Training Pit Bull Dogs – Training Tips To Get You Started

Pit Bulls are really smart dogs but at times can be quite stubborn, which can make training difficult even for experienced dog trainers.

Even though Pit Bulls can be a little more stubborn than other dog breeds, it is fairly easy to get your dog trained if you follow some basic guidelines and keep the training sessions exciting.

Here are some key tips which you must always keep in mind whenever you are teaching your Pit Bull new tricks:

Keep training sessions short

Pit Bulls get bored very easily, which is the primary cause for their stubborn behavior, and telling them to do same command over and over will only frustrate them more. Keep each training session with your dog under 7 minutes. You can have multiple sessions per day, but anything longer than seven minutes is over doing it.

Be Consistent

Try to be consistent with everything you do because dogs are creatures of habit. Don’t switch up the names of your commands; “Sit” and “Sit Down” sound different to your pit bull so only stick to one of them. Be consistent so your dog knows what you expect of him and doesn’t have to guess what you are asking him to do.

Reward good behavior

Pitbulls are loyal dogs and always try to do their best to please their owners, so make it obvious when you are happy with what your dog is doing by rewarding him. It doesn’t have to be a treat all the time; the reward can be just a simple praise like “Good boy”.

Punishing Bad Behavior Myth – Exposed

There seems to be a myth still floating around about punishing bad behavior. I’m not talking about correcting bad behavior, I’m talking about punishment, like yelling or hitting your pit bull over something he has done.

Hitting or yelling at your Pit Bull for misbehaving or not listening to you while you are trying to train him something will only generate more frustration and resentment between you and you dog.

You don’t want your Pitbull listen to you because of fear of being punished or yelled at; you want him to listen out of respect. With respect you earn his trust and his obedience. Punishing your pit bull for bad behavior will only lead to frustration for you and will crush any chances of having a bond between you two.

Correcting A Misbehaving Pit Bull

This however doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t correct your pit bull when you catch him misbehaving. Correcting bad behavior in reality is actually your best tool in your dog training arsenal, but only if you use it in the right way.

Only correct your Pit Bull if you catch him in the act. If you come home to a chewed up pillow that was destroyed hours ago, confronting your dog about it will most likely only confuse him.

If however you catch him in the act, use this moment to benefit your training. Tell your Pit Bull with a stern but firm voice “No”, take away the pillow and then give him one of his chew toys.

You should always take action whenever you catch your pit bull misbehaving or else he will just assume you condone that kind of behavior.

Should I Hire A Professional Dog Trainer To Train My Pit Bull?

Simple obedience training doesn’t require any dog training classes or the assistance of a professional dog trainer. You can do all the training at home on your own.

I would even go as far as to say that training your dog on your own is much better than signing up for dog training classes.

Training is the best way to form a good relationship with your dog and to get him to trust you. If someone else is teaching your dog new commands then who do you think your Pitbull will look up to; you or the trainer?

What will happen if the problem and misbehaving comes back? Will you know how to fix it or will you be dependent on the dog trainer again?

The only time I would recommend seeking the help of a professional dog trainer is when you are dealing with serious dominance issues with your Pit Bull. If you are frightened of your dog attacking or biting you then don’t hesitate calling for help. Lack of experience in this situation will only make matters worse.

However if you are just trying to teach your dog a couple new tricks or are dealing with other disobedience issues, then the best trainer for your Pit Bull will always be you, and not a stranger who your dog will never see again.

It seems that whenever people think of Pit Bulls they automatically picture an aggressive dog just waiting to attack its prey, but does this image truly represent this pit bull breed?

Well judging from the history of the breed, it’s actually quite the opposite. Before breeds like Golden Retrievers and the German Shepherds, Pit Bulls were actually considered to be the most popular family dogs.

It wasn’t uncommon for families with young children to have Pit Bulls as pets because no one considered Pit Bulls to be aggressive dogs trained to fight and attack, but instead they viewed the breed as loyal and compassionate family dogs.

So what changed between then and now? Did the Pit Bull dog breed suddenly took a bad turn towards aggression and lost all of the good qualities along the way? Or did just our perception of Pit Bulls change?

The truth is that Pit Bulls still possess the loyal and family friendly characteristics that it did years ago. The only thing that changed is increase in negative publicity of the Pitbull dog breed.

Pit Bog Breed

So if Pit Bulls are so family friendly, why are they banned in some states and, even in some cases, across whole countries?

The ban of the breed is not because Pit Bulls are aggressive by nature, but mainly because of the misuse of the dogs in the illegal underground dog fighting rings. Just because pit bulls are used for dog fighting matches, doesn’t mean that the dogs enjoy it or want to participate in it; they simply have no choice.

When two Pit Bulls are put up against either they have no choice but to defend themselves, if they don’t they will either be chewed up by the other dog or the owner will punish the dog in some cruel way or even put it down.

