Pit Bulls
Pit Bulls
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Sam Basso
PHOENIX , AZ AREA: (602) 708-4531
OR, if you are out of this area, inquire about a telephone or e-Lesson
Email: Sam@SamTheDogTrainer.com
I have trained MANY pit bull dogs. They are great dogs. There are many pit bull breeds, and I have trained many pit bull dogs of various breeds. Because of this experience, I can show you how to train a pit breed properly. Bulldogs have been around for a very long time, probably for centuries. The bull breeds were often crossed with other breeds. One example would be the bull breeds used for big game hunting, sent in to grab and hold a large cat or boar after the game was located by scent hounds. Others were used as butcher’s dogs, sent in to grab a bull by the nose and hold on while the butcher clubbed the bull over the head to kill it. And some were bred to kill roaming feral dog packs that would menace homeowners. The term “pit” refers to the idea that some were put in bloody fights in an enclosed area (a pit) with other animals (dogs, horses, monkeys, big cats, etc.) for spectator gambling purposes. Some bull breeds were more successful at fighting than others.
BULL BREEDS ARE GENERALLY KNOWN TO BE NICE DOGS when properly raised and managed. As with every breed category, there are some individual breeds that weren’t bred to be so friendly. You will also encounter dogs of every breed, including the bull breeds, that are unstable. The nice ones are typical of the pit fighting breeds. Some are more protective than others (protective isn’t the same as being unstable or vicious). The nasty ones were usually made unstable because of a ruined puppyhood (neglect, teasing, lack of socialization, abuse, etc.) or because of backyard breeding (poor/ questionable genetics). There are a couple of pit bull breeds that are not known to be friendly with strangers. But normally, a properly socialized and trained pit bull dog is a fine companion for children and adults AND IS SAFE TO OWN. I believe that almost EVERY pit bull attack can be prevented by a.) Knowing the breed traits involved; b.) Only purchasing a dog from a good breeder; c.) Proper socialization of the puppies; d.) Proper training of the dogs; e.) Proper supervision by responsible adults; and f.) Proper containment when not supervised. THIS IS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE FOLKS!!! This is true for all dogs, not just this one breed. For example, if you look into the history of the retrievers, the Labrador Retriever is generally known to be friendly with everyone and every dog. Yet, old books say that the Chesapeake Bay Retrievers used to be pretty unsociable with strangers and could be taught to attack. It is foolish, and foolhardy, to focus on the breed instead of proper dog selection, breeding and management techniques.
The problems I am hired to address with pit bulls mainly fall into the following categories:
a.) House Training Problems: I have had a surprising number of customers who had trouble house training their pit bulls. I usually hear from them after they have done everything wrong with the dog. If you don’t know how to house train a dog, then hire a professional NOW. What you are doing is just making the situation worse.
b.) Too Friendly: Most of the pit bull dogs I am hired to train are super friendly. In fact, so friendly, that they just won’t leave the guests alone, just wanting to be petted and loved to the point they are annoying. This is easily managed with proper training. I also get inquiries from people who want their pit bulls to be mean – these are the type of people I don’t want to deal with. They know nothing of the breed, and they want the dog to be the kind of dog that would hurt innocent people.
c.) Pulls Hard On The Leash / Doesn’t Listen To Commands: Pit bull breeds tend to pull on a leash. I have no idea why owners allow this, but I see these dogs being walked in harnesses all the time, which makes the problem even worse. A dog that pulls you down the street isn’t any fun to take for a walk, and a dog that doesn’t listen to commands is a pain to own, and you are teaching the dog that you aren’t the leader – which could lead to aggression later on. These dogs need obedience training.
d.) Aggression or Fear Biting: I see several types of situations when I get calls like this: The dog isn’t good with other animals; the dog isn’t good with strangers; and/or the dog isn’t good with family members. Some of these dogs are poorly bred dogs, from backyard breeders who were trying to make a fast buck off some cheapskate buyer. Some of these dogs weren’t properly socialized as puppies. Some are not trained, not properly supervised, and some are allowed to become spoiled. Some of these dogs were abused, teased or used as pit fighting dogs. Each of these situations require a behavioral evaluation to determine the right course of action. The same principles of behavior apply to pit bulls as they do to other dog breeds.
WHAT IS A PIT BULL TERRIER?
Most articles you read, when referring to a “pit bull” are referring to a pit bull terrier. This just shows the ignorance of the press regarding dogs, breeds and behavior. Given that, what is a pit bull terrier? It is just one form of bull dog. (Never forget: It is just a dog, not a monster or a weapon — it is a pet)
1. A cross between a bulldog and a terrier
2. The Bulldog was used for it’s physical toughness, courage and tenacity
3. The terrier was used for it’s desire to fight, speed and endurance
4. Was used to subdue cattle for butchers “ was bred to work with animals “ was a bull-baiter, small & fast enough to grab a bull by the nose (for slaughter) without being stomped or kicked to death in the process. Europeans didn’t have cowboys, so they used bulldogs to grab the bull, so the butcher could club it to death. It was also developed by pit fighting gamblers to fight other dogs, so they were selectively bred to be superior fighters.
