Pit Bulls: Saving America's Dog

A Best Friends Network Campaign
to achieve a time of No More
Homeless Pets.

The American Pit Bull Terriers and bully breeds, such as rottweilers, and American Staffordshire terriers, are in trouble.  Best Friends Animal Society is working throughout the country to help these dogs, which are battling everything from a media-driven bad reputation to dogfighting to legislation designed to outlaw their very existence. Here are a few facts about pit bulls:

• About half of the dogs killed in shelters today are pit bulls or pit bull mixes.
• There are 20 different species of dogs that are commonly confused with the pit bull, making breed-discriminatory rules very hard to enforce.
• Only one in every 600 pit bulls will find a home.
• Nationwide, 75% of shelters euthanize all pit bulls, regardless of temperament, age, history, etc.
• The biggest risk factors for dog aggression are irresponsible/cruel dog owners and dogs that are not spayed/neutered. No breed is inherently aggressive or vicious.
• Responsibly owned, well trained, and socialized pit bulls are fantastically social and make first-rate family dogs.

How is Best Friends helping pit bulls? 

Leading by example, Best Friends works with local officials to adopt ordinances that protect communities from any dangerous dog instead of breed discriminatory legislation (BDL), which just covers particular breeds.

Best Friends is also working with local organizations in inner-cities like Chicago to create community training centers where young people can learn how to properly care for and relate to their pets. 

Across the country, we are working with local community groups, public servants, and elected officials to see that dogfighting operations are reported and broken up, and participants are prosecuted. We're increasing public awareness in order to prevent new operations from forming and we're helping to place these poor victimized dogs when they are removed from the possession of their abusers.

In 2008, Best Friends took in 22 of the dogs from Michael Vick's dogfighting operation. That same year, Best Friends helped draft legislation in Georgia that resulted in dogfighting laws the state can be proud of. 

ARE PIT BULLS INHERENTLY DANGEROUS?

A Maryland court recently declared the dogs are dangerous, but science suggests the ruling may be extremePrint

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Are pit bulls "inherently dangerous," as a Maryland court recently ruled? Click to enlarge this image. 
Getty Images

The Maryland Court of Appeals recently deemed pit bulls and pit bull mixes "inherently dangerous," but many animal experts and dog advocates believe the court overstepped its authority.

"Inherently dangerous" implies that all pit bulls are, through genetics or their environment, born with a vicious streak. The science does not appear to support this.

For example, a University of Pennsylvania study on dogs found that the top three biters of humans were actually smaller dogs: Dachshunds, Chihuahuas and Jack Russell terriers.

Nevertheless, pit bulls are often in the news for attacking, and sometimes even killing, people and other animals. A mid 1990's effort by the San Francisco SPCA and the Wisconsin Humane Society to rename socialized pit bulls "St. Francis terriers" was suspended when some of the adopted dogs killed housecats and engaged in other unsaintly behavior.

NEWS: Prehistoric Dog Lived, Died Among Humans

Pit bulls didn't always have such a bad rap. In the early part of the 20^th century, this breed was in fashion and became quite popular as a family pet. "The Little Rascals," a series highlighting child actors, even featured a spunky pit bull. Have the dogs then changed over the years?

Some have.

"It is possible to breed in or out certain traits, with some dogs purposefully bred for fighting," Jennifer Scarlett, a veterinarian who is also co-president of the San Francisco SPCA, told Discovery News.

She said that studies on foxes suggest that a trait possibly affecting personality can appear in just two to three generations. Pit bulls bred this way seem to be more aggressive against other dogs, but not necessarily humans.

"In the fighting ring, humans will sometimes pry open the dog's mouth, so the aggression is usually very focused against other dogs," she explained.

WATCH VIDEO: Why do dogs chase their tails?

Scarlett, who disagrees with the Maryland ruling and has herself debated the issue in court and other public forums, said that countless pit bulls nationwide are highly socialized and well trained, never hurting anyone.

"Dogs of any breed that are truly strong and aggressive can be managed, but what is nature and nurture in those cases?" she asked. "Should all dogs be let loose in a dog park? No."

Much then comes down to the owners, and therein lies the real problem.