They are not born with instincts to fight other dogs, but instead conditioned and trained to do so from an early age. It’s not the dogs fault but instead the fault of those participating in these underground fights.

Would Pit Bulls Make Good Family Pets?

Pit Bulls are certainly not for everyone. They have specific needs and requirements just like any other breed.

Exercise

As you probably have already guessed, Pit Bulls are not the type of dogs that love to sit home all day lying around and being lazy. They are very energetic dogs and need a lot of exercising/playing. If you are looking for a dog that is lazy and sleeps for most of the day then a Pitbull might not be right for you and your family.

However if you are looking for dog that will have no problem keeping up with you whenever you go on daily runs or a dog that loves playing outdoors with your kids all day then an adorable Pit Bull puppy might be just the perfect match for you and your family.

Training

Pit Bulls are not the easiest dogs to train, especially if don’t know what they are doing. They are pretty good at figuring people out and can be quite manipulative once they figure you out. They are also quite stubborn at times which can slow down your training progress significantly.

Grooming

If you hate having dog hair all over your furniture and clothes, something similar to what you would get from a Golden Retriever, then Pit Bulls are perfect dogs for you. Don’t get me wrong, Pit Bulls still shed just like all other dogs, but because their fur is so short, you can barely notice it.

Grooming Pit Bull is simple, their coats will stay clean and shy for a long time with a good diet. They don’t need frequent baths, it’s actually better to bathe them less often, and they don’t get dirty as some of the other breeds.

Many People Already Have Pit Bulls As Family Dogs!

A lot of people have already invited Pit Bulls into their home and love them.

Want to share your Pit Bull stories with the rest of the readers?

The reasons for dog scratching are many. The ways to stop pit bull scratching are also many, and available to address each of these reasons. Some of the main causes for scratching can be from fleas, food allergies, or skin issues. These issues need to be addressed. Continuous scratching can lead to hot spots, infections, and other problems that can become long term if left unattended.

Reasons For Pit Bull Scratching

As is the case with so many canine problems, it can be challenging to sift through all the possible reasons for the problem to get to the right one. Scratching is no exception. To stop pit bull scratching, one must first identify the underlying cause. Let’s take a look at six main reasons for the problem of scratching.

Allergies

Allergies can come from, but are not limited to food, fleas, plants, and dust. These and other allergies can all cause dermal issues that result in intense itching.

Environmental

Coming into contact with too much of a substance such as water from swimming, dirt from digging, or just playing outside can cause scratching also.

Infection

Infections can result from bacteria, fungi, or yeast. Indicators are wet sores, bare patches, swelling, or redness. Infections must be addressed right away as they can lead to problems much worse than scratching.

Neurogenic

A dog that has nervous issues may be prone to lick a lot, or chew at himself. Reasons for this can be separation anxiety, boredom, and lack of physical and/or mental activity.

Nutritional

Proper diet is essential to stop pit bull scratching because without the proper nutrients, a dog can wind up with dry skin, dry hair, eczema, and sores. It really pays to investigate the nutritional value of so-called complete dog foods, and pit bull nutritional needs. You may be shocked at what you discover.

Parasitical

External parasites include fleas, ticks, mites, mosquitoes, flies, gnats, and lice. There are many medications that can be easily obtained to control parasites.

Clearly, the way to stop pit bull scratching is to identify why the scratching began initially.

Visiting Your Veterinarian

Utilizing the criteria above will get you off to a great start in identifying where the scratching behavior is coming from. A visit to your vet, however, serves a twofold purpose. Firstly, she can accurately identify the source of the scratching, and secondly, she can prescribe the exact treatment to arrest it.

If your dog has an infection, an antibiotic, anti-fungal or cream will be in order to remove the effects. Allergies will require antihistamines, or a change in diet, and parasites can be treated with medications.

Nervous Scratching

Of all the ways to stop pit bull scratching, the hardest to stop is the neurogenic cause. The other five problems can be treated with diet alterations, medication, or change in their exercise routines. For chronic, neurogenic itching, you’ll need to figure out, you guessed it, the underlying cause of the incessant need to scratch.

If you feel that lack of exercise is the problem, try getting your dog out more and adding more intense activity into the routine. If the scratching is due to boredom, which it often is, this extra exercise will help to solve the problem.

The big problem with the boredom factor is that your dog may have developed a self comforting habit of licking or chewing itself. In this case a topical application of cayenne pepper or bitter apple will help.

Many people use a cone from the vet that will prevent the dog from reaching itching hot spots. Once your dog has an improved, more intense exercise routine, normal activities can be slowly resumed. Use of the cone and the topical deterrent can then be discontinued.

Of course if you try everything and nothing seems to work, then you’ll need to head back to the vet again to rule out any other physical ailments. Sometimes,other issues such as infections can grow in the interim.

