RE: Pitbull Behavior

Question
Hi there, my friend just got a pure breed pitbull and they raised him with other dogs.  He is now about eight months old and he is starting to show signs of agression toward other dogs.  He has actually ran out of the yard and try to attach the neighbors dog.

I suggested that she takes her dog to a trainer and try to get the bahavior under control.  Is there anything you can suggest or is there a "special" way to train a pit?  I know they have "bad" reps.
Thank You -Tab

Answer
Tab, there is no 'special' way to train a pit bull, but you are right; your friend needs to consult the help of a trainer who has experience both with pit bulls and with dog-aggressive dogs. Tell her that, as he matures, the aggressiveness towards other dogs is only going to become worse if she cannot get it under control now. That is, after all, what they were bred to do, and it's instinctive to them. Some are more dog aggressive than others, but if he's already showing those tendencies at just 8 months of age, odds are that he is going to be one of those that cannot be trusted with other dogs unless supervised, and maybe even not at all.

Please know that I have nothing against pit bulls. I have a pit bull/chow cross of my own, and am involved in pitbull rescue and anti-BSL legislation, so what I'm saying here does not have anything to do with a dislike of the breed. In fact, it's just the contrary. Your friend needs to be aware of the history of the breed, and she needs to understand that even with training, he may never be okay around other dogs as he gets older.

PLEASE encourage her to get help from a trainer, and do not let him outside off leash, so that he cannot run out of the yard again to attack another dog. The more times he's able to be aggressive towards and/or attack other dogs, the worse he's going to get.

Good luck. I hope your friend does the right thing.