Scarlett indicated that at least one study is underway to see if certain factors predict if a segment of the population is at greater risk for being attacked by a dog.

Anecdotally, socioeconomic factors, whether or not a dog has been spayed or neutered, and whether or not a dog has been socialized and trained, appear to predict attacks. Many tragedies happen in homes where one member has a puppy mill-bred pit bull, Rottweiler, mastiff, or other dog and the unsupervised canine attacks a toddler.

NEWS: Dogs Probably Feel Sorry For Us

Jennifer Lu, communications manager at the SF SPCA, said that pit bulls may have a bad reputation now, but other dogs, such as Doberman pinschers and German shepherds, held that dubious distinction in past decades. Some breeders then would try to create more aggressive versions of those dogs in response to demand.

Due to such problems with breeding, many shelters are waging campaigns against puppy mills that put profit ahead of the welfare of dogs. Aggressive canines aren't the only outcomes either. Owners desiring unusual or distinctive looking dogs, such as applehead Chihuahuas, may not realize that breeders are "exploiting a genetic defect that may cause the skull not to close," according to Lu. "This leaves many of the dogs with a soft, unprotected part of the head."

French bulldogs are known for their sweet disposition, but Lu said they usually require a C-section delivery by breeders, again creating a greater potential health risk.

Dogs ultimately suffer the most, with euthanasia rates extremely high now for both pit bulls and Chihuahuas.

Betsy McFarland, vice president of The Humane Society of the United States, is concerned that the suffering might escalate even more, given the ruling in Maryland. The HSUS is already aware that renters with pit bulls might now experience problems with their landlords. If a landlord creates a new lease preventing the owner from keeping his or her dog, that animal may wind up in a shelter, adding further to the euthanasia tally.

McFarland concluded, "The legislature should conduct appropriate fact-finding and hearings, consider the available science, and make a measured, non-emotional decision on this important policy issue."

how do you teach a pitbull to walk on a leash?

everytime i put a leash on him, he draws back, bucks like a horse and trys to bite and break the chain. thats ok as long as i dont walk him and quite honestly, I want to walk my pit so how do i break him of this? DO NOT RESPONED IF YOU THINK PITBULLS ARE "KILLERS"

ANSWER

The same way you get any dog to walk on a leash with patience and knowledge.

The first step in leash training is to get your dog used to a collar. Of course he is going to scratch at it. It's new, so put the collar on when the dog is eating and playing under your supervision. Distract him from thinking about the collar. 

Remove the collar only at a time when the pup is NOT trying to get out of it. If you take the collar off when the pup is obsessing over getting it off, you encourage the pup to fight the collar. To the puppy, it seems that fighting the collar worked, and got that nasty collar removed!

Of course the collar needs to fit and should not be of a stiff or uncomfortable design. A lightweight nylon collar with a buckle or snap is a good choice.

The next step is to add a leash. Some dogs can get overwhelmed by an entire leash all at once. If this is the case you can start with a string, shoelace, or something of the sort. Add length as the puppy gets used to it. 

Attach the leash or the short item to the collar when the dog is eating or playing, and let the dog get used to it being there. As with the collar, don't remove it when dog is making a fuss about it. Remove it when the dog has forgotten about it. 

Do not leave a leash on an unattended dog. It can catch on things and trap the dog in dangerous and traumatic situations. Leashes are only safe during supervised times.

Distract your puppy into play or other interaction with you whenever the puppy seems bothered by the leash or starts to chew it. 

Before you pick up the other end of the leash with it attached to the dog, you need to first put in some time getting your puppy to come to you and to move with you. Treats are ideal for this training. Don't be worry your dog won't always need treats to walk on a leash. Leash walking has its own rewards, but a young dog doesn't know that yet. The treats will help get things moving in the right direction.

Now it's time to for the real deal....leash walking.

When a dog freezes up on leash and won't move, obviously you can't get anywhere. So part of the goal is for the dog to relax when wearing a leash. You're off to the right start there, having conditioned your dog to the presence of the leash with no pressure.

