Getting a dog... Any Tips? EDIT: GOT A DOG! PICS!!!

[Mopar440+6]

Hey guys, I've finally got the chance to get a dog. She is a 1-1/2 - 2 year old pitbull; very sweet and extremely smart. My cousin has had her since she was 6 months old but has to get rid of her now. The reason he is getting rid of her is because she acts up when she isn't the center of attention and with two other dogs he just doesn't have the time to give her the one-on-one attention she needs. So rather than send her to a shelter or someone he doesn't know will take care of her I'm going to take her in. My cousin and I both feel this is a better arrangement since she knows me and I know her "personality." (Or would it be "dogality" ) My cousin is giving me her crate, bed, leash, food bowls, etc. My family has always had a dog around but does anyone have any extra tips for me? Thanks guys!

[Old Moparz]

You have to feed them, they get hungry. They also need to drink, but don't buy the cheap beer, because they fart a lot from it. My dog never learned how to use the litter box so I had to walk him. That isn't fun in rain & snow, but it's more fun than cleaning the carpet.

Sounds like you did a good thing keeping her from the shelter though, just be patient since dogs are a lot of work. 

[rare69]

not real fond of pit bulls if you have small children at home. buy a muzzle and a shot gun.seems there wires get short circited every so often and need to chew on someone.

[Chris G.]

just be patient since dogs are a lot of work. 

If you love dogs, it's not work at all. BTW Bob, put down the beer my friend...litter box? Yikes! 

It sounds like this pitbull can be a little tempermental. It's a big step raising one. Good Luck my man. Post some pics when you can. 

[Mopar440+6]

just be patient since dogs are a lot of work.

If you love dogs, it's not work at all. BTW Bob, put down the beer my friend...litter box? Yikes! 

It sounds like this pitbull can be a little tempermental. It's a big step raising one. Good Luck my man. Post some pics when you can.

I love dogs with a passion, especially pitbulls, so patience working with her shouldn't be a problem. It's not that shes tempermental, she just likes to test my cousin's patience every so often. Things like making a mess of the carpet even after she has been outside for 3 hours and not listening when the other dogs are around. I think she feels left out because he spends more time with the other two dogs rather than her...

SideNote: Has anyone had any experience with those wireless dog fences?

[BLACKWOLF]

A BIG PIECE OF ADVICE! KEEP IT AWAY FROM SMALLER DOGS. WE ACQUIRED A HALF PIT/ HALF LAB FROM MY GIRLFRIEND'S COUSIN. SHE HAS ATTACKED OUR BLACK WIRE HAIRED TERRIER 3 TIMES. SHE IS LAYING ON THE BED WITH HER THROAT AND UPPER CHEST SEWED UP. IT HAS 2 DRAIN TUBES STICKING OUT OF IT.
WE HAVE TO KEEP THEM SEPARATED 24/7.
IF YOU HAVE A SMALLER DOG WATCH OUT!

[Mopar440+6]

No kids and no other pets in the house. Blackwolf, that was most likely not just because the dog is half pit. More likely is that it was a dominance/territory issue or the dog was not socialized well with other dogs at a young age...

[BLACKWOLF]

I HAVE A F BASSETT HOUND AND A M BORDER COLLIE ALSO! SHE DOESN'T TRY TO KILL THEM.

[Steve P.]

As to your "Q" on the (wireless fence). I believe they call it ( invisible fence). Anyway, my sister in law has a pretty smart dog that figured out how to get passed it without getting blasted. Her dog would get close enough to the buried wire to set off the warning signal. That is enough to eat up the battery fairly quick. Once the battery is dead, off the dog would go...

Also, other people have no idea that you have Invisible fence and would think the dog is loose. With a Pit I would think that is Not a good idea..  Also if the dog has a good run going he only gets the blast until he crosses the wire. Once he has passed the wire he no longer gets the big charge.. He is gone..

Put up a fence.......

[kab69440]

How many cats are you trading for it?

[Shakey]

A Pitbull eh!

Good choice, I hear they are great with kids.

I like the idea of keeping a shotgun handy to slow them down should they get outta control.

