How to Care for a Pit Bull
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For the past few years, the reputation of the Pit Bull breed has only declined. Although it is generally accepted that they are easily encouraged to be aggressive, in the right environment Pit Bulls can also make great pets. The Pit Bull owner needs to follow the steps below and exercise integrity when owning this dog.
Step 1: If you live in an apartment, check with your landlord to see if there are rules and regulations with regard to owning a pit bull. If you own a home, check with your homeowner’s association to see what their policy is about pit bulls. Also, check with your homeowner’s insurance. Because of this breed’s reputation, some companies will not insure your home based on you owning a pit bull.
Step 2: The key to getting a good pit bull is to know where he was bred from. You should never purchase a pit bull from anyone but a reputable breeder who has family history and lineage about the dog.
Step 3: In order to help with the problem of the overpopulation of pit bulls, have your new pet spayed or neutered immediately. While at the vet, you can also have your pit checked for his overall health condition. Get your flea treatments out of the way at this time too. Ask your vet for a recommendation about food for your pit bull.
Step 4: Purchase a good collar and leash for your pet. Because of your pet’s strength, you might want to consider getting him a harness.
Step 5: Enroll in an obedience class. This will help your pit bull to learn some discipline and it will help you learn how to handle this powerful pet.
Step 6: With your supervision, allow for opportunities for your pit bull to socialize with other dogs. Because the breed is known for its aggressiveness, you want to keep him leashed when introducing him to new pet friends. You should probably avoid overstimulating environments like dog parks until you’ve developed a trusting relationship with your pit.
Step 7: Daily exersice is a must for this breed. Plan to walk, run or play with your pit every day. (Because he is a stocky dog and may experience joint discomfort, ask your vet about a supplement to keep his joints healthy.)
By following these steps, you can help give this member of a misunderstood breed a new home.
Visit Discount Pet Mall for more great tips and tools to help train your pit bull including dog crates and indoor dog gates.
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Comments
The bad reputation that pits have received is really too bad. I've not owned one myself, but I've never met one that was anything but sweet - and that includes shelter dogs.
I will disagree with you em because I owned a Pit Bull for eight years and he was the best dog I could have ever asked for. He was great around children and loved to play.
i meant agree
Whitney05 says:
12 months ago
Harnesses are not recommended for dogs over say 15 pounds because they give the dog more power over you. A harness should not really be used on a dog who doesn't know how to walk on a collar and lead, as in many cases it will even entice the dog to pull, which is obviously not what you want. You want to be able to control the dog's neck and head, which you just can't do with a harness.
And, very few, if any, apartment actually allow Pit Bulls, Rotts, Dobermans, etc. to live. This is something that needs to be checked BEFORE a person gets the dog not after.
Also, by the way pit bull, with lower case 'P' and 'B' is the representation of a mix breed dog and a dog who looks like a Pit Bull, but is not necessarily 100% known to be a Pit Bull, which can include complete mutts and random mix breed dogs with no APBT in them, but with similar characteristics (IE muscular, short, stout, and big head). With the lower case letters, you're just referring to a classification, not a breed. It may sound silly, but to many (myself included) this can be offending. As I would never refer to my dog as a pit bull in writing, she is an American Pit Bull Terrier, or Pit Bull short. ;-) Capitalization refers to a breed, lower case does not.