To own an APBT you need to
PUT YOUR SELF IN CHECK
and make a true commitment to be the best you can be as a person and as an owner.You need to dedicate yourself and your time, provide love, care and respect to your Pit Bull just like you would to your family members and other loved ones.
We believe in full disclosure of all breeds. It is irresponsible to only educate on the sunny feel good side of any breed.
To be a e RESPONSIBLE OWNER YOU MUST KNOW YOUR CHOSEN BREED and the issues that may or may not come with the breed. Education and preparation= Responsibilty
He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog.
You are his life, his love, his leader.
He will be yours, faithful and true to the last beat of his heart.
You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion
KNOW YOUR BREED..
Take the time-
to educate yourself on your chosen breed as this is the most important and responsible thing any dog owner can do. You will be amazed at what you really dont know but thought you did. Knowing the ins an outs of your breed, its history and behavior traits will help you in being a sucessful and responsible owner.
TRAINING
Take the time
to attend obedience classes. Training is just as important for the owner as it for your dog. Due to the prejudices that pit bulls and their owners face our dogs actions must be kept in check at all times and have to display better manners than any other breed. Training should be part of your daily routine/lifestyle and considered as an ongoing task for the life of your dog.
EXERCISE
Take the time
to exercise your pittie to burn off their famous terrier energy, as with training this must be part of your daily routine and lifestyle. Exercise helps with keeping your dog balanced and happy....plus a tired dog is a happy dog !!!
BODY LANGUAGE_
Take the time
to recognize and learn canine body language. This is how they communicate with us. It is our responsibility to learn our dogs body language and to learn how they react in certain situations and in turn so we respond appropriately
SOCIALIZATION
Take the the time
to socialize your dog with as many different people as possible, with kids, with the elderly ,disabled and people of all different ethnicity's. Socialize your dogs at a level that is good for your dog. Don’t rush your dog into any introduction. Make sure people ask before approaching. Please do not be afraid to tell well meaning people that your dog is in training and not to approach. Provide lots of supervised socialization with known dogs . Provide slow and careful (on leash) introductions with unknown dogs. Small play groups with known dogs is the best option. If your dog is at a matured age and has not had a lot of socialization then being off leash is NOT a very idea and you are asking for trouble. Instead opt for slower, short leashed introductions and play (see SOCIALIZATION section ). The same holds true for dominant dogs or over submissive dogs.Side by side walking sessions is an excellent way to safe socialize your dog. Obedience classes are great for teaching mature dogs socialization skills. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND DOG PARKS AND PIT BULLS DO NOT MIX AND SHOULD NOT BE PART OF YOUR DOGS SOCIALIZATION. DO NOT SET YOUR DOG UP FOR TO FAIL
FOLLOW ALL LAWS
Take the time
to KNOW your county and state laws in regards to your breed and basic dog laws. Always have your registration, vaccinations ,and any mandated tag on your dog when in public. ALWAYS follow the LEASH LAWS. Having your dog on a leash can save its life in more ways than one.
KEEPING YOUR DOG SAFE -
Take the time
to make sure your dog is secured at all times. Pit Bulls are great escape artist and can clear a 6 foot fence in one easy leap. Please do not leave your dog alone in the backyard when not at home. They are like children who must be watched when outside. A loose pit running around the neighbor is conceived as a threat and people have no problem causing great harm to them. Take the time to make sure that your fencing is secure and that there are no holes at the foot of the fence.
Tip:When not at home, bring your dog inside the house and crate if need be. If you just can’t or won’t bring your dog inside please make sure your dog is in a secured kennel with adequate shelter from the elements which includes weather changes, the neighborhood children and other loose dogs. Do not leave your dog on a chain inside a kennel or outside as too many dogs have died from getting tangled in their chains. Strangulation can occur when the dog tries to get out of a collar that is clasped to the chain. Being responsible means protecting your dog from any type of danger and or harm.