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. 

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<link>.