Note:Throughout discussions of the Pit Bull breed, you will notice two words repeated over and over again: Responsible Ownership. With media hysteria and B.S.L. (Breed specific legislature) looming closer every day, we good owners, find ourselves endlessly having to defend our breed. Every bad story and headline damage our dogs even further. Irresponsible and ignorant owners have done almost as much damage to these dogs as dog fighters have. The Pit Bull is an exceptional breed that requires exceptional dedication and ownership.

What it's like to share your life and home with one of these amazing dogs...

It isn't uncommon to hear Pit Bull owners utter the words, "You have to own one to know what I mean." Pit Bull ownership is a truly unique experience. It is difficult to express the level of love, joy, and pure magic this breed brings to its caretakers every single day.

What should I Know?
You need a lot of time to spend with your Pit Bull. They can be very destructive if they don't receive proper exercise and attention. Pit Bulls love to chew! Some of them enjoy digging. If they are bored, they will find a way to entertain themselves. Moreover, an under exercised dog will have a large amount of excess energy that will need to be gotten rid of in some way, be it running around the house, jumping on people and play - biting, pacing, and so on.

Early socialization and training -- and lots of it -- are a MUST with this breed. Pit Bulls are very powerful, strong - willed animals who must be taught their proper place in the home, and how to act around both people and other animals. Waiting until a problem develops before taking any sort of action is not the way to do things. Once ingrained, problem behaviors can be extremely difficult to break. Prevention is easier than treatment. Plan to attend an obedience class with your dog.

Is this breed good with children in general?
This breed tends to love all people, especially children. The only caution I would add is that, because they are very exuberant and energetic dogs, they can sometimes overwhelm very young children and accidentally bump them or knock them over, particularly when they are pups (under 2 years old). Young dogs can be mouthy and need to learn to control their bite. They are also solid and pain tolerant enough to endure a certain degree of brutal hugs from the little ones. In fact, Pit Bulls make much better family companions than many so called "toy breeds". Supervision is "ALWAYS" a must however, with any dog and kids. Animals can't tell with words when they are irritated - they can only talk dog (bark, growl and bite) . It is up to the "leaders" to establish structure for both the dogs and the kids. If you have everyone under control, Pit Bulls and kids will have a wonderful time with each other.

Other relevant information:
The Pit Bull is typically a people loving, intelligent and fun breed. Many excel at obedience training and dog sports such as agility, weight pull, Frisbee, and fly ball. Due to their affinity with people, this breed is a good candidate for rescue and adoption, but potential homes need to be carefully screened to insure that the new owners understand and accept the responsibility of owning a pit bull. Media hysteria and bad owners have greatly damaged this breed and every incident involving a Pit Bull makes it worse for the entire breed and their owners, often prompting breed specific legislation or breed bans.
Potential owners need to be informed of the Pit Bull’s correct temperament, and need to be prepared to deal with the issue of dog aggression. Most pit bulls have a high prey drive and may chase small animals or livestock. This is NOT a breed for everyone! The only way to repair the Pit Bull’s bad reputation is to keep them in the hands of responsible owners.

Health Problems commonly seen in Pit Bulls/Am Staffs
•  Allergies (symptoms include: skin problems, digestive problems & upper respiratory     problems)
•  Cruciate tears and ruptures.
•  Immune system seems not to fight off parvo and mites as well as other breeds.
    **Note: The high pain threshold may mask problems.
•  Some of these problems could be genetically based. Overall Pit Bulls are a very healthy     breed

