How to Care for a Pitbull Puppy in 4 Steps

From SoyUnPerro we want to share some simple tips for those with a Pitbull puppy to follow closely, or at least try to. Thanks to them, we'll manage to care for a Pitbull puppy so it's healthy, balanced, and above all, happy.

If you truly love your American Pitbull and want the best for it, spend the next few minutes of your life learning about the best ways to train it, feed it, exercise it, and above all, make it feel happy and fulfilled.

Train and Socialize Your Pitbull Puppy From Day One

This is no joke — although it's recommended to wait at least until three or four months to start training dogs of other breeds, Pitbulls are somewhat stubborn dogs, and it's advisable to start training from the very first moment.

Simple commands like "Come," "Sit," or "Drop it" are very easy to teach if we use a bit of food, such as a sausage cut into small pieces as treats, which is known as positive reinforcement.

• How to Use Positive Reinforcement With Dogs

Teach your Pitbull puppy to control its bite from a very young age, so it will learn easily and you'll avoid problems once it's an adult dog: How to Teach a Pitbull to Control Its Bite.

Socializing your APBT (American Pit Bull Terrier) puppy is essential from the moment it has its mandatory vaccines and can go out. Socializing it doesn't mean showing it the park, but letting it interact with other dogs of different breeds and ages, other people, and other animals.

Socializing a dog consists of adapting it to its surroundings, so it respects the different ways of life around it. This way you'll prevent it from becoming a fearful or aggressive dog once it's an adult.

Your Pitbull Puppy's Diet Is Essential

Even if you don't give it the importance it deserves, your puppy's diet is essential for it to grow up healthy and strong. Poorly-fed dogs not only have a shorter life expectancy, they also develop many more illnesses that will cost you a lot in vet bills.

Picture a human eating low-quality food like junk food for years, and another eating healthy, balanced food for years. Which one will live longer? Which one will have better health? Which one will have fewer illnesses throughout their life? Well, the same thing happens with dogs.

Many people think any kind of dog kibble is enough, and this is the biggest mistake. It's hard to find a quality food for puppies, but not impossible.

Look at its ingredients and you'll understand why your dog needs something similar, because our investment in its health lies in the quality of its food. All their labels start with meat products, and none contain harmful cereals such as wheat or corn.

Exercise Your American Pitbull Terrier Puppy and Play With It

Interacting with your puppy is essential for two important reasons — the first is that a special bond forms between human and dog, similar to the one that forms between a mother and her baby.

The second is that by playing with your puppy you not only make it happier, you also help it exercise, developing its muscles and body better. Puppies, just like adults, although obviously to a lesser degree, need to burn off their energy daily to feel fulfilled.

Up until four or five months, you can play with your puppy by throwing the ball or with chew toys, and you can even play with it while training it with basic commands and treats. From five or six months on, you can start taking it out for big walks in the park, the mountains, or the city.

Remember that the best way for a Pitbull puppy to exercise is by playing with other dogs — besides socializing, they'll burn off their energy much faster than with even the longest walk.

Love and Respect Your Pitbull Puppy

Respect is essential for a good relationship with your dog in the short, medium, and long term. Because despite what many people mistakenly believe, dogs can remember events experienced even during their first few days of life.

Never punish your puppy with aggression or violence, since you'll only make it more aggressive in the future. Love and respect it as it deserves, and it will do the same for you. Give it a good spot in your home for its bed, and always leave clean, fresh water available to it.

With these simple steps you'll be able to care for a Pitbull puppy in the most effective and correct way known. Enjoy your Pitbull!