If you've ever witnessed a dog fight, you know the feeling: the sense of helplessness and horror when fur flies and snarling bodies rocket toward one another. If you've witnessed a pit bull fight, that feeling is magnified a thousand times, as a dog aggressive pit bull is physically and mentally engineered to fight to the death. Regardless of how much you may love that bully face, as a pit bull owner it is imperative for your dog's safety and the safety of others that you understand the limitations of this breed. Pit bulls were bred to fight other dogs; this is a despicable but indisputable fact. With that in mind, it is not your job to teach your bully to love other dogs; your job is to teach him to tolerate the presence of other pups, and not to fixate.
Are all pit bulls dog-aggressive? Unequivocally no - I've worked with many pit bulls who love playing with other dogs. At Clean Slate, Dave's American Staffordshire mix Lou is present in almost all of the dog play groups, and is well-loved by every puppy who enters the building. I have seen that same gentle giant turn on his doggie housemates during heightened circumstances and inflict serious harm. The point? Lou continues to work as a supervised caretaker in many of the dog play groups, but is never, ever left alone with other dogs. Would I trust him with children? In a heartbeat. But there is a genetic trigger that pushes bully breeds when it comes to other dogs. So, is there a way to address that trigger, or are bully owners doomed to walk alone forever? Here are some tips for how to create a more dog-friendly sensibility in your pit bull.
(1) Start young. If you have a pit bull puppy, the key socialization period is up to twelve weeks. Expose your pup to countless positive interactions with people, as well as with dogs. If you have an opportunity to socialize your bully pup with other puppies, keep it calm and keep it positive. If your little guy is demonstrating dominating behavior like repeat attacks on a more submissive pup, humping, or ignoring his playmate's cues to settle down, it's time for a time-out. Don't punish, simply pull your bully out of the fray and give him some alone time. Reward calm behavior with treats, and keep your own tone gentle and low-key.
(2) NEVER, EVER PHYSICALLY DOMINATE YOUR PIT BULL! If you have a situation in which your bully is trying to dominate other pups, it is never, ever appropriate or helpful to force your dog down and hold him there (sometimes known as the "alpha roll"). Despite what some TV shows (Caesar Milan, anyone?) may lead you to believe, the benefit of the alpha roll has been completely disproved and in almost every case has been shown to be extremely detrimental for the dog. If your pooch is misbehaving in a group setting, your answer is clear: it's time to go. There is no need for (or benefit to) a physical display of dominance, as this does nothing but create negative associations with other dogs and with you.
(3) The leash is your friend! Pit bulls are notoriously difficult to read - hence their great success in the dog-fighting world. They give few cues as to when they will attack, which I suppose is an asset in the ring but frankly leaves you and I with a distinct disadvantage. For that reason, not only should your bully always be on-leash, but you should avoid areas where other dogs are typically off-leash. An unsuspecting pup at the dog park may come running up to your bully with no idea that they aren't the best of friends. Pit bulls are fast and strong, so one snap and that nasty little Chihuahua prancing around your bully's head could mean the end - for both dogs, because a fatal dog attack means that your pit bull will be put down.
(4) Try walking it out. If you have a pit bull who is on the fence about other dogs, try going for a walk with a fellow dog-guardian. The other dog should be of the opposite sex, and preferably spayed or neutered. With both dogs on leash and focused on the journey ahead, your bully can get acclimated to the presence of someone else without becoming fixated. Let the dogs sniff each other, be on the lookout for good signs like a relaxed posture or playbows, give plenty of praise and treats, and remember to always reward for good behavior.
(5) Dog aggression is chronic, not terminal. There is no cure-all for dog-to-dog aggression. If your bully is not friendly toward other pups, take comfort in knowing that you are not alone - in fact, most pit bulls have some issues with other dogs. Be patient and positive, and remember that safety is the number one priority: always keep your dog on leash on outings, never leave him alone with other dogs (or any animals), and reward him amply for calm behavior. If you follow these guidelines, your pit bull may not be the belle of the ball, but he will live a happy, safe life with you by his side.
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