The Physical Pit Bull
Built for performance, the pit bull is a medium sized, very muscular, short coated breed. The head is brick like, the jaws strong and wide, the ears may be cropped or not. The body is typically very strong, with a deep chest, powerful and proportionate hind end and solid legs. The overall impression should be of power and athleticism. This is not a dog for couch potatoes, as it requires A LOT of training and exercise. With this breed it is important to remember to exercise both the dog's body and mind. Remember, a tired Pit Bull is a happy Pit Bull and a bored Pit Bull is NOT a good thing! They will find some very inventive ways to entertain themselves that the owner may not like (often involving the garbage can, kitchen counter and cabinets, feather pillows, dirty laundry and various items of furniture). Remember also, that this is a VERY enthusiastic breed that may very well overwhelm young children or older people with it's affection. This breed needs to be taught to sit and greet people calmly as it's natural inclination will probably be to climb into their lap, put a paw on each of their shoulders, and attempt to wipe their face off with it's tongue. Attempts to convince a full grown Pit Bull that it is too big to be a "lap dog" will, more often than not, fall on deaf ears if it was not taught "manners" as a puppy. Do not allow your puppy to do anything you don't want your adult dog to do (e.g. climb on the couch, sleep in the bed, invade your lap, etc.)

Toys
For dogs of all breeds, toys are not "extras", they are essentials. Chewing on toys allows dogs to relieve stress and boredom. Dogs who are not given their own toys to chew on will usually appropriate something of yours (and it probably will cost more than a whole BUNCH of dog toys),so save yourself a headache, and your $110 Nike sneakers, and get your dog some toys. Which toys should you get for a Pit Bull? Well, let's face it. Our pups tend to "kill" toys much faster than most breeds. They are strong dogs that require strong toys. I list here several kinds of dog toys and a few edible chews below with my personal experiences with them.

1.  Kong toys - In my opinion, these are the best toys on the market for Pit Bulls. A few Pits will rip them apart, but most just love them. I get the black ones in the XL size. Kongs can be stuffed with peanut butter or treats and a stuffed Kong will often keep a Pit occupied for at least 2 hours. Be sure to get a real Kong, not a Rhino toy (which looks like a Kong). The Rhino is softer rubber and Nala chewed it to bits in about an hour.

2.  Rope tugs/toys/dental ropes - These are good toys, although some are expensive. The dental ropes can be found at Wal-Mart for about $5.00 and help "floss" the teeth. You will, however, have little bits of rope all over.

3.  Balls - My favorite kind of balls are the hard plastic ones called "Best Ball" or "Boomer Ball". Do not let your Pit chew on them, however, as they can wear or damage a dog's teeth if gnawed on. Most Pits will deflate soccer and basket balls, so get these at thrift stores. Tennis balls, even the large ones made for dogs don't stand a chance with an adult Pit Bull.

4.  Nylabone Dental Chews - Another good toy for Pits. Just be sure they are not Gumabones (too soft) unless you have a young puppy. I get the largest sizes of most of their dental chews occasionally. The Galileo Bone is one of the strongest dog toys made. I recommend this one, that is, if you can get over the shape........

5.  Rawhide - This is one thing my dogs are NOT allowed to have. If a chunk of rawhide is torn off and swallowed, it will not digest and can block a dog's intestines. My dogs are allowed to have the chopped rawhide sticks, and only occasionally since rawhide isn't really that good for them. It's also an important trigger for conflicts.

6.  Bully Sticks - This is a smoked, dried bull's penis (really, I swear!). Since Bully sticks are muscle, they do digest and will not break off in chunks like rawhide. My dogs love these things. They are a little pricey, but can be gotten for a decent price at dog shows or pet expos. Always supervise the dogs if you give these treats to a Pit in a multiple dog household.

7.  Ligament Chews - These are also OK for Pits to have, but they are crunchy and will not last as long as a Bully Stick. Again, could cause conflicts.

8.  Real Bones - Raw bones are OK for dogs to have, I try to get beef knuckles. However, in multi-dog households, these bones can also lead to fights, so be vigilant. I VERY occasionally give the sterilized filled bones from the pet store (if they have very thick, large ones), but these are somewhat brittle and can splinter, so I always supervise with those.

NEVER give a dog cooked chicken or other small cooked bones, as cooked bones can shatter into sharp shards and perforate various organs inside the dog, requiring immediate surgery. It is actually best to avoid cooked bones altogether, stick with the raw ones.

