Training a Pit Bull-Type Dog: Challenges and Fixes

AKC group	Not an AKC breed; the American Pit Bull Terrier is registered by the UKC
Common training challenges	daily exercise needs, introductions to other dogs, stubbornness, housing and insurance rules

What “pit bull” means

“Pit bull” is a label rather than one breed. It most often refers to the American Pit Bull Terrier, which VCA notes has been registered by the United Kennel Club since the UKC was formed in 1898, and to dogs of similar type. The AKC does not register a breed by that name; VCA explains that the AKC accepted related dogs in 1936 as Staffordshire Terriers, renamed American Staffordshire Terriers in 1972. In breed-specific laws, the ASPCA says, the “pit bull” class typically includes American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers and English Bull Terriers, and the rules can also apply to dogs who simply resemble them.

The ASPCA adds that the vast majority of pit bull-type dogs in U.S. communities today are the result of random breeding, and that tremendous behavioral variation exists among individuals of the same breed or type.

Why appearance doesn’t tell you much

Many dogs are called “pit bulls” because of how they look. A study of 120 shelter dogs published in The Veterinary Journal (Olson et al., 2015) compared shelter staff’s visual breed labels with DNA results: DNA identified 21% of the dogs as pit bull-type, while staff collectively labeled 52% as pit bull-type, and the authors concluded that visual identification of pit bull-type dogs was unreliable. The ASPCA also cites the difficulty of identifying breeds, especially in mixed-breed dogs, as one reason the CDC opposed breed-specific laws.

What that means for training: start from the dog in front of you, not from a label.

Origin, briefly

Both the ASPCA and VCA trace these dogs to 19th-century crosses of bulldogs and terriers in England after bull-baiting was outlawed. The ASPCA notes that some were later used for dog fighting, and VCA notes that pit bulls came to America by the mid-1800s, where they were used for fighting as well as all-purpose farm dogs. The ASPCA points out that dogs bred to fight other dogs were not necessarily aggressive toward people.

What the sources say about training

Topic	What the sources say
Exercise	Daily exercise such as a long walk, short jog or energetic games; a calm, alert housedog when regularly exercised (VCA)
Learning	“Learns quickly, but can be stubborn” and tends to rebel against forceful methods (VCA)
Method	Reward-based training (VCA; the AVSAB recommends reward-based methods for all dogs)
Other dogs	VCA’s American Staffordshire Terrier profile: not friendly toward strange dogs and not a good candidate for dog parks. The ASPCA: tremendous individual variation; judge each dog by its actions

Typical challenges and a mini plan for each

1. Daily exercise needs

VCA describes a calm, alert housedog as long as the dog gets regular exercise, such as a long walk, short jog or energetic games.

1. Plan daily exercise that fits your dog’s age and health.
2. Add brain work: scent games, food puzzles and short training sessions.
3. For any strong dog that pulls, use a well-fitted front-clip harness and loose-leash training rather than prong or choke collars.

Full plans: our guide to mental stimulation and loose-leash walking guide.

2. Introductions to other dogs

The sources point in different directions here: VCA’s breed profile describes dogs that are not friendly toward strange dogs and are poor candidates for dog parks, while the ASPCA stresses individual variation. Either way, careful introductions protect everyone.

1. Introduce new dogs gradually, one at a time, in a calm, neutral place.
2. Watch body language, and end meetings early if either dog stiffens or stares.
3. Choose calm, well-matched playmates over crowded, unstructured settings.
4. Get help from a qualified, reward-based professional if you see tension or growling.

Full plans: the “at other dogs on walks” advice in our barking guide, and the warning signs in our guide to stopping biting.

3. Stubbornness

VCA says these dogs learn quickly but can be stubborn, and tend to rebel against forceful methods.

1. Teach a clear “yes” marker and reward generously.
2. Keep sessions short, and make a step easier when your dog stalls instead of repeating the cue.
3. Avoid force and punishment: the AVSAB recommends reward-based methods for all training.

Full plan: our basic commands guide.

A sample day

This is an example, not a prescription: adjust it to your dog’s age, health and your schedule, and keep training sessions short.

Time	Exercise	Brain work	Training	Rest
Morning	Long walk on a front-clip harness	Breakfast in a food puzzle	5 minutes: sit and “leave it”	Chew on a mat
Midday
Afternoon
Evening

Housing, local laws and insurance

Owners of pit bull-type dogs in the U.S. often run into rules that other owners don’t. We report them here without taking a position on them:

• Local laws. The ASPCA says more than 700 U.S. cities have enacted breed-specific laws, and that some states, including New York, Texas and Illinois, prohibit them in favor of breed-neutral approaches. It notes these rules can apply to dogs who simply resemble the regulated breeds.
• Housing. The ASPCA notes that complying with breed bans can lead to housing issues for owners. Check your lease, your building’s rules and local ordinances before you adopt or move.
• Insurance. The Insurance Information Institute says some insurers charge more for owners of breeds such as pit bulls, some require liability waivers, and some may not insure homeowners who own certain breeds, while at least Pennsylvania and Michigan have laws restricting insurers from canceling or denying coverage based on breed in some policies.

Puppies and adults

Start socialization and handling early; our puppy training guide has a socialization checklist and advice on choosing a reward-based puppy class. Adult dogs adopted from shelters may come with unknown histories: start with management, give them time, and let the individual dog show you what they need.

Guides that help most with this breed

• Basic Obedience
• Leash Walking
• Mental Stimulation
• Puppy Training