NEW OWNER

I JUST GOT A NEW PUP, (AM PITT).
I WAS KINDA HESITANT CAUSE I HAVE 2 KIDS 9&6, ONLY CAUSE OF NEGATIVE THINGS I'VE HEARD. MY PUPPY IS 7 WKS OLD NOW AND I'VE HAD HIM FOR ABOUT 3 WEEKS NOW, AND HAVE TONS OF QUESTIONS.
RIGHT NOW I CAN TELL HES GETTING USED TO US AND IS ADJUSTING QUITE WELL, I ASSUME ANYWAYS.THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE HAD A DOG. WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON TRAINING HIM WITH TREATS, AND HE SEEMS TO BE CATCHING ON QUITE WELL. HE COMES WHEN I CALL HIM AND IS DOING PRETTY GOOD ON SITTING. IV READ ANYTHING I COULD ON PITT'S NATURE, AND FROM WHAT I GATHER IT'S HOW YOU RAISE THEM. THEN THERES ALWAYS SOMEONE TO SAY "I KNEW SOMEONE WHO HAD A PITT AND HE WAS SO WELL BEHAVED, BUT OND DAY HE SNAPPED AND KILLED A CAT". I TAKE HIM WHEREVER I CAN TAKE HIM, AND LET ALL THE FAMILY KIDS PLAY W/ HIM. HE SLEEPS WITH MY NINE YEAR OLD FOR HALF THE NIGHT THEN COMES TO OUR BED THE REST OF THE NIGHT . HOW DO I BREAK THIS HABBIT? HE'S FINE NOW BC HE'S LITTLE, BUT I DON'T WANT HIM TO ALWAYS WANT TO SLLEP W/ US IN THE FUTURE. HE SEEMS LOVING NOW, IS IT SAFE TO ASSUME THAT HIS NATURE IS THAT WAY? I DONT KNOW HIS BACKGROUND.ANY ADVICE ON ANYTHING WOULD HELP , FROM POTT TRIANING TO CHEWING TO KIDS WOULD HELP.THE KIDS LIKE TO PICK HIM ALOT IS THAT NOT GOOD 4 HIM.

 

Welcome to the board!
So you got your puppy when it was 4 weeks old? Why did you get it at such a young age? You said you didn't know of the puppy's background I am assuming this was not a shelter puppy because of the fact that you got it at 4 weeks. Did someone give you the puppy?
It is not always cut and dry as to how a puppy's temperament will be as an adult. And while I do believe how you raise a puppy has a lot to do as to how they turn out that is not always true. You mentioned a story about a Pit killing a cat..that is something that is very likely with this breed as well as dog on dog aggression. I have 4 APBT and they are all different.
I have 2 that do not tolerate strange dogs and the other 2 could really care less. I also have cats my dogs do not go near the cats but they are also never left unsupervised with the cats. My brothers dog on the other hand will try to chase any cat he sees and has killed a neighbors cat that came into his yard. So that is definitely something to worry about.
Everyone has their own preference when it comes to their dogs sleeping in the bed with them I see nothing wrong with it. One of my dogs sleeps with me but the others do not or have to be crated because of their tendency to be destructive. My dogs also get along fine with my small Pekingese dog. But there again they are never left unattended with her. Because they do tend to play rough with her.
I have 3 children and my dogs all love my children and have interacted with them since they were puppies. I see nothing wrong with your children packing the puppy around I feel like it teaches the puppy tolerance.
Best of luck to you. You have chosen a great breed of dog who will love you and be forever faithful to you. You will run into people who have nothing but negative things to say about pit bulls and those peoples opinions unfortunately are what have damaged this great breeds reputation that's why its so important to educate your self and be a responsible owner of the breed.

 

"IV READ ANYTHING I COULD ON PITT'S NATURE, AND FROM WHAT I GATHER IT'S HOW YOU RAISE THEM. THEN THERES ALWAYS SOMEONE TO SAY "I KNEW SOMEONE WHO HAD A PITT AND HE WAS SO WELL BEHAVED, BUT OND DAY HE SNAPPED AND KILLED A CAT"."

Good job, I suggest you read everything you can get your hands on, as far as books go. When it comes to the internet I would be more cautious cause any looney can make a website these days and give you the wrong info. APBTs most of the time ARE animal aggro so killing a smaller animal such as a cat is only instinct for them. My APBT is very animal aggro and will go after anything that sparks his prey drive. As long as you learn to read your dog and can control him then there really isn't much to be worried about. I definately would never leave an APBT alone with another animal even if they were raised together, if you do that is just asking for trouble.

