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Preventing and Fixing Pitbull Aggression

Discussion in 'Training & Behavior' started by F.W.K., Feb 14, 2018.

  1. F.W.K.

    F.W.K. CH Dog

    Preventing and Fixing Pitbull Aggression
    By Chad Zetrouer

    I often get asked about preventing and/or fixing aggression in Pitbulls so in an effort to help people deal with this issue I will write about a few basic tips that can help. It’s important you try to prevent aggression because it’s much easier to prevent than it is to fix.

    First I need to make it clear that animal aggression and human aggression are two completely different things and are in no way linked. Just because a dog is aggressive toward other dogs or animals does not mean he will be aggressive toward people. In fact, with Pitbulls this is very obvious. Pitbulls are naturally aggressive toward other dogs and animals. It has been bred into them over many generations. But, they have also been bred to be friendly to people.

    This leads us to “soundness”, a sound Pitbull will never show aggression toward a person. A Pitbull that does, has been bred incorrectly, lacks confidence, and probably isn’t even a pure bred Pitbull and may not be a Pitbull at all. If a Pitbull does ever show aggression toward a person, it should be neutered or spayed immediately and never allowed to breed. The reason for this is to prevent that trait from being passed down to further generations of Pitbulls. If irresponsible breeders continue to breed these bad traits, Pitbulls will soon be outlawed all over the world and possibly made extinct.

    When it comes to preventing and fixing aggression, there are three important factors that can be abbreviated as SST or Soundness, Socialization, and Training. We already covered soundness so I will skip that and start with socialization.

    The best time to begin socializing your Pitbull is when it’s a puppy. This means you should allow your Pitbull puppy to interact with as many people and other dogs/animals as possible. Take it to a park or on walks through crowded areas. The more people and animals it interacts with the less likely it will be to show aggression in the future. If you have an older Pitbull it can be more difficult to socialize because it may already be showing some aggression. In this case you must be more careful. One possibility is to get a good muzzle and put it on your Pitbull and then allow it to play with other dogs. It may show aggression but with the muzzle on, it can’t do much damage. However if it does show aggression it should be immediately corrected.

    Training is another important aspect of preventing and stopping aggression because a well trained Pitbull will be easier to control. Training is a very large topic so I can’t cover it here in this article, but my book contains a ton of information about training that can help you with this. If you’ve trained your Pitbull correctly and it shows aggression, you can correct it and let your Pitbull know that you won’t accept that behavior. If you correct and punish your Pitbull every time it shows aggression you should be able to solve the problem. By punish I don’t mean hitting or spanking because physical corrections don’t work very well on Pitbulls and for some Pitbulls, physical corrections don’t work at all.

    If you have a Pitbull and want to get another, you should get one of the opposite sex because Pitbulls are more aggressive toward the same sex. I recommend that if you have a Pitbull, you make sure that it’s your only pet. It’s not wise to bring a Pitbull into a house that already has other dogs or cats. If you do already have another dog, whether it’s a Pitbull or another breed, you should make sure your Pitbulls is of the opposite sex of the dog you already have.

    Follow these guidelines and you will have no problem preventing aggression. If your dog is already showing aggression this information should make it easier to fix but it’s much harder to fix than it is to prevent.

    By Chad Zetrouer

    I often get asked about preventing and/or fixing aggression in Pitbulls so in an effort to help people deal with this issue I will write about a few basic tips that can help. It’s important you try to prevent aggression because it’s much easier to prevent than it is to fix.

    First I need to make it clear that animal aggression and human aggression are two completely different things and are in no way linked. Just because a dog is aggressive toward other dogs or animals does not mean he will be aggressive toward people. In fact, with Pitbulls this is very obvious. Pitbulls are naturally aggressive toward other dogs and animals. It has been bred into them over many generations. But, they have also been bred to be friendly to people.

