any other pit owners here...i could use some advice

Lots of exercise. Also I will go out on the weird dude limb and suggest a book or two by Mr. Milan.

Didn't read all the post so I could just be repeating stuff.

All bully breeds are STUBBORN! You have to let them know on a regular basis who is in charge. If you don't, they will walk all over you. You have to be firm with them. As far as pooping and peeing goes. This works on all dogs. Feed them by the back door, as soon as they are done eating let them out. Do NOT let them back in until they do both 1 and 2! If they come back without doing one or the other, tell them to "go out."( or what ever command you want to give.)
All bullies like to chew, especially puppies! Make sure that they have stuff to chew on. Kong makes some of the best toys IMO. Cow hooves are also very very good. Exercising is easy. You can walk them for 20-30 min a day. You can throw a ball, stick or Frisbee. Another great exercise for any dog is a Flirt or spring pole. There are many videos on youtube showing how to make and use them.

Flirt poles are awesome! I make temp ones all the time for my girl she loves them she just breaks them cuz shell hand off the actual pole when she wants to play tug of war with me. And I get bones from my local butcher for 2$ for a eight inch bone with all the stuff dogs like on them I normally give my dog a new one once or twice a month

This is our newest Pit. We have 2 pits and 1 Dumberman.
Her name is Bella she just turned 1 years old today. She is a Champagne or Blue/Fawn which ever you prefer. I think Champagne is the proper term. She is 90lbs with a 24" neck.

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...1/100_6920.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...1/100_6706.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...1/100_5963.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...1/100_5892.jpg

When I had a pit, I bought goughnut dog toys. They're guaranteed indestructible and as far as I remember, they'll replace it for free if your dog can destroy it. They're a little pricey too, but its worth it and they are having a thanksgiving sale right now!

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...2-05185044.jpg

After many hours or research, Meat-Loaf deemed kong products as JUNK and a waste of money.
This dog will kill a kong in a matter of hours and the "bully proof" ones get to make it a full day.
As far as chewing and toys go, your best bet is cotton rope. Academy Sports has 1 inch anchor rope that we use.
I cut about a 6 foot piece and tie knots in both ends till its only about a foot long.

Training is easy with a bully................dog treats;)
Food is the key to getting them to pay attention to you, bribe your dog into doing what you want them to do.
I use both a verbal command as well as hand signals. Most of the time I dont have to say anything but its funny when people that talk with their hands hit a command and Meat-Loaf gets mad because there is no treat.

Welcome to bully ownership, they are cute and will love you till their last breath, they will go above and beyond any other breed of dog to please you no matter how much it hurts them. No one realizes how much work a bully is because they have had dogs before LMAO
Do you like to walk? You will!
How far can you walk? He can go further.
His stamina will build faster than yours ;)
Time to get in better shape.

BTW we did the training classes with this girl more for her to be around other dogs. Plus it was a group class of almost all pittys
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...l/P1020379.jpg

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TessadasExotics

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...1/100_6920.jpg

---

Not to jack but BEAUTIFUL :cool:

Discipline and exercise..........and a crate.

Group classes are not the best - too many distractions.. Either hire someone for some one on one training or do it yourself.

Make him sit and lie down before you give him anything - a toy, his food, etc. Once he's mastered that, teach him the down-stay initially using his food as a reward.

That dog needs hours of exercise, but nothing too hard on his growing joints. Remember, a tired dog is a well behaved dog and a well behaved dog does what you tell him to do when YOU want, and does not test you.

Flirt poles work go, as do lunge whips, walks or throwing a ball in the yard. Fetch is a good time to teach him drop it, leave it was well as down-stay. Walks are good, as long as he heels and that YOU lead the way. Once you've properly leashed trained him, you'll be surprised quickly the rest of the obedience falls in to place.

When walking, make him sit and stay when you stop, before you cross the street, etc. Remember, you are the boss. He gets love, food and permission to do things when YOU decide.

When he's older and his joints are done forming, buy a walky-dog or a bike tow leash and bike with him. Bully breeds have boundless energy that needs to be used or problems can arise.

When he shows you that he can be trusted and is well behaved, you can put the crate in the attic. Until then, he goes in it when you are not able to supervise him.

We have a 15 year old staffy bull and a 2 year old patterdale.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Skiploder

Discipline and exercise..........
That dog needs hours of exercise, but nothing too hard on his growing joints. Remember, a tired dog is a well behaved dog and a well behaved dog does what you tell him to do when YOU want, and does not test you.

Walks are good, as long as he heels and that YOU lead the way. Once you've properly leashed trained him, you'll be surprised quickly the rest of the obedience falls in to place.

When walking, make him sit and stay when you stop, before you cross the street, etc. Remember, you are the boss. He gets love, food and permission to do things when YOU decide.

When he shows you that he can be trusted and is well behaved, you can put the crate in the attic. Until then, he goes in it when you are not able to supervise him.

We have a 15 year old staffy bull and a 2 year old patterdale.

---

All very good points. Never do more than walks or fetching when they are under a year old. No hard work outs until at least a year.


And Skip 15 is very old for a bully! That's awesome. Our boy will be 11 this coming year. We got him as a pup in 2002. He is still pretty active though he only plays for about 15min at a time with Bella. He is about 95lbs. He is neutered so hopefully he will give us another 5 years or more. Bullies don't normally live much more than 13-15 years.

We got my pit a big bone. I believe its the end of a cow femur. Either way its the end of a leg bone. He goes to town on it every day for the last few months now and its still about 75% there. He hollowed it out pretty well. Only downside is he gets a kick outta tossing it in the air and shaking the whole house when it land on the hardwood. Watch your toes!