About Pitbull Puppies

Raising any puppy requires patience. However, raising a pitbull puppy presents unique challenges. Pitbull puppies are incredibly stubborn and very active. As such, these dogs are best suited for people who have time to play with the puppy and room to let the dog run. Heavy duty dog toys are a must for a home with a pitbull puppy, especially if the owner wants to prevent the dog from chewing valuable objects.

Pitbull puppies are very active. Because of this, they need premium dog food. A mixture of dry and canned food is good for any pitbull puppy. Once the dog is four months old, supplement the dog food with boiled chicken breasts, which gives added protein.

Due to the size and power of a pitbull, socializing it from a young age is vital. After 16 weeks (or once the puppy has gotten all the necessary shots), the dog should be taken to dog parks, pet stores or anywhere that live animals are allowed. Prior to this age, the puppy is still at risk for contracting diseases such as parvo. When the puppy is out with you, keep it on a leash, allowing people to pet it while keeping a close eye on the puppy's reactions. Allow the puppy to smell different smells and let it explore different sounds.

Training a pitbull should start as early as possible. If you are keeping a puppy from your own litter, training should start at four weeks. If you purchase a puppy from someone else, training should start from the minute you get home with the dog.Immediately teaching the puppy limits is vital. Some new puppy owners spoil the puppy initially. With a pitbull puppy, this sets the stage for disobedience. By nature, these puppies are stubborn, so house training the puppy with a crate is the best method.

When you have a litter of pitbull puppies, you must watch out for signs of Escherichia Coli, or E. Coli. The symptoms of this disease mimic parvovirus. Diarrhea, lack of appetite, vomiting and lethargy are the first signs of the disease. As it progresses, dehydration and staggering may also be noticed. This disease is fatal if it isn't promptly treated,so if you notice these symptoms, call the vet ASAP.

For many pitbull owners, having the dog's ears cropped should take place when the puppy is 12 to 16 weeks old. This surgery requires that the dog be placed under anesthesia, which can be done in two ways: using injected medications or using inhaled medications. The method chosen is solely dependent upon the veterinarian's preferences. After surgery, you must use an E-Collar to prevent the dog from scratching and/or chewing the stitches. After one to two weeks, the puppy must be taken back to the vet to remove the stitches.