    This leads us to “soundness”, a sound Pitbull will never show aggression toward a person. A Pitbull that does, has been bred incorrectly, lacks confidence, and probably isn’t even a pure bred Pitbull and may not be a Pitbull at all. If a Pitbull does ever show aggression toward a person, it should be neutered or spayed immediately and never allowed to breed. The reason for this is to prevent that trait from being passed down to further generations of Pitbulls. If irresponsible breeders continue to breed these bad traits, Pitbulls will soon be outlawed all over the world and possibly made extinct.

    When it comes to preventing and fixing aggression, there are three important factors that can be abbreviated as SST or Soundness, Socialization, and Training. We already covered soundness so I will skip that and start with socialization.

    The best time to begin socializing your Pitbull is when it’s a puppy. This means you should allow your Pitbull puppy to interact with as many people and other dogs/animals as possible. Take it to a park or on walks through crowded areas. The more people and animals it interacts with the less likely it will be to show aggression in the future. If you have an older Pitbull it can be more difficult to socialize because it may already be showing some aggression. In this case you must be more careful. One possibility is to get a good muzzle and put it on your Pitbull and then allow it to play with other dogs. It may show aggression but with the muzzle on, it can’t do much damage. However if it does show aggression it should be immediately corrected.

    Training is another important aspect of preventing and stopping aggression because a well trained Pitbull will be easier to control. Training is a very large topic so I can’t cover it here in this article, but my book contains a ton of information about training that can help you with this. If you’ve trained your Pitbull correctly and it shows aggression, you can correct it and let your Pitbull know that you won’t accept that behavior. If you correct and punish your Pitbull every time it shows aggression you should be able to solve the problem. By punish I don’t mean hitting or spanking because physical corrections don’t work very well on Pitbulls and for some Pitbulls, physical corrections don’t work at all.

    If you have a Pitbull and want to get another, you should get one of the opposite sex because Pitbulls are more aggressive toward the same sex. I recommend that if you have a Pitbull, you make sure that it’s your only pet. It’s not wise to bring a Pitbull into a house that already has other dogs or cats. If you do already have another dog, whether it’s a Pitbull or another breed, you should make sure your Pitbulls is of the opposite sex of the dog you already have.

    Follow these guidelines and you will have no problem preventing aggression. If your dog is already showing aggression this information should make it easier to fix but it’s much harder to fix than it is to prevent.
     
    Box Bulldog, KDW and Michele like this.
  2. Jacob

    Jacob Top Dog

    So Nice
     
  3. Why would you want to prevent aggression?.if aggression bothers you,don't get one!.some of the things in that article are funny....for one.you can't fight genetics.and it's dangerous to think you can(but the chap wrighting it seems to think you can).for two.there's some untruths in that article.one of them being about people aggression.as some dogs are people mean.it's a fact.(I don't like them like that,but they are more common then the story books have us believe.)three.what made me laugh,was about the different sexes.lol.they will still fight if they are diffrent sexes.lol.......the most truest thing in that article is. "It is not wise to bring a pit bull in to the house if you already has other dogs and cats" ......fucking hell.understatement or what!.......lol..no seriously,they are not pets.one on its own,can make a great house dog.sometimes.but only to some one who's very deicated.some one who knows how much dog they can be.and who's prepared to take how dangerous they can be at times........if they are real dogs you can't expect them to not show dog aggersion.why anybody would want one as a pet is beond me.theres well more sutible pets out ther. maybe I'm being harsh.on pet owners.erm,let me think.no!.as I've seen far to many of these dogs end up in the wrong hands.and it's dangerous!.u can bet your left bolok on it.that every incident what makes the news.is because of a pet owner who took the dog for granted.....yeah as I said further up.they are to much dog for a pet owner.that's right.there a very big responsibility.they are the strongest breed of dog in the world.can bite harder then any other breed.and this should be taken in to consideration of you want one as a pet.sorry for the rant.but you can't just tell some one what to do with theses dogs"do this, dont do that".I mean that's never gonna work....ages ago some nutter came to me.he said I wanna get a pit bull will you get me one!.I said no!.I don't no we're you get them.he new me,and he looked a bit puzzled at my quick temped attitude.I said mate I'm not being funny with you.but before you go and get a bulldog.learn what one is first!.Richard F Strattons your man he's wrote many books on the breed,read them all and then read them again,then decide if you still want one.he said (looking completely baffeld)never heard of him,and for your information I don't want a bulldog,I want a "pitbull"...lol.I nearly lost my rag but my wife hit the floor with laughter,so I lightens up a bit.mate you got a lot to learn.and wrote down strattons books and told him to go look on line for them.he's walking away totally baffled." how much are these books"?he says. "Not a lot. about fifty quid"I say....his reply was something like " I'm not paying that for a book about dogs"I only wanted to spend that on a dog!.....lol.just one of many of I've met..................what dose every body else think?do you folks think that bulldogs are good or bad pets.I no one thing.there definitely not for people like that nutter I just mentiond...and yes.the nutter I just mentiond did end up getting one.not a real one ofcource.but still.when it escapes and dose something bad because of its stupid incompetent owner.you can be sure it will be labelled "pitbull".by the law.....so come on folks I would like to hear your opinions bulldogs good pets or not???.......................
     
