Aggressive Pit Bull Puppy

Aggressive Pit Bull Puppy

My 12-week old pit is showing early signs of aggression, he will growl and start to bite at me or my family members. The breeder I bought him from came over to give him a bath and he went off on her and scratched her arm and bit her neck. I have had a plenty of pits in my time and this is the first puppy to show me this type of behavior. Please contact me and give me an idea of what to do

Thanks,
Wendell from Pine Hall, NC

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RE: Aggressive Pit Bull Puppy

What I did with my dog was to scruff her enough to raise her 2 front feet off the ground and give her a little shake. This is how mama dogs let their puppies know they are doing something wrong. My dog is fantastic now. (12/11/2006)

By Erin

RE: Aggressive Pit Bull Puppy

It sounds as though your puppy has some dominance issues. I think the best thing to do is to consult a professional dog trainer before something serious happens. I know this isn't cheap, but I'd hate to think about the alternatives. (12/11/2006)

By Yoda' mom

RE: Aggressive Pit Bull Puppy

Hello, I have worked for a Veterinarian for over 27 years. Your puppy is showing dominance. He can be neutered at 4 months old, that should help a little. I would get him in to puppy training ASAP. You cannot have a dog that will bite and put people at risk, especially a small child. Good luck !! (12/11/2006)

By Sherri

RE: Aggressive Pit Bull Puppy

Save yourself some grief, maybe the breeder can give you some kind of a refund, at least partial. No matter, get rid of it. I had a chihuahua I bought from a breeder with the aggressiveness you speak of. It bit, and was very mean, and unsociable. I kept thinking I could change it with training, and love, and attention. No such luck, I had to get rid of it. I have 5 chihuahuas now, I've raised for 5 years, and have had no aggression problems. There is just a bad apple that comes along at times, in any breed. (12/11/2006)

By Glinda

RE: Aggressive Pit Bull Puppy

Have you ever heard of Caesar Milano? He has a TV show called The Dog Whisperer, we get it on Sundays on the National Geographic channel. He has had everything from Chihuahuas to Pitbulls on his show with every kind of behavioral problem.

He shows the dog owners how to be the "pack leader" therefore gaining the respect of their dog. I've seen him take very aggressive dogs and in a matter of minutes the dog is submissive and respectful. It is an awesome show and very educational. Hope this helps. (12/11/2006)

By PICO

RE: Aggressive Pit Bull Puppy

I am a proud owner of 12 large dogs, I discovered my pit bull named Spotty was showing aggressive tendencies. I got rid of it painfully before she got me into trouble or grief of some sort. I still miss having the dog but I guess getting rid of the dog was a wise move. Please be wise and get a less aggressive dog as your family pet! (01/07/2007)

By Mark I.

RE: Aggressive Pit Bull Puppy

Good advice to neuter him and take him to school. they will teach you how to train him. I have a half dobie half pit bull I brought him to school and put him in his place a few times, he loves me and my family and who ever I tell him to love. of course a dog is going to test who is the boss. keep that lovable dog! (02/01/2007)

By Holly

RE: Aggressive Pit Bull Puppy

I am sorry to hear about the tenancies of your pup. I myself have had many pits and just acquired another. Have you been leaving your puppy alone for long hours during the day? Puppies who are left alone become withdrawn and some times aggressive. Don't play rough with him for example: no shaking, pushing, slapping, or hitting. This can turn any dog, not only a pit aggressive.

Show your dominance. When he bites be stern and if necessary punish how you feel necessary. One way to truly tell how aggressive your pup is going to be is to take his food away when he is eating. Or wake him up in mid slumber. It could be that you just have an over excited dog. They do explore the world through their mouths. Good luck and I wish the best. (09/25/2007)

By Cameron

RE: Aggressive Pit Bull Puppy

I think you should take the puppy to a trainer, and see if that helps. If not u may need to get rid of it. Am sorry to hear that I love pitbullz, and if I could train him for you, I would because I train dogs. Good luck I hope ya don't have to get rid if him! (02/21/2008)

By missy

RE: Aggressive Pit Bull Puppy

I am going through the exact same thing you are. I have a 7 week old pit lab boxer mix. She is very cute but very aggressive! I've tried everything. I've done the scruff shake. I've tried calm behavior and not so calm behavior. The only thing that temporarily works with her is if I spray her with a water bottle when she bites or barks or scratches or pees or poops, sigh. She will stop doing whatever she's doing until I have to squirt her again. I know shes got a lot of pent up energy or aggression, because if I just hold her tight against me not hurting her. She will scream and cry like I'm causing her pain until I release her. Maybe I should just hold her like that until she calms down. Good luck with your baby, I know I need it with mine! (06/12/2008)