In the end, to stop pit bull scratching, the goal as a dog owner is to be watchful for reasons why your dog might start scratching in the first place. In most cases the problem can be easily identified and fixed, but a second opinion never hurts.

It is always a little embarrassing when friends or family stop to see you, wearing their best going-to-visit clothes, and your pittie with muddy feet jumps on them in excitement. You wish, red-faced, that you could stop your pit bull from jumping as you are apologizing all over the place. The good news is you can with just a few pit bull training tips. The key is to learn how to get your dog to keep his feet on the ground. In order to do this you will need to give him a good reason to do so.

Why Pit Bulls Jump

One of the reasons puppies jump on people is because they want to get to their faces to greet them. This may seem cute and even humorous when the dog is a pup, but allowed to continue into adulthood it can and will become a problem. The reason an adult dog jumps is to assert dominance in the pack which means dominance over you! To combat this you need to assert yourself as alpha leader in your home through pit bull obedience training.

Jumping is typically not a sign of aggression, or bad character, but it can be very inconvenient and annoying to say the least. At its worst, jumping can be dangerous—knocking small children or frail individuals down, knocking items out of hands, scratching or even lacerating skin… To stop your pit bull from jumping, your dog simply needs to learn that a more desirable behavior is to keep all four on the floor.

Stopping Excited Pit Bull Jumping

If your dog’s jumping is due to excitement, one effective measure to take is to ignore him by not looking at or touching him until all four feet are back on the ground. When his feet are planted, immediately praise him and pet him. If he jumps on you again, repeat the procedure. After a while he’ll grasp the idea that he will only receive the reward of your affection when he is not jumping on you.

Another technique is to ignore your pit bull altogether for 10 or 15 minutes when you get home from an outing. This short period of time is enough to allow your dog to calm down. When he’s calm you can praise and pet him. If you show affection to your dog when he is out of his mind with excitement to see you, he will associate the reward with the excited behavior, thus reinforcing his desire to jump.

Yet another way to stop your pit bull from jumping is by stepping into his space. Only the alpha dog, or pack leader is allowed to take over another dog’s space, and by taking a quick sidestep into the space that would otherwise have been occupied by your dog, you are accomplishing two things:

1. Asserting pack leadership, and…

2. Putting your dog off-balance, creating an uncomfortable situation for him.

This technique is not to be done aggressively. The idea is not to scare or harm your dog, but to make him realize that jumping on you is not a respectful or fun thing to do. After all, no dog would disrespect the pack leader.

To stop your pit bull from jumping with this technique you always want to step into your dog’s space, and never away from it. If you step away, you are giving up space, allowing him to regain balance instead of taking it away. Do this calmly and casually, always taking and retaining your space.

A dog that jumps all the time is a real annoyance. A pit bull that jumps can be even scarier because of the undeserved reputation that the breed has endured due to historical human blunders. One of the ways we can restore the pit bulls one time status of family favorite is to learn how to stop pit bulls from jumping.

There are very few dog traits that are more frustrating and nerve-racking than chasing. To stop Pit Bull chasing is critical because, depending on the location of the event, it can be extremely dangerous to both the chaser and the chase. A squirrel in the woods is one thing–you just walk up to the tree that your pittie is circling and get a hold of her.

A squirrel in a park running among picnickers, and across roadways is entirely different. Plus, a chasing event is certainly disruptive to any plans you might have of a serene walk with your dog. So, unless you want to leave your companion at home all the time, you’ll want to learn how to stop Pitbull chasing.

Training Methods

For whatever reason, your dog has learned to chase everything that moves. What do you do? It is obvious that your Pit Bull has to learn not to chase by going through a training program. We start with the leash to gain and maintain control over the dogs attention, and to keep her safe during the training period.

Keeping Pit Bull attention is very important. Dog needs to recognize you as the pack leader. If she doesn’t respect you and expect from you, then she will not listen to you. What does your Pitbull expect? Leadership and guidance. Once you have your Pitbull full attention, she or he will be ready to listen to commands. Make sure your dog knows that it is you who is in control of the situation. Then you can give dog the okay to start walking.

Leash training is a great way to begin to stop Pitbull chasing. The method itself is reasonably simple, but it can be tedious and frustrating. Once your Pit Bull ‘gets it’ though, it will have been well worth the patience because dog will have a much better understanding of who the control belongs to.

As you walk with your dog and Pitbull begins to pull, stop, bring her to your side, and make her-s sit until she is calm and focused on you. When dog is calm and focused, give the command to walk again. If your Pit Bull pulls again, stop, bring dog to your side, and make your pitty to sit until she is calm and focused, etc… Soon she will associate the sensation of pulling against the leash with stopping.