A dog pulling on leash can suffer damage to the throat, Ironically, it's not the dog who causes the pulling-on-leash problem. Humans instinctively hold the leash tight. A dog's completely normal and natural response to a tight leash is to pull. If the dog did not pull against the pressure, the dog would be constantly off-balance. 

From the first minute you pick up the leash, keep it loose. Follow the dog at times, and at other times use the skills you have been developing to induce your dog to follow you. Resist the impulse to pull the dog around on leash, or even to guide the dog with the leash. Work hard at remembering to communicate through your voice, body language and various motivators. Keep building those abilities! Keep your attention on your mental communication with the dog, rather than trying to communicate through the leash.

If your dog makes an attempt to pull you, your job is to stand still. The message to the dog is simply that pulling on the leash is useless. As soon as your dog notices that trying to pull you isn't work because you stopped, you need to switch into your attention-getting, he into the follow-me mode, and get that dog moving with you! This is the game, and it really does need to be a game. Make it fun for the dog. It will be fun for you, too, and that's one of the great benefits of living with dogs! 

"Best Dog Food for Pitbulls"

"Best Dog Food for Pitbulls"

We personally use and recommend our customers to continue using the dog food brands and dog supplements below when purchasing dogs from us. This is our way of ensuring our dogs stay looking their best, and grow to their maximum potential while growing structurally correct!

Dog Food 1	Dog Food 2	Dog Vitamins & Supplements
On the Higher End Eukanuba 30/20 for adults! (plus daily supplements)  Cost $50-$55 for a 40lb bag (Sold at Pets Mart, Tractor Supply Etc...)	On the Lower End Exceed 30/20 All Life Stages (plus daily supplements)  Cost $30-$35 for a 44lb bag (Only sold at Sams Club)	YOU CANT FORGET THIS! **K9 Mega All in One Complete Dog Vitamin Supplements (added over top of our dogs food daily) Cost $60-$64 for 2lb Cost $100-$120 for 4lb (Sold online atwww.k9mega.com ) No matter the dog food we feed, we always apply this dog supplement to our dog food.

Best Supplements for Pitbulls...
all of our dogs get daily supplements, we have tried everything out there but we have finally found a supplement that take care of all our needs for our blue nose pitbulls.

Each small scoop of K9 Mega AIO supplement contains:

Crude Protein, min .......... 47.00 % Crude Fat, min ............... 24.00 % Omega 3* .......................... 4.70 %  658 mg Omega 6* .......................... 5.40 %  756 mg Creatine*............................. 500mg Gamma Oryzanol* ............... 250mg Calcium .............................. 315 mg Phosphorus ......................... 196 mg Glucosamine* ...................... 250mg Taurine* ............................. 250mg Chondroitin Sulfate* ............. 200mg Plus so much more!!! Visit their website  for full details. It also has Vitamin B-12 Along with all the other B-complex vitamins needed to increase appetite and so much more for only $60 and will out last any other dog supplement out there! One bag last a 60lb dog 128 Days!

www.k9mega.com

We love this dog supplement because it has No Artificial Flavors, No Chemical Preservatives, No Beef or Soy Protein. And we have seen awesome results! We are able to give all of our dogs this supplement daily affordably and it keep them healthy & happy!

How TO Train YOur Pit Bull

Training Tips

"Dogs, like humans, are in a constant state of learning. They are learning even if we don't notice. There are so many variables and subtleties in this process that it is difficult to explain." -Cinimon Clark

Non- Confrontational Dominance Program (or "no free lunch") 

All animals have rules. Dogs are no different. People can't speed through stop signs and dogs can't bolt out the front door and run down the street. In this program, all the dog must do is place its rear on the ground and defer to its owner. Saying �please' is a simple but powerful behavior.

This program was specifically designed for both dog and owner. It contains information from the books Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Small Animals by Dr. Karen L. Overall, Dogs Behaving Badly by Dr. Nicholas Dodman as well as Cinimon Clark's methods.

Starting immediately, your dog must earn everything it wants for the rest of his/her life. He does this by quietly sitting and staying for a few minutes (saying please). This includes the following:

• Food and feeding
• Treats
• Love and attention
• Being able to go outside and come back inside
• Having a leash and collar put on
• Having feet toweled off
• Being �invited' onto the bed or couch (if owner wants)

1) Avoid confrontationIf your dog is aggressive to you, it is vital for the success of the program that you avoid confrontation. If the dog is continually put into situations in which it feels the need to defend itself, aggression becomes a learned behavior.