5. Shouldn’t be fearful of people, other dogs or other animals — just like any other dog
6. Will be harmed psychologically if it has been abused, teased, and/or neglected — just like any other dog
7. Will have emotional problems if poorly socialized — just like any other dog
8. Sometimes not able to be rehabilitated after being wrecked; this isn’t a pit bull problem, it is an abuse problem: the abusers should be penalized! A professional dog trainer should always be consulted before such a dog is euthanized. Some dogs can be turned around.
9. People train them to be nasty by purposely neglecting them, making them fight for their lives, giving them drugs, abusing them, etc. You can wreck ANY puppy by doing this.
10. It’s the dog of choice for drug dealers, so they wreck the dogs, and breed them, to make money and to protect them from raids and gang attacks
11. Backyard breeders don’t know what they are doing: they breed for quick bucks instead of using good breeding practices, so we end up with dogs with weak temperaments. I’ve seen seriously poor quality pit bull dogs – why would you be so stupid as to buy a dog like that from anyone? You should be just as picky buying a pit bull terrier as you would any other dog.
12. Buyers of the dogs don’t know how to pick the right dog, and they don’t know how to raise the dog properly. You have to be just as selective as you would with any other breed.
13. Not the right breed for personal protection; the dogs were created for animal work (bull baiting), and now need to be bred and trained for other work. This IS a working breed, and should be given the chance to shine through good training and fun activities.
14. Able to climb trees (so can other dogs!)
15. Highly trainable
16. Generally good with people, other animals, and other dogs, PROVIDED that they were raised properly. I’ve seen many, many trustworthy pit bull terriers that were good with pretty much any animal or person.
17. No hard evidence that pit bulls bite more people than any other breed; it is a myth that this breed is inherently vicious! DON’T BELIEVE THE DOG HATERS!!!
18. They aren’t born mean or unpredictable (though, any breed will have individuals that are wacky – that is just the way genetics works — just look at your own family tree for evidence of that!!! LOL!)
19. No evidence that they bite harder than any other breed of dog
20. They don’t have a double jointed, locking jaw. That’s just silly stuff made up by ignorant people.
21. They don’t become mean if they taste blood. This is a stupid myth anyway. No animal become vicious because they tasted blood. Dogs cut themselves all the time in the field, then lick the wounds. Does that mean they are now going to attack their legs? The issue isn’t blood, the issue is whether the dog is allowed to fight or kill. Dogs, regardless of the breed, are predators. Let them learn to hunt, and then they will want to hunt more and more. Let them be attacked, and they will be more likely to be quick to fight if they feel threatened.
22. There are a lot of look alike breeds, and mongrels, that are not really pit bull terriers; lots of so-called pit bull terriers are mixed bred dogs, oftentimes without any pit bull terrier in the dog at all!
23. Examples: Pick a State… Washington… Cities with Pit Bull or breed-ban laws in Washington State: Algona, Buckley, Enumclaw, Everett, Inland, Kenniwick, King Co, Kirkland, Moxee, Neah Bay (has BANNED ROTTWEILERS), Oak Harbor, Prosser, Pullman, Seatac, Sunnyside (has restricted ˜pit bulls’), Toppenosh, Yakima (has BANNED ˜pit bulls’). Most likely, you have a breed ban in your area – and you should fight them. BREED BANS ARE IMMORAL AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL, SO FIGHT BREED SPECIFIC BANS IN THE COURTS AND IN THE LEGISLATURES!!!
24. Good with children – at least as good as any other working breed. But, kids and dogs need supervision, regardless of the breed. The term good with children always assumes responsible parents owning a well bred, socialized, trained dog and the parents enforce rules to ensure their kids are good and respectful with dogs.
25. They give a warning before they attack, just like any other dog. Usually, if you see a Pit Bull Terrier that’s snarling and lunging at someone or another animal, it’s a dog that’s AFRAID and a FEAR BITER. Watch for raised hair on the back and a stiff tail. If you are unsure, ask the owner if you can pet their dog, just like you would with any other dog. There are also “game bred” pit bull terriers that are not very sociable with other dogs and are not afraid. A number of terriers were created to be “game”, such as the Wirehaired Fox Terrier. Back in the 1950’s, it wasn’t uncommon that if you didn’t separate all the puppies from the litter by 12 weeks of age, they’d start attacking and killing one another. “Gameness” is not a fault, it is not viciousness either. But, if you have a game bred dog, regardless of the breed, it isn’t going to be good with other dogs.
