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

I know there is one....lerd help me I cannot think of his name, but hopefully he finds this....Dax is my 9 month old pittie boy, we adopted him from a rescue here in Longview Tx in April. LOVE him to bits but he is about the make me bonkers:rolleye2: Tips on exercise, training tips, anything at this point...he is really good alot of the time, had him sitting on command in less than a week of having him, learning the "down" command took all of a few days...though he still likes to be bull headed and test me and see if I actually mean lay down...lol...will kennel up when told to go to bed, most times, sometimes he is a smart a** and will jump on our bed just to see if he can get away with it....oh nay suggestions on chewing, things that will withstand his ability to obliterate everything he chews on lol, at least some what...Thanks in advance...he is super smart, smarter than any other dog I have ever owned....just need to refine a few things, and he needs to be worn out some how lol....not like my useless chihuahua...bless her, will be outside for hours and still come right in and poop and piss on my floor....ugh....about to list on here as a feeder for anything big enough to eat her....


Dax the day we got him
[IMG]http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/...israzr1590.jpg[/IMG]



Dax a little older....need to get a more recent pic....
Dax [IMG]http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/...igreg/2197.jpg[/IMG]

First very cute dog.
Second- right now I have an American bulldog x pit bull fence I adopted( parents were "pure breeds") she is 70 lbs and so thick headed but is smart. My dog before her was a put mix who we had to put down because he got lymphoma at 3 years old. For exercise they get walked 2+ miles everyday, run around in the back yard for hours with our other dog(boxer x French bulldog mix). And they will still have lots if energy left. They are a very smart, ad devoted breed. They need lots of exercise and are always looking to please their owner. For training I found the best way is to get some of their energy out then start doing training sessions, they are more likly to pay attention.
Ill try to give some more ideas when I'm off work in 18 hrs since I hate posting on my phone.

I love my pit, I got her when she was four and she's seven now and still runs around and act likes a puppy. But yeah they are smart as hell and I love their personalities but they can be a lil thick headed and stubborn at times. I've watched mine drive her head into a door trying to open it up even tho the door opens towards her, I think she likes to test the limits of Everything around her. Training can be easy with them tho just get them a little tired so they don't think training time is play time and they tend to learn nice and fast, when I got mine she was a rescue from a fighting ring and no one at the shelter spent much time training her but she picked up on how I wanted her to behave and what I was telling her to do fast and she's now one of the best behaved dogs I know or have had. I bring her to my emt/firefighter school and she LOVES all the attention on her haha. Far as chewing goes best I've found is just a good ol' bone eats the whole thing but takes some time at least if your having problems with him chewing on things you don't want him to chew you can try cayian (sp) pepper I had an uncle make it into some paste kinda stuff and put it on everything his rot puppy was chewing and that ended it pretty fast haha. You got your self a cute puppy for sure and he'll be your bestest friend, their loyal to a fault and most of them just want to make their owner happy.
And because I have to post a picture of my number one girl here's Emma. She's an American pit bull weighs in at a whopping 46 lbs lol she was 70 when I got her and looked like a little barrel and her fur was dull and balding in spots but she was beautiful then and is stunning now 😃(might be a little biased tho)
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/06/nu5uzu9e.jpg
I just bought her that tennis ball too lol

As far as toys, Kong products may be all that can stand up to his chewing. Many Shelters that adopt out pit bulls offer low cost obedience classes, often geared specifically to pit bulls. Any 8 or 9 month old puppy of any breed will be hell on wheels and won't begin to settle down until about 18 months of age or later.
Pit Bulls are high energy dogs and enjoy long walks and retrieving balls for burning off energy.

Go to your local hardware store and get lawn mower tires and rope! I had a pittie in high school and thats what we did for Tank. It was cheaper than replacing toys every 2 days and the tires actually lasted awhile!

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pits are energetic dogs and also very smart keep training him and pretty soon he will pick up on all comands. exercise- alot of walking is good for him if possible without a leash so he can run around. as for chewing i used those big cow hyde bones that will keep him busy from chewing anything else

[QUOTE=Christi;1932425] my useless chihuahua...bless her, will be outside for hours and still come right in and poop and piss on my floor....ugh....about to list on here as a feeder for anything big enough to eat her....

Lol, I can't stand little dogs. I don't have a pit, but have you tried some obedience classes? Maybe that would help. How about energy outlets, how often do you walk him? Persistence with puppies is a must too. I think pitontheprowl is who you are looking for. But I believe there are lots of pit owners here. Good luck!

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What are you doing to burn off his energy? Theyre active dogs that need to be exercised alot to tire them out.

I agree doolittle, small dogs with no working purpose are annoying and pointless IMO. But i know some people still love them. My aunt had a pug and that thing was dumber than a bag of rocks lmao.

i have a staffordshire bull terrier myself also a bully breed...i use Goughnuts toys can be found at http://www.dogsgonuts.com/ they are great toys my dog whipple will split a tennis ball in half by time he grabs it before he gets back to you...i have the stick witch is a fun tug toy and a ball witch bounces very well...also thnking about getting him a spring poll set up and starting some light pulling to burn energy...along with walking...my pup just turned 1 year old yesterday...


also the goughnuts toys have held up very well for the past 6 months no chunks missing at all slight teath marks in it but that is all...well worth the money

I don't have advice on the pit but I wish I had some answers for the smaller dogs peeing and pooping in the house! My mother in laws shin tzus have RUINED our carpets!! I can't stand small dogs anymore!!

I can give you her two shihtzus as chew toys for your pit!!:rolleyes:

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

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Originally Posted by TessadasExotics

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

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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.

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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.

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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!

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/11/21/3y4y4u3y.jpg
Here's how I wake up every morning :) she would lay in bed all day once were up and about tho its on no stopping

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Originally Posted by TessadasExotics

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.

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We got him from Stoutheart Kennels in Castro Valley. His mom (Pearl) made it to 17 (she died earlier this fall from a stroke).

He's still eating and still follows us from room to room, but his back legs are getting really shaky and he slips and falls quite a bit. He was never neutered..............

I am a firm believer that the more active the dog, the healthier it will be. When Duff was young, we walked every night. When he got old enough to bike, we biked almost every night and did long hikes on Saturdays.