Example: If your dog attempts to guard a rawhide chew and you back away, what does the dog learn? It's learned that aggression works. If it wants you to back off, all it has to do is growl. -- If your dog guards these things, simply remove them from its diet all together.

2) Have specific feeding timesAlpha isn't who screams the loudest, it's who holds the resources. If your dog has food in its bowl all the time, it feels in control. You must be the one to offer food (the bowl coming from your hand) when and only when the dog sits.

Example: If you ask for a sit and the dog doesn't comply, you can give a �no-reward mark' and walk away. The dog must wait for the next schedules feeding time for another chance. (A no-reward mark is not a command. It is a word that lets your dog know it's chosen the wrong option and the human is leaving the area. I use, �Too bad�.)

3) Ignore controlling behavior

Example: If your dog comes up while you are on the couch and climbs into your lap wanting attention, who is the king and who is the throne? If this happens, simply stand up to get the dog off of you and then ask for a sit (dog needs to be on the floor at this point!). If the dog sits, you can pet it. Now you have just controlled the situation, not the dog.

4) Praise needs to be earnedOver praising a dog makes the praise uneventful. It is not appreciated. If you control and ration all praise and attention, your dog views you as more authoritative. -- By spoiling a dog, you do it no favors.

Example: If your dog knows how to sit on command, only praise when it gives you an exceptionally fast sit or a perfectly square sit, etc.

5) Toys are a privilege that must be earned
The dog has access to only one toy at a time. You control the use of toys and the time spent playing with them.

Example: If your dog has a toy and is insisting that you play (and you don't want to) give your no-reward mark and leave the yard or room and return after a few minutes. Now call the dog to you and ask for a sit. When the dog sits you can begin play. The dog is only allowed to play with you when invite it to play. Give a command for playtime such as, �Let's play!�. Be sure to have a command that ends play as well. (�That's all� or �All done!� are good ones.) This gives your dog guidelines to follow. If your dog persists with play after you have requested the game to end, again give the no-reward mark and leave the area and do not interact with the dog for a few minutes.  

6) No high places
The dog should not be allowed to get on the bed or couch unless you ask. High places are a way dominant dogs gain control. Dogs (like people and other mammals) feel more authoritative when on a higher level.

7) Do not cater to demanding behaviorIf you dog is barking in your face for attention, give the no-reward mark and walk away. After a few minutes of silence from the dog, ask it to come to you and sit. Then you can give attention.

8) Watch for subtle, pushy and defiant behaviorExpect mistakes on your part and your dog's. No one is perfect.

9) Freedom is to be earned

Example: If your dog refuses to sit for being let out, the dog will not be able to run loose in the yard. It will have to go out on leash (with you holding the other end!) to relieve itself.

10) Praise your dog!
Remember, fair is fair and your dog can have as much love and attention as it earns. 

This way of interacting with your dog isn't cruel nor is it too much for you to ask. This is all about mutual respect. Never ask your dog to do something you wouldn't do. You have to work, pay taxes and drive the speed limit and your dog needs rules as well. If you give a human child everything for free, you're setting them up for failure. They won't learn valuable lessons needed for interacting with their world. Nothing in life is free. Children feel loved and safe when rules and structure are given to them. Dogs are no different. Each time you want to spoil your dog, think about their mental well being first. Instant gratification does not equal a confident and happy individual. Work and a true purpose in life is what it's all about. If they feel needed and useful, they feel confident and content and isn�t that what we all want out of life?

