How to Train Bully Dogs: Inappropriate Behavior

Training dogs certainly involves teaching what dogs should do. However, training isn't all about teaching commands. Dogs, especially bully dogs, also need to know what they should not do.


Bully breeds, like every other type of dog, can develop compulsive habits that demonstrate inappropriate behavior. However, certain bully breeds seem to have a tendency to develop certain behaviors that stem from worry or compulsion, and allowing the behavior makes it worse. This is similar to giving a cigarette or bottle of vodka to a person with addictive tendencies.

There are five behaviors that are inappropriate and should be discouraged from an early age:

1. Chasing laser pointers or flashlights
2. Chasing the tail
3. Constant licking
4. Tugging 
5. Excessive barking

Chasing Laser Pointers or Flashlights

Bully breeds, such as this pit bull and Bull Terrier, love
chasing, but chasing behaviors can become compulsive.

Some people love using laser pointers or flashlights to burn a dog's energy as he or she chases the light across walls and floors. 

This habit, however, is dangerously compulsive, and many dogs will continue to look for the light long after it has disappeared. Although not every dog will become obsessed, some will spend every waking moment chasing flickers of light.

For this reason, never allow a dog to chase laser pointers and flashlights. Save that for the cats!

Chasing the Tail

Tail-chasing is especially popular among the bully breeds, and the Bull Terrier is the worst offender out of the lot. 

As an owner, always intervene when your dog begins spinning around and chasing their tail. Toys or treats can be used to reward and distract a dog when he or she stops.

Constant Licking

Licking is an extremely compulsive, inappropriate behavior that can become severely self-destructive if not stopped. 

Never allow your bully to constantly lick.

Licking usually results from frustration or "conflict behavior," which is when the animal wants to do something, but can't. If you don't understand what this means, watch people while stopped at red lights. Many of them will engage in grooming behaviors such as mirror-checking and hair-smoothing.

However, keep in mind that licking can also be caused by allergies. Some dogs have allergies to grass, road salt, or other objects, and will lick the pads of their feet or lower legs when itchy. Compulsive licking is typically marked by licking in certain spots.

Tugging

Bully breeds should only be permitted to tug on certain toys, but some trainers will argue that tugging should not be taught at all. 

Tugging, if allowed at all, should only be permitted with
certain toys.

If you do choose to play tugging games with your bully, set certain rules for the game. These include tugging on certain items only, learning the "leave-it" cue, and never tugging on clothing or skin. This last tip is crucial because a bully that is allowed to tug on skin and clothing with family will probably do so to guests.

Bully breeds, although loyal and loving, need to understand that the human owner is the leader. Therefore, when enjoying a tugging game with your bully, never allow the dog to play too roughly or allow the dog to win. Always ensure that the game is halted on your own terms.

Bullies who are taught to be calm will not really
bark unless they feel threatened.

Excessive Barking

Most people cannot distinguish between friendly barks and aggressive barks, and with the stigmas attached to bully breeds, it is best to not allow unnecessary barking at all.

Dogs can be taught a "be quiet" cue for unnecessary barking and never reward the animal when he or she barks. However, owners may also wish to reinforce barking in certain situations, such as when a person knocks on the door, or a stranger enters the property. As mentioned in the previous post, clickers can aid handlers in this endeavor. 

DreamEyce. "RescueMeTugz Toy and Kiwi." Photograph. deviantart.com, 2008. Web. 15 Nov. 2014. <link>.

Feeferlump. "And the winner is..." Photograph. deviantart.com, 2009. Web. 15 Nov. 2014. <link>.

Gladhnes. "Staffordshire Terrier." Photograph. deviantart.com, 2012. Web. 15 Nov. 2014. <link>.

Hawn, Roxanne. "Five Things You Shouldn't Teach Your Dog...and five things you should." Training Secrets for Bully Breeds 2014: 54-61. Print.

RoyalRuse. "American Bulldog." Photograph. deviantart.com, 2012. Web. 15 Nov. 2014. <link>.

Zheltkevich Photography. "puuuuuull....." Photograph. deviantart.com, 2013. Web. 15 Nov. 2014. <link>.

