[Alan]

Is it any more important to teach basic commands to a Pit Bull as oposed to any other breed? If so, why and if not why?

[Rai_77]

Every dog should have *some* kind of training, but given the current public perception of pits....responsible owners should take that extra step to show Joe Public that pits can be obedient. So, yes, it IS more important to train a pitbull, really, and of the bully breeds.

I don't agree with it, but if my boy jumps up on someone, he's doing it because he's trying to maul someone, whereas if a Lab does it, he's just being friendly. Sad state of affairs.

[Michele]

I think any breed of dog needs basic training.

[RottNPitLvr]

No... I think every dog needs training, not just pitbulls or rottweilers...

[screamin'eagle]

Originally Posted by Michele I think any breed of dog needs basic training.

I'll go with Michelle, and everyone else that answered this way.

[tat2stuff]

I agree every dog needs basic training. I believe the pit bull benefits more from having it as far as breed perception. A well trained pit bull in public makes a great breed ambassador while a poorly trained one adds another nail to the media fed frenzy coffin. If you have a well or poorly trained dog of another breed, it tends to reflect on the individual dog rather than the breed as a whole.

[Alan]

Originally Posted by tat2stuff I agree every dog needs basic training. I believe the pit bull benefits more from having it as far as breed perception. A well trained pit bull in public makes a great breed ambassador while a poorly trained one adds another nail to the media fed frenzy coffin. If you have a well or poorly trained dog of another breed, it tends to reflect on the individual dog rather than the breed as a whole.

There is the answer I was digging for. As an example, my friend Smoochapitbull has spent a lot of time training her dog Smooch. When Smooch goes out in public and does cute little tricks, and is well behaved it often causes some people to be open minded about some of the breed stereotypes being wrong.

When Pit Bulls already get a bad rap, a dog pulling and panting on a leash just adds to the stereo type. A polite well trained dog causes people to think.

[jennay2]

I think every dog should be trained, but a pit bull should always be held to higher standards. They're smart, willing to please, and energetic. If you can't control that, Joe Public will eat you alive.

[Miakoda]

I'm not sure if it's an issue with an increase in training, but more of an issue with increased responsibility.

I know some people with wonderfully trained dogs that allow them to run loose in public places. Truth is though, that NO DOG has 100% recall.

[Michele]

I'm not sure if it's an issue with an increase in training, but more of an issue with increased responsibility.

I think with this breed, it's more increased responsibility.

[jeoestreich]

Every dog needs basic training. But I believe that apbt are held in a different light so a well mannered one is nice.

[fearlessknight]

Originally Posted by Alan Is it any more important to teach basic commands to a Pit Bull as oposed to any other breed? If so, why and if not why?

I think all dogs should have some kind of basic training, but yes I do believe that this breed should have it more so than any other....WHY?
Because people (the public) need to know and understand that this breed is no different that any other, they can listen, they can sit, they can stay...they are NOT all bad.....and anyways, who in the world would want to take their APBT anywhere...even for a walk, and it not listen to you, you are the one that should without doubt at all times be in control of your animal, especially this breed, because of the DA!

[reynrock]

I agree all dogs should have training.I think if you have a well trained pitbull when your out in public and people see how well behaved your dog is maybe they wont think quite so badly of pitbull.maybe i just have high hopes that 1 day they wont be hated so much.

[Lucy Loo]

Unfortunately yes, since the public and media in particular are wanting to showcase every negative aspect that can be shown about the Pit Bull, it is very important for us a bully breed owners to have a well behaved dog, at least in public. I hate to even have to say that, because I agree that ALL dogs need obedience, but since we are under a microscope with OUR dogs, and don't want to lose them to BSL and other assholic idealisms, it is important that our dogs have some type of discipline. Their livelihood depends on what we do with them.

Originally Posted by Lucy Loo Unfortunately yes, since the public and media in particular are wanting to showcase every negative aspect that can be shown about the Pit Bull, it is very important for us a bully breed owners to have a well behaved dog, at least in public. I hate to even have to say that, because I agree that ALL dogs need obedience, but since we are under a microscope with OUR dogs, and don't want to lose them to BSL and other assholic idealisms, it is important that our dogs have some type of discipline. Their livelihood depends on what we do with them.

while this may be true lucy, if it's another "bad dog" breed that has an incident, vicious dog laws will cover many breeds usually. so it is very important to have ALL dogs trained in at least basic obedience. IMO

[Lucy Loo]

Originally Posted by Boogieman while this may be true lucy, if it's another "bad dog" breed that has an incident, vicious dog laws will cover many breeds usually. so it is very important to have ALL dogs trained in at least basic obedience. IMO

So true Right now here in Florida, a representative is trying to enact BSL to specifically regulate "large dog" breeds. His intention is to focus of Pit Bulls and Rottweilers in his district. Other counties are following suit, if the Florida Statute gets amended, to include dogs such as Akitas, Great Danes, and Dobermans. Which is why I am sending letters out like crazy and obedience training the hell out of Lucy.

[Wyldmoonwoman]

I am way more anal about my pit bull's behavior than my lab...I watch Thorne's behavior much more closer than Sparky's...I don't even like when she barks when we are out in public because the image of a barking pit bull is negative...I expect the same behavior from my lab, but I have no fear of my lab being targeted.

[PNWPBR]

Originally Posted by Alan There is the answer I was digging for. As an example, my friend Smoochapitbull has spent a lot of time training her dog Smooch. When Smooch goes out in public and does cute little tricks, and is well behaved it often causes some people to be open minded about some of the breed stereotypes being wrong. When Pit Bulls already get a bad rap, a dog pulling and panting on a leash just adds to the stereo type. A polite well trained dog causes people to think.

Yup yup.


I expect the Pit Bulls we adopt out almost to be like "Super Dogs." I want them to be BETTER behaved than all the labs, ect that people have. I want them all to help chance stereotypes in their own way.

[goldenstatefan]

With all the bad info in people's head about our breed, our dogs should have as much training as possible. To someone with no experience, a pit bull wagging it's tail with his tongue out (leashed) is a dog about to attack in their mind/s. We owners have to go above and beyond with our dogs. Unfortunate but true.