Cinimon Clark
Obedience Instructor
Copyright 2003

> Related Link 

Pit Bulls and Kids - Training Tips 1) Teach the kids to "train" with the puppy ASAP . Even a very young child, with minimal english can say "sit" and give a treat. 2) Practice having the puppy "sit" and wait (even if it is for only a few seconds) at any door, including a crate door (and DO crate train), then let the child "invite" the puppy in or out, with an "O.K." or whatever command you use. The puppy must "wait" for permission from the child. 3) Do NOT allow the puppy to jump on, scratch, bite or chase (ankle nip) children. Do not allow the puppy to "chase" scooters, bikes, skateboards or rollerblades either. 4) Be extremely cautious about granting couch or bed privileges with kids ( I wouldn't ), especially with a dog you do not know VERY, VERY, well. If you choose to do so, first teach an "up" AND an "off", on any elevated puppy height surface. After you have taught the behavior, again, have the kids practice those commands. 5) Teach a "give" or "out" command for anything. Teach that, and make absolutely certain it is reinforced with every child. Do not allow kids (and believe me, they'll try) to feed the puppy from the table, or harass them for unearned food, without first requiring a simple obedience (like sit) behavior from the dog. 6) Actively involve the kids, let them know you really need their help as "training partners" to teach your puppy to be a good dog. Solicit their ideas, and most importantly, supervise and control ALL interactions. Indoors and outside. 7) Do not teach (allow) your puppy to do any thing that you would NOT want an adult 65 lb dog doing. Begin with the end in mind. Use positve training methods, and teach the kids how to safely have fun with a dog. It won't just happen, and "Lassie" is, IMO, one of the most destructive fantasies ever marketed by the media. 8) Educate yourself, read, research, and train. Then share what you have learned with the kids. We can't give to others what we don't ourselves have. Learn to "read" your dog's temperament and personality, and safely manage their environment accordingly. Keep it simple, clear, and consistent. Never "assume" anything regarding your dog's behavior in a new or different situation (including people). Always be alert to possible warning signs, or possible behavior changes from your dog. I have 9 kids of my own, and have had many adult Pit Bull fosters in and out of here, plus my resident Pit Bulls (3). My house is about as busy and chaotic as they come. I have never had a kid bitten by a Pit Bull. Michele Gardner Dog Trainer Pit Bull Owner and Rescuer & Mother of 9 Children

Teaching Your Dog to Walk on a Loose Lead

Written by the Denver Dumb Friends League  Behavior Department. Copyright owned by the Denver Dumb Friends league

DEFINITION: "Walk by my side on a loose leash."

PRACTICAL USES: More fun and relaxed than the stricter HEEL, this is a useful word to use when you are giving your dog permission to sniff, explore, and relieve himself... as long as he stays with you and doesn't put tension on the leash.

HOW TO TEACH: In this method of teaching your dog to walk on a loose leash, your dog has a job. He must keep slack in the leash. AS SOON AS he puts tension on the leash, turn 180 degrees from the direction he is pulling and walk briskly in the new direction, using the command "with me". When he turns to follow you, praise him ("good with me") and give him a treat. As long as he keeps slack in the leash, praise him. As soon as he begins to pull, turn and go again.

COMMENTS: Timing is everything with this command. You must turn and go as soon as your dog begins to pull. DO NOT allow him to pull you for several steps before you turn and go. Walking quickly, with lots of jolly talk, will help focus the dog's attention.

This is not the more formal "heel". The idea is to have the dog walk happily under control, without pulling, so that you are both comfortable. HEEL means walking directly beside you, watching you, and should be used in crowds, when crossing streets, etc.

It may take some time to teach this command, especially if your dog has been pulling you around on the leash for some time. Be patient and persistent.

In order to be able to walk your dog while you continue to work on this command, we recommend a head halter. The head halter will prevent your dog from pulling on the leash, but will not teach him to walk on a loose leash when he is not wearing it. Therefore we recommend you use it in conjunction with this training method. ALWAYS use a flat buckle collar when you practice this method . Jerking or yanking on the head halter may cause injury to your dog.

When your dog is walking on a loose leash, make sure you are not raising your hand and taking up the slack he has created. The loose leash (along with praise and treats) is, in itself, a reward for not pulling.

