Hi! Im Anissa, and I just joined this site yesterday. I found it by doing a search on pitbull advice. Ive already looked through a few threads and found some helpful information. Hope to stick around and learn more.
My husband, my daughter (12 yrs old) and I now have 2 pitbulls, Charlie (almost 2 years old) and Brock (6 weeks 3 days old). My husband always wanted a pitbull, and although I didnt believe in all the 'myths' about pit's, I was still alittle apprehensive. We decided to look at the dog shelter, and found Charlie.
We've had Charlie for 6 months. Although we didnt have any information on where he came from or why he was in the shelter, just by spending some time with him before we made the decision, we could tell he was very well behaved. He was housetrained already, have never had an accident in the house. He listened to basic commands, sit, come etc. We still have to command him a few times until he'll 'down', and sometimes confuses it for 'shake a paw', but we're all trying. The only issue we have with him, is possible anxiety. We made the mistake of leaving him out of his kennel when we ran out for a minute, and he tore apart all of our blinds trying to sneak a peak out of the window. We now kennel him everytime we all leave the house. I tried leaving him out again a few months later, and same thing. Otherwise, he is very well tempered, and I think we got lucky by getting him from the shelter.
Our other pitbull is 6 weeks and 3 days old today. We just got him yesterday. Charlie has always been good with other female dogs, infact we babysit another pitbull, Lily. He doesnt like adult males though, its a dominance thing. We decided that we wanted another male, and considering it is just a baby, we hoped for the best. We brought Brock home yesterday and Charlie instantly took to him. He doesnt quite mother Brock, but he plays gently with him, and actually takes him out to pee! Unfortunately we've already had a few 'accidents' in the house.
This is our first time having a new puppy, pitbull or otherwise. Ive been spending all of the time that I cant sleep because Brock is barking and crying from the kennel, to try and figure out how this whole training thing goes. I NEED to get down the basics, house training, crate training etc. Ill worry about the tricks and such later!
I plan on sticking around here, probably asking lots of basic questions, hoping that you will all forgive my ignorance. I havent slept a wink all night, Brock cried for 8 hours straight. I finally let him out with Charlie a few minutes ago, brought him back in, moved the kennel closer to where I am right now, and he's FINALLY asleep in it. Now hopefully I can go get some rest.
P.S. Id appreciate ANY and all information/links etc. you might be able to provide a new pitbull mommy. Thanks!