The American Pit Bull Terrier breed, or simply Pit Bull, is well known by society. It is common for them to relate it as one of the most aggressive dogs and to promote safety in its handling when adopting it. But the truth is that they have not generated this social controversy, but rather have been victims of bad press by people without knowledge who have distorted this very special breed.
We are often visited by owners of this breed who want to adopt a second dog and have doubts about whether the current guardian of their house, when the new tenant walks through the door, will attack him and They will be in big trouble. Many times as veterinarians we face these questions that we will try to answer in the simplest way possible.
In this article on our site we will talk about the pit bull coexistence with other dogs, points to take into account, conscious training and everything what can be presented as doubt at the time of the new incorporation.
Knowing the origins of the pitbull
I am convinced that if we do not know the origins of the breed and the reason for its character or its innate behavior, it will be almost impossible for us to face the thousands of doubts that arise when we consider house a "dangerous" breed.
The American Pit Bull Terrier is a breed that originated in the United States but is descended from the English bulldog, known as a symbol of American courage and prideas it was bred for bullfighting dogs.
This is a muscular breed, of medium size, with a large and strong jaw, whose bite can cause a lot of damage to its opponent. Due to its agility and strength, it is a breed that was used for dog fights, which were banned a few years ago, although, unfortunately, they continue to be carried out clandestinely.
These characteristics have been a double-edged sword for this dog when it comes into the hands of owners who do not know how to train it correctly. He carries these abilities in his genes, but it is in the hands of each owner the training to which he will subject his animalin order to live in harmony in society.
Education and socialization, keys for the arrival of a new dog
Knowing the aptitudes of the breed since its origins, we cannot ignore a correct training and education when living with one of these beautiful specimens. The behavior of the dog will depend on us.
All breeds have certain characteristics in their genes that we can take advantage of, just as a bloodhound will seek to smell during the walk and will depend on our training to learn to walk correctly, pit bull fans value their strength and agility, while those who are against define them as difficult animals for a family environment.
So, can pit bulls live with other dogs?
If we want to adopt a second dog in the family, we must make sure that our pitbull is properly educated and well socialized, that is, is able to interact with other animals in a correct and to obey our instructions whenever necessary. That will be critical to your safety. We must base all this on positive reinforcement, without using punishment, but firmly. It is important to clarify that the pit bull can live with other dogs since it is as social as any other canine.
In addition to the above, taking care of his day to day through games, activities, walks and a lot of affection, will be the determining factor for our pit bull to be happy and act appropriately. A dog suffering from stress or anxiety is not the best candidate for a companion. The priority is the he alth status of the dog we already have.
There are many myths surrounding the pitbull breed, but what we are sure of is that if they are animals that are trained to fight, they can become very aggressive. However, if we subject them to good training with love and gentleness, we will bring out their kinder side with other animals and with ourselves. Let's not be afraid of this beautiful breed, let's evaluate the cases individually and let's not judge all the dogs of the breed as the same individual.
There is a popular saying that says: The dangerous is the owner, not the breed.
How to introduce the pit bull and his new partner?
It is essential to remember that dogs are social animals, so if your dog is properly educated and socialized, there should not be any problem of coexistence
However, it is essential to remember that dogs are territorial animals and that a wrong place of presentation can be the trigger for a bad presentation. Remember that for two dogs to start off on the right foot you must take into account the following tips:
- The presentation will take place in a neutral point, never inside the home.
- Pay equal attention to both dogs.
- Don't force the situation, let them interact only if they want to.
- Avoid acting whenever you consider that none of the dogs is at risk.
- Avoid rewarding them with treats the first few days to avoid jealousy.
Once we see a positive reaction from both of us, we can consider bringing the new dog home. Of course, before arriving home we must prepare and accommodate the area so that neither of the two animals feels excluded. The ideal is to have one or two bowls for water, two feeders and two beds. We will wait between one and two days to offer them toys and treats and, under no circumstances, will we leave them alone with toys as this can be the source of a fight.
From then on we have to be firm in the education of both, but positive so that they are also positive among them. Having two dogs is a wonderful experience that is full of doubt and joy, but ultimately extremely positive.
