If you own a Pit Bull, or any dog for that matter, you must know how to prevent dog aggression. It is much easier to keep a dog’s action from ever taking shape than it is to train a behavior out of the dog. Socializing a Pit Bull puppy with other dogs is the most important and effective step any owner can take to ensure their dog plays well and gets along with other dogs.

Day 6 of Lincoln’s Daily Diary, Saturday December 17 2011
Today’s tip is own how to prevent dog aggression by socializing your Pit Bull puppy.

Lincoln and I get to let loose today! This Saturday is the first full day I have had off from work and the pup and I spent it having a ton of fun. We played in the morning a bit and then went to Asbury Bark doggie store to pick up some treats before heading to the bigger doggy-store for some early socializing fun. Because its so cold it is hard to find many dogs outside so instead I took the pup to PetSmart to meet other doggies. This is imperative for a Pit Bull puppy to prevent dog aggression, especially in the first 4 months of the pups life when his tendencies begin to form. As an owner you must do whatever it takes to introduce your puppy to as many strange dogs as possible. Read below for some tips on socializing a Pit Bull puppy.

While in the store Lincoln the Pit Bull pup walked surprisingly well on the leash, staying at my side and not pulling which makes a great example and also is helpful to prevent dog aggression with control. He also met sooo many people who just adored him. He was the center of attention and didn’t shy from it a bit which is definitely a good sign when socializing a Pit Bull puppy and something all dog owners should pay close attention to. The reaction your dog has to strangers is one of the most important behaviors a dog can exhibit. Pit Bulls are notorious for dog aggression but it is extremely uncommon for a PitBull Terrier to fear or become aggressive around people but is still worth socializing for.

Lincoln also met a bunch of other doggies too, some big and some small, all which is good because variety is important. He was playful and excited but had good manners and I was delighted to see that he knew the limits, an important aspect of socializing a Pit Bull puppy. He would stand still while they sniffed each other first, kind of like a greeting. Then he would jump back into a bow which is how a dog asks to play. His mannerisms were solid and controllable, another very good sign. He was exhausted after just a half hour so we picked out a toy and came home to relax.

After some time in the crate I fed Lincoln the Pit Bull puppy and then we did some clicker training. Even though we spent today focused on how to prevent dog aggression and socializing a Pit Bull puppy, we are still working on things like “come” and reinforcing “sit”. He comes great in the middle of a training session but not so well when I say it throughout the day. He is doing very well with sit and already knows it is his “please” action to perform before he gets any type of reward.
After training we played a bit and the baby fell asleep. We went to bed to end one of our most fun days yet!

Stay tuned to Lincolns Daily Diary as we catalog the highlights every day of Lincoln’s life from his Pit Bull clicker training to his rancid gas. Our goal is to provide a window for other dog and Pit Bull owners to see exactly how I train and raise Lincoln to be a well-mannered and well-behaved dog. Its also a lot of fun and its like having our very own reality book series!

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Important Tips on How To Prevent Dog Aggression

• As a socialization rule, try to introduce your puppy to 100 different dogs before 4 months of age.
• Make sure you dog meets a wide variety of dogs; skinny, fat, big, small, short, tall and all kinds of colors.
• Neutering your male will definitely help, Spaying your female usually does.
• Praise your dog when he is submissive but also when displays playful behavior that might even seem overzealous.
• Stay calm and be positive, if you get tense or worried then your dog will follow along.
• Let another dog take the toy your dog is playing with, then give the toy back to your dog, neutralizing object aggression.
• Know that FEAR is the catalyst for many aggressive reactions and avoid situations which present these possible scenarios.
• Rub your dogs belly while he lies on his back with another dog standing over him, creating a positive experience.
• Pay attention to dog owners, if they seem tense before your dogs meet there might be a reason to move on.
• If possible, try to avoid face to face meetings and instead have dogs walking parallel or one approaching from behind.
• Praise the dog when he shows limits based on the reactions of other dogs, such as moving away when a dog growls.
• Never reprimand your dog or display negative reactions to his behaviors. Just move away from bad situations quickly but without fuss.

These are all very important tips on how to prevent dog aggression and early socialization for your Pit Bull puppy will be the most important factor in determining whether or not your dog plays well with others, that you can control. Despite socializing your PitBull it may still exhibit dog aggression based on genetics that you cannot effect. Nevertheless, by socializing your dog early and often you will have mastered the art of how to prevent dog aggression at any point in your dog’s life.

Related posts:

1. My Pit Bull Puppy Starts Clicker Training
2. My Pit Bull Puppy Lincoln
3. Pit Bull Aggression and People