    pitbulld0gs and david63 like this.
  4. F.W.K.

    F.W.K. CH Dog

    People mean dogs ... agression towards people is an unwanted trait in a pit bull terier, a fault in his character or bad upraising.
    People mean dogs should be culled.
    There are plenty of breeds out there who would be a somewhat easier pet to handle but a lot of pit bulls if properly trained can be real good house pets.
    To say they are not suitable as pets is simply not true.
    Beside a good trained dog a responsible owner is required as pits are not dogs to let run loose in a park.
    Have known some real game dogs from various people who were brought up as pets with other pits all together in the same house.
    Ch Jolly Joker and his dam Carrie, Ch Speedy and Ch Harley, Ch Rocky his sister Selma and his dam Zelda, all 1st class dogs house trained and raised together with an another dog(s)..
    Beside mentioned dogs I have known a lot more pits who were raised in the house with good results.
    Biting harder then any other breed?, that's not true, that's throwing myths, plenty of pit bulls who can't bite a hole in a paper bag and you have some who can bite a brick in two.
    Aggression have nothing to do with gameness BTW.
    The capability to listen and obey are for sure to find in this breed of dogs, they are in general very smart.
    Most of the oldtimers didn't liked a dog who was showing his aggression all the time, it should be kept under the hat till the time is there when needed.
    Otherwise such an aggressive dog is a pain in the ass.
    A pit bull is a mental sound animal and is Always interessted into learning new tricks or commands and if it is learned to him play wise he will never forget.
    A pit bull want to please his master and is beside a fighting dog capable to do other work as well.
    That should be admired and not be looked at as something not right
    Service dog, bomb sniffing dog, rescue dog, border patrol dog, pet, you name it pit bulls are used for all those jobs with great results.
    Not all want a fighting breed for fighting which is their good right, due those dogs of great strenght and courage are capable for many other tasks when trained and asked for.
    [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]
     
  5. I was not implying that what I just said at people who have a true understanding of the breed like you sir.people who no the wisdom of the breed.who no the traits and the special quality of the breed.no.I was was not applying that to you all.I was applying it to the general public.please be awere,the general public are a lot different in this day and age.......I know that a people mean dog is out of the question.but they do exist to some degree.I would not like to owen one.(I would put one down no matter how good it was and I have)but there have been some man eaters through history,and not all were culled.I totally agree with you F.W.K.that it's a highly undesirable trait.and I also totally agree,that aggression and gameness are not the same.(a highly aggressive dog dose piss me of ,but if he's a good one I'll Put up with it.)but some specimens are still very aggressive towards other dogs.it dose not mean they are any gamer than the ones who aren't more aggressive.just some are like that.(I have one what totally ignores any thing we pass in the street.and it's a lot easier that way lol.like wise her brother screems his head of at anything with hair on it.)..................and I totally admirer them.I admirer them so much that I don't think everyone should have one.they are so much dog it's awesome!..and I have seen far to many people take them for granted.but the people who understand them,and who are dedicated to them,well,brilliant!.there the folk who deserves them!.people with heart,people with courage,people who what to face the world.people who are passionate about achieving goals.courages people.then yes.the pit bull would be the best companion in the world!.and any one who fits into the above category I would encourage them to get a pitbull......F.W.K....I did not mean to offend you in any way.I'm sorry if I have.I think a positive attitude about the breed is what it needs....to positive owners.....but society is changing.and people now days don't like courage.people are changing.and something people used to admire(courage,gameness)has vanished.and there is only them few special people left who do admirer it.these are the people who should own the breed................ F.W.K.I did not mean to offend you.(I am a terrible wrighter.).........
     