26. People friendly breed
27. Loyal, active, intelligent, and highly trainable
28.Very strong
29. Typically not very territorial with people, but territorial with other animals. Like most dogs, they will chase, and even kill, cats, squirrels, birds, and rodents. Regarding people, many pit bull terriers are stolen from houses and vehicles because they won’t protect themselves. They are NOT good protection dogs (and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise) as a general rule. Why is it that you don’t see them on police forces or doing military scout work? Because they aren’t suited for protection! Watch what the professionals do, not what some wacko, novice dog breeder tells you, or what you read in some book or internet website. Stick with the doers, not the talkers. Get this dog as a PET, not a weapon. If you need protection, you should ask yourself: “Do I really need a dog to protect me?” If you are that much in danger, you don’t need a dog, you need a gun.
30. Working Dogs: pit bull terriers should be bred to be a dog that will keep working at a command oriented task without quitting, such as at weight pulling, tracking, working obedience, etc. Many of the dogs I see aren’t workers. They are backyard bred dogs, so they are limited in their training potential. Yes, they can be pets, but they can’t go onto higher level training, which is really a shame. But, this is true of most breeds.
Suitable for the following tasks
1. Companion dog
2. Therapy Dog
3. Search & Rescue [** WORKING PEDIGREE]
4. Dog sports like high level obedience competition, Schutzhund, or French Ringsport are good for this breed (but they are NOT suitable for true protection work) [** WORKING PEDIGREE]
5. Narcotics detection: many would be good for this kind of job [** WORKING PEDIGREE]
6. Boar/ wild hog hunting
7. Weight pulling competition
There are two ways to get a good dog. First is adoption. It is a very good idea to consult with a local pit bull rescue group about adopting a dog. There are so many terrific pet dogs available that need homes. The second is purchasing a puppy. You purchase a dog if you want a working dog that has specific capabilities. IF I WAS TO PURCHASE A PIT BULL, I WOULDN’T GET ONE UNLESS THE PEDIGREE WAS FULL OF DOGS THAT HAD A PROVEN WORKING BACKGROUND IN ONE OR MORE OF THE HIGHLIGHTED AREAS (MEANING THE ONES I HAVE ASTERISKED = **). TOO MANY PIT BULLS ARE BEING BRED BY BACKYARD BREEDERS WHO ARE IN IT FOR THE MONEY OR THE GLORY, AND DON’T KNOW OR DON’T CARE THAT THEY ARE WRECKING THE BREED. Even though it is good to get a dog that has good references as being a companion, therapy, hunting or weight pulling dog, those tasks aren’t demanding enough to indicate you have a well bred dog.
I DO NOT BELIEVE IT IS MORAL TO USE DOGS TO FIGHT IN A PIT. It is unnatural for animals of any kind to fight like this to the death. Pit fighting serves no useful purpose, either to mankind or to nature or the dogs involved. It is no different than trophy hunting. I have no problem with hunting, provided you eat what you kill. But to kill, for killing’s sake, is wrong. It is sick. It is unnatural. It is evil, twisted, perverted and pathological. It is one thing to let a dog become part of your family, and protect you from attack. That IS natural. But to force fights on animals like this is sick. We don’t even allow people to fight to the death, except in war, and that is only justified in very specific circumstances, otherwise it is considered criminal. SO, DON’T BUY DOGS THAT COME FROM PIT FIGHTING BREEDERS. YOU ARE FINANCING AN IMMORAL AND UNNATURAL BLOOD SPORT THAT IS RESULTING IN SOCIETY WANTING TO DESTROY THE PIT FIGHTING BREEDS and MANY OTHER BREEDS, SUCH AS ROTTWEILERS. IF YOU LOVE THE BREED, YOU WILL HATE THE BLOOD FIGHTING SPORT.
Other Thoughts
1. Too many good examples of the breed to ban the breed because of the few dogs that people wreck
2. It’s just a dog
3. If you ban the pit bulls, people will switch to another breed and wreck it (which is what is happening to the Rottweiler, Presa Canario, and other breeds) – are you then going to ban those breeds, too? Where will it stop?
4. If properly socialized and trained, they are great dogs, capable of great devotion, affection, and companionship
5. There is a difference between a pit bull, a Pit Bull Terrier, an American Staffordshire Terrier, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and a Pit Bulldog. One is a mongrel, the others are pure bred dogs. THERE ARE MANY PIT FIGHTING BREEDS other than these. If you destroyed every pit fighting breed in existence, it would be relatively easy to start crossbreeding dogs to create a new pit bull terrier. That is why it is folly to start banning the ownership and breeding of these dogs. People can and will either switch to owning other breeds, or will create new ones. How do you think these breeds were created in the first place?
6. Most pit bull terriers are never fought, and are just companion dogs, and good ones at that
The Best Way To Avoid Being Bitten By A Pit Bull Terrier:
Don’t be involved with people that treat their pit bulls as weapons instead of as companions
Don’t pet dogs that you don’t know to be friendly, the same rules you should apply to ALL dogs
Don’t tease the dog or make it people aggressive
Raise it as a companion dog: socialize, train, & supervise
Discourage unstable people from getting a dog of any breed
