How to Train a Pitbull Puppy Basic Commands

If you have a pitbull puppy or you are planning to get one, you will be amazed how early you can teach your pup basic commands. As a matter of fact, you can start training him as early as 9 weeks old. Make sure to start with the most basic commands and use positive reinforcement to reward your pup. This guide will help you how to train a pitbull puppy basic commands. In addition to that, we will also give you some basic tips and guidelines in order to make sure that you will successfully train your dog regardless of what commands and behavior your want your pup to learn.

As a dog owner, it is important to know that pitbull puppies and other puppies in different breeds have short attention span. Normally, it only takes 15 minutes for them to get bored during training. So make sure you make the most of your time Also, we have chosen 5 basic commands to teach your pitbull puppy. These commands are the easiest to teach to your pup. As your puppy gets older you will be able to teach him more complicated behaviors. Not only that, his attention span will also get longer.

 

🐕How to Train a Pitbull Puppy Basic Commands: Defining Tasks

Before learning how to train a pitbull puppy basic commands, it is important to know that you should think of a training session as a great way to bond with your dog. Do not be too strict and serious when teaching him some basic commands. Make it fun and enjoyable so both of you will have a great time.

One way to make it fun is by setting it up as a game so your dog will want to win. Do not set the bar too high so that it easy for him to win.

The secret in training your dog is knowing when to level up training. What you will consider as “good enough” for a treat is going to be the moving goal. It is your job to increase the difficulty gradually so that your puppy pit will get used to it slowly. Introducing complex commands to him will make it more difficult for your dog especially if it is not gradual. Furthermore, before increasing the difficulty level, make sure that he already masters the basic commands you have been teaching. Do not teach him anything that you think they cannot handle.

Most importantly, do not scold your dog every time he commits a failure. Just ignore it. If you give them a scold during training, they will not think of training as an exciting and fun activity.

Getting Started

Based on my experience and my friends’, using a clicker will make your training session efficient as it helps your teach your dog basic commands in a faster way. A clicker is an inexpensive tool that produces  a clicking sound whenever you press the button. If you search for professional dog trainers on YouTube, you will notice that most of them are using a clicker.

One of the reasons why expert dog trainers love using this tool is because it is extremely powerful. It lets you mark a certain behavior the moment it is happening, giving you some time to give the reward to your dog.

On the other hand, if you do not have a clicker, you can also create your own sound in the form of whistle or a unique word. This will serve as the behavior marker. The secret is to never to fail to follow that sound with a treat that your dog really loves. For pitbull puppies, they love almost all kinds of food treats.

Give your pitbull puppy small bits of soft treats that are tasty when rewarding them. On the other hand, since pitbulls are mostly food motivated, you can make use of other standard kibble rations during training. Combining that with interesting stuff like small amount of cooked chicken is a brilliant idea.

 

🐕How to Train a Pitbull Puppy Basic Commands: 5 Simple Commands You Can Teach Your Puppy

🐾Teaching Your Dog to Come 

In knowing how to train a pitbull puppy basic commands, make sure to start with this most basic command. Choose quiet place, most likely indoor, when teaching your dog to come to you. Of course, you do not want any forms of distractions.

First, sit with your puppy and say the word “come”. Every time you say the word, give him treat and say the word “good job”. At first, you do not wait for your pup to do anything. Just keep saying the word and giving him treats after you say the word.

For the next step, place the treat on the floor close to you. The moment your puppy is done with the treat on the ground, mention his name. When he looks up at you, reward him with another treat. Repeat the process for a few times more until your begin putting the treat a little far away. Also, this is so that he can turn around to you when you mention his name.

Avoid saying the name of your puppy several times. Saying it frequently even if he does not respond, makes him think that it is okay for him to just ignore it. Instead, come closer to him and go back to a step where your pup can be successful at acting quickly whenever you say his name.

*Asking your pup to come by saying his name

The moment your puppy can turn around to face you, start adding movement and making the training session more enjoyable. Throw a treat on the floor and make small steps away from your pup while saying his name. They should go after you because chasing is one of the most enjoyable activity for dogs. When they are to catch them, give them plenty of praise and one soft treat. They must think that coming to you is enjoyable and comes with rewards.

