how to train my pitbul puppy to be a good dog

OlivesNCream

Train it like you would train a normal dog =) It's really as simple as that.

Most people feel that because the dog has the name 'pit bull' that it is going to be a vicious killer-- just because it's the reputation some very bad owners have created for the breed. It's not the case! ANY breed of dog is capable of becoming vicious-- it's all in the way that they are brought up

Be sure that you praise your puppy for anything that it does right.
NEVER hit your dog! Not unless it becomes absolutely necessary-- and even then, I would still advise against it. Abused animals are ones more likely to turn on their owners and bite or attack.
Give treats, make sure that you let your puppy have plenty of exercise-- let it MEET people. Get it used to having people around it, and getting petted and being played with. Take it on walks. If someone asks 'Can I pet the dog?' say yes-- if you're sure that your dog will not bite right away. The more interaction that you have with your puppy and the more interaction the puppy has being in public with people around, the better behaved and sociable it will be.

labman

These are good for a young puppy:

''Elevation for small puppies: Sit on the floor and gently put your hands around your pup's middle, below his front legs, and lift him up. He is facing you. Hold him for 15 seconds. Repeat until he no longer struggles. If he is past 10-12 weeks, lift his front feet off the ground, but don't pick him up.

Cradling for small puppies: Hold your puppy gently on his back, as you would cradle a small baby. If he struggles, hold him firmly until he quiets for 10-15 seconds. With larger pups, you can do this as your sit on the floor, with your pup between your legs.

Quiet lying down: Place your pup on the floor on his side, with all 4 legs pointing away from you. Use your hands on his neck/shoulder area and middle, to hold him in this position. When he is quiet, praise him. Lengthen the time that you keep him quietly in this position. When he accepts this position well, handle his paws and muzzle, while keeping him quiet.''

The quotes mean this isn't my original work. It is copied from my Puppy Raising Manual. I have long used these or minor variations of them, and they are very effective. You may want to give him a belly rub while he is on his back too. Helps bonding. There is a big difference between him rolling over and demanding a belly rub, and you choosing a time to roll him over and rub his belly. The latter cements your place as pack leader.

The key to most behavior problems is approaching things using the dog's natural instincts. Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog. Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones. You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at Raising Your Dog with the Monks of New Skete For more on being top dog, see Establishing and Keeping Alpha Position, Letting your dog know you are the boss

For housebreaking and other things for young puppies, see http://www.askmehelpdesk.com/dogs/in...tml#post251802

RubyPitbull may have some Pit Bull specific things.

shygrneyzs

I would also add that it is also crucial to have a trained owner - more than reading a book, but being an active participant in obedience training, learning to be responsible (not just for your dog but for what your dog may do if left unattended), being a good neighbor with the dog, etc. Spaying or neutering the dog. Following a diet recommended by your Vet. Being prepared to maintain that puppy's health. Quality time with your dog will make a quality pet.

One thing, I would not allow some unknown person to come up and ask to pet my dog. It is one thing to be socialized but things like petting, no. Others may have different ideas on that.

RubyPitbull

Please follow the advice given. You need to be a strong and confident leader, as with any dog. Do not let him get away with anything considered as misbehavior because you think it is cute. It may appear to be cute when he is a puppy but puppies grow into very strong dogs. The quicker you can gain control over your puppy through good solid leadership and positive reinforcement training, the easier it will be as he grows. You need to correct the nipping and biting as early as you can. Do not allow him to pull you around on his leash. Train him early not to jump up on people. As I said, cute as a puppy, but not when they grow into strong dogs that can knock people off their feet. It is harder to correct a bad behavior when they are full grown.

Labman has a list of very good reference books on his last link. You may want to take a trip to your library and see if you can find any of them. Read as many training books that follow the positive reinforcement methods, apply the techniques, and you should be fine. If you are having any specific problems post back. We will help you get through them.

P.S. I was writing when shy posted. Please follow her advice on spay/neuter. We have too many pitbulls sitting in shelters and being euthanized due to lack of a good home. She also has a point about a good trainer in your area. If you haven't had a dog in a while, it would be good to have someone who can show you how to apply the positive training techniques.