New Pit Pup

[circle c]

Well, I'm going to get my first 7 week old Pit pup on Friday. I breed and train working Border Collies, as you all know. But, this will be my first Pit.

I've always wanted one, and I'm down on my animal numbers, so I figured this is as good a time as any. I've read a lot on the breed over the years, and babysat a few for friends. They seem to be a great breed.

I'm not sure what color pup I'll end up w/, but I know he has a black and white one. (Wouldn't he fit in w/ the Border Collies).

If you guys have any training tips for Pits, or just general tips, please let me know.

I also need some names. I'm SO terrible at naming dogs. It's going to be a male pup and I wanted a "tough" name. I picked out Rowdy, but I think it sounds too much like a cow dog name lol. Help me out.

[weezyNollie]

Just be sure you give your pit lots of attention, training, nurturing, and socialization. Lack of those things is what causes this breed to have a bad wrap! I'm sure you probably know all of this.. but a reminder: puppy shots!, neuter by 6 mos (especially to avoid aggression and dominance problems with a pit), heartworm or other dewormer prevention, and lots of dental care!!

As for the name.. I knew a female pit named Precious once! ha ha..
I've also met pits named Laroo, Zeus, Soco, and Phoenix.

Let me think about it.. and get back to you.

[eXile]

Weezy gave you some excelent advice. And as she said, neutering early curbs aggression. Maybe even try neutering as early as 8 weeks. Also, make sure the pup is around your kids, human if you have any and especially your other dogs.

[Dog Watcher]

You have trained border collies so you know the benefits of socialization. Remember an APBT has the full series of motor patterns in the predatory drive where border collies have had some motor patterns deleted. Be sure to socialize your pup extensively. If your APBT comes from fighting lines then be prepared for dog aggression upon maturity. I have talked to many people who have socialized properly and attended puppy classes through to adult classes only to still end up with a dog aggressive dog. Be sure to enforce the NIFIL policy, you may end up with an APBT which has no dominance behaviors or even hereditary dog aggression behaviors...but, its always a good idea to have a good policy in place to ward off any possibilities. I have found the NIFIL policy works wonders for dominance, submissive and even fearful dogs. Dogs need rules without force, this will give them guidelines and make for a happier well mannered dog.

The emphasizes you make on getting a tough name concerns me. If you have a breed with the full series of predatory motor patterns please do not encourage any rough behavior in such a breed. Please socialize him properly as well with children, other dogs (in controlled settings with good dogs-you don't want to create an offensive dog), different races of people, people in hats, big people, small people etc. Make sure every social event is controlled and a good experience

good luck to you.

[doglovin]

You know what i luc even better on dogs like that is giving them softy or baby names, like

Tuppy

Babe / baby

Kisses

Tiny

Pixie

Roo

Joey

Binky

[AussiesCollies]

I agree with everyone on their advice of socializing A LOT.

But I do have some good "tough" names. These are what I plan on using in the future on my own dogs that I would love to own:

Diesel
Brama
Tank
Tonka


Hope that helps a bit

[doglovin]

ok here are some "tough dog" names!But please, don't name your dog a tough name so u can make him look tough,macho and mean.

Spike

Buck

Rocky

Macho

Bruiser

Duizer

Buff

Hunk

Ford

Jumbo

Rosco

Rambo

[dobermom]

Funny, when I got Clifford I wanted a "soft" name. I wanted to stay away from those "tough" names. They have a bad enough rep as it is.

[doglovin]

Originally Posted by dobermom

Funny, when I got Clifford I wanted a "soft" name. I wanted to stay away from those "tough" names. They have a bad enough rep as it is.

Totally what i was thinking dobermom!!!

What is your purpose of wanting an already "tough" dog,and giving it a "tough" name.Why do u want the dog so badly??

[circle c]

You guys are getting the wrong idea.

I like the name diesel though......that's cute.

I was thinking Rowdy, Rebel or Mack