If your dog is off the leash, and spies a subject worthy of chase, it is a good tactic to distract Pit Bull attention with another object such as a favorite toy. If you notice that something has caught Pitbull attention that may give way to chase, just toss the toy out as a diversion. This can be quite effective.

Another method that works well is aversion. What you do is get a friend, who is also a friend of the dog’s, to ride by on a bicycle or skateboard, or jog by thus stimulating the dog’s desire to chase. To stop Pit Bull chasing here, have the friend halt, firmly say “no!”, and spray them with a water bottle. Many dogs will realize that catching the object of chase is not rewarding. Some dogs may take offense. That’s why it is important that your helper be a friend of the dog.

Things To Avoid

There are really no reasons to go to extremes to stop Pit Bull chasing. If you put in enough effort and patience, you should be able to curb your dog’s chasing habit in a short amount of time. If it just doesn’t seem to be working, you might consider calling on an expert to help. Whichever the case, do not resort to:

• Shock collars, Electric fences
• Hitting
• Yelling
• Choking

These measures are inhumane, and not always effective.

What starts out as amusing or cute when a dog is young can turn into an annoying and dangerous habit as the pup ages. Along with the stopping of biting, barking, jumping, and other undesirable behaviors, it is wise to stop Pit Bull chasing as early as possible in your dog’s development.

What Is PitBull Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety is a very common problem that most dogs experience and pitbulls are no exception. Pitbull separation anxiety manifests itself at levels ranging from mild to severe. It can show itself as a brief round of barking when you leave to a much worse scenario of ripping up the house and incessantly barking while you’re gone. This can be very disconcerting until you realize that the problem is separation anxiety, and can be controlled.

Where Pit Bull Separation Anxiety Comes From

The role you play as Alpha Leader, or lead dog, in the household gives your pit bull a sense of security. Your dog’s attachment to, and dependence on you, his master, is strong. When you leave the house, he will grow agitated. Most of the anxiety felt, however, is not so much due to an attachment to you as it is an attachment to specific actions represented by your absence. Even though your pet does not like it when you leave, that is not justification for growing so agitated.

Pit bull separation anxiety happens because of behaviors embedded by routines. For instance, you lavish praise and attention on your pittie just before leaving , and as soon as you get home from work, or some other routine activity. After a while your dog develops expectations that are reinforced daily, and this can lead to a dog that cannot control his anxious anticipatory feelings in your absence.

How To Reduce PitBull Separation Anxiety

Reducing pit bull anxiety doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task. Here are a few methods to use to do the job.

Vary the routine – Your pit bull may respond anxiously to triggers related to your leaving the house.

These triggers can include:

• The sound of the alarm clock ringing.
• The buzzing of an electric razor.
• The opening of a dresser drawer.

Change your morning routine – Try getting up at different times. Lay your clothes out the night before. Shave with a blade instead of an electric razor. Of course, your routine may not be like this one, but the point is that subtle changes in routine can go a long way in reducing pit bull separation anxiety.

Avoid behavior reinforcement – If your pit bull has come to expect your attention before you leave the house and when you get back home, it is partly because you have reinforced the behavior by giving lots of attention before you leave the house and when you get back home. Simple enough, right?

To reduce pit bull separation anxiety, simply remove the association between your exits and returns and the giving of affection. As hard as this may be, try ignoring your dog for 10-15 minutes when you get home. Do not lavish him with attention when you leave. Be firm and consistent; don’t give in to whimpering or barking.

Interval training – This is pretty self explanatory. Simply leave the house, then come back at longer and longer intervals. As your time away increases, so does your dog’s tolerance of that time length. And, of course, you do not want to pour attention on your pit bull every time you walk in or out of the doorway as this would defeat the purpose of the training.

A Win-Win Situation

The solutions to pit bull separation anxiety reduction are far from cruel. The opposite is quite true in fact. By showing your dog that he can’t have everything he wants when he wants it, you are asserting your alpha dog position in the pack. This helps your dog to feel safe and relaxed in the knowledge that you have things under control and that there is no reason for them to feel that anxiety. This is good for you and it is good for the dog–a win-win.

Pit Bull Separation Anxiety Training

When your Pitbull becomes too reliant on you he may become very upset or distressed when you leave him alone. This could be a sign of separation anxiety and may result in your dog displaying inappropriate behavior. This doesn’t mean your Pit Bull is being bad, he may just be trying to communicate his fear and anxiety. With a little pitbull separation anxiety training you will be able to calm his worries and prevent him from getting worked up and misbehaving when he’s left alone.

Desensitize Him to Leaving Signals

Your Pit Bull is smart and can understand what certain signals mean. When you grab his food bowl, he may get excited knowing that it’s meal time. He probably runs to the door with his tail wagging when you pick up his leash. He also knows that when you grab your keys, shoes, or coat, you plan on leaving him alone. If he starts getting worked up and whines or jumps up on you when you try to leave, some dog separation anxiety training may be needed.

