Propper Training Techniques?

Have been lurking around here for a while and now that my new house is built i have decided on getting an APBT. I was just wondering if you guys had any GOOD sites, articles, etc with propper training techniques? There is nothing i dislike more then a poorly trained/behaved dog. I have owned dogs in the past growing up but i was not responcible for training them, now that i am married, and in my own house it will be my task..

I want to do as much as i can on my own then put him into obediance classes. ANy recomendations on reputable classes in the Az area?

Also anything special i should know about owning an APBT?

Thanks
Dave

 

Do Alot Of Research Before You Make Your Dec.

 

here you go. the first one is the history of the APBT. the others are dog training tips.

http://www.canismajor.com/dog/amerpit.html

http://www.canismajor.com/dog/ttrain.html

http://www.thepetcenter.com/gen/training1.htm

 

Thanks guys.. I have been doing research since december, and have waited till my house was done and i had a nice and stable home for him, rather then get him in my old apt, and move him to a new home.. I am going to keep researching though..

Any advice, or things to look for in behavior when i am picking the dog?

 

I'm not an expert, but if it was me this is what would run through my head.


#1) The more family members you can see the better. Atleast make sure you can see both parents. Check out the parents like you would check the pups, how are they built? in proportion and athletic like a pitbull should be? healthy, good coat and skin? temperament, are the parents friendly to you? they should be, especially if the owner is there, if you can't even approach them then just leave, you don't want pups that carry those genes in their temperaments. See what other family members are there, often times breeders will have dogs there from past breedings, or maybe even the grandparents. By checking out the family you can get a good idea on how your pup will look and act.

#2) Paperwork, check out the peds on the parents, if you want your pup to be registered then make sure there's papers on the parents, they should be there at the owners place for you to see. Don't listen to any excuses, if they can't show you the papers on the parents then they are lying. They should have sent for the litter, so you will be getting your pups certificate soon if they have'nt arrived already. Make sure you get a reciept of purchase and something stating that you will recieve your pups papers if not there yet.

#3) Records of health on pups. They should have records on dewormings and some of the vaccinations on the pups. Check them out, also some breeders will have a health assesment from the vet on the pups, check for that. You'll know the difference between a good breeder and a backyard breeder, you have all the time in the world, so be very picky for these things, there are plenty of breeders that will have everything.

#4) Check the living conditions of the dogs. Make sure that the dogs living there including the parents are well taking care of. Just take a look at the premises they are living at. The breeder should'nt have anything to hide, showing you the living conditions should'nt be a problem, what is there to hide?

#5) Ask to see pictures, most good breeders will have albums of their dogs and family members.

#6) After everthings looks good then you can evaluate the pups. Now even though they are young, sometimes you can still tell dominate, shy, ect. dogs apart. There are different tests you can do to evaluate the pups possible temperament, check around online.

I did'nt know anything about dogs when I made my first purchase of a male pup last a couple years ago, but I was lucky because the breeder had all the things I listed and even went down alot on the price of the pup after he saw us playing together. He also gave me food to take home and told me everything I needed to know to raise him!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's when you know the person actually cares about their dogs and are'nt in it for the money. Good luck!

 

“Also anything special i should know about owning an APBT?”
Yes, don’t get one! That’s the best advice anyone can/will give you. There are much better breed choices to look into, that will be better suited for a pet/companion.

 

????? APBTs have been around as pets and companions for decades and provided with proper socialization during the all important early puppyhood period can make loving and devoted addition to education owners. They can also excel in performance competitions such as obedience, agility, flyball, and schutzhund....although generally most professional schutzhund trainers feel they are disinclined to bite work. This socialization requires extreme dedication on the part of the owner and should begin with the breeder. Some authorities recommend steering clear of pups raised outside of the home (eg: in kennels, outdoor runs, ect.) since this puts the pup well behind those raised indoors in a home setting. Most authorities feel that the ideal time to take the pup into it's new home is between seven and eight weeks. Aggression towards other animals is also a concern with the breed.....reinforcing the importance of extensive socialization. I would recommend the reading at least some of the following books for more in-depth information. And THANK You for doing your research first!

How to Speak Dog Stanley Coren
The Rosetta Bone Cheryl S. Smith
The Dog Listener Jan Fennell
The Intelligence of Dogs Stanley Coren
The Dog Whisperer Paul Owens
Bones Would Rain From the Sky Suzanne Clothier
How Dogs Think Stanley Coren

It seems alot of people at this site don't think pit bulls have any place anywhere other than in "yards" chained to car axles and site the breed's gameness as the reason for that sad existence. A number of the books listed above very clearly describe the psychological ramifications for dogs kept in those conditions and consider it a recipe for disaster. It's pathetic in my opinion and fails to account for large number of gamebred pits in family homes that are much-loved and more-loving pets. Of course, I'll probably get blasted for my statements here and accused of having "pet bulls" OMG, but mine are well-adjusted ambassadors of the breed despite their very nice game pedigrees. (And my dogs DO hunt!) Best of luck in your search and for a wonderful future with your pit.

 

Well said Gamekeeper, even if I get blasted I still like your posts, you seem to have a good understanding of the issues you address, thanks for keeping things real....

 

What insurance agents do you guys use? Mine is giving me a problem..

