Cross Breeds

How do you gain experience with the more powerful breeds of dogs (pitbull, Rottweiler, etc.)?

Dog Section Regular- I asked again because I want to know how I can first hand experience with these dogs. Research can only take you so far, I want to see if I'm ready to stay calm and assertive with a powerful dog. Thanks for you answers. It's really helping me, btw

Public Comments

1. Probably by volunteering at rescues for them.
2. Why are you asking again? I spent 10 minutes researching info for you and you ask again? I'm posting my answer to your previous question: You said yourself you don't have a lot of experience with these dogs, which means you are not ready to own one. Socializing your potential new dog with only 4 dogs is NOT enough, especially not for these breeds. How much training DAILY are you willing to give these breeds? How much exercise are you willing to provide? You have to ask yourself what you know about these breeds. These breeds are NOT for the inexperienced or the faint at heart. Owning "20+" books on "dog behavior" does not even cut it. Have you actually read them? Were they specific to these breeds? You need to look up info on EACH breed individually. * Research. Also, Volunteer at a shelter or a rescue, or find a breeder to mentor you. This will help you get hands-on experience with these dogs. Go to dog shows and strike up a conversation with one of these breeders. * Doberman: http://dpca.org/breed/breed_history.htm * Rottweiler: http://www.amrottclub.org/breedinfo.htm * American Pit Bull Terrier: http://www.pbrc.net/breedinfo.html *** Are you leaning more towards a Doberman? ** You REALLY need to READ your answers, I told you the exact same thing everyone else did. I didn't list JUST research.
3. spend time around them. There are special shelters for Pitbulls. Go volunteer there. I actually had a friend who had 7 of them and thats how i got experience around them. Then i got two from her. The more time you spend around them the more experience you will have.
4. To get experience I'd go to a shelter or breeder and work with some of their breeds. If you get one (I'm assuming you want to) make sure you train it well right when you get it and be consistent. Powerful breeds don't become vicious unless they are untrained or not cared for properly; a well-trained, well-socialized dog has no reason to be aggressive. Also, breed rescues for the breed you want can help. Read some books on them too. You can never be too prepared.
5. volunteer
6. YOU COULD PROBABLY TRY VOLNTERING AT A SHELTER WITH PITBULLS AND STUFF JUST TO GET TO KNOW THEIR TYPE AND THEN BUY THE ONE YOU GOT USED TO THE MOSTSO THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO GET TO KNOW A NEW DOG YOU AREN'T USED TO.
7. I see you ditched that nonsense you were spouting earlier about training police dogs. You get the experience by finding people with already trained dogs willing to take you on - suggestion your local breed club. Or Hell since you claim to live next to a dog trainer ask him to mentor you. And considering in that same last q which has conveniently vanished you stated that in your experience(which you don't have) APBTs were hard to train. I think you may need to look into softer breeds