Pit
Tips from Copper's Mom
Raising a
Pit Bull is not for everyone. You have to have a
lot of patience and be very loving and caring to be a
Pit Bull mommy.
Owning a pet is a commitment and a privilege, not
a right!!!!!!
1. Pit Bulls (especially puppies) like to chew. They will
chew everything that they can get their mouths on.
Copper chewed up a lot of things when he was a
puppy. Mostly that was my fault but if you don't
have the time or the patience for chewing then don't get
a Pit Bull. Copper still chews but he only chews
his toys.
2. Pit Bulls need attention. If you
can't give your dog attention then don't get one.
Pit Bulls need their humans. They are very loyal
to their owners and crave their attention. Copper
is always on my lap and following me around the house
and yard. I always know right where he is.
He lets me know when I am not paying enough attention to
him by laying his big head in my lap and giving me puppy
dog eyes.
3. Pit Bulls need exercise. If you
don't have a back yard then don't get a dog. Pit
Bulls like to run, play, and catch. Do not tie
up your dog because it only makes them mean. If your
dog can't live in the house with you then its not worth
getting one. Would like you to be left out in the
backyard alone all day and night? I don't suggest
getting a Pit Bull if you live in an apartment. If
you do you should be walking your dog everyday.
4. Pit Bulls need to be trained. Every
dog needs some sort of obedience training whether you do
it yourself or you take them to an obedience school.
Your dog will be more enjoyable when he/she is
trained. I trained Copper myself and he knows the
basic commands. The 2 most important things that I
worked with Copper on was 1. I can take anything from
him whether it is food or a toy and 2. not to snatch
food out of my hand. I also have always been very
affectionate with him giving him lots of hugs and
kisses. I can do anything to Copper and he has
never once growled at me or acted aggressive in any way.
I trust him 100% and he trusts me.
5.
Pit Bulls need to be socialized. As soon as
your bring your new puppy or dog home you should begin
to socialize him/her with other dogs, people and
children. Don't
put your dog in a position where it feels threatened or
teased.
Copper was socialized and loves dogs,
cats, and children. We are having a problem with
neighbor cats coming into the yard and trying to beat up
our cat. Copper has gotten into trouble for
chasing cats so now he won't help us out.
6.
Never leave your dog alone with a child. Children
make up more than 60 percent of all dog bite victims.
The national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
estimates half of all children 12 and younger have been
bitten by a dog.
Even though Copper likes children I
would never leave him alone with one. He has a
habit of knocking them over because he licks them to
hard.
7.
Treadmills, breaking sticks, weights, ect...
I do not have a breaking stick and I have never been
in a situation where I needed one. I'm not saying
that you shouldn't have a breaking stick. I live in a
nice neighbor and only on a few occasions came across a
dog that wasn't quite so friendly. Copper does
not want to fight. He would protect himself if he
needed to and he has only had to do that one time (I
learned a lot from trying to keep 2 male Pit Bulls
together). Unless
you are a breeder or your dog is in weight lifting
competitions there is no
reason to use treadmills or
weights. If your dog is a family pet then regular
walks will be enough exercise.
8. Spay or Neuter
your dog!!!! In addition to saving lives,
spaying and neutering can also drastically improve your
pet's health and life expectancy. The idea that pets
become fat or lazy when they are spayed or neutered is a
myth. Sterilized pets lead healthier, longer lives.
Spaying a female eliminates the possibility of uterine
and ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the risk of
breast cancer. Neutering a male reduces the risk of both
prostate enlargement and prostate cancer. Neutering also
will make your pet more affectionate and less likely to
roam, get in fights, or become lost.
There are enough
breeders. There are millions of dogs in shelters
and rescues that need homes. Be part of the
solution not the problem.
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