You can get him used to the clues of leaving your house by picking up your keys and walking around with them, but not going anywhere. Put your shoes or coat on at random times in the day and just walk around in them for awhile. Disassociating these actions from the act of leaving will eventually make him much calmer for the times that you actually do leave your house.

Practice Leaving the House

A very effective pitbull separation anxiety training technique involves leaving your house for short periods of time to show your dog that you really will be coming back. When you leave, your dog may not understand that you’ll return to him, so walk out of your house and close the door for a few minutes then come back in to him.

Keep doing this for short periods until he responds calmly. Reward him for his good behavior and increase the length of time you leave. Eventually add in the sound of your car starting, then the sound of your driving away. When he sees that you always return, he should start to become much less anxious when he sees you go.

Distance Yourself from Him

You may love to spend as much time as possible with your Pitbull, but this could be what’s causing his anxiety. Another dog separation anxiety training method is to not allow him to sit beside you at all times or sleep with you in your bed. Do drills with him to make him stay in one room while you spend time in another and give him a treat when he does as you wish. You can still spend plenty of time with him, but by slowly incorporating some distance between you, he’ll be much calmer and comfortable when he’s left alone.

PitBull Separation Anxiety Final Words

It is important to address any dog health issues immediately, whether mental or physical. Mild separation anxiety will be controlled by implementing the simple techniques included here. If your pittie has issues that are too severe for you to resolve using the techniques suggested, you may have to seek further help. Start with your veterinarian. The objective is to have a happy, healthy relationship with your pet Pit Bull.

Choosing the right type of dog food for your puppy or dog is a crucial decision to make, which will need pondering on all the facts.

Your choice of diet plays a major role in the growth of your dog or puppy, its overall appearance, wellbeing, and behavior habits. Every aspect of your dog’s life is determined by the dog food nutrition it gets.

The market is full of the best dog food for bully Pit Bulls, but you need to do a research on dog food ratings and choose from the dog foods with high rates.

It is important to know that not all dogs are the same, therefore you have to sample some of the highest rated dog foods in order to find out which one works best with your puppy or dog.

What a Poor Diet Will Do for Your Dog

A poor diet can cause weakened immune system, increase chances of arthritis, cancers, cystitis, hypertension, liver failure, diabetes, and epilepsy.

Dogs that are offered low quality diets have been reported to be hyperactive or have sluggish behavior and build up in the eyes. In addition, they easily contract ear infections, bowel disease, as well as countless allergies.

Watch out if your dog vomits frequently or experiences heavy shedding and dull coat, the problem could be with the diet you are offering him. This is not the end of the problem list. The repercussions of a poor diet are numerous.

The Benefits of Investing In Healthy, Notorious, and Well Balanced Dog Food

In the long run you will see that committing to offer your Pit Bull the best diet will give you back returns. If you are looking for your dog to have vitality and energy, as well as minimize the visits to the vet, then you have no other option but to play along with looking for the best dog food for Pitbulls.

A well-balanced dog food boosts well-defined muscle tone, prevents foul odor and promotes bright, clear bright eyes as well as healthy gums and teeth. Pitbulls that are consistently given good diets have fewer digestive complications, firmer stools and healthy coat and skin. With the longevity and quality of life that good dog food for Pit Bull puppies offers, you will definitely agree that it is worth the effort.

So… What Is The Best Food For Pit Bulls?

There are certain attributes that determine whether your dog need a lower calorie food or high-calorie diet, and these attributes greatly affect the energy needs of your dog. They include:

Growth – Growing puppies tend to have a more energy requirement than adult dogs. Dog food with moderate fat level and high protein level, is what needs to be your target.

There are many manufacturers that sell best dog food for Pit Bulls to gain weight, and all you need to do is find one that suits the needs of your dog.

Lactation – Just like how it applies to human, a nursing female dog also requires almost eight times more energy.

Human factors – Human factors such as local availability and purchasing cost, are capable of affecting your dog food purchasing choice. It is essential you understand that health of your dog comes down to the quality of an animal’s food.

When choosing a dog food brand, it is important you put into consideration the manufacturer’s availability, responsiveness and reliability. It can be more annoying and devastating if a company makes wonderful food, but you are unable to reach them, the customer service team is not helpful, or your shipping order is always late.

Reproduction – If your female dog is pregnant, it will need high protein dog food for Pit Bulls, which does not rise significantly until the dog reaches the final third of her pregnancy. At this stage, it may only rise by a factor of three.

You need to get high calorie food for your pregnant dog for her to have the required energy level required during this stage.

Illness – Dogs that are unwell due to various diseases, have higher energy needs. Sufficient energy is needed to repair damaged tissues and increase the immune response.