How to Train Bully Dogs: Basic Commands

After a bully dog has been taught socialization, the next step in ensuring a well-mannered advocate of

A well-mannered bully can change
negative perceptions.

the breeds is teaching basic commands.

The five main commands every bully dog should know include:

1. Sit
2. Greet politely
3. Walk on a loose leash
4. Wait
5. Come

The Best Method

Despite the bully breeds' muscular build, their personalities actually do not do well with harsh or heavy-handed training. In fact, these breeds typically love being trained and often show extreme willingness or joy at being taught new things.

With this in mind, the best way to teach these commands is through operant conditioning. With operant conditioning, dogs associate certain behaviors with a reward, and will try to choose behaviors that give them that reward. Clickers are one way to assist with operant conditioning, but treats are always used in this type of training.

The following video teaches the basics of clicker training:

The Basic Commands

Sit

"Gracie loves to practice her 'Sit-stay'
command!" - Owner Sarallyn

Teaching a dog to sit is useful in many ways, but it can provide a great response when a dog is unsure of what to do. For example, if a group of motorcycles is quickly approaching on a nearby road, and the dog seems nervous, owners can have him or her sit in order to regain control and give the dog something to focus on.

Of course, a pit bull or bull terrier who calmly sits by its owner's side makes a good impression, particularly for those who fear the breed.

To begin training, owners can hold a treat over the dog's nose, then pull it back over his or her head to encourage sitting. Right before the dog sits, you, as the owner, should say "sit," then give the dog the treat.

Clicker users should, at first, click during most sits. As training progresses, you can begin skipping clicks, but always provide a treat when a click is used.

Eventually, the dog will associate a verbal cue with the action, and clicks and treats will no longer be necessary.

Greet Politely

This command is extremely important for bully breed owners because most people get nervous when being approached by a pit bull or other bully. Owning a dog that calmly approaches people without barking or jumping may help change perceptions.

The first step to teaching polite greetings is teaching the sit behavior. Once the dog has learned to sit, you should have the dog sit every time he or she wishes to greet the owner or another person. Treats, attention, or toys can be used to reinforce this, and soon enough, you will not have to make the dog sit in order to get a calm greeting.

Most bully breeds will automatically sit when he or she wants attention.

Walking on a Loose Leash

Leash manners also demonstrate how well-behaved a dog is. 

In order to teach this behavior, you should hold the leash in your hand, keep your wrist stuck to your hip, and maintain slack in the leash. Treats, toys, and a happy voice should be used to encourage the dog to stay close. 

If the dog lunges or pulls while taking a step, the handler should stop and keep gentle pressure on the leash. When the dog stops yanking and looks back, click and offer a treat as he or she walks closer. Handlers should do this for every step. 

This reinforces the idea that staying close by leads to many treats. 

Harnesses are the best way to give handlers control without choking or hurting the animal.

Two pit bulls waiting patiently for their owner's
next command.

Wait

This behavior is particularly useful when owners are heading out the door.

As the bully breed is sitting, owners should hold the dog's dinner bowl at human chest height. After saying "wait," the bowl should be lowered a bit. If the dog rises, you should respond with "oops," and take the bowl back to human chest height.

If the dog stays, handlers should either click or reply "yes," and allow the dog to eat a little bit of food.

With practice, this command can be applied to walks as well.

Come

The "come" command should be taught so well, the bully breed stops whatever he or she is doing and immediately turns around and races to an owner when called. 

First, owners should simply say the word "come" and feed the dog treats every time. This step teaches the dog to associate the word with food.

While the dog is leashed, you should run several steps ahead, then say "come." When the dog races after you, click and offer food. 

After the dog has a good idea of what is expected, you can get a group of people together and have everyone take turns running away and yelling the cue. Each person should click and feed a treat as the dog gets up close.

The distance should be increased as training progresses.

With these helpful hints, a bully breed can be just as well-mannered as any other dog. It is recommended that other commands be taught, and that training never stop. 

CRYROLFE. "BRICKS." Photograph. deviantart.com, 2009. Web. 14 Nov. 2014. <link>.

