Sharkaar -The Pitbull

Since the last post we have had a young crossbred pitbull come into be boarded which demonstrates clearly how problems so easily errupt with the breed. Sharkaar is about 8 months old and very very bouncy- not very disciplined . When walking him he is constantly on the go and focuses immediately on any sudden movement- this unfortunately is a constant trait we see in pitbulls-moreso than any other breed.
I have set out to teach him what I consider are safeguard manners i.e. sit when he has the lead put on, when hes asked to sit to remain in a sit until I give him the next command -always preceeded by praise. I’m also working on getting him to walk quietly beside me- not necessarily at heel. The reason being that in a boarding situation any dog is excited about a walk and as exercise is more restricted than when the dog is at home its a big ask to expect them not to want to have a good sniff and stretch.The larger dogs are always walked on a horse lead for exactly this reason.
Sharkaar also unfortunately exhibits the tendency to want to attack other dogs and stock- in a boarding situation he cant reach either- quite a difference when hes at home and loose. We will be recommending to his owners to take him to puppy school or obedience where he will meet other dogs and good behaviour can be encouraged and the meeting of other dogs is not something unusual. We will also be recommending to the owner to walk Sharkaar heaps around the small village where they live so he can get used to seeing stock and its not something unusual.
Sharkaar is a rescue dog and as a consequence he and his new owners are starting on the backfoot- if they had had him from a very young puppy the very necessary socialisation would have been taken care of- more so than with any other breed but really this applies to any of the guard breeds- socialisation at the very earliest possible is so essential.
Anyone who gets a new puppy should once it has been vaccinated start the socialisation process and continue with it until maturity. What I think is happening with a lot of dogs in the present day society- the dog is locked up a lot more- not taken for that walk morning and night and as a result that essential leader of the pack-owner in charge- whatever you want to call it is lost. Sadly if our recommendations aren’t followed this will more than likely become yet another example of a pitbull gone wrong.