[451-74Charger]

I like dogs.....with rice only though
Local Petstore is righ next to the Asian restaurant.. wonder what is on the menu...?

Truthfully, i was never really a dog person, until I got my German Shepherd, was ok for a while until he mistook me for someone trying to get in the house (i was carrying boxes and he couldnt see my face...) a trip to the emergency room, and 2 fingers less....
He did what he was supposed to do, so ii let the ex Girlfriend have him when we split

If you are going to have a pitbull, they are just as territorial and protective, they get jealous, and when they do, watch out.
My advice, get a big fence, and pay it lots of attention. you should be fine then.

[4402tuff4u]

Hey guys, I've finally got the chance to get a dog. She is a 1-1/2 - 2 year old pitbull; very sweet and extremely smart. My cousin has had her since she was 6 months old but has to get rid of her now. The reason he is getting rid of her is because she acts up when she isn't the center of attention and with two other dogs he just doesn't have the time to give her the one-on-one attention she needs. So rather than send her to a shelter or someone he doesn't know will take care of her I'm going to take her in. My cousin and I both feel this is a better arrangement since she knows me and I know her "personality." (Or would it be "dogality" ) My cousin is giving me her crate, bed, leash, food bowls, etc. My family has always had a dog around but does anyone have any extra tips for me? Thanks guys!

Not to be an alarmist or pessimist, but always be alert with that type of dog with human beings especially kids and other dogs.......treat it as a loaded gun. Heard and read to many horror stories. Good luck.

[Tom_440]

I've know some real sweet pits, and some not so nice ones. If you have homeowner's or renters insurance, check it out. Many insurance companies will not insure you if you have a pit.

[greenpigs]

My advise, get a cat instead.

[volk68]

I like dogs.....with rice only though
Local Petstore is righ next to the Asian restaurant.. wonder what is on the menu...?

Truthfully, i was never really a dog person, until I got my German Shepherd, was ok for a while until he mistook me for someone trying to get in the house (i was carrying boxes and he couldnt see my face...) a trip to the emergency room, and 2 fingers less....
He did what he was supposed to do, so ii let the ex Girlfriend have him when we split

If you are going to have a pitbull, they are just as territorial and protective, they get jealous, and when they do, watch out.
My advice, get a big fence, and pay it lots of attention. you should be fine then.

The shepherd ate two of your fingers  

My folks had shepherds when I was a kid and continue to keep them to this day.  We even had a shepherd/wolf mix at one point, and I have never once seen one turn on an owner or friend of an owner.  In my experience, they have always been gentle and intelligent dogs.  They have also proven very gentle around children and smaller animals and are great kid/women protectors.  Our wolf mix was the coolest dog I have ever been around.  Very loyal to the entire family, gentle, intelligent, and very intuitive.  He actually had a nurturing personality, and acted as a parent for any animals smaller than him...cats, small dogs, etc.  He would let them play and bite him and never got pissed.  In fact, he would actually "break up" any activities that seemed too aggressive to him.  If the cats started playing too rough, he would nudge them appart...same with people.   The only time he ever exhibited any sign of being less than friendly was if all the guys were gone and just the women were home (family owns a campground), if someone suspicious showed up he simply wouldn't let them out of their car.  Very good judge of character...I would get another without hesitation.

[moparsons]

I have a 1/2 pit 1/2 boxer and she's great. 8 years old, never bit or tried to bite anyone. I would be a little leary if it's already 2 years old though. I'd be more comfortable raising it from a pup. Pits are like  fords some are really nice, and some will bite you in the ass!

[Arigmaster]

Congrats on the new doggie!  I don't have anything against Pits or any other dog. the bad rap that they have is only the result of bad owners. Any dog will only be as well mannered as they are brought up to be. If the dog is raised in a caring atmosphere with children or other pets, it will learn tollerence and will also learn where it fits into "The Pack".

My advice to you with this one since you did not raise it from "puppy" is to begin with your family first (especially the kids) and teach them the proper way to treat the dog and respect it's space while eating, sleeping, or when it has a rawhide or other toys. If the dog wants to play, it will let you/them know. It may even need to learn how to play if it has not been given the attention earlier.