Training
First of all, for anyone asking the question, "Do I need to train my Pit Bull?", the answer is a resounding YES! As with very young children, dogs need guidance and structure, and should never be left to make decisions on their own. Training teaches the dog and owner to understand and communicate with each other and prevents misunderstandings. In the case of the Pit Bull, training also prevents the kind of headlines that make all good Pit owners cringe.

How should a Pit Bull be trained? The most important thing is to find a method that works for your dog, and stick with it. There are almost as many methods for dog training as there are dog trainers. Most of those methods fit into one of two categories: Positive training methods or aversive training methods. Positive methods include using food rewards, toy rewards, pure praise, gentle leaders, and clickers. Aversive methods include using praise/correction, choke chains, prong collars, and/or shock collars. Both types of training, done correctly, will result in a trained dog. It is a matter of how you want to get there. As I said in the temperament section, Pit Bulls tend to be very "soft" with their families, and it is very possible to ruin a good dog by "over correcting" with a choke chain, prong collar, and particularly a shock collar. As a very good positive trainer I know put it, "Aversive training is something you do TO your dog, positive training is something you do WITH your dog".

Finding a good trainer can be a bit of a challenge, depending on where you live. Some things to look for are: Experience with the breed (or at least no breed prejudice against Pit Bulls and a good understanding of the breeds nature), what methods are used (and are you comfortable with them), recommendations from former students, and, last but not least, take a look at the trainer's own dogs (are they well behaved). The best way to assess a trainer's methods is to ask to "sit in" on a training session. If the trainer refuses to let you watch, look elsewhere.

A special note for Pit Bull owners: I would avoid any class that has "forced socialization" between the dogs, particularly adult dogs. Any trainer that wants to muzzle a dog - aggressive Pit Bull and force it to "socialize" with other dogs is not knowledgeable in the breed, and can actually make dog aggression worse.

What is Socialization?
Socialization means introducing your dog to people, and to a lesser extent, to dogs and/or otheranimals. It is extremely important to socialize a pup of any breed with people, but be sure that the pup's experiences are ALWAYS positive. The pup should meet all kinds of adults and as many respectful children as possible. Socialization with people should be part of your dog's training for his/her entire life. Relegating a dog to the backyard or keeping it chained 24/7 can lead to a real disaster. If you are not willing to socialize and train a dog, please don't get one. Socialization with dogs is a little different for Pit Bulls.

Socializing a puppy with other dogs may reduce the amount of dog aggression the pup will develop, and many Pit puppies get along with other dogs when they are young. As the dog matures, ALWAYS be on the lookout for signs of aggression with other dogs, and be prepared to break up a spat or fight, should one happen. It is up to you, the owner, to decide whether or not to introduce your adult Pit Bull to other dogs. The amount of dog aggression in an adult Pit Bulls varies from no aggression at all to a dog that sees ANY other dog as a Happy - Meal with legs, so there are no hard and fast rules. Just remember that as the owner of a Pit Bull, any fight will always be your fault, no matter who started it.

I feel that to the general public, socialization = allowing dogs to be off leash together. Either playing or figuring out the hierarchy themselves. This is where people get into trouble. It doesn't have to be this way at all. Being in an obedience class situation in which a dog does NOT get to 'say hi' to every dog IS socialization! We have to remember that it's not normal for adult dogs to come together and play, be friends and interact. This goes against dog behavior. (Especially Pit Bull behavior!)

When an owner allows their dog to "work it out" on it's own in a dog park, lack of trust is inevitable. That poor dog is out there all alone with no one to protect it. Scary stuff! They have to learn pretty quickly to protect themselves at all costs. They know that no one will come to save them if something does happen. These are the same owners who ask me, "But, why doesn't he listen to me?" Well, it's pretty obvious! That poor dog is living in a house full of people and still has no one to trust and believe in. No one to look up to. No one to make those hard decisions in life. They have no "pack" to watch out for them. I feel that's very sad. (Also, have you ever wondered why dogs "gang up" when at the dog park? They're finally able to have that pack feeling of safety that they don't get at home.)