Active level – This is simple. A dog that exercises more needs to consume more energy, so as to be able to keep up with the condition.

Age – Older dogs are less active compared to younger, growing puppies making them have lower energy needs. Growing puppies need more calories, so as to maintain their condition and body weight.

This simply means that older dogs can be fed on low calorie foods, while young dogs on high calorie foods.

Weighting Your Options

Deciding on which type of dog food to take home can be an overwhelming task, but this need not to be that difficult. You need to shop with caution for the dog food that will meet your dog’s health needs.

Many dog owners have confessed, that many dog food industries less focus on the well being of your precious puppies and dogs. Choosing the best dog food for Pitbulls goes, far beyond the marketing secrecy and tactics.

You need to study your dogs thoroughly in aspects of feeding habits, physical characteristics and allergies, to be able to come up with the best dog food for Pitbull that meet its health needs.

Place your focus on the longevity, health, and vitality of your dog when determining the best puppy food for your precious pet, and always be consistent after making your feeding choice clear.

Calorie Consideration

The weight of your dog will depend upon the calorie content of the food you select. If your puppy is a couch potato, you will need to stay away from energy dense food. This is important to prevent it from getting too fat and heavy.

Some dogs hardly get satisfied with the quantity of food you seem to offer them. If this case applies to you, the best option is to seek a low calorie food that is high in fiber.

Necessarily it doesn’t need to have the highest quality of protein. The idea is to give your dog the best dog foods for Pitbulls, but considering one that offers a full feeling without getting fat.

Take a Closer Look at Your Dog’s Preference

Not all dog foods can work the best with every dog. A dog is just as people, they have individual needs. Some like canned foods, while others prefer dry food.

Some dogs like lamb, some like chicken. Fortunately, today’s market offers a wide range of highly nutritious dog food suitable for all life stages. The only way to know which one works for you is by trying out several types.

Read Thoroughly Through the Listed Ingredients!

It is required by law, that all dog food manufacturers indicate the ingredients on the package, in terms of weight.

When choosing your dog food, look for ones that have fish, meat or eggs as the primary ingredients, since with this you can be sure that the food will provide sufficient protein, inclusive several usable and valuable amino acids.

In case if you are switching to a new food type, make sure you give your dog ample time to adjust to the new changes.

After you have done what you can possibly do to ensure that your dog gets the best dog food for Pit Bulls, observe your dog for at least one month. If you note shiny coat, healthy energy level and bright eyes, then you may relax knowing that you are on the right track. In case, if you need further assistance you can seek professional advice from a qualified veterinary doctor.

What to Do if Your Pitbull Has Skin Allergy?

If your dog is battling with skin allergies, it may be difficult to rule that the condition may be caused by weather, food or environment.

However, your vet can help you know the underlying cause of the condition, by conducting various types of tests on the dog. At times if yeast infections are not well managed, it can lead to skin complications.

It is a wise idea to place your dog in a raw diet, so as to help remove the possible allergens. The good thing is that you have absolute control of what can put in your dog’s mouth. If perhaps you feel that this is a bit costly, you can sample the exotic meat variety of Taste of the Wild’s.

The best way to successfully get rid of possible allergies triggered by beef or chicken, is by going for unique meat like salmon and bison. Alternatively, you can select a grain-free food to be on the safe side, in case if your dog reacts to soy or corn.

It is vital you ensure that the dog food you select has sufficient amount of omega 3 fatty acids. These essential fatty acids help correct skin problems and give your dog a finer coat.

There is a time and place for barking dogs to let themselves be heard. In the field is one such place during sporting events that require it. A security situation is another occurrence where pit bull barking is essential to alerting a home owner to the possibility of an intruder. What you must know, however, is that there is only so much you can do about the problem. After all, almost all dogs instinctively bark.

There are some things you can do once you understand why dogs bark in the first place. Once you understand why they bark, you can begin to exercise some control over the when they bark.

Why Pit Bulls Bark

Pit bull barking occurs for many reasons. Most of the reasons are emotional and are based on feelings that include anger, fear, and excitement. In fact, dogs aren’t too different from us. For instance :

• People like to possess things like land, cars, homes, and other possessions. We go to great lengths to protect our territories. Dogs bark to let others know what they consider to be their territory.
• Just as we shout to others to “watch out”, so dogs bark in alarm.
• Who doesn’t like attention? Dogs bark for it.
• When our loved ones come home from work, or school, or from wherever, the first thing we do is say hello and greet them warmly. Pit bulls can’t enunciate “hello”, so they bark or growl instead.

And just like people “barking”, pit bull barking happens out of frustration, injury, and compulsion.

The thing is, dogs can no more bottle up all of their emotions any more than you or I can. We all have to let go sometimes, so expecting a dog to be quiet all the time is unreasonable; and making them so, pretty much impossible. So what can be done?

