Pit bulls were bred to be tenacious and extremely athletic for dog fighting and other violent purposes. They needed super amounts of stamina and grit for bouts that lasted up to six hours and often ended in both dogs dying from exhaustion. Today, most pit bulls have maintained their ancestors' boundless energy and endurance and can run and play all day long. For pit bull owners, this level of energy and intensity can be a challenge to keep up with. Fortunately, the growing dog sport of weight pulling has become a fantastic and humane way for pit bulls to utilize their genetic gifts and burn off tons of energy in the process. They have legendary reputations for tremendous strength and willingness to please their owners, which makes them the ideal breed for this sport.
If you are interested in having your pit bull participate in weight pulling, here are some helpful answers to some common questions!
Q: What materials will I need to train my dog to weight pull?
A: The main things you will need are a healthy dog, time and patients! Everything after that is simple. You will need a weight pull harness that fits the size of your dog and a cart to attach it to.
Q: At what age can I begin training?
A: Around the age of 6 months your dog will be able to start pulling light weight. Puppies and young dogs that are still maturing can be damaged if introduced to weight too soon, the pulling can harm the way their bones and joints mature. By the age of 18 Months, your dog will have fully developed muscles and connective tissue to pull heavier weights.
Q: Do I need a weight pulling harness to get him used to it ahead of time?
A: No, a regular harness leash will work fine to get your pit bull used to the feel of it. Do NOT have your dog pulling weight with a regular harness. Use it only to get your dog used to the feeling of a harness, or he will pull every time you put it on him.
Q: When my dog is ready for training, how do I introduce the weight pull harness?
A: Put the weight pull harness on the dog and play with him. He will then associate the harness with playing or fun. Walk around with the dog while he is wearing the harness. Pit bulls love to please their owner, so make sure you are praising him to keep him motivated!
Q: How do I teach the pull command?
A: Make your dog "stay" in place with the harness on, then call him back to you with the word you want to use as the command to pull, such as "pull" or "work". Make sure you pick a word to use that you will stick with. If you try to change commands, it will only confuse your dog.
Q: Should I use "bait"?
A: This is a controversial question. If you decide to use bait, make sure you do NOT use any thing that resembles animals or humans. Aside from being potentially dangerous, using any such item will get your dog disqualified during an event! Teaching your dog to pull on command is a lot easier and does not cause any confusion to the dog.
Q: When is my pit bull ready for weight?
A: Once your pit bull is comfortable wearing the harness and responding to your command, it is time to introduce some weight. A 1-10 pound weight plate or tire tied to a cable is a good start. If you made the experience fun from the beginning, your dog will probably run to you like there is nothing on him. Make sure you go easy the first month. After each pulling set, make sure you are constantly rewarding your dog with praise or treats. Practice with the same weight for about a month to get him used to the feel of pulling, and then gradually increase the weight over time. Make sure your dog spends a couple of weeks working with each weight increase before introducing heavier weights.
Keep in mind that there is a good deal of money involved in the sport of weight pulling such as purchasing equipment, training and traveling to events. If you have the means, however, it can give your dog focus, build his confidence, and also strengthen your bond.
For more pit bull products and resources go to http://bullpitbulls.com/
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