My definition of "well socialized" is...The dog being able to be with me in what the dog deems to be scary situations or around other dogs and not have a panic attack. (Notice I didn't say off leash with other dogs!)

The Leader Of The Pack
You are the leader of the pack. For all canines the leader's role is to assure the survival of the pack - It is the member in charge. The leader provides food, shelter, security, nurturing, and comfort. It is the leader's responsibility to assure that the members of the pack/family don't get hurt and hurt each other. The dogs should be able to count on their leader to step in quickly if there is tension between them and to resolve conflicts before they cause serious hostilities. The dogs will establish a rank among themselves and the leader should be able to respect this while reinforcing the pack's structure. The dogs will appreciate your interventions - It will prevent stress and will contribute to a harmonious hierarchy in your home.

Ten Commandments of Pit Bull Ownership
•  Thou shalt NEVER trust thy Pit Bull not to fight.
•  Thou shalt contain thy Pit Bull securely when not supervised by an adult.
•  Thou shalt NEVER leave thy adult Pit Bull alone and unsupervised with another dog.
•  Thou shalt attend obedience classes most faithfully with thy Pit Bull.
•  Thou shalt keep thy Pit Bull socialized with ALL KINDS of people.
•  Thy Pit Bull wilt NEVER be allowed off - leash in a public place.
•  Thy Pit Bull wilt NEVER be allowed to roam free in thy neighborhood, EVER!
•  Thou shalt take thy well trained Pit Bull out in public and show him/her off - on leash for     good breed.
•  Thy Pit Bull shalt go forth into the world as an ambassador of the pit bull breed.
•  THOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY WRONG DONE BY THY DOGS!!

Golden Rules of Pit Bull Ownership
•  Thou shalt properly confine your Pit Bull in a safely fenced yard or kennel, protected from     teasing children, stray animals, and potential dog nappers.
•  Thou shalt obedience train your Pit Bull -- a trained Pit Bull is a happy Pit Bull (and easier     to live with, too!)
•  Thou shalt provide adequate daily exercise opportunities for your Pit Bull
•  Thou shalt properly socialize your Pit Bull to a wide variety of people, places and animals.
•  Thou shalt keep your Pit Bull under control at all times, whether on leash or in an escape -     proof enclosure.
•  Thou shalt accept the fact that, Pit Bulls are naturally aggressive towards other animals     and adopt the saying, "Never trust your Pit Bull not to fight!"

Top 10 Reasons To Own a Pit Bull
•  They jump on your bed with muddy paws causing you to do the laundry again.
•  They insist on licking out any bowl you are eating from.
•  They sleep so close you never need an electric blanket.
•  They wag their tails & butts so hard you think they will snap.
•  They make you smile no matter how bad your day is.
•  They steal your spot on the sofa when you leave to get them a treat.
•  They cause you to rethink every life decision to include them.
•  They drool on your windows causing you to clean the car daily
•  They have nicknames you would never use in public
•  They provide you with enconditional love as only a Pit Bull can give.

Best Reasons NOT to get a Pit Bull
•  You don't have the time to devote to extensive socialization of a puppy.
•  You are looking for a "bad - ass" dog to boost your ego.
•  Just watching a dog with a high - energy level makes you tired.
•  You want poochie to be best friends with all the other little puppies in town.
•  You don't want a dog that gets along with people be;tter than you do.
•  Erecting a six - foot stockade fence, or building a sturdy, large kennel with a top to keep     your dog safe when he is outside is out of the question.
•  Obedience training? What's that?
•  You want an outside dog.
•  You are looking for an "attack" or "guard" dog.