Stopping Pit Bull Barking

Like most questionable habits, excess barking can be controlled. First It has to be determined what the excess is, when it is excessive, and what the trigger is for the excess.

Before we get into the details of reducing barking it is important to understand that becoming the alpha leader, and maintaining alpha leadership in your home is key to solving many dog related problems including barking. Also, constant socialization of your pet will lower its fear and wariness of others.

Having said that, issues of territoriality and alarm can be reduced greatly by showing your dog that you are the one responsible for, and in control of the home. You, as alpha dog, give your pet peace of mind by making it clear that you are in charge of home defense and safety.

In addition to being the leader of the pack, you can apply physical techniques around the house to eliminate possible exposure to pit bull barking triggers. Lowering blinds can stop your pit from seeing delivery people and passers by. A fence to partially block sight of the neighbors can be helpful.

Stop Barking in Anxious Dogs

Anxious dogs are often created by unwittingly strengthening their anxiety through a system of rewards. This is done by “spoiling”your dog whenever he begs for attention. For instance, you come home after being away for a while and your dog is jumping, barking, and generally excited, so you show him attention to satisfy him.

Rewarding this excited behavior just causes the dog to want more, and more. Pretty soon the once cute behavior becomes a bad habit. The dog starts to whine and bark until it gets what it wants. To nip this in the bud you’ll need to ignore your dog after you get home until he’s calm so they stop associating your return with attention.

Dogs really enjoy learning and most love to please. Teaching your pit bull to speak and to be quiet serves a dual purpose. Your pet gets to learn new tricks, which pleases its master, and this learned behavior reduces pit bull barking by providing situational control when necessary.

Nothing seems to get the neighborhood up in arms faster than a dog that will not stop barking. Addressed early on, pit bull barking can be curbed so that the neighbors will compliment you on her behavior instead of condemning a breed that doesn’t need any more bad press.

Pit bulls need very little grooming compared to other dog breeds with long fur, but they still require a bit of grooming every now and again to stay healthy and clean.

Grooming your pit bull at home on your own will save you some money and the best part is that it’s very easy to do and you don’t need any special kind of training or experience to do it. You don’t need any special equipment for it; just the essentials.

Not everyone has the time to groom their dogs so this isn’t the right option for everyone, but if you have some extra time then this is a great way to bond with your pit bull while saving yourself some extra money.

Things You Need To Groom a Pit Bull

Like previously said, you don’t need much, just some of the basics. You can get most of these at your local dog store or other the dog grooming supplies online.

Shampoo/Soap – It’s important that you only use pet safe shampoo on your pit bull. Human shampoo is filled with chemicals which are not really an issue for us, but can really ruin the coat and the skin of your pit bull.

Brush – Go with a brush with soft or even rubber bristles. The long/metal bristles brushes aren’t meant for dogs with short hair.

Nail Clippers – You can either get dog nail clippers or a regular nail file for this. Human clippers won’t work and can break the nail or split it which can be painful so get some dog nail clippers for your pit bull at your local pet store.

Ear Wipes – It’s important that you get actual ear wipes to clean your pit bulls ears and not Q-tips. Q-tips aren’t made for dogs ears and can be quite dangerous especially if your dog won’t sit still when you try to clean his ears.

Tooth Brush/Tooth Paste – Dental hygiene is as important for dogs as it is for humans. They can get cavities just like we can and a visit to a dog dentist can really put a dent in your wallet. Buy some dog specific toothpaste and tooth paste and try to clean your dog’s teeth at least every other week.

Great Tips To Keep Your Pit Bull Clean And Healthy

Now that you have everything you need, you should be all set and ready to groom your pit bull at home without spending any money at the dog grooming saloon.

Here are some great pit bull grooming tips:

Brush Your Pit Bull Every Week

Getting rid of dog hair from your clothes and furniture can be a hassle, even with short hair dogs.

If you brush your pit bull once a week, you’ll be getting rid of all the loose hair that’s trapped in his coat and will significantly reduce the amount of hair you find on your carpet. You should also brush your dog outside if possible. The less hair falls indoors, the better.

Only Give Your Pit Bull A Bath Once Every 4-6 Months

Pit bulls don’t need daily baths like we humans do. The special oils in their skin and fur help them stay clean for a long time and leave their coat shiny.

Excessive washing with shampoo will wash those oils off and leave the coat dry and dull. Keep the bathing to a minimum, unless your dog gets into something really messy and leave you no choice but to bathe him.

Don’t Let Nails Grow Out Too Much

Did you know that one of the most common reasons people take their dogs to the vet, besides the routine shots and checkups, are broken nails?

Nails that are left to grow out too long are bound to get caught in something and either get torn out or broken. A broken nail can be extremely painful for your pit bull and can take a while to heal.

