How to Train a Hyper Pit Bull Puppy

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How to Train a Hyper Pit Bull Puppy

Medium

1-6 Weeks

Behavior

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Introduction

It is a sad fact that the Pit Bull breed has a bad reputation, largely through no fault of their own. This is mostly due to a few irresponsible owners who either trained their dogs to be aggressive or neglected to properly train the dog. A well-behaved Pit Bull is a delight and can be loyal and loving to his family. Therefore, it's super-important to train your Pit Bull pup and have him fall into the 'hero' not 'villain' side of the Pit Bull fence.

However, sometimes Mother Nature deals you a hyper-puppy. Don't despair. This happens with any breed, not just the Pit Bull, and you can overcome that hyperactivity when you know how. Just be aware that a hyper puppy has poor self-control, so this is a skill you need to teach the pup in order that he'll listen during training sessions.

Defining Tasks

Training a hyper Pit Bull puppy means interrupting his hyper behavior (ideally as soon as he starts to act up). Mostly the pup is likely to be hyper because he is enjoying the game and gets over-excited. When you stop the game until he calms down, he starts to learn the elements of self-control. Of course, nothing is ever that straightforward, but the following methods will give you hints and tips on how to get things going your way.

Getting Started

To teach a hyper Pit Bull you need:

The time and patience to be prepared to stop the game
Treats, for training and to reward his calm behavior
Toys, to engage him in play
A collar and leash for that vital exercise
Puzzle feeders to provide mental stimulation

The Teach Self-Control Method

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Step

Learn to interrupt hyper behavior

You have a hyper puppy, so you give him plenty of exercise and play. Unfortunately, both of these only get him more excited and so the game usually is brought to a premature end because the hyper puppy starts nipping or pulling at clothing. Obviously, the pup needs to expend his energy, but the trick is to teach the pup self-control by interrupting the game before he gets beyond the point of listening.

Step

Understand the aim

This method relies on playing in short bursts, say 15 seconds, and then expecting the pup to stop and wait for a reward. This teaches the pup the skill of halting mid-game and waiting, which in turn lets him calm down and prevents him getting over excited.

Step

Play in bursts

Equip yourself with a toy, treats, and a stopwatch or watch with timer function. Engage the dog in a game with the toy, but stick strictly to 15 seconds. At which point, put the toy out of sight.

Step

Have the pup sit

Now ask the pup to sit and wait. If necessary, lure him into a seated position using a treat. Give him lots of praise, but in a quiet way so as not to overexcite him. If the pup is good at sitting, make him wait a few seconds, then give the treat. If the pup is not good at sitting, lure him into a 'sit' then hold the treat above his nose so he stays seated, then reward him.

Step

Resume the game

Restart the game only once the pup is calm. Play for another 15 seconds, then stop and repeat the 'sit'. Follow this pattern for the play session.

Step

Extend the length of the play sessions

As the pup gets better at sitting and stopping, you can gradually extend the length of the play. Try 20 seconds, then 25 seconds, and so on. The idea is not to reach the point beyond which the pup is so excited he can't stop. Not only does this method prevent the hyper pup getting overexcited, but it also teaches him to stop and sit calmly, which lets his adrenaline level drop and makes for better behavior.

The Withdraw Attention Method

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Step

Understand the idea

A hyper puppy loves to play, but unfortunately, play makes him so excited that he loses control. This method teaches the pup that he only gets what he loves most (play) when he's under control. Conversely, he learns that when he becomes out of control then the game stops. Thus, he has a vested interest in controlling his over-excitement in order for the game to continue.

Step

Zero tolerance of hyper behavior

Recognize the tell-tale signs of your pup's hyperactivity. You want to stop the activity that is making him excited as soon as he shows signs of becoming hyper. As in the method above, let him calm and then resume the game to reward the calmness.

Step

Ignore the pup

If you stop the game but the pup keeps coming at you, then cross your arms and turn away from him. This sends a strong message that his behavior is unacceptable and ends the game. The pup should eventually learn that being over-excited ends the game. Once he is calm, resume play.

Step

Leave the pup

If you turn away and the pup still launches himself at your ankles and tugs at your trousers, then it's time to leave the room. Again, this is a powerful way of telling the pup his behavior is unacceptable. Only return to continue the game once he is calm.

Step

Give verbal clues

In addition, let the pup know his excitement is inappropriate. Say a short sharp "No!" or "Uh-oh!" when he jumps up or nips, then withdraw or have him calm down. This helps him understand precisely which behavior was unacceptable.

