My Temporary (Potentially Permanent) Addition

[Freedom]

Hi Brennan!

Wow, he is handsome! How old is he?

Pitties are a wonderful breed, but they do need constant training -- reminding of what's allowed and what isn't (kinda like my Willy, lol).

I always tell folks to take group obedience classes. A dog doesn't learn much in one hour, but you sure do. And you learn from watching others, they make comments which help you. And your dog is around other people and other dogs, which helps with socializing. One on one costs lots more, and you are missing a whole element. There are situations where 1 on 1 is proper, but not for initial training unless the dog is anti dog social.

Well, good luck with him! Cats do take time to adjust to a newbie in the home, and new dog takes them longer than a new cat. Mine start by hiding. Next I'll see them peaking around corners, gazing down from counter tops and the fridge. Eventually they will walk in and out of the room the dog is in, lol.

[Roxyluvsme13]

Hi Brennan!

Wow, he is handsome! How old is he?

Pitties are a wonderful breed, but they do need constant training -- reminding of what's allowed and what isn't (kinda like my Willy, lol).

I always tell folks to take group obedience classes. A dog doesn't learn much in one hour, but you sure do. And you learn from watching others, they make comments which help you. And your dog is around other people and other dogs, which helps with socializing. One on one costs lots more, and you are missing a whole element. There are situations where 1 on 1 is proper, but not for initial training unless the dog is anti dog social.

Well, good luck with him! Cats do take time to adjust to a newbie in the home, and new dog takes them longer than a new cat. Mine start by hiding. Next I'll see them peaking around corners, gazing down from counter tops and the fridge. Eventually they will walk in and out of the room the dog is in, lol.

He's a little over a year old they think, but can't tell for sure as he was rescued off the streets. Poor guy was living on mulch when his previous family found him and took him in.

I'm having a lot of trouble finding any obedience classes around here. I don't really want to do a Petsmart/Petco class as I read online that they're not usually the best. I really need to keep searching though and see if I can find a class. He's definitely gotta get enrolled as soon as possible.

Yeah, the cats hide, but as soon as I take Brennan in my room and crate him, they come out. He tries to chase them (as they are a new object and I guess the high prey drive thing?) but he has to learn they are not chew toys or breakfast!

I've already seen some of the constant reminding needed in action! lol. It's going to be a lot of work, but I think I can handle it.

[Sowa]

He is beautiful. I hope it works for you and him

[Roxyluvsme13]

Thanks

The cats are fine as long as Brennan is in another room, so with time, I think they may be able to adjust.

We've decided we're keeping him .

So, here's a couple more pictures!




We're off to buy him some dog food. Probably starting him on 4health lamb and rice for now, might switch to something completely grain-free later on.

And I'll try getting some better pictures of him outside in the near future when I have time .

Learned this morning that he's going to need constant reminders, as Sandie said! But he's still doing well with "sit" and "Down".

[luvofallhorses]

He is very handsome! Bri, you need to know he some day may not get along with Lily. You need to be prepared to seperate them permanently. It's a HUGE commitment. He may never learn that cats are off limits either. Please get a breakstick ASAP. It's better for you to have one, than him going after Lily or your cats and you cannot get them apart and he can do more damage to your cats and Lily than they can since they are little compared to him.

The breaksticks are only to be used with pit bulls though, not other breeds. No dog parks or dog daycares for him either! I really hope it works out, but you need to sit down with your mom and really think about it before making such a huge commitment and have her look at these links as well so you are on the same page. I know you said he is your responsibilty, but she may learn some things too about this wonderful breed.

http://www.pbrc.net/breakfight.html
http://www.pbrc.net/shop/bsticks.html
http://www.pbrc.net/multidogs.html

http://www.pbrc.net/rotate.html

Doing intros the right way:
http://www.pbrc.net/training_cat_dog.html
http://www.pbrc.net/dogintros.html

http://www.pbrc.net/training.html

http://ahimsadogtraining.com/blog/leash-walking/

You also need to make sure your house insurance will cover a pit bull. Check into it, if you're keeping him, you will have to get insurance that covers him.
http://www.badrap.org/insurance-providers

http://www.badrap.org/node/97
http://www.badrap.org/what-expect

[Roxyluvsme13]

He is very handsome! Bri, you need to know he some day may not get along with Lily. You need to be prepared to seperate them permanently. It's a HUGE commitment. He may never learn that cats are off limits either. Please get a breakstick ASAP. It's better for you to have one, than him going after Lily or your cats and you cannot get them apart and he can do more damage to your cats and Lily than they can since they are little compared to him.

The breaksticks are only to be used with pit bulls though, not other breeds. No dog parks or dog daycares for him either! I really hope it works out, but you need to sit down with your mom and really think about it before making such a huge commitment.

http://www.pbrc.net/breakfight.html
http://www.pbrc.net/shop/bsticks.html
http://www.pbrc.net/multidogs.html

http://www.pbrc.net/rotate.html

Doing intros the right way:
http://www.pbrc.net/training_cat_dog.html
http://www.pbrc.net/dogintros.html

http://www.pbrc.net/training.html

http://ahimsadogtraining.com/blog/leash-walking/

You also need to make sure your house insurance will cover a pit bull.
http://www.badrap.org/insurance-providers

http://www.badrap.org/node/97
http://www.badrap.org/what-expect

Yeah, I've thought about that. We're borrowing his previous family's crate for now and keeping them separated until we get our own crate. Doing a crate and rotate situation, or something very similar to that without the crates for the cats.

I'm hoping that if he ever has issues with Lily I'll be able to move out by that time where he is an only dog, but if not we can handle separation.

I've already informed my mom to keep them separated and all of the other important things, I'll have to teach her about a breakstick too.

Thanks for all the info, I'll be sure to read everything

[luvofallhorses]

You are welcome! I love his sweet face, he reminds me of Gotti from our shelter who got adopted and Bandit a pit bull I worked with.

Irescue: No dog parks because they do not need dog friends. If another dog instigates a fight and your dog reacts the dog will get blamed because it's a pit bull. I would not risk it as there is enough bad rap on this wonderful breed don't need more news stories. All the training in the world can not bring out dog aggression. You can only manage it. There are safer places to take a pit bull than a dog park. Bri, there is a sticky on PBC about pit bulls and dog parks and safe places to take your bulldog.

[IRescue452]

No dog parks? My dogs play with pitties at dog parks all the time. Of course with any new adult dog you want to be sure of their personality and training first.

He's beautiful. Please remember that cats can take weeks to get used to a new dog. My mom's cat, Jojo, still runs sometimes when the dogs get too hyper. He will rub up against them if they're calm. She's had him for almost a year I think.