Being a Responsible Pit Bull Owner

"Pit bulls are famous, in circles of knowledgeable dog people, for the love and loyalty they bestow on anyone who shows them a smidgen of kindness."
~Linda Wilson-Fouco, journalist

Know Your Breed: The more you know about pit bulls - their temperment, behavior and history, as well as the social and legal issues surrounding pit bull ownership - the better an owner you will be and the safer your pet will be.

Spay/Neuter Your Pit Bull: There are innumerable pit bulls in shelters and rescues accross the country in need of homes. Most will be destroyed without ever being given the chance to be adopted into a loving and caring home. Pit bulls that have been spayed/neutered are easier to handle, train and manage. Early spaying/neutering may help with dog aggression. There are health benefits as well. Talk to your veterinarian.

Read Books on Training and Dog Behavior: Pit bulls require much more than casual ownership. They require dedicated ownership. You must be willing to spend the time to properly train your pit bull and to provide mental as well as physical stimulation on a daily basis.

Exercise and Socialize Your Pit Bull Daily: Pit bulls are athletic and very social. They need a lot of attention, as well as physical and mental stimulation. Take your pit bull out (on leash!) and try to meet different types of people and other dogs. Go for hikes, walks and car rides. Participate in organized sports which pit bulls excel.

Obedience Train Your Pit Bull: Pit bulls are rambunctious, bossy and always putting their noses where they don't belong. Enroll in obedience class with your dog, or at the minimum do at home training with him/her.

ALWAYS Keep Your Pit Bull on a LEASH: Pit bulls should always be under control on leash. Most areas have leash laws - respect them! Loose dogs can get into fights with other dogs, harass people and other animals, become lost or run off into the road and get hit by a car. Since pit bulls are known for dog aggression, it's safer for everyone if they are always kept on leash. They may not start a fight, but they will definitely finish it. The pit bull will always end up being "the bad guy" and bad publicity is almost always the end result.

Do Not Allow a Child to Walk a Pit Bull Alone: Pit bulls are very powerful dogs, and can be too strong for some adults. Children should never be allowed to take the family pit bull for a walk unattended by a capable adult.

Never Visit Off Leash Dog Parks, Even If You Keep Your Pit Bull on a Leash: Stay away from areas and dog parks where off leash dogs could be encountered. Because of their genetic heritage, pit bulls can be aggressive toward other dogs. Even if your pit bull is not dog aggressive, you will not be able to control another dog's actions. Fights can break out quickly and you could easily find yourself in the middle of an unwelcome legal battle. It's not worth risking the life of your dog or the safety of other dogs.

Know Your Bullie: When your pit bull is mingling with other dogs, watch for aggressive behavior. Only allow interaction with other dogs in small, controlled groups. Once your dog reaches maturity, he/she may not socialize well with other dogs. If your dog is still young and participating in "play groups" with one or more other dogs, be aware and ready to intervene should a fight break out. Discourage dominant and/or aggressive behavior while your bullie is still young.

Be a Polite Pit Bull Owner: Respect the public's fear of the breed and never impose your Pit Bull on anyone. Most people have never been around a pit bull and only know what they read in the paper and hear on the news. Take every opportunity to educate people on the truth about pit bulls - and there's no better way to do that than by having your pit bull exemplify the positive qualities of these dogs.

Seek Help for Behavior Problems as Soon as They Start: If you are experiencing any problem behavior, please seek the help of a qualified behaviorist or trainer early on.

Keep Your Pit Bull Safely Indoors: Your pit bull is a member of the family. Bullies are not meant to be left outdoors in the extreme heat or cold, in dog runs, and definitely not at the end of a chain.

Never Leave Your Pit Bull Unattended Outdoors: Pit bulls are great escape artists and very easily stolen. Never leave a pit bull in a yard unsupervised.

Never Leave Your Pit Bull with Other Pets Unattended: When you cannot give 100% attention to the situation, separate your pit bull from any other animals. Because of their strength and fighting ability, they can easily do a lot of damage in a short period of time. Do not take a chance, and never trust your pit bull not to fight.

Become a Breed Spokesperson: As the owner of a pit bull, you will encounter a lot of breed imsinformation and may even be on the receiving end of rude remarks. Present yourself in a positive manner as a responsible owner dedicated to the breed. Never pass up the opportunity to educate the misinformed on the breed!

Pit Bull Ownership is Not a Part-Time Interest, but a Lifetime Commitment: Pit Bull ownership requires dedication, care and training. The commitment that you need to make to your pit bull includes dealing with issues such as breed specific legislation, the public's (often misinformed) perception of the breed, and insurance problems. Our pit bulls give us nothing less than 100%, and each one deserves the same from his/her owner. The love, loyalty and joy they bring into our lives makes it all worthwhile.