The Do's and Don'ts Method

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Step

Don't: Punish the puppy

Smacking or physical punishment only makes the pup anxious or fearful of you. Since anxiety is a major cause of aggression, this should be avoided at all costs.

Step

Do: Give the puppy an outlet for energy

Keep the puppy occupied, both mind and body. Use puzzle feeders to give him mental stimulation and stave off boredom. Ensure he gets plenty of exercise, once he is allowed outdoors. When still confined to the house, play games such as fetch, which allow the pup to run around and burn energy.

Step

Do: Engage in reward-based training

Use reward-based training methods to teach the pup basic commands such as 'sit', and 'look'. These are both excellent ways of interrupting undesirable behavior and allowing the dog to calm.

Step

Do: Consider clicker training

Clicker training is a method where the pup learns that a click means he's earned a reward. You then use the click to mark good behavior, such as the dog being momentarily calm, and help him understand with a treat that this is desirable behavior.

Step

Do: Praise calm behavior

A pup doesn't automatically know that calm is good, in his mind excited might be what you want. Make an effort to gently stroke and praise the pup when he's doing good things like resting quietly on his bed.

Success Stories and Training Questions

Training Questions and Answers

Question

Cali

Rottweiler

6 Months

1 found helpful

Question

1 found helpful

Cali

Rottweiler

6 Months

How can I get my dog t stop jumping on people as they come inside my home?

1 year, 9 months ago

Cali's Owner

Caitlin Crittenden

Dog Trainer

621 Dog owners recommended

Hello Destinee, Check out the Wag! article that I have linked below and follow one of the methods found in that article. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-australian-shepherds-to-not-jump Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

1 year, 9 months ago

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Question

Lucky

Pit bull

5 Months

1 found helpful

Question

1 found helpful

Lucky

Pit bull

5 Months

My puppy is super hyper, gets into everything and pees inside, how do i get him to stop and calm down so i can have him inside.

7 months, 4 weeks ago

Lucky's Owner

Caitlin Crittenden

Dog Trainer

621 Dog owners recommended

Hello Elizabeth, All of those things can actually improve with crate training. Check out the Surprise method from the article linked below for introducing the crate: Surprise method - introducing the crate: https://wagwalking.com/training/like-a-crate Check out the Crate Training method linked below for potty training using a crate: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-german-shepherd-puppy-to-poop-outside Check out the article linked below - which includes crate training, to deal with the chewing: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/train-dog-not-to-chew/ Check out the crate manners protocol and the Place command videos, to work on teaching impulse control and calmness: https://thegooddog.net/training-videos/free-how-to-training-videos/learn-to-train-the-good-dog-way-the-crate/ Place: https://thegooddog.net/training-videos/free-how-to-training-videos/learn-to-train-the-good-dog-way-place-command-the-good-dog-training-tips/ Check out the free PDF e-book After You Get Your Puppy for more info on puppy training, crate training - and it's many different benefits: www.lifedogtraining.com/freedownloads Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

7 months, 4 weeks ago

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Question

Stanley

American bully

6 Months

1 found helpful

Question

1 found helpful

Stanley

American bully

6 Months

Hi, so I have a puppy who constantly gets hyper aroused and starts jumping and biting. I have tried the above and he still goes. The trouble is as he is getting bigger my concern is I don't want an unstable and reactive dog. I've started to use a natural calming aid but it doesn't seem to work. Please note I've tried all of the above last thing is changing his food to see if that works. Or then it's potentially meds. It's very stressful and making me partly resent him.

1 week, 2 days ago

Stanley's Owner

Caitlin Crittenden

Dog Trainer

621 Dog owners recommended

Hello Andy, First, I would start with teaching commands that require a lot of mental energy from pup. Working a pup not only physically but also mentally tends to have the greatest effect on energy and encouraging calmness. This won't be a quick fix. It will take time to create new boundaries and structure for pup and for them to develop the impulse control they need through practice with you. Work on the following structured commands with pup. Work up to pup being able to stay on Place for an hour, walking behind you and focusing on you, learning spacial commands like Out - which means leave the area, and Leave It. Place: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O75dyWITP1s Thresholds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-w28C2g68M Out - which means leave the area: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Leave It method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Quiet method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark Place command: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O75dyWITP1s Down-Stay: https://www.thelabradorsite.com/train-your-labrador-to-lie-down-and-stay/ Heel- Turns method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel Off- section on The Off command: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-train-dog-stay-off-couch/ Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

6 days, 4 hours ago

Hi Caitlin
Thanks for taking the time to respond. He does know all the commands but admittedly we have not built duration into it. I will use the above and will come back to you. Again truly grateful for taking the time to respond.

6 days, 3 hours ago

Stanley's Owner

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