BEING A RESPONSIBLE OWNER
American Pit Bull Terriers are classified in the Terrier group. In general, Terriers have a high prey drive and can be dog-aggressive. 'Pit Bulls' are spunky, intelligent, powerful and full of life, but it is usually not a good idea to have a 'Pit Bull' in a multiple dog household. If you do have multiple dogs, or you are considering bringing a 'Pit Bull' into your home, here are some tips on how to be a responsible 'Pit Bull' owner:
Although some 'Pit Bulls' get along fabulously with other dogs of all sizes and with cats, the best arrangement is to have a neutered male 'Pit Bull' and a spayed female 'Pit Bull'. Smaller dogs cannot usually play as hard as these dogs do, nor can they defend themselves if a fight was to occur. If you do have small dogs and cats be sure to slowly introduce your 'Pit Bull' to them and never leave them unsupervised.
'Pit Bulls' of the same sex can have major dominance issues. This rivalry can cause fights to break out at any time even if the dogs seem to get along with each other. Unfortunately, in a fighting breed the normal submissive cues given by a dog that has given up are often not recognized or given and one or both of the dogs can be seriously injured or even killed.
Even dogs of the opposite sex can get into fights over little things such as food, toys, or attention from a family member. Stimuli such as barking neighborhood dogs, lawnmowers or rough housing can trigger fights. Rough play that mimics fighting is normal, but it is your responsibility as the 'leader of the pack' to make sure things don't get out of hand. It is therefore recommended that you supervise your 'Pit Bulls' during play times and
that you never leave them alone unattended. Crate training is a great way to prevent fights and destructive behavior while you are away.
If you want to cut down on the possibility of your 'Pit Bull' becoming dog-aggressive you can do several things. Early socialization and training are key. They MAY help, but is not a guarantee that your 'Pit Bull' won't become dog-aggressive at some point. They can be perfectly fine with other dogs and then once they are mature (12-36 months old) they can have a dramatic change of temperament as far as other dogs are concerned. I can't tell you how many times people have said that nothing will happen between their dogs because they all get along so well together. As it usually turns out most of the dogs are puppies or under 24-months of age. Your dogs may continue to get along beautifully with each other, but you need to be prepared for the possibility that it may not always be the case.
With a proper introduction, supervision, and training you can usually have a wonderful life with multiple dogs. In some cases it may be necessary to separate your dogs at all times. If this happens it is your responsibility to work with your dogs and to give them each enough attention and exercise. It is a lot of work, but well worth the effort.
Since 'Pit Bulls' are so powerful and they can be dog-aggressive you should NEVER have your dog off leash at a dog park or while taking him/her for a walk. Your dog may come into contact with other dogs off leash and this could be disastrous. While your dog may not start a fight, he WILL end it. Unfortunately in these situations the 'Pit Bull' is always blamed. Do you really want to risk having your dog taken from you and put into quarantine? Do you want to risk being sued? Do you want to risk more bad publicity for our breed? If the answer is no then don't allow this situation to happen. Be responsible and ALWAYS keep your dog on a leash.
Another big problem you will be faced with is keeping your dog safe. 'Pit Bulls' are often the target of people who want dogs for illegal purposes. If your dog is stolen or lost he/she will most likely end up in the hands of people who will abuse, fight or torture your dog. You may say 'my dog isn't aggressive to other dogs so he can't be used for fighting'. Illegal street fighters don't care. They will just watch another dog kill your dog. IF YOU LEAVE YOUR DOG OUTSIDE UNATTENDED, HE/SHE WILL BE STOLEN OR LOST AT SOME POINT. Because 'Pit Bulls' are so friendly and trusting of humans, they are one of the most easily stolen dogs. You must take this seriously. Please leave your dog indoors when no one is home. If your dog is destructive or not used to being indoors we recommend crate training.
These dogs require a dominant owner who is firm, caring, and consistent. You must be willing to invest time & money for training, vet care, toys, food, & proper confinement for your dog. You must be ready to protect yourself and your 'Pit Bull' from people who have given into the media hype about this breed. If you don't have the strength to stand up to prejudice and ridicule, then this is not the breed for you. If you are ready for the task then you will join the thousands of people who couldn't image owning another breed of dog. These dogs are loving, intelligent, athletic and loyal. They make excellent companions and are great family dogs. 'Pit Bulls' are the best dogs in the world, but they are not for everyone.
