Tame that Free Spirit in your Pit Bull

Pit bulls sometimes get a bad rap. While there are some unscrupulous people out there who train these dogs to fight, many people have good-natured animals that just need a little obedience training. Before deciding upon a Pit Bull, you have to research the breed to ensure that they are something that you can handle. Pit bulls need an ever-ending supply of attention and love in addition to receiving an obedience training education in order for them to be the wonderful pet you want them to be. The great thing about the pit bull is that they are super smart and will catch on quick to any training you give them.

Your pit bull can be very headstrong which can be trying when it comes to training them. In other words, they can be very stubborn! They have a mind of their own and sometimes will go off on a tangent. You will have to work very hard to keep them on task. Patience is the key ingredient to training a pit bull. Becoming frustrated and annoyed does not solve any problems; rather, it just creates more when it comes to obedience training.

Starting when your pit bull is a puppy will make your obedience training go more smoothly. Eight to ten weeks of age, after being weaned from mom, is the perfect time to get started. Regardless of the age you decide to start, just know that your training will be more successful if you incorporate some fun and games into it. And most of all stay positive and focused on your goal - an obedient pet who loves you!

Integrating your pit bull with other dogs and people is an essential part of your every day training routine. Social skills are important, even with dogs. By mingling with others while he is still a puppy, your pit bull will be less likely to be aggressive. If you decide on a group obedience training class, your puppy will get plenty of socialization.

Just like a teenager, your pit bull will try and test his bounds several weeks into the obedience training. He will push you and push you to see what he can get away with. Typically, this can occur at around twelve to seventeen weeks of age. This is also the time when he will discover his teething skills. He may try and nip or nibble on you during play time. Do not allow this to happen! Assert your dominance and authority over him and immediately correct the nipping and biting behavior. Your dog will respect your position as top dog, if you pardon the pun.

Pit bulls can be loyal and loving to their families, especially with the proper obedience training. That is why you should make the time to ensure that he gets the training he needs. This breed is a very social animal and is a big attention getter. With obedience training, you will get an exuberant dog with good manners and behavior. Don’t forget though – they have forceful doggie personalities. You have to be consistent and strong. Your own reward is a wonderful pet for years to come.

Using a Remote Trainer for the Sit and Stay Command

The advantage of employing a remote trainer for modification purposes during the sit and stay command is good. You will have the ability to time your corrections accurately. That way you can clearly show your dog his mistake immediately so that it can be fixed. This results in fewer corrections with remote training than would have been needed with the conventional one on one hand corrections where you would physically touch your dog each time. In addition, correcting with a remote trainer can be accomplished even if you are not within eyesight of your dog. It cannot be stressed enough that it is less difficult for your dog to learn when they have properly timed corrections.

There are some proper ways to correct your dog during the remote training for the sit and stay commands. If your dog starts to get up or leave, you must instantaneously press the button to activate the electronic collar and say “sit.” When he sits back down, release the button so the electronic charge dissipates. If this happens, he may be in a slightly different spot than where he started. Nonchalantly, guide your dog back to the original location, put him in the sitting position and move away again.

If your dog stays distracted, call him back from it using mild electronic stimulation from the collar. When he comes towards you, cut off the stimulation and then lead him back to the original spot. You must take your cue from your dog. The remote trainer cannot be used accurately if you do not act at the same time as your dog. You must catch him in the act and respond accordingly by depressing the button that activates his remote collar.

Sometimes your dog may try and lie down. Again, if you are observing him closely, you can pick up some body cues to know when he is easing up on his stance and thinking about lying down. When you catch him starting to lie down, press the button to activate his collar. Try and do this before the elbows are touching the ground. This way, your dog can respond and get up more quickly. Do not say anything as you press the button. Sometimes, the quick shock surprises him back into a sitting position. If your dog does this, quietly commend him for acting appropriately. If your dog does not sit back up, go to him and put him back into a sitting position and say “sit” again.

You will have to repeat these processes for remote training multiple times before your dog starts to understand. It takes time and patience before your dog understands how to hold a position. If your dog is persistent in his actions to leave the area or lie down during the training for the “sit” command, you may have to review the need to intensify the shock the electronic collar emits. You must make it uncomfortable, but not painful, for him to do any other action other than the one that was commanded.