Top 30 reasons why we own Pit Bulls:
30.  They will make you ignore myspace because you can't live a second without them.
29.  You cant go on vacation because you miss them.
28.  You leave work early because you miss them.
27.  You don't go out with your friends as much because you dont have as much fun any         more.
26.  They take up all the space on your camera phone.
25.  You suddenly get really mad at people that say bad things about Pits.
24.  You're happy to give up all your room on the bed so your dog can sleep sideways.
23.  You start thinking things like would my dog like this chair.
22.  You turn down the guy that offers you 1,500 bucks for your dog.
21.  "Do I look like I fight my dog?!?!" becomes a regular statement out of your mouth.
20.  When I smell Frito's I think of how my dog's feet smell.
19.  My heart breaks when I think of spending my life without him.
18.  He was the only anti-depressant that ever worked for me.
17.  I never knew how much I'd love something I would call Stinky-Pinky.
16.  Every dog deserves their own song.... or three.
15.  When you're cold in bed, you can call your personal little space heater to come warm up         your feet and it doesn't cost a dime.
14.  Their ears are so soft!
13.  When you move you know your little angel will be taken care of and will have a huge         house and yard, instead of just staying where she would just be a apartment dog.
12.  She fits so perfectly next to me in bed.
11.  She was 1 day away from death in the local shelter, and something told me to save         her.... and I thank god everyday that I did.
10.  They will steal your spot on the couch while you are up getting a soda.
9.  They will take the treat you give them and bury in the back yard like a paranoid crack       head hiding their stash.
8.  They will jump on your bed with muddy feet. Making you do laundry...again.
7.  They will lick visitors with an uncontrolled passion only they understand.
6.  They will cause children to smile.
5.  They will make you feel horrible for not walking them by looking at you with deep sad       eyes.
4.  They will look at you like you committed a crime against them if you don't let them lick       your ice cream bowl.
3.  They will cause wide spread happiness in large group settings.
2.  They will crack you up by shaking their butts so hard you think they are going to snap in       half.
1.  They will steal your heart like a thief in the night, showing you complete and pure love that       only a Pit Bull can show.

Spay and neuter your Pit Bull. Altered pets live longer, "happier" and healthier life. They are also more stable and easier to raise when not triggered by their sexual hormones. To date, no fatal dog attack by an altered dog was ever reported.

Never allow your Pit Bull to roam free. Dogs are just like human children. When not supervised, the decisions they make are often not for their best interest. When a Golden Retriever runs up to a person, they say, How sweet!? When a Pit Bull does the exact same thing, people say, Vicious dog! The public doesn't wait before calling animal control or even the cops when they see a Pit Bull on the loose. Due to their bad reputation, these dogs are frequently killed by police officers. This is an unfortunate truth. Let's not make the reputation of the Pit Bull worse than it already is. For the safety of your dog and the general dog population, keep your Pit Bull behind a fence!

Always keep your Pit Bull on leash. Even if you believe you have full control of your dog and a good recall, you can't predict his/her reaction if a cat or a squirrel runs in front of him. Keep in mind that those dogs are "Terriers". A high prey drive and urge to chase other animals is an inherent trait of the breed.

Take your Pit Bull to obedience classes. Yet again, in the eyes of the general public Pit Bulls are menacing creatures. The more socially acceptable they are by having impeccable manners, the better the reputation they will have. And remember, once is NOT enough. Ongoing obedience classes are best. A trained dog is a happy dog. Pit bulls are bossy and dominant and curious. Training is a must. Without training, it is almost impossible to have a well behaved Pit Bull.

Know where your dog is at all times. Don't leave your Pit Bull outside unattended. Who knows what is going on in the back yard while you are away. Are children teasing your dog? Is your dog learning to be aggressive by having to defend himself in these situations? Don't leave the parenting up to others. Responsibility is the key to proper and safe Pit Bull ownership.

