So you decided to adopt a pit bull!

When you adopt a pit bull, you take on a greater responsibility than adopting any other breed because of the stigma they carry. Some people may find your lovable dog scary just for the simple fact that it is a pit bull. Don't be offended, though.
With responsible ownership, those are the minds that you and your dog will change forever. Your dog will bring unconditional love and loyalty for many years.
We have learned quite a bit before and after we adopted Daisy, our pit bull.

I'm just relaxing

Pit Bulls are quite sturdy, athletic, loyal, great with people and they don't shed much.
They do need a good amount of exercise and structured routine including several walks every day.
If you are a first time dog owner, please reconsider.
They need strong leadership from the humans.
Please consider the time and effort involved with training this breed. They are super smart but can be stubborn. It takes time and commitment from you, not to mention patience. Your patience will be tested often. Let me tell you, though. There's no greater feeling than having a well behaved pit bull by your side!
Remember that pit bulls are not guard dogs. In general, they are way too friendly to strangers!
They don't make you look macho! Especially if you can't handle the dog.
Please do not adopt this breed if you are a couch potato.
You know who you are ; )
They are energetic dogs and all the unspent energy will lead to destruction in the house and unruly behavior in public.

Where to Adopt?

The best places to adopt a pit bull is Pit Bull rescue organizations in your area. There are so many dedicated pit lovers across this country who struggle to save one more pit from the dog fighting operations and from the streets, abused, abandoned and forgotten.
Most pit bulls that show up at a pound get euthanized. They don't even get a chance to be evaluated properly. Most shelters are over-crowded and pits are viewed as liabilities.

Rescue Groups not only rescue the dogs but they also train them to be proper pet dogs.
They give individual attention which is hard to come by at regular shelters. They will visit your home to make sure you have a safe home environment for the dog, they will have you sign a contract laying out all the rules. And they do mean every little fine print in that contract.
One group in my area conducts surprise home visits after adoption is complete. If they find the situation at your home in violation of the contract, they will take the dog away. They are dead serious about where the dogs go!

click here for Chicago area Pit Bull Rescue Groups.

Make sure you and your family, including your pets, meet future adoptee a few times before you sign that paper. Just because you fell in love with the dog and you two get along great, doesn't mean that will be the casewith everyone involved. Be fair to those who will come in contact with the dog on a daily basis. It's heart breaking for you and your new dog who has to go back to the shelter life.

How old should the dog be?

I know it's hard to resist the puppy charms. If you decide to adopt a pit bull puppy, make sure they are between 8 weeks and 12 weeks of age for it's the most crucial window for socialization. However, puppies need 24 hour supervision for at least until they are 6 moths old. If you have a busy life and can't give time required to train the dog properly, please consider adults over 2 years of age.
They are out of their puppy stage, usually well trained, house broken and most of them have lived with foster families so they are accustomed to household routines. The rescue organization can tell you if the potential adoptee gets along with children, cats, other dogs and if it can be a good running partner, good swimmer, etc. They know their dogs very well.

Daisy 6 months old

After the adoption

They are powerful dogs. Daisy WEIGHS 50 pounds but she LOOKS about 35 pounds. ALL MUSCLES! So it is crucial to establish the pack order as soon as you adopt. Before you take the dog inside your house, take a long walk with it. You probably want to show the dog her forever home as soon as possible but she needs to feel that you are guiding her to the place, establishing your leadership, earning trust and respect from her.

After she settles in your house, enroll in an obedience class. It will bring you closer to your dog as you work as a team. She also gets to socialize with other dogs in a safe environment. Agility training does wonders for an insecure dog. If you and your dog do well in any form of training, why not go for a Canine Good Citizen Certificate, even a Therapy Dog Certificate? Those will do great service to pit bulls and their public image. There are many pit bull heroes if you look around.

Pit Bull Heroes - Click here to read some of our favorite pit bull news articles

Behavior problems?

Like all humans, each dog has its own personality and quirky behaviors. This is when you need patience the most.
Daisy, being a shelter dog and a backyard breeder dog (we suspect) before that, has a few hurdles to jump over. She's afraid of lots of things and people. A dog who is afraid takes longer to become confident than dogs with other issues. She has come a long way but she still has her trouble spots here and there. We just have to remind ourselves that this is a long road and she's not going anywhere.

Please do lots of research on your dog's specific issues and plan out how to help the dog. Do not put time limits. All the frustration, setbacks and patience will pay off in the form of years of love and friendship!

doggy social

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