Deliquesce-Flux Photography. "Annie and Maili." Photograph. deviantart.com, 2011. Web. 14 Nov. 2014. <link>.

Feeferlump. "Olive Happy Face." Photograph. deviantart.com, 2008. Web. 14 Nov. 2014. <link>.

Hobgoblin666. "Zada In Black and White." Photograph. deviantart.com, 2011. Web. 14 Nov. 2014. <link>.

Libby, Tracy. "So Many Ways to Train." Training Secrets for Bully Breeds 2014: 66-73. Print.

Miller, Pat. "Pit Bull Boot Camp." American Pit Bull Terriers 2013: 44-49. Print.

petrichore. "Staffordshire Bull Terrier." Photograph. deviantart.com, 2013. Web. 14 Nov. 2014. <link>.

Sarallyn. "Happy Pit Bull." Photograph. deviantart.com, 2008. Web. 14 Nov. 2014.
<link>.

How to Train Bully Dogs: Socialization

Pit bulls, like every other dog breed, require socialization
to be well-mannered and obedient.

With the fearful and often violent mindsets attributed to bully breeds, some owners may wonder about the best way to train their dog.

After all, a well-behaved bully dog is the best advocate for the breed. Seeing a pit bull or American Bulldog sitting obediently may help the fearful or hateful change their mind.

The three major areas of training for bully breeds include:

1. Socialization
2. Basic Commands
3. Inappropriate Behavior

I will describe socialization in this post, and following posts will look at the other main areas of training.

Socialization

Socialization with other dogs is extremely important.

Socialization is the most important aspect of training a bully breed because most dog bites result from animals who are not accustomed to being around people, uncomfortable situations,  and other animals. Obviously, pit bulls and other bully breeds are associated with more frequent cases of biting, so it is critical that owners nip (pun intended) one of the main causes of biting right

away.

The task of socialization, which should actually be introduced in all breeds of dog, includes many situations. However, the most important situations that dogs should be exposed to include other dogs, children, strangers, weird surfaces, equipment and vehicles, and loud noises. 

An American Bulldog that is well-socialized with all dogs,
such as the French Bulldog

• Children: Children may be invited to the home and given treats. As they sit on the floor with a bully in an open area, they should give the dog treats as he or she interacts with each child. Be sure to start slowly; do not allow all of the children to rush a dog or give the dog attention all at one time.

• Other dogs: The best place to introduce a dog to other members of its kind are at training classes. Also, allowing a dog to meet those of friends is another way to safely introduce a bully to other canines. Dogs should always be introduced in controlled environments, which is why taking a bully out to parks right away is not a good idea.

• Strangers: Training classes are a great way to introduce a bully breed to strangers, as well. Visitors can also come to the home and offer treats when the dog interacts with them. 

• Weird surfaces: Dogs should also be taught how to walk calmly over all kinds of surfaces, including grass, concrete, asphalt, gravel, sidewalk grates, shiny wood floors, and more. Dogs can be fed treats as rewards for walking over these surfaces, and should walk over them repeatedly until they are comfortable.

• Equipment and noises: In order to get a bully dog accustomed to devices that make loud noises, walk the dog up and down busy streets that may have many cars going by, many tractors cutting grass, and other opportunities for loud sounds. If the bully is a puppy, DO NOT pick him or her up when he or she cowers because this will be interpreted as a reward for that reaction.

When introducing a dog to these situations, ensure that a ton of treats are present. Always use a happy, soothing voice while socializing each of these situations, and remember that more socialization is better.

Gladhnes. "Familiarity." Photograph. deviantart.com, 2012. Web. 10 Nov. 2014. <link>.

Maria Zheltkevich. "Oh, great lady!" Photograph. deviantart.com, 2012. Web. 10 Nov. 2014. <link>.

Maria Zheltkevich. "water dragon." Photograph. deviantart.com, 2013. Web. 10 Nov. 2014. <link>.

Filarska Photography. "bulldog buddies1." Photograph. deviantart.com, 2009. Web. 10 Nov. 2014. <link>.

Pavia, Audrey. "Focus on Puppies." Training Secrets for Bully Breeds 2014: 25-27. Print.