Normal Pitbull behavior

[drgnqwen]

Hello all...

First let me say I am Renee, but I am not owned by a Pitbull. I do however, need advice, guidence or suggestions. I am owned by 5 rescued greyhounds, 2 are waiting for at the bridge and I share my life with the other 3 along with humans...lol

My question and concern is...being an amimal lover I am not ok with any animals not being cared for or abused. Now this is the story which I am sure will not sit well with you all. There was a white female chained in a house garage...yes abused and neglected. NOT ok with me. Well she is no longer there. My brother went in and took her out. Well she is very sweet and loving. Why she likes humans I don't know. She is currently sharing her life with a pit-boxer mix and a labradoodle. She now has food, water, a yard with toys, a couch to sleep on and not a chain in sight. When she is without humans in the house she is eating the walls (sheetrock)??? I don't know what to do about this. She lives with my parents, I had 4 greys at the time and my fosters never leave my house. My parents take very good care of her but are going nuts with the chewing of the walls thing. She has shown no aggressive behavior at all in fact seem a little submissive. She also complains about nothing at all. I'm sure she must think she died and went to doggie heaven.

Any idea's?

Thanks so much
Renee

[suziriot]

I don't know about this being specifically "pit bull" behavior, but it's certainly something I've seen and heard about before. My GSD/Lab/APBT mix Barley loves to eat dry wall. A friend's Australian Cattle Dog mix did this as well. It's probably an expression of anxiety or boredom. She should be crate trained using positive methods and crated when nobody is home to supervise her. Here is a link to a very good introduction to crate training (scroll down on the page and click on "Crate Training" under the "Destruction" section). There are also several other articles there that you may find helpful. www.ddfl.org/tips_dogs.htm

Also, try POSITIVELY redirecting the chewing behavior with a favorite chew toy, such as a Nylabone Big Chew www.nylabone.com/product-finder/my-dog-is/dog-large/big-chews-for-big-dogs-beef-bone.htm, a Kong filled with peanut butter or treats www.kongcompany.com/worlds_best.html, or a Goughnuts www.goughnuts.com/. These toys will provide her with entertainment and engage her mind as well.

[drgnqwen]

All my dogs are crate trained, but, honestly I have never had one eat the dry wall...lol
I always go to a crate as my first choice, however, my parents think this is cruel...They are set in their ways and you can't change their minds now...The kong is a good idea, mine don't like it but may she will she loves toys.

I am on vacation right now at my parents and I walked in and mom says I hope she didn't eat the wall???? I have to give the props though they give excellant care of her and won't give her up. So I am just looking for some kind of advice or inside scoop as I don't know anyone with a Pitbull. But not being a Terrier fan, I was surprised how she wanted to sleep with me and is so loving.

Thanks much!
Renee :-)

Thanks

[michele5611]

First off thank you for saving this poor neglected dog!

I agree with everything Suzi said. Be sure to keep the dogs apart when no one is home to supervise them. Also be conscience of any potential items that may be fight triggers....toys, food, etc. Def. rec. crate training. I understand that your parents think it is cruel but maybe you can explain to them that it is the safest and best option for all the dogs. Crating in this situation is imperative in keeping all the dogs safe when no one is home.

Sounds like the chewing is anxiety/boredom. I would suggest stuffing some peanut butter in a kong and freezing it and putting it in her cage....it will keep her busy!

Any idea how old the dog is? Has she been the vet?

FYI pit bulls are big cuddle bugs....they are like velcro!

[suziriot]

As you probably know from your own experience with your dogs, crates can be a safe and comforting place for dogs to chill and relax. Maybe you can talk with your parents about how to do positive crate training with the new girl - she would be making her own den in the wild, so the crate is really just a fancy den!

As Michele said, if they absolutely refuse to crate her then she at least needs to be safely separated from the other dog when nobody is home to supervise. Fights can happen with all breeds of dog, but serious injuries are obviously more likely with larger breeds. Most of us here on RPBF strongly believe in a "better safe than sorry" policy and that all dogs should be separated when home alone.

[maryellen]

i agree with suzi and michele and also the dog needs WAY more exercise, pit bulls are high energy (well most of them lol some are not) and she probablyneeds alot more walks and mental exercise.

[RealPitBull]

I agree with everything that's already been said. This behavior has nothing to do with breed - it sounds like there could be multiple factors at play, including lack of supervision, exercise, boredom, and perhaps separation anxiety.

Also, if she has been living on a chain, this dog most likely has no clue what house manners are.

Crates can be a wonderful tool when dogs are properly introduced to them. Barring a crate, keeping this dog in a small, sectioned-off portion of the house as opposed to having run of a larger area or room, is a must.

The dogs should absolutely not be left alone together.

[sugar]

I agree, I'm pretty sure since this poor pup was on a chain for so long she probably has no idea what proper manners for living in a house are (when I first adopted my boy, he was a nightmare to have indoors because he didn't know what the rules were yet.)
Lots of extra exercise and clicker training may help that dog learn whats ok and whats not ok. Also redirecting bad behavior (chewing on the walls) to good (chewing on a Kong) is good.
Also, don't know if it will help or dog or not, using a DAP disffuser with my dog when we first broguth him home seemed to help ease his anxiety about being in a new place (even though you all love the dog and treat like she should be treated she still may be nervous because its all so new to her).

[adoptapitbull]

I think the calming music for dogs does do some good, as well. It lowers their anxiety levels and distracts them from things that would otherwise make them get excited. We play it if people come over so they can't hear guests voices and bark for attention. You can buy it on Amazon for about $13. It's called "Through a Dog's Ear".

[drgnqwen]

Thank you all so much! I know nothing about Pit Bulls...I have all Greyhounds, but, same thing some of mine were so neglected people are horrid. This little well not so little is about a year or so old. The vet has been seen with her and they are how nice she is. While I was in Florida she wanted to sleep with me...Well I kicked her in my sleep and she just moved over?!?!?! Now my Greys would have let me know I kicked them..lol Missy looks almost like Petey from the Little Rascals all white with a ring around her eye. The dogs do have a yard with a lot of toys and a doggie door so they like to play in the yard. I tried a kong (which none of my dogs ever like them) and she loved it. Score one for the dog lovers. For a baby that was chained in a garage and on a short chain too...she is just a love.

I want to thank you all for your "greyt" advice.. ;D And she is a velcro dog every time she did something good I always made a big deal of praising her, I have always treat trained and always gave positive reinforcement. If I could have taken her I really would have. I lost one of my greys a few months ago and still have 3 but I still can not get over losing him and just not ready to add. But I know she has a wonderful home with food, water, toys, and love. All animals deserve a wonderful life.

Thank you all....
Renee

[RealPitBull]

That is wonderful, Renee! Glad we could be of help. Please keep us posted and be sure to feel free and ask any more questions that come along.