ok so we have an 11 mo pitbull and we started pack leadership training about a week ago... I am not giving up by any means... but there are days he makes us think he may just be calm and submissive in his kennel and then there are days like these where he is having a hard time being calm in his kennel.. Always been a well behaved dog just thinks he runs everything. So I take him on a walk today a guys dog ran up and i made him sit while the guy ran and grabbed his dog, which maverick(our dog) was obviously excited because he loves other dogs and people but then tail wagging he lunges at the guy... Just too excited?? Never done that before... But just need some feedback from other dog owners who have gone through the program. I know pitbulls are stubborn and he wants us to surrender to him which is not going to happen, we have tried the rescue recovery and it seems to work sometimes and then not others... who knows huh... Just a little reassurance would be nice. We don't want to go back on the training... we just are excited to have a dog that is calm and submissive.
Thank you
Kellie and Mitch

I think you need to quit thinking in the terms of surrendering to him Calm/submissive is good, but young dogs and "calm" doesn't happen without lots of training and exercise.

Right now he is a teenage puppy. They push boundaries, they need lots of structure and guidance just like a human teenager.

What kind of training do you do with him? Are you familiar with marker training?

Also what kind of/how much exercise does he get? Tired dogs are good dogs

So pretty much can you tell us his daily schedule, then we can offer suggestions to help you create a well mannered dog!

In addition to Mara's good suggestions, if you're not familiar with the training/pack structure concept "NILIF" (Nothing in life is free)--It's worth searching here or Googling. It's the basis for establishing appropriate leadership--especially with a pushy teenage pup.

Welcome to the forum!

OKay.. So we are still in the first phase of the pack leadership training on the video. So earning his way out of his kennel we didn't know about this training until about 2 weeks ago so we are starting late... He's not submissive to us yet. So we are not allowing him out of his kennel unless on walks or to go potty because thats what the video said until he can be calm and submissive he is not able to be out of his kennel unless to do these things and cannot be off leash at all until he earns it. So he has to earn all of this before we can move to the next step. He still barks and whines and cries so we aren't able to move on until he can learn to be calm and submissive in the kennel. We are following Ed's advice on 2 30min walks or longer a day which we have been doing... When I can (I am 9 months pregnant) so my hubby and I have been trying to wear him out so he won't have so much anxiety in the kennel. Just have to get past this step. Does that give you enough info?? We are doing the pack structure and we are trying to be the pack leaders because this is what the video said.. So I guess what Im saying is... Will he ever stop crying and barking? It is sad to hear but I know that it will pay off in the end.
Thank you
Kellie

First, welcome to the forum Kellie! We LOVE dog pictures and it's really nice to have another bully enthusiast aboard. Is this your first? It has been my experience that novice owners can somewhat underestimate the sheer amount of daily exercise required with the breed. 2 hours of good, heart pumping race walking or jogging is a start -I break out mine into morning and evening and sometimes add a third session if we're on "planet pinhead" some days.

The pack structure and basic marker videos here are invaluable. We weren't there to see the "lunge" but other body language may have clued you to the intent -happy waggy excitement vs. a more confrontational attempt. At any rate, he broke his sit command correct? If I see my gal even thinking about blowing off a command or position in a very distracting environment (i.e. horses passing close on a trail) I gather her up in a more no nonsense manner -my hand very close to the collar -helping her make the right choice...

Last, to Mara's point this is a challenging age and you are most definately not alone. The good news with this breed is, with the proper genetics and guidance, they literally live to please their family. Almost equally good news is that you've landed on a board with top notch resources, experience and advice..

Looking forward to hearing more about your life with him!

Im super long winded I'm sorry. I guess Im just asking if he will ever get it. If he will ever get that his kennel is his safe place. And if he will ever be quiet EVERYTIME we put him in there THanks again
Kellie

 Quote: Kellie Schwager

Im super long winded I'm sorry. I guess Im just asking if he will ever get it. If he will ever get that his kennel is his safe place. And if he will ever be quiet EVERYTIME we put him in there THanks again
Kellie

Kellie, welcome!
Is this the first time that you have used a crate with this dog?

The pack structure program can be modified somewhat (IMO), depending on where you are starting with your dog.

What exactly are your goals with your pup (at 11 months old, he's still a pup, even if he looks grown up) and what are your concerns with his current behavior? You may be able to modify the pack structure program somewhat, to fit your situation.

As Mara has suggested, if you could outline a typical day with him that will help people to make suggestions...

Re the crate, the most important thing is that you do not let him out when he's whining/crying. This will reinforce that if he makes noise he will get out.

Thinking about this a bit more....

If I got a young high energy dog I would start out with LONG walks and marker training. I'm wondering if what you're seeing is a bored, energetic dog. My youngster is submissive as all get out, but she is still hyper, bouncy, in your face if she hasn't had enough exercise.

Do you have a yard that you can play fetch in? It could be a very good way to help exercise him.

Do you have something that you can give to him in the crate to help him settle? My favorite thing to keep on hand is a kong that can be stuffed with food (canned) and frozen to keep him occupied in his crate. It will also help him see the crate as a really good place so he'll be ready to go in it.

Besides all the great posts here already, I too would like to see an outline of the dog's usual day. And welcome! :-)

I can almost smell frustrated built-up energy in the O.P. The good thing is, it's such an immediate-result kind of adjustment.

We crate-trained 4 adult dogs with 3 of them being boxers at the same time once. We didn't get to sleep for about a week. As with everything else that a dog at his age will throw at you just remember "This too shall pass". He's just at a really "fun" period for dogs.

What kind of crate is he in? If it's wire cover it with a sheet to give it more of a "den" feel. What has he been given to do while in the crate? A good chew object to keep him busy will help him learn to chill in it a little faster.

With a dog his age you may not be able to physically wear them out completely. This is where mind games and marker training come into play. Marker training also helps with the self control component so often lacking with the teens. They are not physically forced to do anything other than stay with the bounds of the loosely held leash. He has to control himself to get any rewards. This makes a big difference with some dogs. They can't rely on being physically assisted into a position and if they make the choice to blow off the handler they also make the choice to not receive any rewards.

We used a treadmill when Xena was at that stage. She needed to run and nobody in the house was a jogger. She loves her "treatmill".