Be sure to keep your pit bulls nice and short to reduce the chances of any broken or torn nail problems.

Pit Bull Clicker Training is probably the most reliable dog training method, if you would like to educate a puppy or new pet dog the conventional instructions, for example sit down and stay. Teaching requires a little bit of tolerance in the beginning, but you will begin to produce incredible final results when you see that your endeavors are worthwhile.

With dog clicker training, you’re teaching your dog to follow a particular command in collaboration with the noise of a specific teaching clicker. The noise of the training clicker could be noticed from quite some distance out, as well as over the noise of traffic along with other potential distractions.

Whenever you offer a command and the puppy obeys, you sound their co-operation by using a click. Your dog will quickly link up the dog clicker, as well as the praise and reward together with the actions for example, sit down or stay and wish to be treated once again.

Whether you have a Pit Bull, Dachshund, Lab, or Beagle, clicker training works! Clicker training your Pit Bull is effective for controlling and dictating your dog’s behavior when trying to teach basic commands. It doesn’t take much time to master clicker training, and done properly, your dog will learn almost anything you want her to.

Clicker Training Your Pit Bull Is Simple

To get going with teaching, all that you will need is a simple clicker along with a bag of the dog’s favored goodies. Remember, that the click will be the reward to your dog paying attention to the command you give, plus a treat to increase his wish to be obedient.

The Clicker is a simple device that makes a sharp, fairly loud “click” that can be heard from over 20 yards away by your dog. The clicker method works by getting your dog to associate the click with a reward for her great behavior, or appropriate response to your command. You simply point out, or mark, the good behavior with a click that signifies that a treat is on the way.

Never click on the dog training clicker with out it being clear the pet dog has followed your direction, and it is being rewarded. Just click and offer them a goody. Be normal with all the terms you choose for the instructions you give, in order that you don’t confound your dog. Command, click if he is doing nicely, then provide him with a goody, this will be the correct order to adhere to every time.

Continually be specific about what you would like your dog to accomplish, sit down, stay, come. Provide the order strongly. When they get it done, simply click and offer a reward. Continue doing this several times to be able to backup the command as well as the click.

They’ll quickly begin to associate the noise of the click, with all the actions you want them to do. Another positive of education is how instant it really is. The training clicker will get their attention immediately, which makes them alert and keen to get a treat. The click is even quicker as opposed to the word “Sit.”

Progress using this education, will see the pet dog take action as quickly as is possible for your command. Also be sure that you do not overdo the goodies. Understand that most dogs are happy to impress, so a click after words of encouragement and attention, are every bit as good as a large heap of dog goodies.

As soon as your canine is well trained, while using the dog clicker the next thing is to make him answer to a voiced command, to be able to proceed with your proper dog training, and not using a clicker. Your dog will quickly anticipate the order before clicking. He may also be anxious for his prize, “Command” “Click” treat or reward, will quickly become second nature to you both, and the pet dog will link his behavior training with a delighted owner along with a great treat or prize.

Clicker training your Pit Bull starts with teaching her that the clicker, or click, is part of the reward process. You never click for undesirable behavior, and you don’t click without rewarding your dog. The tools needed for training are an inexpensive clicker from the pet store, and a bag of treats.

It is important that your dog only hear the clicker when she has done a good job. Then reward her. Avoid verbal commands at first as they are not as clear or strong as a click, and so cause a weaker association to the reward.

3 Steps To Clicker Training Your Pit Bull

• Pick the behavior that you want such as sitting.
• Get her to perform the behavior of sitting.
• Mark it with a click, and give her a treat.

It will takes a few markings before a dog learns what she did to earn the cookie, but once she does she will start responding immediately to the clicker. Repeat this by teaching other tricks. Continue the training and soon she will have the behavior-click-reward routine embedded in her memory, making it easier to teach even more tricks quickly. At this point you can start replacing treats more and more with other rewards such as praise and petting. This helps to set things up for later.

Now that your dog has learned that desirable behavior equals rewards through clicker association, it is time to move to the final phase of clicker training your Pit Bull.

Switching to a Command

Now it is time to start introducing verbal commands along with the clicking. The only difference from the procedure already described is that now you issue a verbal command just before the click. So now it’s “sit”, click, reward instead of just click, reward. Before too long, your Pit Bull will associate all three actions, allowing you to leave the clicker home and still get your dog to perform the actions you desire anywhere, anytime.

The ultimate goal of clicker training your Pit Bull is to get her respond to verbal commands and praise for her action so she will simply learn this way. She will learn to enjoy pleasing you.

If you had not heard of clicker training, or didn’t know what it was until now, then you must be pleased at how simple and effective it is. Just a simple, sharp click marks and reinforces nearly any behavior. Clicker training your Pit Bull works!