By lori

RE: Aggressive Pit Bull Puppy

Don't give up on your puppy! All dogs are trainable! There are so many unwanted Pit Bulls in this country - please don't give yours up for a few behavioral problems. I have a beautiful large male Pit myself that I rescued. I have three rescues total. Your puppy can be helped. Look to your local obedience resources!! (09/30/2008)

By Mila

RE: Aggressive Pit Bull Puppy

All I can say is petsmart training classes. My pit bull jack was mean since the day he was born, and i knew i needed to do something to turn him around. I enrolled him in classes @ petsmart when he was 1 y/o and he made a complete turn around. He loves people, children, and most other dogs now. It really does work. Also get your dog neutered! I got jack as soon as he turned 4 months, and he calmed down so much. (11/24/2008)

By Hayley

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Aggressive Pit Bull Puppy

I have a 9 week old Pit Bull puppy that does not get along with other dogs. She growls and tries to fight. What do I do? Help.

Hila from Van Nuys, CA

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RE: Aggressive Pit Bull Puppy

I have a Pit Bull also and it seems that they are all like that. I also have an American Bulldog. This dog he is use to and they get along, but when I take the puppy out for a walk and he see's another dog he goes absolutely nuts. I have the collar in my hand and have to literally pick him up from his front legs and drag him down the street until he calms down.

I think it is in all Pits not just yours. If you hear anyway to cure it please let me know. Also there is a show and a web site you can check out that is marvelous. It is Ceasar Millan. He is a great dog trainer. His show is called the Dog Whisperer. Check him out for sure.

Linda H. (03/23/2009)

By hercybaby

RE: Aggressive Pit Bull Puppy

Get a squirt bottle and fill it with water. Every time the puppy misbehaves, squirt it (the narrow, fine straight stream, not the mist) right in the face. We take a squirt bottle on our walks, and as another dog approaches we give our dog a little squirt if he starts to lunge and it helps a lot. You can get squirt bottles at the dollar store or take the top of a cleaning spray nozzle and attach it to a water bottle just rinse out very, very, good first. Don't give up. Be the boss.

Your puppy doesn't respect you and he needs to. Also, you need to give your puppy a lot of exercise. All that energy needs to be drained out every day and then he won't have the energy to fight. See if it likes to swim or run with you or take it for a run while you ride your bike. Exercise is very, very important. Good luck.

Lee in FL (03/24/2009)

By PainterLee

RE: Aggressive Pit Bull Puppy

You may want to try some natural supplements. You can go online to Only Natural Pet Store. These things have really helped my dogs, who have a tendency to fight each other for dominance. The supplements along with proper leadership are turning them around to being every enjoyable dogs. (03/24/2009)

By Artlady

RE: Aggressive Pit Bull Puppy

The ancestry of the Pit is to fight other dogs in the ring until death. This, unfortunately, is a trait that is hard to water down over the generations. You will need to find a good trainer to work with you and your puppy. Some seem to still have this aggression towards other dogs, yet some do not. It appears that yours does.

Fortunately, the dog is young, giving you time to work with it with a professional. Check with your vet for a reputable trainer. Please, take this advice. I had a dog with aggression problems and did not take my vet's advice to get him trained. He loved children, but not adult men. He attacked our neighbor and we had to have him put down. I still regret, to this day that I did not take my vet's advice to get him trained properly. (03/24/2009)

By tnsink

RE: Aggressive Pit Bull Puppy

First, I'd reduce their dry cereal for a while, and increase the availability of water and dish size, washing it often with mild liquid detergent, rinsing well, adding ice cubes in the summer. There is too much salt for the nervous system in dry products.

Don't bathe too often, unless a long haired dog that sweats a lot, or stays outdoors longer. Use the gentlest shampoos only and not colognes as some city groomers still do to cover up a poor cleaning odor.

If collared, check the fit monthly so it doesn't bind or choke them. Do not use a choke collar, but rather a harness only, regardless of size. That's animal cruelty. Remember that tie downs are illegal in most cities. Don't know about the country?

