This dog's intelligence lends itself to training and they are used by the military, police and bomb squads. They are also used successfully as therapy dogs and service dogs.
Nevertheless, their strength, energy, athleticism, endurance capabilities and innate ability to be aggressive does mean that they must be trained firmly from young. Trained correctly they have proved themselves time and again to be loyal and warm family pets as well as being excellent watchdogs.
Incidents involving the APBT, as it is sometimes known, have led to it being banned in some countries including the UK. Legislative constraints apply in some other countries. In some US states, this breed has to be muzzled if out in public.
Training The Pit Bull Terrier
It should be borne in mind that unlike many other breeds this muscular terrier may on occasion revert to its natural instincts, which means training has to be carried out consistently and carefully.
Training should be highly active, energetic and will be fun. Obstacle courses, chasing balls and other toys all appeal to this breed. However, unlike many terriers, they do not relish running. As the breed, like others, should be checked when young for hip dysplasia it should not be encouraged to do too much running.
Caring for the Pit Bull Terrier
The American Pit Bull Terrier likes attention and is naturally friendly with people and children. It is much like other dogs for "routine maintenance" such as bathing, nail clipping, etc.
Aspects of care that are specific to, and worth being aware of with, this breed are:
- Grooming the dog's short, hard fur is much easier than most dogs and simply requires a hard brushing regularly. This will be required daily when it is shedding its coat.
- Plenty of exercise, with long and ideally fairly arduous walks most days, is called for through the dog's young and adolescent years.
- Attention should be given to socializing the dog with other pets in the household and with other dogs outside from a young age. During these periods they should be closely supervised as they may react to strange dogs. Given this opportunity and kept on the leash in other dogs' presence, they will learn correct behavior.
- It is highly advisable that they are kept on the leash even beyond their adolescent years, when other dogs are around. The bull terrier and similar breeds often provoke other dogs into aggression merely by its presence, and it will react in kind on most occasions.
To consistently see the American Pit Bull Terrier at his best, it is important that it is trained properly, to make sure that it has the right experiences rather than the wrong ones from an early age. By doing this, it will make an excellent pet, albeit with a reputation which precedes it.