Continue with this game and gradually adjust the distance. Also, you should try doing it in different locations. In the event that you want to do it outside, do not forget to put him on a leash. Also, when your pitbull comes to you, do not grab him as you might scare them. Praise and give them treats.

 

🐾 Teaching your dog sit

Of course, the ‘sit’ command is always on top of the list of the most basic commands you can teach your dog. Normally, there are two different methods of teaching your pitbull puppy to sit.

The first method of teaching your dog to sit is called the capturing method. To do this, stand in front of your dog while you are holding his favorite treat. Since your dog is excited for the treat, he will most likely jump for a few seconds. Say the word ‘sit’ until he calms down and finally sit. Say “yes” and reward your pitbull puppy with a treat. Repeat the same process, but this time, try going to other places. Motivate him to stand or jump and say the command “sit” several times. Reward your dog as soon as he sits.After repeating the process, you can say the word as your pitbull puppy starts to sit.

The second method is called the luring method. Sit down in front of your puppy, holding the treat that will serve as the bait. Place the lure in front of your dog’s nose then slowly lift the lure on top of his head. He will most likely sit as he lifts his head to get the treat. Let him eat the lure as his butt touche the floor. Repeat the same process for two times and then get rid of the food and use your hand instead. Do not forget to reward your puppy as soon as he sits. Once your pup understands the hand signal, you can start saying the word ‘sit’ before you show him the hand signal.

Never force your puppy to sit as this can be upsetting for them.

🐾Teaching your dog to stay 

Teaching the command ‘stay’ is also important in learning knowing how to train a pitbull puppy basic commands. If your dog knows how to ‘stay’, he will remain in his position until you say the word “yes” or “good job”.  It is easy to teach your dog to stay, the challenge here is how long they are going to stay in one place. In teaching your dog stay, the goal is for him to remain sitting/standing in one place until you release the clue.

First, teach your pup the release word. Repeat the word and press the clicker after every release word that you will say. You can use the word “ok” or “go” as release words. Stand with your dog in a sit or stand, and, throw a treat on the ground and say the command word as your dog makes his way to get the treat. Repeat the process for a couple of times until you can say the command and then reward him with treat after he starts to move. This method teaches your pup that the release word means that he has to move from his location.

The moment your dog learns the release word and when to sit, allow him to sit, turn and face your dog and then reward him with dog treats. Take a pause and then give him another reward for staying seated. Slowly increase the duration between treat. If your pup suddenly gets up even before you say the cue, that is fine. It simply means that your dog is not yet ready to sit for a long time.

🐾 Teaching your dog to lay down

Teaching your dog to “lay down” is somehow similar to teaching him the ‘sit’ command.  Simply wait for your day to lay down and then press the clicker right away. Capture the behavior by rewarding your dog after the click. This will also serve as his release cue to stand up. Then wait for him to lie down again. This time, wait for a little longer before you reward him. When you noticed that he is instantly lying down from standing up, you can start using the word “down” right before your dog lies down.

You can also use a lure in teaching your dog to lie down from a sitting or standing position. Similar to teaching him how to sit, hold the lure in front of his nose and slowly place the lure on the floor for him to completely lie down. Once your pitbull puppy’s elbow touches the floor, give him treats. After several practice, you can use an empty hand instead of lure when you bring him to the floor. If your dog can follow your hand signal, start saying the word “down” as you put your hand to the ground.

 

🐾 Before doing these methods on how to train a pitbull puppy basic commands, remember… 

Keep the training sessions enjoyable and short. 15-20 minutes of training is enough to teach him some basic commands. In addition to that, you should use positive reinforcement for every session. If you think that your dog is having a hard time learning the above-mentioned commands, observe the speed of your training. It is possible that you are going too fast or the session is not fun enough for your pitbull puppy.

Slow down if you have to. Also it is possible that your pitbull puppy is not motivated by the treat. With that, you might want to change the flavor of the treat.

Final Thoughts

Do not rush the process of teaching your pitbull the above-mentioned basic commands. Pressuring and scolding them will upset them. Always remember that what you are asking from your dog is not easy. If he is struggling, start from the start and slow down.

These four simple commands will make your training session fun. It is worth the time and effort as long as you stay patient and considerate with your pup. Also, only start training him when you are ready to be a calm and assertive trainer.