I am not getting this dog to be part of some fad, or for the worng reasons.. I love dogs, and grew up around dogs, and some of the best dogs were my friends pits.. I am doing my reserch becasue i refuse to get a dog, and get rid of him, he is here to stay.. It is ashame all these dogs in shelters due to careless owners getting them for the worng reasons..

Any help with Ins would be great!

Thank
Dave

 

Adopt one from a shelter. There are tons of young unwanted dogs that need homes.

B

 

"APBTs have been around as pets and companions for decades and provided with proper socialization during the all important early puppyhood period can make loving and devoted addition to education owners.”
Just in moderately recent time, have dog’s, became “pets”. They have previously been breed and raised for the use and their benefit too serve man by performing certain tasks. They were never meant nor designed too be a “pet”! Which is why so many have psychological problems these days. Before dog’s became useless stuff lawn/house decorations, they didn’t have all the health/psychological problems they currently do. Simply because they don’t have nor meet any performance standard or breeding criteria and ultimately have no purpose for existence, beyond our own selfishness. It doesn’t take much knowledge to breed a useless ornament, that serve no purpose but too consume feed and water!

“They can also excel in performance competitions such as obedience, agility, flyball, and schutzhund....although generally most professional schutzhund trainers feel they are disinclined to bite work.”
Any breed can excel in obedience training and most breeds can do flyball, agility, etc. Schutzund, this breed and other bulldog breeds don’t do well, simple because of their “out” ability and can’t be competitive with the herding breeds. Has nothing to do with them being “disinclined”.

“Some authorities recommend steering clear of pups raised outside of the home (eg: in kennels, outdoor runs, ect.) since this puts the pup well behind those raised indoors in a home setting.”
Just depends on what one is looking for in a dog. Not sure where you are getting a indoor dog is any better or worse than an outdoor kept one. Most of working kennels of any breed keep their dogs outdoors and keeps the relationship of a working partnership. They each have their own positives and negatives. In general all working dog’s are much happier and live a better life, doesn’t matter of where they sleep.

“Aggression towards other animals is also a concern with the breed.....reinforcing the importance of extensive socialization.”
True and 99.5% of the individuals owning/caring for these dogs are not equipped educationally to correctly train them properly to overcome their genetic makeup! Hell for that matter, neither is most so called “trainers”! But I still stand behind my statement…there is better choices, when choosing a breed for a pet!

“It seems alot of people at this site don't think pit bulls have any place anywhere other than in "yards" chained to car axles and site the breed's gameness as the reason for that sad existence.”
True, but other than the “gameness” part and “axle” you could say that about 95% of all dogs. I’m not one of them, but I also don’t think you can have a happy, mentally healthy dog, that just sit around the house keeping the couch warm. All dogs need a job and thrive when they actually have something to do. The average bulldog and pet has and lives a sad, lonely, pathetic, unfulfilled life. Anyone wants to see a “happy” dog, go see a working dog!

“A number of the books listed above very clearly describe the psychological ramifications for dogs kept in those conditions and consider it a recipe for disaster.”
They are some nice books, even though some are just reshuffled wording of others work and theories. There has been studies done on kenneled dogs versus tethered dogs and there wasn’t any psychological difference between either. Neither is there a vast difference between a chained dog or one keep in the house, they all require and need certain things to be mentally balanced. It all boils down too their owners knowledge and willingness to get off their butts an exercise them.

“It's pathetic in my opinion and fails to account for large number of gamebred pits in family homes that are much-loved and more-loving pets.”
Pathetic is…having a working dog rotting in a house, on a chain, etc. etc. But being you stated you read and somewhat have studied dog psychology you should be fully aware, love is the least important part of a well balanced dog. There is more important things they need, too thrive!

 

You both are saying the same thing just in a different way. What Game was saying is that alot of people just throw a pitbull outside in a yard and on a chain and thats it! What Texas is saying is that some people just let a pitbull live as a house pet, lying on the couch all day. You both seem to agree that the breed should be actively doing something, as I too believe. That's what's important, the pitbull should be kept working both physically and mentally. Any pit regardless if it's inside or outside is not a happy dog if the owner is not doing anything with it. Yeah they're are loving dogs, and make great companions, but should not be kept by lazy people or people that can't spend time with them. They are active, athletic dogs and should be treated as such. I agree Texas, they need to be worked regardless of where they live.

 

Amen!
I keep my dog indoors. But, I make sure my dog gets plenty of exercise. If you decide to get a bulldog as a pet, you need to understand that it can not be sitting in the house all day. It must have an extensive amount of exercise throughout the day. Rain or shine. Otherwise, your dog will, without a doubt, start to develop behavior problems and that is one reason why there are so many dogs in the shelters. Personally, I make sure my dog gets at least 30 minutes of fetch to get him warmed up and about an hour of flirt pole. I follow that up with some walking for about an hour, when possible. Not to mention constant tug of war in the house. The amount of exercise varies with the dog. If your dog has the urge to run laps around your house, you may want to start giving him more exercise.
I currently live in an apartment and I know that my dog absolutely NEEDS this exercise daily to be happy. I am moving next month to a house with a large yard, though.

 

I agree 100%. Exercise is a must if you want to keep your house and belongings from being destroyed by a bored dog. A tired dog is a good dog!

 

Well, i will most certanly be excersing my dog.. I cant say he is going to be plowing feilds, or working, but he wont be sitting around on my couch either..