Biting at anytime other than during eating is to be forbidden, unless a young dog still teething, and old leather shoes are good for that if your closet door closes well, and if you aren't in the habit of kicking off your shoes anywhere other than inside the closet. Otherwise, choose a teether that doesn't look like clothing or animal.

Also, I'd remove the "stuffed animals" to prevent jealousy even if you think the dog knows they are not alive. It's the eyes and body shapes that cause them to want to practice attacking/ aggression. Use rope bundles, and chew toys instead. They will learn to attack whatever you let them attack or chew that looks alive.

When you play with them, be gentle, and say, "be soft, don't bite" over and over showing what soft is. They will eventually learn and play soft. Don't let anyone rough them up or play hard with them. They will follow their natural instinct if you do. Pay attention to their eyes, ears, and tail.You can learn a lot about what they are thinking, going to do next, if they are understanding/responding to you. Be consistent and don't lose your cool with them.

Also, curling your first finger out from your fist, to tap the top of the nose firmly, saying, "no! That's bad!". Use this technique when the dog does wrong for anything from aggression, biting furniture, or scratching, etc.

Try to give them "good boy" verbal rewards when they obey, not treats. There might come a time when you don't have a treat and that will produce angry learned behavior you might want to avoid. Place them first in another room when company is around. Don't set them or the company for failure.

Don't use aerosol cans, carpet sprays or powders, pesticides or chemicals when cleaning, inside or outside, unless safe for pets, again, watching their reactions for all things you clean with. Some dogs are so sensitive that even newly cut grass or pollen can set off aggression. Don't let them hang their head out the moving car window, or leave them locked in a hot car.

When leaving them alone, try to get a large metal cage and teach them that you will let them out when you are home. Don't encourage or train them to think they have the run of the house when you aren't there, then punish them if they disappoint you. It isn't animal cruelty, but wisdom to cage them in a twice larger than they are cage, complete with water and a little cereal, and worth it's weight in gold.

Feeding them only the right amount at a time, removing the rest, is the best idea. If you want a good watch dog, feed bigger meat amounts at night. Only cereal in a.m., and egg/tuna mid-day if you are at home to do so.

Avoiding canned foods which contain both diseased dead animals and every undesirable chemical disguised as "healthy" under the sun, is the best idea you can do. Feed them cheap cuts, table scraps, rice/veggies/meat gravy mixtures, and let them have about 15 minutes of sun daily, once/twice a day.

If they begin to eat grass, they have an upset stomach regardless of what anyone tells you. Give them a small amount of canned pumpkin mixed into their meat until they no longer eat grass.

Let them use the bathroom in the farthest corner from your home and your neighbor's, then use cheap cat litter or shredded news paper for a single layer over each pile, unless you enjoy picking it up. It makes good fertilizer, you must have noticed. If they are having too many bowel movements, reduce the meats. If not often enough, increase the meats and check water often. Dry cereal is constipating, as well, unless an expensive brand. You can add chicken or beef broth to help with that problem. They will thank you by being more calm.

Avoid loud sounds, shouting, high music, and highly heated air. Most animals prefer a slick floor during hot weather and a simple rug during the cooler nights.

Avoid lots of fun "clothing" for a serious dog, out of respect for them, even if you think it is "cute", unless for a special photo, or occasion, or memory album.

Inspect your fencing well and often, because even an outside animal can dig through and create a hole that tempts your pet to escape. Watch for used lumber or fencing being tossed and add a second layer of fencing to the lower 1/3rd of your wooden fence when needed.

Inspect their feces for worms of any kind, and treat them accordingly with over the counter meds from the pet store. You can identify them from the web sites.

Keep their toenails clipped, and bedding clean, along with their ears. Greet them when you arrive home, awake in the morning, and love them when you say goodnight. They don't require much, but don't deserve to be ignored, which can make for an unhappy pup.

All of these things will make for a great, loving, obedient, and faithful pet for years.

Hope this works. I had a Sharpei and a Peekapoo which died because of my lack of knowledge. Good luck and god bless. (03/24/2009)

By lyndagayle62

RE: Aggressive Pit Bull Puppy

I would go to leerburg.com and read about pack structure and Pit Bulls. He mostly trains German Shepherds, but there is a lot of info that would apply to your little dear. Mostly it is about pack structure and then you can see which of his many instructions on different topics apply to you.

Robyn (04/23/2009)

By Robyn Fed