"I TAKE HIM WHEREVER I CAN TAKE HIM, AND LET ALL THE FAMILY KIDS PLAY W/ HIM. HE SLEEPS WITH MY NINE YEAR OLD FOR HALF THE NIGHT THEN COMES TO OUR BED THE REST OF THE NIGHT . HOW DO I BREAK THIS HABBIT? HE'S FINE NOW BC HE'S LITTLE, BUT I DON'T WANT HIM TO ALWAYS WANT TO SLLEP W/ US IN THE FUTURE."

Again good job on the socialization, I took my APBT with me EVERYWHERE, and I mean everywhere. You should expose your dog to every type of stimulus, cars, motorcycles, strangers, friends, children, elderly, etc... As far as the sleeping in bed habit goes, if you didn't want him to sleep in your bed then you shouldn't have let him in the first place. Only because it would be easier to get him adjusted to sleeping in a crate or the floor, then adjusting from the nice comfy bed with people to cuddle with to the crate or floor. If you don't want him sleeping with you when he is older then you need to break the habit now when he is a puppy, and he you have to be consistent. If you don't let him sleep with you, but the kids sneak him in their bed then it will only take longer to break. You should get him a puppy bed, or if you decide on a crate and train him now.


"HE SEEMS LOVING NOW, IS IT SAFE TO ASSUME THAT HIS NATURE IS THAT WAY? I DONT KNOW HIS BACKGROUND.ANY ADVICE ON ANYTHING WOULD HELP , FROM POTT TRIANING TO CHEWING TO KIDS WOULD HELP.THE KIDS LIKE TO PICK HIM ALOT IS THAT NOT GOOD 4 HIM."

If he is loving now and you keep giving him love and proper training then he should stay that way. As far as potty training goes, put his feedings on a schedule. Puppies normally go potty about 20 minutes after eating and usually urinate often, so I suggest taking your puppy out about 15 minutes after he eats. APBTs are very smart dogs and catch on fast, if you stay on your puppy and watch him and take him out ALL the time then he should catch on rather quickly. I took Freedom out literally about every 30 minutes and I rarely had an accident in the house, he was house broken in a week.

As far as chewing on people goes, whenever he starts to chew on your or your kids take one of his toys and put in his mouth, he needs to learn that his toys are for chewing and NOT people. If this doesn't work then a loud "EH!" (like a buzzer noise) and pull him off you and put him in time out. Normally the loud "EH!" works because it shocks the pup and it stops. You just have to be consistent and the puppy should catch on in a couple weeks. Good luck with the new pup and show us some pics!

 

I have 2 PitBulls and my daughter has 1.

My daughter's Pit is very social and can be taken anywhere. Loves people, kids, and cats.

My 2 Pits are very pampered, loves people, kids, and cats. They only play with each other and are very protective of one another, so I don't let them mingle with other dogs, not even with my daughter's pit.

I think a lot depends on how they are raised and socialized. If done in a family environment, they can be just as good as a family dog, even better, than any other dog.

Even a Cocker Spaniel if treated poorly can become a biter. But most people fail to mention that.

If you don't want him sleeping on beds and furniture, just train him to do that. Pits are very smart and highly trainable. Potty training was the most difficult, bur eventually achieved.

Good luck with your pup! You have a most remarkable breed of dog.

 

As for breaking him of sleeping in the bed with you and your kids, and also to aid in potty training, I suggest going ahead and getting a crate for him to sleep in. The 1st thing I do whenever I got a new dog (pup or adult) was to test for food aggression. I'm sure there are different methods out there, but I would start (wait until the dog is at least adapted to it's new enviroment) by simply petting my dog or pup while it ate. It if seemed okay with that, I might place my hand in the bowl and get a few bits out and offer it to them out of my hand. If they were okay with this, then I would move their food bowl just a little (no more than 6 inches or so). Then, if they were alright with that, I would pick up the bowl while they were eating. After this, I always put a treat in the bowl as a reward for them putting up with my pestering them. So far, none of my pits have shown the least bit of food aggression to me, but I still always test for it. I feel that this is an especially important thing if you have children (which you do). While I never leave my son unattended with my dogs ever (let alone when they are eating), there is always the possibility he might run over to them while they are eating, and I don't want them to get aggressive over their food. I have recently (at my son's insistance) started letting my son give them treats for sitting or whatever. Anyway - I'd certainly test for food/toy agression. Teach (at least) basic obediance. Teach your kids to respect the puppy. And of course, give him lots and lots of love! Post pics and updates too!

 

:y_the_best: TY TO ALL: ALL THIS IS VERY HELPFUL, ONE OTHER QUESTION, HOW DO I POST A PIC?

 

:?: ONE OTHER QUESTION, WHAT EXACTLY IS A PUPPY PAD, AND HOW IS IT USED?