> Related Link 

Desensitization A process to help dogs get over their fears and anxieties. With proper desensitization the anxiety producing object loses its power. This can help if your dog reacts to cars, noises, people, other dogs or animals, or anything your dog may be uncomfortable with. I'll refer to the above as 'Scary Object". You have to start working this at your dog's comfort distance. This could be 50ft away, 100ft away, or even more from the Scary Object. You have to be able to get his attention on you. If you cannot get his attention, you are too close from the Scary Object. You will want to use very high-value food treats (liverwurst, roast beef, teriyaki chicken). Something very delicious, something your dog doesn't get all the time. Save these special treats just for your desensitization training. As soon as Scary Object is in view start feeding your dog the delicious treats. Little pieces just keep feeding and feeding do not stop feeding until Scary Object is out of view. It's very helpful if you can set up the viewing and the distance from scary object. You will want to start with only a few minutes, and keep the exposure to the Scary Object very brief. Today you see scary object for 1 minute, tomorrow 2 min., etc. You'll build up time of exposure as you go along. Remember to feed while Scary Object is in view and stop as soon as Scary Object is not in view. After your few minutes, turn around and go in another direction away from Scary Object. Keep doing the above and always work at your dogs comfort distance. Always look for opportunities to use the desensitization process. Keep the viewing a short duration. Next you will start reducing the distance to the Scary Object. Instead of being 100ft away, try only 90ft away. Never rush !! You always want to be able to maintain your dogs attention, if you can't keep his attention then you are moving to fast. It's harder in the beginning but if taken slowly, things will move faster towards the end. It can take months to desensitize but is well worth it when you reach the end. Eventually, what you're hoping to happen is for your dog to see the Scary Object and turn to you automatically. The Scary Object becomes the dogs cue to look at you "Hey, I see a dog over there, I look at my owner, I get a treat!" This is a huge breakthrough. You can help this process along by: 1) Being relaxed. Any anxiety or nervousness you feel will run right down the leash to your dog. 2) Be Alert and Aware so that YOU notice the scary object before your dog does. 3) When scary object is in view SMILE at your dog and feed delicious treats. 4) Feed only when Scary Object is in view. 5) Turn and walk away in a different direction when dog is agitated or exercise is over. 6) ALWAYS set your dog up to succeed. This means being prepared and keeping the distance at the dogs comfort level. Eventually you will be able to move in closer and closer to the scary object and extend the amount of time spent in the vicinity of the scary object.

How TO Take Care Of Pit BUll Puppies

It is a common view that pitbulls are violent, aggressive animals, but this view is highly inaccurate. In fact, pitbulls adore people. It is not difficult to raise a pit bull pup to be a loving member of the family.

Steps

1. 1
   Tell people it's a pitbull. Inform family and close friends that you are bringing home a pitbull puppy in advance - don't 'warn' them about it, but make sure they are aware of what breed it is and understand that the myths about pitbulls being monsters are just that: myths. Depending on the attitude of neighbours one may or may not decide to tell them in advance - as long as the dog doesn't get into their garden they may not even notice.
2. 2
   Exercise! Ensure you have space to exercise the dog - a garden is a good idea, but pitbulls need lots of exercise, so take them out once or twice a day every day, even as a puppy. Some people use treadmills to exercise their dog in bad weather - get your puppy used to this, just in case you need to use it in the future.
3. 3
   Combat boredom. Pitbulls, like border collies, are highly intelligent and can become destructive if left with nothing to do. Don't leave the puppy alone for long, and if you must go, leave it in an enclosed area (not free run of the house, especially not the stairs) without wires or expensive furniture, with a durable chew toy it can play with. Give them a chewtoy if you're driving a long way so they don't mess up the boot (trunk) of the car.
4. 4
   Socialise the puppy! Introduce it to different people, to friends and family. Get it used to them. Then try taking it out in public. Let it see the world! The more used to everything your young dog becomes, the less afraid and defensive it will become. (N.B. Don't overdo it, though - remember that slow steps are better than throwing the poor thing in at the deep end.)
5. 5
   Don't let them escape. Don't leave anything near the fence - pitbulls can learn to climb trees, and once your puppy realises this it will try anything to get out and wander, and pitbulls are excellent fence jumpers so watch out. If this happens, not only will the dog be hard to find, but it could get hit by a car or stolen (pitbulls, due to their 'aggressive nature', are now popular pets for gangs, so they're worth a lot of money).
6. 6
   Microchip the puppy. Due to their escape-artist qualities and value this is perhaps more important with pitbulls than other breeds. Many humane societies offer low-cost microchipping, often a much lower price than vets offer.
7. 7
   Treat it like a normal dog. While you should always be aware that you own a people-friendly dog rather than a dog-friendly one, don't treat your puppy differently, especially not if you have other dogs, as this will create hostility between them.

