Before we get into it lets look at background facts on dog aggression in general.
Dog aggression is a term used by dog owners and breeders to explain canine to canine hostility.
Aggression itself is mostly defined as “the intention to cause harm”. A lot of dogs will exhibit “displays of aggression” such as barking, growling, or snapping in the air, which are regarded as distance mounting actions, those that aim to get the person or dog to move away from the dog. Some dog-aggressive dogs demonstrate violent behavior that is mainly defensive, and they will actually harm another dog only if they see that they have no other option. Others dogs may develop dog-aggressive behavior due to medical reasons, such as hormonal imbalances.
Dog Aggression
Dog aggression is a common dog behavior, and can be observed in all breeds of dogs; some dog breeds have a predisposition to display such aggression. Pit Bulls have a higher likelihood of developing dog-aggression upon reaching maturity. Individual dogs may or may not display the level of aggression that the breed standard suggests. It is the owner’s responsibility to make sure that these types of dogs are properly socialized and given regular exercise.
Dogs that display dog-aggressive behavior do not necessarily show aggressive behavior towards humans. The two types of aggression are not necessarily related, and do not always occur in the same animal. Along with breeding, a dog’s experiences may affect their chances of developing aggression. Dogs that are attacked or mistreated as a puppy may develop dog aggression towards all dogs, or perhaps only towards dogs that resemble the dog that attacked them. Dog owners tend to accent these reactions out of dogs more often than dogs themselves.
Preventing Dog Aggression on your American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT)
If this is your first time owing an APBT you have obviously done your research on the breed and you are willing to put in the time to properly raise this powerful and loyal friend. As puppies it is very important and critical that you socialize them by having them interact with other dogs and people as well. There are some things you can do for example, take them to public places such as parks, the pet store and anywhere there is a crowd.
At the park you will come across other dogs with different personalities, always ask the owners if it is ok for your dog to meet theirs. You can make small talk and let them know of what you are doing and trying to accomplish. When you make the introduction be sure to make the approach slowly and with care. There have been countless times where I have made an introduction with Schnauzers for example and without warning they will nip and try to bite my APBT puppy. Obviously you want the meetings to be as pleasant and positive every time.
Allow people and especially children to play and interact with your puppy. These types of interactions reinforce positive behavior and allow your puppy to perceive people as being good and not a threat. Letting your puppy take in these everyday life experiences early on will teach them and condition their mind that this is an acceptable behavior. They will have a better understanding of the world around them as they go into adulthood.
Controlling Dog Aggression in your American Pit Bull Terrier
If you have rescued or acquired an adult pit-bull chances are you probably don’t know what kind of life it’s had. You don’t know how it was socialized as a puppy and with that you are taking a risk. Within the first few weeks you probably have discovered that you’re “new” pit-bull is dog aggressive and wants to attack any dog it sees.
From my own personal experience this behavior is almost impossible to completely eliminate in the dog due to the predisposition of aggressiveness in the breed. Nonetheless it can be controlled to a more manageable degree.
First things first, you have to establish who the pack leader is going to be? It is like anything else, you can’t have the employee tell the employer how to run the business. From the beginning you have to be assertive and show control over your American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT). Giving direct and firm voice commands (not yelling) will instill that anything you say is an order. This will not happen overnight which takes me to my second point.
Time! You must spend lots of time with your pit-bull. This gives you an opportunity to know the dog and for the dog to know you. It has to be a routine and I cannot emphasize it enough spend lots of time. Go on long walks to the park, around your neighborhood. The more familiar his environment becomes the more he will adapt to it. Make dog interactions a common thing on your walks. Anytime your pit-bull shows aggression towards another dog, reprimand him on the spot, talk to the dog and let him know that it is not acceptable. It may sound crazy to you but talking in a firm voice (not yelling) will get your dogs attention. He has to read your body language and you have to read his. It has to get to the point where a short firm “hey” and tug of the leash will let him know that you don’t approve of it. Once you have established body language your pit-bull will be able to look at your face and read you when you approve or disapprove of something by either shaking or nodding your head.
Notice I mention not yelling. Too many times I see dog owners screaming out of control trying to make their dogs do something. This only exasperates the animal not to mention the complete loss of command from the owner. Yelling is not being assertive, take control with positive reinforcement.
Tantrum my 4 yr old Blue Nose Pit Bull is free to roam in the front yard without a leash. He knows and recognizes the boundaries of where he is allowed to go. It used to be that the whole family would all be out in the front yard and Tantrum would begin to wander off to the neighbor’s house. Pretty soon I had both my daughters and my wife yelling at Tantrum giving him commands to come back. Of course, he wouldn’t listen and would do as he pleased. I finally had to establish some ground rules that as long as I am out there only one person should be giving commands. I told them that if they needed the dog to do something they had to let me know and I would give the command to Tantrum. My first test came when he was not wearing a leash and was not within reach of me when a neighbor went walking by with his huge black Labrador retriever. Tantrum quickly assumed that dominant posture of alertness and ready to attack mode with his ears pricked and tail up. He looked at me and with a simple shake of the head and a firm “no” was enough to have him remain in his position. Tantrum watched them go by very attentively. I am sure the neighbor probably worried there for a second for the safety of his dog.
Controlling Human Aggression in your American Pit Bull Terrier
Unfortunately, if you have a pit-bull that is human aggressive there is not very much you can do in the matter. You have to understand that the pit-bull breed in general is not human aggressive and it is not a characteristic of the breed. Somewhere along the line the dog was either improperly socialized or was purposely made this way. Do to the “gameness” of the breed it is a liability to have the dog around. The word “game” refers to the dog having a never quit, fight to the death personality of what are called “game bred” pit bulls.
A human aggressive pit-bull will only cause you worries and headaches down the road. It is in your interest and the interest of the public at large that such dogs be euthanize to avoid the possibility of a child or an adult getting injured. The other reason would be that you wouldn’t want these traits to carry on to future generations.
“There are no problem dogs, only problem owners”
“Don’t punish the breed, punish the deed”