When you first bring the dog home, your best bet is to keep a leash on it and attach it to your belt. Do this as much as you possibly can and it will teach the dog to always stay near by you and it is a passive way to teach it that you are the "alpha". It will also give you a chance to learn the dogs body language when it is exposed to other animals and family or friends. You will also be able to control it should something unexpected occure.

As bonds and trust is built between the dog and your family, you will not need to have it on leash as often and you will see that the dog will learn to always stay in sight of you. Have your spouse do this as well and then eventually the kids while in the house and the dog will learn its place...

Just my two cents

[Mopar440+6]

Well I went and picked Xena up from my cousin last night. She has been a perfect angel! Two hour long car ride home with no problems and no problems with the neighbor dogs. However I am going to end up spending a fortune on chew toys Anyway here are some pics...

[Blown70]

Good Job

Tom

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Pit Bulls have to be one of the ugliest breed of dog IMHO also the most violent.

You can say the dog is "so sweet" till you're blue in the face.......the thing is a living time bomb.  I have heard/seen too many horror stories involving these "sweet" animals......

Sorry dude, not my cup of tea.

[Mopar440+6]

the thing is a living time bomb.  I have heard/seen too many horror stories involving these "sweet" animals...

The animals are not the problem, it's the owners. Don't believe everything you hear on the bulls**t liberal media...

[Todd Wilson]

the thing is a living time bomb.  I have heard/seen too many horror stories involving these "sweet" animals...

The animals are not the problem, it's the owners. Don't believe everything you hear on the bulls**t liberal media...

You just keep telling yourself that.   

Must be a reason insurance companys wont insure owners and some towns and countys now wont even allow pit bulls to be kept.    No other dogs are set up like that.

They are bred to fight and be mean.  I suppose there are pit bulls out there that are raised different and are ok dogs  but you dont see many people walking a pure bred wolf around either.


Just be careful. In this day and age you could be in a lot of trouble if that dog flips its lid and the odds are in favor of it doing that.


Todd

[Silver R/T]

cute puppy

[rare69]

if you have small children in the home, please keep the dog in chew toys!

[SeattleCharger]

  A pitbull here in Seattle, couple weeks ago maybe?  jumped off a second story deck and landed on a lady and attacked the crap out of her, animal control had to put the dog down, this was supposedly a nice dog that never had problems,

     I just don't trust those dogs, the owners always say the dog is nice, but man, that locking jaw they have is just scary, I can't be comfortable close to one of those,
   Maybe the dog is 99.9% nice, but please be wary, when that dog latches onto someone it is too late, they can do a lot of damage fast, and good luck getting them off the person,  but good luck, I hope everything goes ok for you. 

    I had a friend that raised Rotts, show dog big males.  One of his dogs got into it with a pit and he was trying to seperate them, the dog bit into both his forearms deep, was ugly, and this was while he was wacking the pit with a 2x4 to try to get it to let go of his dog, yikes

    Those dogs aren't that  big but that locking jaw is lethal.  Once they go off, jeez.

         I can appreciate that you are giving the dog a good and caring home.   He can't help it if he is a pit bull, he is still a pet, right? 

[Sweet T]

Pitbulls are so great they've been banned from our region, and I think it's become province wide.

[moparsons]

Just raise it right and never let it out without a leash. Should be fine!

[Shakey]

I hear they like it when you poke them with a stick.

[adauto]

I agree with volk68... Sheps are always 100% loyal, protective of the family,gentile and intelligent!!

[adauto]

Posted too fast.... here's Junior!

[66ragtop]

Pit Bulls have to be one of the ugliest breed of dog IMHO also the most violent.

You can say the dog is "so sweet" till you're blue in the face.......the thing is a living time bomb.  I have heard/seen too many horror stories involving these "sweet" animals......

Sorry dude, not my cup of tea.

They only have this reputation because of the media.  When was the last time you heard a nice story about a pit bull on the news....NEVER because it's not a story to them.  Just like War coverage....biased.  Good job, the dog is a cutie!  Give it a belly rub from me!