Training in general

SDPitbull · 01-25-2012, 08:27 AM

Question, my pit Zoe is about ready to go to her first dog training soon. But I wanted to know what everyones take on training is. We had a miniture dachshund chiwawa mix, that we took to petsmart for dog school, I mean we didn't know any better and the school was fairly good, from what me and my wife thought. Now we have a pitbull who is 21 weeks old and ready for school, we have called a plain old mom and pop dog training school and they said sure, we've dealt with pits before and we can train them. Then we found a pitbull specific dog school, seems pretty interesting. What do you guys recommend, plain old mom and pop dog school or pitbull specific dog school. Our ultimate goal is to have a well behaved dog that's sociable with my kids, our friends and other dogs, and to top that very house broken pit that just sits there and hangs out while we all watch tv together. Let me know your thoughts so me an the family can decide where our money should go. Thanks guys!

**ames** · 01-25-2012, 08:36 AM

I would not pay for training at a petco, or petsmart. Specialized training is always best for this breed, but just make sure the trainer had worked with them before and agrees with your training methods. You don;t want to show up and have them quoting Cesar Milan and trying to duplicate his training. I am not a fan on most of his methods. Some make sense but he is crap on TV.

You might be able to accept other dogs, but in regards to this breed you should plan on not allowing him to play with other dogs, specifically dogs who have owners YOU do not know and trust. No Dog parks EVER. Dog Aggression can pop at any time (TYPICALLY after 10 months but could show up to 3 years, or any age) With that being said, this is a very active breed. My boy will sit and watch TV all night, as long as he has had a few hours of stimulation during the day, walks, fetch, flirt pole, spring pole, etc. I hired a trainer to come to my house for a few weeks and worked with us there.

take a look at these threads, socializing doesn't always mean they need to meet other animals. People, surroundings, etc are all a HUGE part, especially for this breed:
Socializing
Training and Socializing APBT Your Puppy

SDPitbull · 01-25-2012, 08:47 AM

Cool good to know, yeah we avoid dog parks when other owners an their dogs are there. Whenever we walk Zoe near the dog park all the owners kinda sneer at me and my wife, giving us that you better not bring your monster into this park to kill our dogs look. I read in alot of pitbull books it's okay to bring bully pups into social sessions with other dogs up until they turn a year old. Isn't good to socialize the dog even alittle bit, maybe the aggression can be simmered down from the socializing. Then reinforced with pitbull specific obedience training, Just wondering. Thanks for recommending that thread. After I posted all of this I realized I posted it in the wrong area. Sorry guys.

**dixieland** · 01-25-2012, 12:21 PM

while the dog is a pup of course it's ok to let it socialize or play with other pups if they are getting along.Just keep a close eye on it to make sure it doesn't start turning into aggression.The main thing to remember is that all the socialization in the world will not stop genetics.Sooner or later you will more than likely have dog aggression in some form pop up.
My oldest females DA didn't start showing up until she turned 5 yrs.She has always been around all different kinds of dogs.So she basically is proof that the people who say it's all in how you raise them are full of shit and don't know what they're talking about lol.
My main socialization focus would be with people and different situations.You want your pup to be exposed to as many different situations as possible to limit any fears of any kind.

As far as the training,I would go with the breed specific trainer

**ames** · 01-25-2012, 04:11 PM

Great to hear! and just like Dixie said, your pup is still young, so once you know her shots are up to date, do everything you can to introduce her to as much as you can, dogs included. Just watch for signs (tightening in her hind legs and stiffness, not being relaxed.) My trainer helped show me on my boy what his signs were, I was looking at his tail and not his head and leg positions. anyway, each dog is different. I take my boy everywhere with me. But DA may simmer down as you say, but we all can have a bad day and I don't like everyone I meet, lol. Good luck! Have you posted up pictures and I missed them?? I would love to see your new girl!

**angelbaby** · 01-25-2012, 04:57 PM

Id go meet both of them maybe get an intro course with each and go with your instincts. There are so many ways and techniques that trainers use each is very different its finding one that feels right and works for you. We had a couple trainers come here I like 1 on 1 more so we went private but the 1st girl was a joke. She said she had experience with pit bulls, mastiffs ect only to find out she labelled dobys as pit bulls and that was the closest she had ever come to one and infact owned min pins or something along those lines. She was clueless and offered some generic advice you could do with any dog but other then that found no use in her , infact she was so nervous and unprofessional and after being warned about a certain dog she approached him in a weird and aggressive manner she ended up getting bit. { not one of my dogs I have now}. But what someone says on the phone, email ect is one thing seing them do it hands on is another. So I would say visit both see whatthey have to offer and use your own judgement.

denial4society · 01-26-2012, 12:28 AM

Specialized training is the way to go for sure. Key thing is going to be spending quality time and being consistant in order to really achieve the goals your looking for!

BlueFawnBoogie · 01-26-2012, 01:19 AM

Boogie and i attend one-on-one training with the local k9 trainer for the police force and military who also has experience with bully breeds. My take on "puppy training classes" is that it acually does more worse than good for the new pup...

If you think about it, a puppy is naturally excited and interested in EVERYTHING it sees and is easily distracted. A puppy class is a HORRIBLE place to start basic obedience because you are training and rewarding the puppy for its actions while it is in an excited, out of control state of mind. Not focused on you 100% or the desired command. If you take him to a personal trainer for pups it is an intimate, STERILE, calm environment for you and your pup to connect and start building respect.

After 1 session like this, Boogie had already learned "sit" "down" "shake (both hands)" and "stay" by 10 weeks of age. I highly suggest one-on-one direct basic obedience...

Whew, long post on an ipad, my eyes hurt

SDPitbull · 01-26-2012, 02:35 AM

Thanks guys for the great tips, i think we are definitely going for the Pit Specific classes. I'm using my wife's apple laptop and its a little weird for me to use, so as soon as i figure it out I will post pics of us and Zoe. Thanks guys!!!