Pit Bull Training: How to Train a Pit Bull Puppy, Step by Step
A first-week training plan for Pit Bulls: what they’re like to train, the first cues to teach, and how to get ahead of pulling on the leash, jumping up and mouthing and chewing.
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What Pit Bulls are like to train
The first things to teach a Pit Bull puppy
- A marker word. “Yes!” tells your puppy the exact moment they got it right.
- Their name. Say it once; when they turn, mark and pay.
- Sit. A puppy who is sitting can’t jump, bolt or pull.
- Settle on a mat. A calm spot to go to when the house gets busy.
Three things to get ahead of with a Pit Bull
- Pulling on the leash. A muscular dog who pulls is hard to hold, so start before they’re full grown.
- Jumping up. They greet people with their whole body.
- Mouthing and chewing. Terrier-type puppies play hard with their mouths and love to tug, which you can use as a reward.
Start here: gear and the reward zone
- Start indoors with no distractions. Hold the leash in the hand away from your dog and treats in the hand next to them.
- Stand still. When your dog is beside your leg, say “Yes!” and give a treat right at the side seam of your pants.
- Take one step. If they’re still beside you, mark and treat at your leg. Repeat for one step at a time.
- Build to two steps, then three, between treats.
- Always feed at your leg, never out in front. Where the treat appears is where your dog will want to be.
- Starting on the street. Teach it in the hallway first.
- Using a retractable leash. It rewards pulling by giving more line.
A simple first week
- Day 1: the marker word. Ten repetitions, twice.
- Day 2: the name game, in two different rooms.
- Day 3: eye contact. Reward the look from the treat to your face.
- Day 4: sit, with a food lure and then an empty hand.
- Day 5: settle on a mat. Feed low, on the mat.
- Day 6: down, on a rug or other non-slip surface.
- Day 7: the first stage of pulling on the leash, above. Then repeat the day your puppy found hardest.
When to get in-person help
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are Pit Bulls easy to train?
Generally yes. Most are people-focused and keen on food and play, so they pick up cues quickly. They’re powerful and excitable, so calm behaviors and leash skills deserve early attention.
When should I start training my Pit Bull puppy?
The day they come home, usually around eight weeks. Start with the marker word, their name and a potty schedule, in sessions of a few minutes.
How long does it take to train a Pit Bull?
The first cues often come within days. Reliable behavior around distractions takes months of short, regular practice, and adolescence usually brings a temporary dip. It varies from dog to dog.
What treats work best for training Pit Bulls?
Food, tug games and praise. Use soft, pea-sized pieces and count them as part of the day’s food.
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