Everything You Need to Know About Taking Care of Pitbull Puppies

Pitbull Puppy

Are you interested in getting a new pitbull puppy? Pitbulls have a bad reputation, but it's for no good reason. Pitbull puppies and adults alike are sweet and adorable, and they make great family pets.

With that in mind, taking care of a puppy is never easy, and pitbull puppies can require some extra work. 

We've compiled a brief (but thorough) guide on the best ways to take care of your new puppy so it can grow into a great family pet. Keep reading to learn all about taking care of pitbull puppies!

Also don't forget to check out our custom pitbull gifts as well!

First: Puppy Basics

When you first bring your puppy home, you're probably going to be excited. New puppies are cute and fun, and you'll want to get into playtime right away!

With that in mind, a pitbull puppy is a huge responsibility. All dog breeds are a lot of work, so make sure that you're ready.

When you bring your puppy home, you're going to need to acclimate it to its new environment. 

Before you even bring your puppy home, make sure that you have everything that it will need for the first day of its new life. We'll go into specific supplies in the next section, but at the very least, you'll need food, bowls, and a place for the puppy to sleep.

If you don't have other pets, allow your puppy to explore when it gets to the house. You want it to feel safe and secure in its new environment! Put on its leash or harness and let it walk around freely to get used to the feeling. 

Make sure that you remember that your puppy is a toddler. It needs to have many toys to get some energy out, or else it will turn to your furniture instead.

With Other Pets

If you do have other pets, you need to be more careful.

For cats, keep the animals separate. You want to make sure that the cat has a dog-free space that it can retreat to. When you first bring your puppy in, make sure that your cat is behind a closed door.

It's a good idea to feed the animals on opposite sides of the door, so they associate each other with something nice, and they can get used to each other's smells.

Slowly but surely, start letting the animals spend time together.

If you have another dog, it's easier. Try to have the dogs meet on neutral ground. For example, bring the puppy to the park while someone else from your household brings your other dog.

This helps to avoid territorial behavior. 

Supplies and Tools

So what do you need when you're taking care of new puppies?

As we mentioned, you're going to need somewhere to put food and water. Furthermore, you're going to need the right food.

Not all food is appropriate for every dog, and while some dogs thrive on cheap foods, it's best to try out a vet-approved food for your new friend. Make sure that you start with puppy food formulated for medium to large dogs.

You're going to want to collect an abundance of toys for your new pitbull. Puppies are destructive, and pitbull puppies have strong jaws and a lot of energy. This is a bad combination when it comes to your furniture. 

You want sturdy toys. Sturdy ropes, balls, and chewy sticks are great for distracting your puppy from the temptations of the couch and carpet. 

You should invest in a proper collar and harness. Talk to your vet about appropriate collars for your dog. Some may recommend more restrictive collars due to the breed of your puppy, but it also depends on your puppy's temperament. 

To Crate, or Not to Crate?

It's a good idea to also have a crate. Many people think that crating a new puppy is cruel, but this isn't true.

A crate is a space where your puppy can feel safe and secure. While they may object to it at first, they'll adapt, and they may seek it out as a sanctuary on their own. 

Leave the crate open even when you're not using it, and crate your puppy at night and while you're away at work while it's still young.

Proper Training

Training is everything when it comes to new puppies, and pitbulls need special training if you want to make sure that they don't cause any harm. 

Pitbulls tend to be aggressive if they aren't properly trained. They can be aggressive to both people and animals, so make sure that you start training early.

Clicker training is effective with pitbulls. They are eager to learn, and they do better with this training style than they do with more restrictive styles. You want to use positive reinforcement rather than punishment for a successful training session. 

If you're unsure how to train your puppy the right way, consider taking it to a professional trainer. There are group training sessions available from many pet stores, or you can hire an individual trainer to spend one-on-one time with your puppy. 

It might seem like an unnecessary expense, but it's worthwhile. 

Socializing Your Pitbull Puppy

All puppies need adequate socialization if you want them to be good dogs. Start socializing them when they're young!

Make sure that you know how to handle your puppy before you bring it around other people. You should always keep it leashed until you know its temperament and only unleash it in approved areas. 

You want your puppy to have access to other dogs. Familiarizing the puppy with other dogs will make it feel less threatened when it sees them out and about.

You also want to socialize the puppy with people. Have friends over, take it on walks, and make sure that it's calm around non-threatening humans. Puppies cannot cause much harm, but if you're concerned, you can muzzle your dog for brief periods. 

Grooming Your New Puppy

Pitbulls don't need much in the way of grooming. Because they have short coats, they don't need to be taken to groomers except under extreme circumstances. 