Tips

• There is no better person to teach you about raising a pitbull puppy than an experienced owner. Ask your vet if they know of anyone you could contact to ask about it. Meet them and see if they can offer any 'do' and 'don't' tips you hadn't heard about.
• Choose one person to be the 'master', but have encourage everyone to interact positively with the puppy so it becomes people-friendly. This rule is the same with any breed.
• While it may seem unkind, spaying or neutering the dog when it is older is a good idea - male dogs in particular tend to be better behaved and less aggressive once spayed.

Warnings

• Don't leave the puppy with young children. You would never leave an adult dog of any breed with kids because you know kids don't act correctly around them and could hurt or upset them; in the same way, don't leave the puppy with them. If the puppy associates a child with their tail being pulled, which could happen if you're not there to stop them, they may become aggressive towards that child. Even if the animal adores the child, full-grown pitbulls weigh enough to hurt them by accident, especially since the breed is so energetic.
• Never leave your pitbull alone with other dogs - pitbulls are not dog-friendly, and while an older pitbull could harm another dog (regardless of who initiated the fight) if left unsupervised, pibull puppies may be hurt by larger dogs because accidents happen. You wouldn't leave a child who disliked dogs alone with them - pitbulls are the same. If your pet maims or kills another dog, even if it wasn't its fault and it would never hurt a person, it will be put down. Protect your dog. Watch it.
• Never hit your dog. This is for two reasons: 1 - your dog is a living creature which does not deserve to be hurt. This can be considered animal abuse. 2 - the myth about pitbulls having locking jaws may be absurd, but they were bred to have strong jaws and to retaliate if struck. That kind of aggression may be in their genetics.

How to Keep Your Pitbull Healthy

Maintain your pitbull's health with a healthy diet, regular exercise, grooming and veterinarian visits.

Pitbulls, unofficial term for several dog breeds, such as the American pit bull terrier, the American Staffordshire terrier and the bull terrier, is an attractive and muscular dog. Keep your pet healthy by feeding it appropriate portions of food, walking and playing with it outside and keeping your veterinarian appointments.

Instructions

1. • 1
     Feed your pet a quality diet. Choose a dry dog food that has meat as its first ingredient and is age appropriate (as marked on the side of the bag). Feeding a pitbull bones, marrow and raw meat is also an option. Dogs are descended from wolves, which are carnivores in the wild, so a raw meat diet provides optimal nutrition for your pet. A proper diet with few treats and little to no table scraps (except for meat) helps a pitbull maintain a shiny coat and a suitable weight.
     
   • 2
     Bathe your dog every month or two. Scrubbing its skin helps remove dead skin cells and keeps the coat shiny. Bathe your pet indoors -- a handheld shower attachment to your bathtub will come in very handy, but a regular tub bath will work well also. Avoid hosing your dog off outside. The water that comes from a regular garden hose is cold and it will make your dog uncomfortable.
     
   • 3
     Brush your pitbull regularly to keep its skin clean by removing dust and dead skin cells. Regular brushing also minimizes shedding even though a pitbull has short to medium-length hair. Also, keep your dog's nails clipped. Regularly walking on city streets or cement walkways will help minimize this need.
     
   • 4
     Walk your pitbull every day. This is especially important if you and your dog dwell in an apartment building or have a small yard. Pitbulls are strong, muscular animals that enjoy romping around and playing. Using up energy in a productive way improves your pet's sleep, keeps its joints healthy and lessens boredom and the bad habits that come along with that, such as chewing on furniture.
     
   • 5
     Visit the veterinarian for regular checkups and vaccinations. Your vet will weigh your dog and give it a thorough physical exam. You will have the opportunity to bring up any nonurgent problems you have noticed, such as digestion issues or dry skin.