Letting Your American Pit Bull Terrier Know You’re the Boss – Part 2 of 3

By Nathaniel 3X Rhine

In this article, part 2 of a 3 part series, I will continue to list some rules every American Pit Bull Terrier owners as well as other dog owners should follow to ensure your dog knows his place in your human pack. Dogs need to have a clear place in their pack. A dog lacking in this clear order is an unhappy dog.

Rule Number Seven: One should not lie on the floor to watch TV when the dog is around and no one should roll around on the floor playing with the dog, as a human should never put himself in an equal or lesser height position than the dog. For those who have a strictly outside dog, such as I have, this rule will not apply; however, it is good knowledge to possess.

Rule Number Eight: You the owner are the one who greets newcomers and visitors first. The dog is the last that gets attention. The pack leader is the one who greets visitors and lets the other dogs know when it is safe to greet the visitor.

Rule Number Nine: If your dog is lying in your path, do not walk around the dog. Either you make the dog move or you step over the dog.

Rule Number Ten: During the time you are establishing your higher pack position, no hugs should be given to the dog by you, as a dominant dog may consider this a challenge of power.

Rule Number Eleven: If you establish eye contact with your dog, the dog must avert his gaze first. If you avert first this reinforces the dog higher power position. Tell children not to have a staring contest with a dog, as if they avert or blink first, it will reinforce in the dog’s mind, he is top dog.

Rule Number Twelve: Very dominate dogs who have a problem with growling should not be allowed to lie on your furniture, as the leader of the pack always gets the most comfortable spot. Dogs belong on the floor. If you do decide to allow your dog on the furniture, you must be the one who decides when he is allowed up and you must be the one who decides when he is to get off, by inviting him and telling him to get down.

Rule Number Thirteen: Dogs must not sleep in your bed. The comfortable bed is reserved for the human, not the dog.

Rule Number Fourteen: Your dog must never be allowed to mouth or bite anyone at any time, including in play.

Rule Number Fifteen: No tug-of-war, as this is a game of power and you may lose the game giving the dog reinforcement in the dog’s mind that he is top dog.

Rule Number Sixteen: Any attention given to your dog, including petting should be given when you decide that attention is to be given.

Rule Number Seventeen: Games of fetch or play with toys must always be started and ended by you.

Rule Number Eighteen: Dogs need to be taught a “drop it” or release command. Any object the dog has in his possession should be able to be taken away by all humans.

I shall stop here for now in order for you to digest what was said and to give you time to put into practice what was said. Part Three of this article will come in the very near future, God willing. Thank you for your attention and time.