Brush your dog once per week or more, making sure to check for any bugs or debris clinging to the fur. You should also clean the pitbull's ears and teeth (get the puppy used to dental cleanings early on). 

You can bathe your pitbull once per month. They're the perfect size for a bathtub, or you can use a kiddie pool outside. 

Pitbull Personalities

Pitbulls have unique personalities, and many people misunderstand them. It's true that these dogs can be dangerous and aggressive, but it's all in how they're trained and raised. 

Pitbulls are friendly by nature, but they're also loyal and protective. This could cause them to get aggressive in unfamiliar situations (which is why we encourage socializing with the dog as early as possible). 

They're intelligent and eager to learn tricks and good behavior, but because they're a strong breed, you need to make sure that you let the dog know that you're the boss.

These dogs should be monitored around small children and pets, but they tend to do well with children in the family. All dogs are capable of biting or causing harm, so trusting a dog with vulnerable children or pets is always going to be risky. 

Pitbull puppies are energetic, so make sure that you spend plenty of time playing with them. This will ensure that you don't have future issues with aggression or damage. 

Overall, pitbulls are great dogs. They're misunderstood. The right owner will turn a pitbull puppy into a perfect family pet. 

Raising Healthy Pitbull Puppies

It's your job to keep your new puppy happy and healthy. While dogs are often resilient, they still need checkups, so make sure that you get a new vet as soon as possible. 

Many adoptable dogs are already spayed or neutered when you get them, but this isn't always true. Make sure that you spay or neuter your dog when they're the appropriate age.

These procedures can deter aggression, prevent certain cancers, and prevent pregnancy. 

You also want to make sure that your dog has all of its important vaccinations before interacting too much with other dogs. 

As a dog owner, you need to be ready to play all the time. Pitbulls have a lot of energy, and to grow up strong, healthy, and well-behaved, you should commit to playing with them every day. 

They don't need a lot of space, but they enjoy running and walking. Take them to the park or into a large yard.

Make sure that you have routine vet visits for your puppy, and familiarize them with the vet, so they know what to expect. Pitbulls are predisposed to certain conditions that your vet will know how to look out for.

Common Pitbull Health Problems 

So what kinds of health problems may your pitbull encounter anyway?

As with all dogs, pitbulls are prone to obesity if you don't take proper care of their nutrition. While chubby puppies are cute, chubby adults are unhealthy. The extra weight puts too much pressure on their joints, lowering their quality of life. 

On the note of joints, both hip dysplasia and bad knees are common amongst pitbulls. Both of these situations can lead to future arthritis. 

Most dogs are fine if you catch the problem early. Vets can prescribe medication to ease their pain so they can play freely. 

Pitbulls are also susceptible to mange and skin infections. While mild issues aren't a problem, you should take your dog to the vet if you notice excessive dry skin, itching, fur loss, or scabbing. For many dogs, vitamins and time are the solutions. 

Pitbulls are more susceptible to blindness than other dogs. It comes from progressive retinal atrophy, and there's no cure. The blindness is progressive, so you may notice that the dog has trouble seeing at night as the first symptom. 

You may find that your pitbull develops hypothyroidism. This can also present with dry skin, but it commonly causes weight gain, lethargy, and anxiety.

Exercise Needs

Pitbulls need a lot of exercise if you want them to stay healthy, but they aren't the most rambunctious dogs around. This makes them good for people who live in small homes or who don't always have the energy for long days of play.

Pitbull puppies benefit from a half-hour to 45 minutes of exercise every day. This can be in the form of long walks or runs, games of fetch, or even playing games in your home.

Some people prefer to exercise their pitbulls for over an hour per day, but not all dogs will be interested in that much play. Figure out how energetic your specific dog is.

Keep in mind that pitbull puppies are more energetic than older pitbulls. That said, they'll also run out of energy sooner, so they may take naps between play sessions!

Pitbulls also like mental games. If you want to keep your dog sharp, try using simple logic puzzles. You can also teach them tricks to keep their minds sharp and engaged!

Mixed Breed Pitbull Puppies

If you'd like to learn more about other pitbull types, make sure to check out the following!

Are You Ready for a Pitbull Puppy?

Pitbull puppies are a lot of fun! They require a lot of training, adequate playtime, and attention to their health needs, but they make wonderful furry friends and family pets as long as you treat them well.

Ignore the stereotypes about these velvety and loving dogs. Your new best friend is waiting.

Are you looking for a special gift for a loved one (or yourself) with a furry friend? You're in luck!

We have a huge supply of gifts that any pet owner will love! From personalized books to apparel, there's something for everyone in your family. Visit our shop and find your new favorite keepsake today. You can also see fun gifts for pitbull lovers here!

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