Your Pit Bull: A Social Butterfly

A well-socialized Pit Bull is a happy and stable Pit Bull on its way to being a breed ambassador. Here are a few tips and guidelines for socializing your Pit Bull:

1. Your Pit Bull will benefit greatly from positive interactions with other dogs.

Do this early and often, but keep in mind that all interactions should be only positive. Remove your Pit Bull from situations that cease to be positive. If you provide enough opportunities for such interactions, your Pit Bull will have a better chance of staying social throughout its life.

2. Never let your Pit Bull just run up and greet another dog it doesn't know on the street.

This is definitely one way to risk a negative interaction with another dog, and it is also rude canine behavior (all canines, not just Pit Bulls). Likewise, do not allow strange dogs to run up to your dog. This type of “meeting” can lead to an unpleasant altercation, and create a negative experience for all dogs involved.

Keep your Pit Bull distracted by getting him to focus on you and not other dogs on the street. This will also keep the dogs from staring at each other that may also lead to leash pulling behavior. Having your dog stay focused on you and not other dogs will also help prevent leash frustration/aggression.

3. Dogs must be introduced carefully and slowly.

DO NOT allow the dogs to meet face-to-face. This enables a dog to “stare” at the other dog which can lead to a fight.

DO let the dogs get settled in a neutral environment. One dog should not be just standing in a room waiting for another dog to come in to greet him – the dog in the room can view the room as “his.” This also sets up the face-to-face greeting that you never want. Meeting in “claimed” territory or small spaces can set the greeting up for failure.

DO let arousal levels go down considerably before greeting. Let them get used to each other's presence before letting them interact. It is best to take them on a walk side by side first so that they can get acquainted in a non-threatening fashion. Then let them greet side by side if possible not nose to nose. Nose to rear is normal and a good way for dogs to greet.

4. Dogs should not learn to socialize at dog parks.

Un-socialized dogs can pick up rude habits from other improperly socialized dogs. Around poorly socialized dogs, your Pit Bull can have negative experiences such as being bullied or even get into fights. A fight is a very negative experience for your Pit Bull and can cause him to be less social around other dogs, which can lead to fearful behavior and/or make him less tolerant of other dogs in the future. So, don't risk the future of your Pit Bull - no dog parks!

5. Opposite sexes are more likely to get along.

If you are looking for a new playmate or housemate for your Pit Bull, you would do best to pick one of the opposite sex. Also, please spay or neuter your Pit Bull. Dogs that are still “intact” have sex hormones that can make them less tolerant of other dogs. Altered pets lead healthier, longer, happier lives and often exhibit fewer behavioral issues.

6. Keep your Pit Bull as social as possible throughout his life.

You can do this by having him play with a select and balanced group of dogs under good supervision after careful introductions. You should also take him to a good leash manners class that encourages him to be more focused on you and not the other dogs in class by using distraction techniques. Even when you think your dog is perfectly trained, continue play groups often, and classes periodically (or more often, if needed) throughout your Pit Bull’s life so he remains desensitized to being around other dogs on leash.

Marthina McClay, CPDT
Dog Trainer/Behavioral Counselor
Certified Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
Tester/Observer for Therapy Dogs

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