new to the board and new to puppyhood!

Jellybean902

Hello everyone! I'm pretty new to TN boards.  My DH and I have two dogs.  One is a four year old male American Staffordshire Terrier/American Bulldog mix that DH owned long before me.  Recently, I rescued a puppy from the shelter that is a female, now 13 weeks (got her at 10 weeks) and a Pitbull mix.  She's absolutely adorable and I love her! 

I've never really trained a puppy before, so I'm working on potty training right now. (Not going as well as I would like....)  But I know my puppy, Maeby, is considered an "aggressive breed," and can have a tendency towards other-dog aggressiveness.  I was wondering if anyone has any experience in raising pits? Our adult dog, Calvin, is VERY good with people.  And while he's good with my puppy, he is TERRIBLE with all other dogs.  DH even socialized him when he was younger and took him to training classes, but he just still has that "alpha male" complex to him and ALWAYS goes after other dogs when we're taking him for a walk -- even small dogs.  I really really don't want Maeby to end up like that.  I want her to be good with all other dogs, if possible.

Can anyone provide any advice, tips, or insight?  Is other-dog aggressiveness just a part of this type of breed, or is it something I can break her of?  Thank you!

hboo2011

Yay for rescuing pits! (see my siggy... both rescued).

I don't have experience raising pit puppies, as my mixes were adopted as 1-2 yr olds. But I do volunteer at a shelter that often adopts out pit pups. All I can recommend is socialize, socialize, socialize. We have had Reesey for over 2 years, and we STILL do training with her (not because she's a bad dog, although she STILL thinks it's appropriate to greet guests on her hind legs), but because we know training is good for them.

Locate a trainer that does play time. And GO NOW!!! One trainer we went to at Petsmart, (not sure if all trainers do this), reinforced play time at the end of training, ie off leash play time for 5-10 minutes every class. All dogs were watched like a hawk, but it was great for both my dogs.

We did another training session (not at Petsmart, but just a local private trainer) who did NOT offer play time at the end of each session, you actually had to bring yout dog to day care if you wanted play time.

We didn't have to deal with this personally, but one of the trainers from my shelter, just recently talked with a family who was adopting a pit pup and had an older mix at home (I don't think pit, but apparently didn't love all other dogs and was sometimes leash aggressive). What the trainer recommended for this family was not walking them together, because he felt that maybe the pup would pick up on the older dogs habit of being aggressive at the sight of another dog. Instead, he recommended walking separately, and every time the pup would spot another dog, praise and treat it, as in seeing/being around another dog is a good thing, nothing to get angry about. Just an idea to think about.

 

Welcome to the board, and good luck. Keep us posted.

ndolehan

I don't have an experience to share with you, but I wanted to say welcome to the board and congrats on the new puppy!

 

KatiesCats

Congrats on the new addition!

Your dog's behavior is something that shouldn't be tolerated.  This is coming from someone who adopted a dog from a shelter who turned out to be the biggest basketcase in the world.  Dog-aggressive, anxious, barky, high energy...he was everything.  I say, "was," because we have worked extensively with trainers and a behaviorist and even did anti-anxiety meds to work on his behavior.  Whereas he used to be unable to even see another dog without going ballistic, now we can walk calmly past most dogs.

That isn't your dog being an alpha male; it's your dog being a jerk, and he needs you to help him learn not to be one.

And from experience, I can tell you that our Cal has taught our more recently adopted dog some of his less desirable behaviors.  Nite didn't used to bark and run to the door when someone came in, for example, and now he does it even when Cal's not there to show him.

Definitely get the older dog to a behaviorist asap.  And as pp said, don't walk them together, so little dog can't pick up on the older dog's poor behaviors.  And do enroll the pup in a group training class.  It's good for socialization, as well as to build a bond with you.

kellbell1919

I think you need to be working with a behaviorist on the adult, especially as you have a new dog in the house.  I would keep them separated any time you can't supervise for the puppy's safety.

For Maeby I'd sign her up for puppy classes ASAP and make sure she is exposed to other dogs consistently and in a positive way.

new2newengland

Welcome! I lurk more then post but I LOVE this place. I have learned so much from this board lots of knowledgable people! I agree about getting your older dog to a behaviorist asap to help him. Also keep the puppy away so she does not pick up his habits. Like everyone else said puppy classes asap. Also look into doggy daycare maybe once a week or every other week so your puppy gets to play with other dogs.

Above all else don't give up on your older dog. I never thought I was going to be able to walk out my door without being dragged across my yard because my dog saw a squire or another dog. Or go to petco or even the dog park (he was not mean just went crazy and it was embarrassing). He now pulls very little on his leash pays no attention to other people or animals unless I give him the ok and he is on a first name basis with everyone at petco!!

Good luck with both and please keep us all posted!!!