you punish your dog, it will just teach him to be scared of you and might eventually teach him to be aggressive. He will mistrust you and your relationship could break down. If your dog is being what you consider to be disobedient or badly behaved the greatest thing to do is to take a ‘time out’. You should completely ignore him (and that includes looking at him) or shut him out of the room for 5-10 minutes. This works because dogs crave attention and being part of the pack and so removing this is something that your dog understands far better than being shouted at or hit.

Pitbull Training-The Basic Commands:

The six basic commands you will need to teach your Pitbull in order to acquire a decent degree of control are:

• Look At Me
• Sit
• Down
• Stay
• Come
• Heel

SERVAL SUGGESTIONS BEFORE YOU GET STARTED:

All the time Practice While Your Dog is Hungry – We’ll be using treats through our exercises and your dog will do best while he’s hungry.

Practice the training before your dog eats. If you’re concerned that your dog will gain mass, you can even use his dinner as his rewards.

• Use phrases such as “Good Sit” and “Good Down” – Use these “specific” phrases instead than just saying “Good Dog.” He doesn’t know our “vocabulary” and we need to teach him what the commands really mean.

• Use the word “Off” instead of “Down” – If you don’t you may well be confusing your dog. If you tell your dog “down” when you want him to “lay down” and “down” when your dog “jumps,” then you probably are confusing him. To decrease confusion, use the word “Off” while your dog jumps.

• Don’t Use “NO” Too Often – Be exact! We use “No” for so many things that your dog possibly will think it’s his name!

•Use phrases like “No Bark” and “No Bite” to help your dog understand.

• By no means Punish Your Dog for running from you – This is very crucial and can potentially save your dogs life.

• More Time Rewarding Than Punishing – 90% of your training should focus on rewarding good behavior while only 10% must focus on punishing bad behavior.

• No Harsh Methods – There are many training styles that focus mostly on punishment. This can have long lasting psychological effects on your dog.

• Every time Reward Good Behavior – If you dog is behaving correctly, be sure to let him know. Even if you didn’t tell him to be good. You don’t have to save rewards for training sessions.

Pitbull Training – Exercise 1 – Look At Me

This is the simplest and probably the most crucial exercise. I recommend that you practice this exercise to start with since it helps gain your dog’s attention, which is crucial for proper pitbull training.

To execute this exercise:

Pitbull Training - Exercise 2 – Sit

Getting your dog to sit is very crucial and must be practiced in many diverse Situations. Make him sit while someone comes to the door. Make your dog sit when He greets you. Make him sit when he meets small children. Starting early on can help prevent “jumping problems” and “safely” create your “rank” within the household.

To perform this exercise:

Note:

• If your dog moves back instead than sitting down, start over.

• If you feel your dog just isn’t getting it or getting frustrated, break the training down into lesser parts. For example: Reward him just for moving his head back.

Remember that pitbull training takes patience and devotion.

Pitbull Training - Exercise 3 – Down

To perform this exercise:

Note:

• Again if your pit is make an effort or is feeling frustrated break the pitbull training into smaller pieces.

• Remember to use the word “Off” when your dog jumps so that he won’t be puzzled about the meaning of “Down”

Pitbull Training – Exercise 4 – Stay

To perform this exercise:

Note:

• If your dog doesn’t stay, start over and keep practicing. Eventually your pitbull training will pay off.

• As soon as you can take one step, take another and so on. (You only need to hold the leash higher than your dog’s head until he understands what you want him to do after you tell him to “Stay”)

• Please all the time practice on a leash when outside.

Pitbull Training – Exercise 5 – Come

To perform this exercise:

Note:

If he does not get nearer to you straight away, do not pull him to you but hang on until he eventually decides to come to you. When he does come, praise him, no matter how long it takes. Punishing him, no matter how cross you are, will only make him scared of you and less likely to come.

Pitbull Training - Exercise 6 – The Heel

To perform this exercise:

• Pitbull Puppy Training

• Potty Training Puppies

• Crate Training Puppies

• Puppies Biting

• Puppy Chewing

• Pitbull History

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