It is the responsibility of every dog owner to do everything they can to make sure their dog is well behaved. This is doubly true of Pit Bull owners, due to the often negative rep that Pit Bulls have. Any action they take is not the fault of the dog, but usually of the owner. It is important that you are devoted and loving to your Pit Bull, and that you do everything you can to ensure he is a well behaved pet.
If you get your Pit Bull when he is a puppy, you should begin training him when he is around eight weeks old. Pit Bulls are highly intelligent, and learn easier and faster when they are younger. He hasn't really had a lot of time to develop bad habits, which is also in your favor, as you will have an easier time teaching him new things, than teaching him to forget bad habits.
Try to train your dog using a positive approach, and try not to punish him. Sometimes punishing your Pit Bull for bad behavior will only make his behavior worse. Give him lots of attention and praise when he behaves well or does well in his training. Try to make training time enjoyable for you both, and remember to be patient with him. Pit Bulls learn faster than some other dogs, but it may still take time to accomplish his training goals. If you try to have and maintain realistic expectations, training will go better. Pit Bulls crave love and attention, so training that focuses on those two elements often works the best.
While training your Pit Bull or giving him a command, try to do so in your normal voice. Yelling, although unintentional on your part, may give your Pit Bull the wrong impression, therefore putting a negative touch on your training session or that command. Even if your Pit Bull tends to ignore you, don't yell to try to make him pay attention, chances are this will only make things worse. Your Pit Bull will quickly associate anything he considers negative with training, and that often leads to poor results.
Keep in mind that if your Pit Bull tends to misbehave and doesn't listen to you at home, that he will probably behave ten times worse in public. He will really test your patience around other people or animals, because he will most likely pay even less attention to your commands, or ignore them altogether. There are many things that can distract him away from home, so it is best to avoid any trips with your Pit Bull until he learns to follow your commands.
Training your Pit Bull may not be an easy task, but it is necessary. Pit Bulls, much like children, have to be taught acceptable behavior, and it is up to you to either teach him, or pay a trainer to teach him for you. Training your Pit Bull yourself will often help strengthen the bond you have with him, so I recommend trying to train him yourself before seeking professional help.
Keeping your Pit Bull healthy can be a full-time job. He requires lots of love and attention, routine well check-ups with the veterinarian, teeth cleaning, and training. A big part of your time will be spent on keeping your Pit Bull clean and neatly groomed. Grooming and cleanliness will not only make your Pit Bull more appealing to the eye, but can help make him healthier. Grooming is also a good way to get extra bonding time in with your Pit Bull, making you have a better dog-owner relationship. Before you begin, you should purchase some grooming supplies. You will probably need a brush or comb, shampoo, and towels. Your vet can probably recommend the best grooming tools for your particular Pit Bull.
Don't expect your Pit Bull to like his grooming routine at first, but if you do it often, he will soon become accustomed to it. Using a wide toothed comb can help make grooming easier. You should start at his head and work your way to his tail, checking for any signs of parasites, unusual skin growths or mats of hair along the way. Before you finish, you should use a wire brush to help get rid of loose hairs.
When grooming, it is important not to forget about your Pit Bull's ears. They should be checked at every grooming session for dirt, or any signs of infection or parasites. Your veterinarian should be able to recommend a good ear wash that is safe for your Pit Bull. Don't try to clean inside his ear canal, as you may damage his hearing. If you see any signs of infection or parasites, or anything that is concerning, call your veterinarian for an appointment. Ear infections can be very painful and annoying for your Pit Bull.
Keeping your Pit Bulls nails trimmed when help make him more comfortable when he is walking and exercising. Not trimming his nails can lead to painful infections and ingrown nails. You should have your veterinarian teach you how to trim your Pit Bull's nails so that you won't clip him. Your Pit Bull's nail will probably need to be trimmed at least once every two weeks.
Keeping your Pit Bull clean and groomed is important for aesthetic purposes, as well as ensuring his health. Oftentimes, you will spot potentially worrisome problems during your routine grooming session that you might not otherwise know about until they had already became a major health issue. Spotting problems early can help get them treated before they affect your Pit Bull's health.