Training your American Pit Bull Terrier

There is one thing everyone should know before they begin training a American Pit Bull Terrier. Knowing these guidelines will help you to train a very reliable and obedient dog. Here they are one by one.

Before you start make sure you are in an area that is free of distractions. Training Inside your home could possibly be the best place. Try a quiet room like a den or living room area. When starting something new with your dog it is best to have absolutely no distractions. This way you have your dog's undivided attention.

Many people make the common mistake during training conducting it in an environment where there is a lot of noise and many distractions. As the training progresses the dog will show signs of not paying attention when in reality they have not being properly trained. Sometimes people will blame their dogs for not learning properly when it is really slow progress due to distractions.

Always have a special word that helps to keep your dogs attention and to stay focused. A special word will reduce your dog becoming confused. A special word is always best because it can be fun. The word is one that only you and your dog will know.

Do not mix in other words with the special word. Most often people will make the mistake in training by adding in another word. The results will be that your dog will end up obeying the word added at the end of the special word instead of the special word itself.

Use a word that has a high value. It helps when you know what motivates your dog. For example, if your dog loves balls. Teach the high value word as you show them the ball. Use this motivator as part of the training process. It can add a lot of fun to training. You can even use your dog's favorite treat as the motivator during the training process. Always use something that your dog is absolutely crazy about and that there is no replacement for as the motivator.

Never ever call your dog to scold them. This is very important. Think back to when you were growing up and your parents would call you to lecture you about something you did or said wrong. Didn't you start to associate them calling you with being punished? Did you go over and get punished? Of course not and neither will your dog because your dog will start to make that same association. If this should happen you will definitely have to start all over again with the training process.

This is a very common mistake that people make when they are training their dogs. After that trust is broken between you and the dog it takes quite awhile to gain it back. One way to correct this mistake if it has already happened is to choose another special word then start the training from scratch.

When you are consistent in training your dog and give them rewards for obeying you have a reliable dog that knows recall.

Many people never stop to realize that training is a process that never ends. Don't expect to teach your dog to sit and they immediately know what you are teaching them. Repetition is the key to training. After you teach a command reinforce that command by constantly using it. Don't just use a command one time then never use it again. If you do your dog will forget the command and not obey. Many people feel at this point that their dog has not learned.