    david63 likes this.
  6. F.W.K.

    F.W.K. CH Dog

    In a perfect world all owners were really good at properly raising their dogs.
    In a perfect world I was filthy rich and 3 times more handsome then Brad Pit...
    But the world is not perfect, and it is just what it is, we have to deal with that, it will never change, you have good owners and bad ones, in the pet world and for sure also in the game dog world.
    Nowadays there are still plenty of people who admire the APBT for their G.A.S. ! Gameness Ability Stamina which made the dog a perfect and unique dog for all kind of jobs.
    The general public and society in general brainwashed by blown out of proportions half truths and lies and also... truths in newspapers and other media coverage are fearing the APBT, thus such possitive things as pit bulls used as service dog or whatever task which they can do for the wellfare of society are more then welcome.
     
    david63, KDW and Soze the killer like this.
  7. I agree.the world is far from perfect.dam.you sure no how to explain things.I hope you haven't took me the wrong way..as I have a perfect pet.she is the best most positive dog you could ever meet.she is the best dog round children since Pete the pup!.she is my child's guardian!........but she would do normal folks head in lol....that's all I was getting at.you see this gyp.she can't be made to bite a person.and you could leave her with a hundred kids and she would just play with them,no matter how rough they were.I have total trust in her.she will not fight until provoked(with a mutt on the street).but she acts crazy around other dogs?she acts slightly mental.and because of this some folks wouldn't like her.but they don't no here deep down.I do....even though she acts slightly crazy,she is very intelligent.I'm not talking fighting intelligence,as she's stupid like that.no I'm just talking plain intelligence.she is so in tune with the family.so part of us....but she would be unsuitable for most folk.most folk were I am anyways........what I'm trying to say is.she would piss most people of.as she's a really full on dog.and most people in this day and age don't really consider that when they get one.but with the way your putting things.it seems a lot better.if people could really see how good these dogs are.perhaps the positive side of these dogs will shine...I was not trying to reflect any negative comments to pit bull breed.I was just pointing out that there not for everyone.................
     
  8. KDW

    KDW Native Nightmare

    Back in the days our apbt tolorated each other.. The knew the difference between there pack, outside dogs and when they needed to go to work... These dogs were gentle with kids and relax to deal with!!!! Lately ppl think a apbt needs to be ALL DAY agressive otherwise it would be a cur or not apbt.. Its biggest bullshit... I had dogs that would go crazy just only seeing a dog and waisting all there engery for NOTHING, and i had dogs that would be relax and mind there own business... Only would bark when they got confronted or needed to go work!.... These dogs are NOT stupid.. They are becoming stupid due to the lack of time these so called dogman have for there dogs!!! If you own dogs its your duty to raise, train and love them! They are so much smarter then just a trigger happy barking dog that wanna kill all that walks around...
     
    Kaos483, F.W.K., Fl0w and 3 others like this.
  9. david63

    david63 CH Dog

    Good point Soze. I agree.
     