Pit Bulls need a job. Whether this job is obedience classes, taking a walk with you everyday, sitting at your feet while you are on the computer in the evenings, or something more intense such as search and rescue, a Pit Bull needs to feel important and needed. They are highly intelligent animals with fine tuned problem solving skills. They need an outlet for this energy.

Daily exercise is a must! Playing fetch, hiking or whatever you love to do, your Pit Bull will be more than willing to participate.

Understand that Pit Bulls may be dog-aggressive. The breed was initially created and developed for the sport of dog fighting. As a result, Pit Bulls have an important predisposition for dog-aggression. Take precautions and use common sense. Don't allow your Pit Bull to run up to unknown dogs and never allow unknown dogs to run up to your Pit Bull. Remember, you are the leader! Pit Bull owners should not expect their dog to be friends with unfamiliar dogs. Some Pit Bulls cannot be around any other dogs at all. With Pit Bulls you cannot train out' the desire to fight another dog anymore than you can train out' the desire to chase running rabbits in the Greyhound. You can curb this behavior and often control it, but not stop it altogether. As long as you understand this and can love your dog for whom and what he is, you've got it made!

Keep your Pit Bull in an enclosure that is escape proof. Pit Bull proof your fence. Those dogs are very strong and resourceful. Pit Bulls should be kept in the house in crates when home alone. This is the utmost in safety. Just make sure your dog cannot get out to roam. If your dog makes a mistake, all Pit Bull owners pay for it!

Know your breed. The more you know about Pit Bulls - their history, proper temperament, behavior, current, legal, and social issues surrounding the breed, the better an owner you'll be. Be sure to read books on Pit Bulls/Dog Training in order to learn more about the breed.

Do not allow a child to walk a Pit Bull alone. Pit Bulls are very strong and difficult to handle for children and even for some adults. Adults must always accompany a child while the child is walking a Pit Bull or any other strong breed.

Understand that Pit Bull ownership is a lifestyle not just a part time interest. Pit Bulls require lots of attention and dedication. This breed deserves 100% from its owners because it gives 100% to its owners.

Why is tethering dogs inhumane?
Dogs are naturally social beings who thrive on interaction with human beings and other animals. A dog kept chained in one spot for hours, days, months, or even years suffers immense psychological damage. An otherwise friendly and docile dog, when kept continuously chained, becomes neurotic, unhappy, anxious, and often aggressive.In many cases, the necks of chained dogs become raw and covered with sores, the result of improperly fitted collars and the dogs' constant yanking and straining to escape confinement. Dogs have even been found with collars embedded in their necks, the result of years of neglect at the end of a chain. In one case, a veterinarian had to euthanize a dog whose collar, an electrical cord, was so embedded in the animal's neck that it was difficult to see the plug.

How does tethering or chaining dogs pose a danger to humans?
Dogs tethered for long periods can become highly aggressive. Dogs feel naturally protective of their territory; when confronted with a perceived threat, they respond according to their fight-or-flight instinct. A chained dog, unable to take flight, often feels forced to fight, attacking any unfamiliar animal or person who unwittingly wanders into his or her territory.Numerous attacks on people by tethered dogs have been documented. For example, a study published in the September 15, 2000, issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association reported that 17% of dogs involved in fatal attacks on humans between 1979 and 1998 were restrained on their owners' property at the time of the attack. Tragically, the victims of such attacks are often children who are unaware of the chained dog's presence until it is too late. Furthermore, a tethered dog who finally does get loose from his chains may remain aggressive, and is likely to chase and attack unsuspecting passersby and pets.

Why is tethering dangerous to dogs?
In addition to the psychological damage wrought by continuous chaining, dogs forced to live on a chain make easy targets for other animals, humans, and biting insects. A chained animal may suffer harassment and teasing from insensitive humans, stinging bites from insects, and, in the worst cases, attacks by other animals. Chained dogs are also easy targets for thieves looking to steal animals for sale to research institutions or to be used as training fodder for organized animal fights. Finally, dogs' tether can become entangled with other objects, which can choke or strangle the dogs to death.