So many Pitbull owners have mishandled this breed so that even the innocent suffer the consequences. These people have helped build an unjustified bad reputation for the Pitbull breed worldwide.
While it is true that genes and history do influence a dog’s temperament, its final behavior will depend fundamentally on its training, socialization, and surrounding environment.
Therefore, blaming just the Pitbull being as an aggressive breed cause of its genetics is inappropriate. Today I will tell you all about the causes and prevention of a Pitbull.
What Causes Pitbulls to Be Aggressive?
Aggression in Pitbulls is related to many causes; some affect their temperament more than others. Here is a breakdown of what can cause your Pitbull to be aggressive.
Heritage
Yes, genetics indeed play a role in dogs’ aggression. Dog heritage varies widely from one another, and some have a history full of attacks, making them prone to such behavior.
While genes and heritage are possible contributing causes, it doe not mean it’s true in all cases. For example, many people think a Pitbull’s genetics are responsible for aggression. But in reality, Pitbull genes give them strong jaws, muscular bodies, and a high pain tolerance.
A Pitbull’s heritage is not solely responsible for developing aggressive behavior. With proper training, Pitbulls are as calm and loving as all other dog breeds.
Environment
Dogs living in less-than-ideal conditions play a significant role in their aggressive behavior. Owners who use physical and torturous punishment tactics for obedience training or do not expose themselves to society for training are indeed raising a dog that will be more susceptible to aggression.
Furthermore, aggressive behavior is more likely to develop in dogs that have not been spayed or neutered.
Instincts
As a part of its natural behavior, a dog will try to establish itself dominantly until it claims its position in the pack. Aggressive behavior such as biting will be how the dog will test other animals and people to assess their fear and declare themselves as the pack’s leader.
The owner must establish dominance and show their dog they are the pack leader. But let your dog know this through appropriate training, not punishment or force.
Territorial
All dogs are territorial, including Pitbulls. If a new person or dog enters your home, your Pitbull starts acting slightly aggressively. It is most likely that your dog is territorial, and it is best to desensitize him. Introduce him to new people in the house, change his walking route, and teach him to obey you.
Fear
Sometimes, your Pitbull can fear certain things, making him react timidly or full-blown aggressively.
Your dog could fear curtains, vacuums, mail carriers, other dogs, humans, sticks, or anything else. Fear can slowly turn into aggression and destructive behavior if not addressed early.
How to Prevent Pitbull Aggression?
If you are still worried that your Pitbull might turn out aggressive, do not worry because I have different techniques to help you with that problem.
1. Obedience Training
As soon as you bring your dog home, start his obedience training. Obedience training may seem like the obvious thing to do, but almost all dog aggression begins from a young age of disobedience.
If you don’t know how to train a dog, learn now, and start with your Pitbull as soon as you bring them home. Doing so will build a relationship based on respect, and your dog will listen to your hand signals and voice without hesitation.
When I walk my Pitbull, I always tell them to stay down when approaching anyone else on the beach or in the park. This way, people can see what a well-trained and obedient dog my Pitbull is; thus, he acts like an ambassador for other Pitbulls.
2. Socializing
Socialize your dog from a young age. The best time to start socializing is the sensitive period between 8 to 16 weeks of age, right when your dog is getting its vaccination completed.
A well-socialized Pitbull will enjoy human company and always try to please its owner. Another thing to note is to avoid going to dog parks during this period.
There are plenty of dogs in the dog park, and most of them are nice, but there still exists a chance that some incompetent owner has brought an untrained dog that could attack your dog and give you a bad memory.
The best way to socialize is to register your Pitbull into doggy daycare and ask for a professional trainer. It would help if you also spent a lot of time with your puppy to create a bond with them.
3. Be the Leader
Whether or not you believe in alpha dogs theory, there are a few simple exercises you should always practice at home:
- Feed your dog after you make him sit,
- Keep your Pit off of the couch
- Make him sleep in his bed instead of yours
- Teach your dog to wait for your okay signal before entering a door or someplace.
Even if your Pitbull does not need this training, it will become a standard part of its life and make it a better-behaved dog.
4. Exercise
Providing your Pitbull with plenty of exercises is another cliché, but a tired dog is well-behaved. Almost all the stories I read about dog attacks happen from people who always leave their dogs in the house alone or chained up.
Such owners don’t even know how to interact with an extensive athletic, muscular dog. If you want a Pitbull to keep chained up in the yard and show off to the neighbors, you should not even get a dog at all.