    Soze the killer likes this.
  10. Thanks David.was just pointing out that there not for all folk.people who are prepared for them.........well..they are the most rewarding dogs you can get.very satisfying.....
     
    david63 likes this.
  11. oldguy

    oldguy CH Dog

    Some good points.. IMO it's like people, they come in all shape, sizes and personalities.. I got 4 brothers and all different characters (mongrel breeding :) Champion Scotsman's Max walked off lead next to lurcher all his life.. In his retirement I gave Champion Curstopper to a man who went sea fishing off the pier nearly every night, when Curstopper wasn't scrounging fresh mackerel, you'd find him either playing or sleeping with the other dogs on the pier.. Apart from Champion Klogger, one of the most evil dogs I ever came across was Champion Jacko, yet for years he shared his kennel with a little mongrel (and the mongrel was boss) hilarious to see! There's always going to be opposites of those, but it shows, truth sometimes stranger than fiction.
     
    david63, KDW, F.W.K. and 1 other person like this.
  12. I had a evil old dog once .very,very,evil.great with kids,great with some people.terrible with dogs.not a screaming nut bag.but would not allow a dog of any breed near him.he was a house dog.but we moved in with the mother in law.and she had pets so he had to live out side for a bit.well he had not been raised with cats.one night I looked out the window,and see the cat going towards the dog house.no dog came out.I thought shit.it's waiting for the cat to get closer,and then he's gonna run on the cat.my Hart was in my mouth........but the cat just went in the dog house and curled up in a ball with the dog!.I was amazed.I went out to have a closer look.and the dog was just licking the cat!..lol.the cat used to share that dog house every night with him.....the same dog tolerated my pup I ended up getting.(a gyp)I mean they were great with each other.they had a great relationship.they lived together till he died.there was still some accidents though.they were very well behaved.but if I jumped up and yelled wooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!...or something mad like that.I would have to get the sticks out.once they were parted,I would put them in separate rooms till they calmed down.and then they were fine with each other.I just like to point out if I went out I would put them in separate rooms just in case lol.........but yeah,they were great with each other.awesome.a match made in Heaven.the gyp looked rather ill when her lover passed.and I could tell she really missed him.the whole house was sad.she got over it ofcourse....but I could not be arsed ever having two house dogs again.....hers why.you see the pups out of these two.I kept in a nice kennel.as they were getting older,I decided to introduce them to the chains.which was all well and good.and they still slept together at night.then we started arguing with the neighbours.so I ripped the chains up.to be on the safe side.I thought fuck it.they will have to live together.there mum and dad got along just fine.plus I'd read some thing Garry Hammonds had wrote about Ruffes.sleeping with his sister and likeing the company in the cold.i noticed that the pups would do the same.now I would never feed them together.one in the kennel one in the kitchen.but after I fed them I would let them out together in the yard whilst I clean up round them.they were fine.one or twice I could see they were gonna start.and I told them to knock it of.which they did.then one night boom!just after they eat dinner.they were about two,just under.they went like a pair of pro's...........sticks out,parted.spilt up in to different parts of the house.New chains a few days later.but they hated each other after that.and it would of been un wise to try and let them be friends again that's for sure.lol.as you say OldGuy different dogs,like different people.and it's a lot easier to have one as your house dog then 2!.even if they do get along.lol.great pets.if you can be arsed with all that....I can't.I think dogs need there owen space.that dose not mean they should just be left with no attention.far from it.it's just a lot easier if they all have there owen space...a lot less accidents lol.
     
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  13. oldguy

    oldguy CH Dog

    a 2xw and a champion.. Hardly what you'd call separated :) When their owner cleaned them out, he just threw them in a run together, switched them over and separated them again once he finished cleaning.. one of the best females I owned was out of those 2 dogs.. Not sure whether I'd have been comfortable with that set up, but not my dogs and life isn't always perfect. Grizzly & Chainey.jpg
     
    david63, KDW, reids skipper and 2 others like this.
  14. Lol.nice set up.I totally agree.life is far from perfect.especially over here we're we live in tight living conditions.and I would sure love to have them all on twenty foot chains.but I can't either.just have to make do.and it's a lot easier if there of a calm disposition.as I said earlier up the page.I have one what's very calm.so calm infact, you would not no you had her.she totally ignores dogs on the street when we're on our journeys.her brother is the opposite.they have both had the same attention growing up.just some are different from others.I wished they were all calm,but it's a little to much to expect from every one of them.and as you say life ain't perfect.....lol.keep some sticks in them pockets at all times!...
     
    david63, oldguy and F.W.K. like this.

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