| I am in need of advice. I have two Pit Bulls. one of them is 3 years old and has no problems at all. I got her when she was only 5 weeks old, but the other is approximately 1 year and a large male. I haven't had any problems training any of the pits I have owned but this one seems to be a whole different story. He wont stop chewing the couches, getting on counters, urinating in the house whether we are home or not. We tried the crate but after 3 weeks to no avail (he doesn't stop barking... ever, if he is in it). I am a rescue/helper of the breed, please, i need someone's help. Out of Ideas | |
| Answers: | |
| Pit Bull Driving Me Mad | 05/27/2005 |
| I don't have any specific advice, but I would recommend that you contact some of the 'foster parents' in one of the rescue organizations for the breed. I rescued a 5-yr old long haired dachshund with seizure disorder about 5 months ago and his foster mom had so much experience and she couldn't have been more willing and helpful. | |
| By Claudia | |
| Pit Bull Driving Me Mad | 05/27/2005 |
| I don't know about the breed but kudos to you for doing what you do. All my dogs are rescued too & 2 of them just about destroyed everything they could until they were over 1 yr. old. I don't remember exactly when but one day the one just stopped & the other slowed down until he stopped. I didn't think I would survive but they are the best dogs in the world. You might want to get a complete blood panel done just to rule out anything physical. | |
| By Vic | |
| Pit Bull Driving Me Mad | 05/27/2005 |
| I would crate him when you are not home or cannot watch him. He is getting "his way" when you let him out of the crate because he is barking. When my rottie was a puppy she would bark and cry too. We ended up buying a bark collar. My hubby actually tested it on his arm, because we didn't want to hurt her. We put it at the mildest setting and put it on her in the crate. She only barked once and we only had to put it on her a couple times. All we had to say whenever she kept barking was "do you want your bark collar?" and she would be quiet, even to this day and she is 8+ now. We only used it a couple times, but it was well worth it. All dogs have a different personality and it may be a challenge, but if you work with him it will payoff. It might help if you take hime to obediance classes too. They say most puppies chew and misbehave until they are 2 which is true with my 2 dogs. I think it is great that you are trying to help this dog. Good luck. | |
| By Donna | |
| Pit Bull Driving Me Mad | 05/27/2005 |
| Check out books by Patricia McConnell or Jean Donaldson. They both have great information about training dogs and interpreting their behavior. | |
| By guest | |
| Pit Bull Driving Me Mad | 05/27/2005 |
| Is it separation anxiety? Maybe he has gotten extremely attached to you as some rescues will and has extreme separation anxiety. Also, does he have (safe) chew toys? Is his crate big enough? Does he get enough exercise? You must constantly tell him NO in a stern voice when he does something that is bad as soon as he does it (don't wait even 5 seconds). Conversely, act like he's the best dog in the world when he behaves nicely, like urinating outside. Be very consistent and incredibly patient. Some dogs that have had traumatic pasts seem to respond only to positive reinforcement. One of mine is incredibly stubborn and doesn't want to go in his kennel when I ask. If I cuddle the other one and tell her how good she is when she goes in her kennel on command, he hears me fussing over the female and will go in his kennel immediately (and voluntarily) just to get me to fuss over him, too. Works every time and is kind of funny, actually. You could try using your female as an example of good behavior and maybe the male will catch on. I would probably treat him like a puppy and watch him constantly -- don't let him out of your sight -- to make sure he doesn't do anything bad. This will drive you crazy for a while, but is well worth the effort. | |
| By | |
| Pit Bull Driving Me Mad | 05/27/2005 |
| I have a little teeny tiny mini-yorkie who sounds like a pack of wild coyotes when he does not get his way. I had a neighbor come by and point blank ask if I was abusing him, the little booger did not like his harness and was trying to chew it off...ugghhh anyhoots, he howeled in crate too. BUT I was more determined so I put him it in spare bedroom put cartoon channel on and placed two chew toys and chew stick in his crate and he howeled for a few mins then I slammed front door and sat in living room readind i fell asleep and he was playing when I woke up...you have to be stronger willed they will know you are a softie my husb thought I was mean to let him cry even for a minute (obvious we have no kids) so I did this when husb was out....pup is trained and no chewing my shoes I tapped him with magazine and he finally got it smart guy. GOOD LUCK. | |
| By Annie Rios Hill | |
| Pit Bull Driving Me Mad | 06/15/2005 |
| I have a male that is 1/2 pit bull, very bull headed. He does not like to be seperated from me when I am home. He will bark and carry on if I am home but be fine if he knows I'm not there. I took a spray bottle and put water with vinager in it. White is best, and sprayed him in the face when he would bark or wine in his crate. He has since learned that when he is a good boy we will play with his ball when I get home and at night I tell him night night and he knows he will get a treat if he goes into his crate and is good. Good luck. | |
| By Amy | |
| Pit Bull Driving Me Mad | 06/19/2005 |
| I also have a Pit mix rescue. She is now nine months old and I have had her since she was four months. I had and am still having many of the same issues you are, but am finally with lots of patience and consistency seeing some major improvement. She is crated when I am away and fights me everyday to go in (usally hides under the bed), but the barking is slowly subsiding. Also, she has been very difficult to house train when out of the crate, but I have faith that she will totally get it one day. As far as jumping up on the counter, the spray bottle worked wonderfully( and she even loves water). I still battle the chewing on everything she is not supposed to, even though my floor is covered with toys and bones, but I do see that subsiding also. The jumbo (undigestable nyla bones are one of her favorites and keep her occupied for long periods). All I can say is patience,patience,patience and I do sympathize. It has been a trying five months, but worth every aggrevation, as I am sure you know. Good Luck! | |
| By Stacy | |
| Pit Bull Driving Me Mad | 10/13/2005 |
| Wow this dog seems like a handful. My aunt has had previous experiences. The best thing you can do is take one issue at a time and work on it. Trying to fix it all at once will just confuse the dog. Also do not use force or negativity on the dog, it will just make him dislike what you are trying to teach him. It is so much easier when the dog wants to learn. It may just be easier to take him to the professionals. Try looking up trainers or classes at your local petstore. | |
| By Maura |
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