| Some people think training Pit Bull puppies is hard. I | | | | with your vet before you do this.Training Tip #5 - |
| beg to differ. Training any puppy can be hard or | | | | Use motivation to teach basic things like sit, down |
| easy. How you approach your training and handling | | | | and roll over. Teaching your puppy to sit, lie down |
| of the puppy will make a world of | | | | and roll over are great ways to begin formal |
| difference.Training Tip #1 - Always keep an eye | | | | obedience training with your puppy.Rolling over and |
| on your puppy. If you supervise your puppy he | | | | laying down are also submissive positions that will |
| or she can't use the bathroom in the house, they | | | | help your pup learn how to remain calm and see |
| can't chew things up, and you can be there to | | | | you as the leader as they mature.With the use of |
| take them out when they need to go.If you can | | | | positive reinforcement and motivational techniques |
| not supervise your puppy investing in a quality | | | | you can work with almost any age and see |
| dog kennel is suggested.Training Tip #2 - Let your | | | | results.Training Tip #6 - Use hand signals. Along |
| puppy drag a leash. Buy a 5-6 foot nylon web | | | | with verbal cues you want to use hand signals. |
| leash and let your puppy drag it around. This way | | | | This will help your puppy understand what you |
| you can stand on the leash to keep your puppy | | | | want them to do. Dogs are masters at reading |
| around you. Tether the puppy to a chair or door | | | | body language. It makes sense to use it early on |
| so you can supervise them while you are | | | | to start teaching your puppy behaviors.Training |
| busy.Training Tip #3 - Handle them. Touch their | | | | Tip #7 - Avoid rolling your puppy on their back or |
| paws, rub their ears, check their teeth, pick them | | | | practicing "alpha rolls." One popular concept today |
| up and check their belly, touch their hind end. | | | | is leadership. Many people mistake leadership with |
| These will get them used to being examined by | | | | dominance. Dominance and leadership or not the |
| the vet, handled by the groomer, by children and | | | | same thing and practicing dominant handling |
| adults.Training Tip #4 - Put them on a feeding | | | | techniques like the Alpha Roll is not in you or your |
| schedule. A good friend of mine always says, | | | | pups best interest.Instead, lay them on their side |
| "What goes in on a schedule, comes out on a | | | | and teach them to relax on cue. This will help you |
| schedule." By putting your puppy on a feeding | | | | in the long run establish yourself as the leader and |
| schedule he or she will go to the bathroom on a | | | | teach them how to remain calm under stressful |
| schedule making house training much easier for | | | | situations like the vets office, the groomer, and in |
| you.Feeding schedules also help prevent food bowl | | | | situations that cause your puppy stress.In |
| aggression and obesity.Training Tip #4 - Socialize | | | | Conclusion |
| your puppy. Early socialization is critical for proper | | | | Socialize your puppy as often as you can and |
| development of your puppy. If you do not get | | | | start to touch them alot to help with handling and |
| them out in the world they will never learn how | | | | stressful situations they are going to encounter on |
| to behave in the world.My rule of thumb is to | | | | a daily basis.By taking the time to properly work |
| take them every I possibly can between 8-14 | | | | with your puppy you will save yourself a lot of |
| weeks and I continue this socialization until | | | | frustration as they grow older.Jason Mann is a |
| maturity.For younger pups consult your vet for | | | | professional canine instructor. He operates and |
| safety precautions. Usually you can start socializing | | | | Top Dog K9 Training Solutions based in Lexington, |
| your pups with other dogs after they have | | | | KY. |
| started their second set of shots. Again, check | | | | |