It would be best to exercise your Pitbull daily for quite some time. You should at least exercise your Pitbull by walking, hiking, running, playing games, training, or sometimes swimming.
A Pitbull needs 1 hour of daily activity to keep its body and mind fresh. They are not for lazy people who procrastinate in their duties.
5. Keep Them Healthy
Please keep your dog healthy, as it can affect its behavior. If your dog is in pain due to injury or illness, it will show signs of aggression to communicate it is in pain. It can attack if your Pitbull is irritated or hurt by something or someone.
It is best to constantly monitor your dog’s health and ensure no underlying illnesses. Please consult your vet regularly and keep a check on its diet.
6. Feed Them
If you do not feed your Pitbull sufficiently, it will become aggressive. A starving dog is more likely to bite living creatures and other things it can get its jaws on.
Food is also necessary to keep them in good shape and health. A healthy Pibull is a happy Pitbull. Feed your Pitbull a protein-rich diet twice or thrice daily, and ensure it gets adequate water with that.
You can also maintain its feeding schedule around its pooping schedule for better convenience.
7. Keep Them on a Leash
Keep them on a leash even if you are used to walking your dog off-leash. Carry a leash with you and put the leash on if you are approaching any children.
According to statistics, almost half of all dog bite victims, and fatal dog attacks are under 13 years old. Even if your dog is a Certified Good Citizen Canine, many parents will be ready to condemn it because of the breed.
Keeping your Pitbull on a leash when a child is nearby is the best way to avoid any problems.
Do the same if you see another dog or small animal. Not all Pitbulls are aggressive, but if the other dog approaching is aggressive and attacks your dog, your Pitbull will be blamed in most cases for any damages, even if he is only defending himself.
8. Register for Dog Therapy
If you can register your Pitbull in a therapy dog program, do it. Pitbulls are great dogs, and every person that interacts a dog in therapy remembers the experience, and they will remember your Pitbull.
9. Reward Your Pitbull
Many people need help with how to reward a dog. You should not reward any aggressive behavior; the dog should calm down and relax, and then you should reward that calm behavior.
Find a small and preferably natural treat like Greenie’s, Roco, Wellness, etc. Keep them on hand and give your dog when he acts according to your desires.
10. Identify the Source
Fear, anxiety, and being territorial may trigger aggressive behavior in a dog. However, a Pitbull is typically confident and assertive, so hatred of other dogs may be the more likely cause of aggression.
Pitbulls are more likely to be aggressive toward other dogs than they are toward humans, so make sure to rule this tendency out. The source of hostility can be determined by observing your dog’s body language in response to numerous stimuli.
A Pitbull should be curious, watchful and confident, never edgy or unpredictable. If he is afraid, for example, of the vacuum cleaner, he will crouch, yawn, or avoid looking at the device.
Aggression can quickly develop out of fear. Like the previous example, if he only acts aggressively when guests or new canines enter the house, his behavior is most likely motivated by territorial feelings.
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
What to Do if A Pitbull Attacks You?
The best thing to do is to avoid going near a Pitbull if it’s unfamiliar to you or you notice the owner has not trained him well. But if, unfortunately, you are attacked by a Pitbull, remain calm, avoid eye contact, turn your body to the side slowly, cross your arms, stay still for a short period, and then move away slowly.
Try to get to a place with a barrier between you and the Pitbull. Keep bear spray or pepper spray on you for emergencies. Afterward, call 911 immediately and report the incident.
How Do I Raise My Pitbull to Be Friendly?
Socialize them, train them, and teach them obedience. If your Pitbull knows how to obey you at all times, your Pitbull will never dare to attack without your permission. You can also keep them healthy, exercised, and full of food and bond with them.
Can You Defend Against a Pitbull?
Yes, you can defend against a Pitbull, and the best way is to remain calm and avoid eye contact. Cross your arms, stay quiet, and slowly move away from the dog. Try getting to a place with a barrier between you and the dog.
You should also immediately report the attack on 911 and call for help. If you have pepper spray or bear spray handy, dont hesitate to use it, as it has a 40% chance of scaring away the Pitbull.
Conclusion
American Pitbulls are not an aggressive breed by nature; they are one f the most loving and caring dog breeds out there. In almost all of the cases of Pitbull attacks, the reason is improper training and an incompetent owner.
So it would be best to blame the owner, not the breed. If you take good care of your Pitbull and train it perfectly, it will never become aggressive. A happy puppy is a loving puppy!
