Your Pit Bull, A Social Butterfly

A well-socialized and trained Pit Bull is a happy and stable dog on its way to being a breed ambassador. Here are a few tips and guidelines for socializing your dog:

1. Your dog will benefit greatly from early positive and fun interactions with other dogs.
Dogs have a window of time when it’s best to socialize them. Early on up to about 12-16 weeks is when you want to provide the most socialization with people and dogs. He benefits the most at this time. Of course these should be positive and controlled interactions. Early socialization is key and with continued socialization throughout life your dog will have a better chance of staying social. If you have a pup, vets do tell us not to have our puppies in high risk areas before all their shots are given. You can still get your pup together with healthy vaccinated dogs in safe areas. Dog parks, public parks, public muddy grassy areas are not as safe. In your yard or a friend’s yard with other dogs that are healthy is a great option for socializing your pup. If you’ve adopted a social adult dog, keep up his social nature by socializing him with dogs he’s been slowly introduced to and preferably dogs he knows and enjoys being with.
Note: Even when your dog has been well-socialized throughout puppyhood, he may still develop social issues. This can happen in all breeds and all types of dogs. It’s not a breed thing, it’s a dog thing. If you’ve adopted an older dog, he/she may also benefit from remedial socialization if he has a background that’s lacking. Again, even with heavy socialization early on, social issues can still arise. However, if early socialization is done it is less likely that issues will arise. If you feel a dog you’ve adopted has developed issues call in a trainer to help you.

2. Never let your dog just run up and greet another dog it doesn't know on the street.
This is definitely one way to risk a negative interaction with another dog, and it is also rude canine behavior (all canines, not just Pit Bulls). Likewise, do not allow strange dogs to run up to your dog. This type of “meeting” can lead to an unpleasant altercation, and create a negative experience for all dogs involved.
Keep your dog distracted by getting him to focus on you and not other dogs on the street. This will also keep the dogs from staring at each other that may also lead to frustrated leash pulling behavior. Having your dog stay focused on you and not other dogs will also help prevent leash frustration/aggression.

3. Dogs must be introduced carefully and slowly.
DO NOT allow the dogs to meet face-to-face. This enables your dog to “stare” at the other dog which can lead to frustration or a greeting gone wrong.
DO let the dogs get settled in a neutral environment. One dog should not be just standing in a room waiting for another dog to come in to greet him – the dog in the room can view the room as “his.” This also sets up the face-to-face greeting that you never want. Meeting in “claimed” territory or small spaces can set the greeting up for failure.
DO let arousal levels go down considerably before greeting. Let them get used to each other's presence before letting them interact. It is best to take them on a walk side by side first so that they can get acquainted in a non-threatening fashion. Then let them greet side by side if possible not nose to nose. Nose to rear is normal and a good way for dogs to greet. For more on dog to dog intros see www.ourpack.org/dogdogintros.html

4. Dogs should not learn to socialize at dog parks.
While some dogs may enjoy the dog park, lots of folks use the dog park to “exercise” their dogs to compensate for lack of activity. Dogs may come to the park overly excited and aroused. With a lack of management on the humans part this can create a free-for-all sort of atmosphere where anything can happen. Your dog can get pushed around by other overly excited dogs. Also, if owners aren’t watching and a fight starts it’s a sure bet your dog will be blamed. A fight is a very negative experience for your dog and can cause him to be fearful and/or less social around other dogs. Public dog parks really aren’t a good place for socializing. Not because of the dogs but because the humans don’t often manage their dogs and this creates an uncontrolled and many times negative environment for any dog. As above, finding friends with dogs your dog enjoys is best.

5. Opposite sexes are more likely to get along.
If you are looking for a new playmate or housemate for your dog, you would do best to pick one of the opposite sex. Also, please spay or neuter your dogs. Dogs that are still “intact” have sex hormones that can make them more reactive to other dogs. Altered pets lead healthier, longer, happier lives and often exhibit fewer behavioral issues. Additionally, chemistry is everything. With good chemistry between two dogs it’s very possible that two of the same sex can get along very well especially if they’re spayed/neutered. Start out with opposites though.

6. Keep your dog as social as possible throughout his life.
You can do this by finding friends with balanced dogs. Things usually go well under good supervision after slow appropriate introductions. You should also take him to a good leash manners class that encourages him to be more focused on you and not the other dogs in class by using distraction techniques. Establish leadership in class and extend that leadership over to playtime. While your dog is at play, work to have good positive control over him. Continue play groups often, and classes periodically to maintain good leash manners throughout your dog’s life so he remains desensitized to being around other dogs on leash. All dogs of all kinds benefit from good positive leadership and structure throughout their lives. For more info on classes go to www.ourpack.org/classes.html

Marthina McClay, CPDT
Dog Trainer/Behavioral Counselor
Certified Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
Tester/Observer for Therapy Dogs

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