Pit bulls make loving pets and loyal hunting companions.
Terriers have traditionally been used for hunting. The pit bull, otherwise known as the American Staffordshire Terrier, has, like other terriers, a good hunting instinct. It's an obedient, eager-to-please breed with intelligence and courage, according to the American Kennel Club. Pit bull owners who would like to go hunting with their dogs will find that these dogs will take to hunting with you easily.
Instructions
1. Teach your pit bull retrieve. During the hunt, you might want your pit bull terrier to retrieve your quarry for you. To teach him do this, begin by playing fetch with Fido, the Trained Paws website suggests. Use a toy for this activity that is not always available to your dog. Otherwise, he might quickly lose interest in fetching the object. Throw the object, but make your dog stay put until you give him the fetch command. Use praise and treats to reward him. Because pit bulls are typically very eager to please their owners, some may respond more positively to praise than to treats.
2. Show Fido "find" quarry. When you shoot your quarry, it might fall among bushes and heavy brush, so your pit bull must know find quarry. Hold one hand over his eyes so that he can't see, then throw the toy used in Step 1. This way, your pit bull won't be able to see where the toy has landed. Then, issue the fetch command just as you did earlier, and let your dog go in search of the toy. Reward your dog when he finds and brings back the toy.
3. Repeat the two previous exercises in a new environment. Choose a location that will challenge your pit bull's hunting instincts, such as a field with tall grasses. Being in a new, more challenging environment will also challenge your dog's ability to stay focused despite new stimuli and distractions. Pit bulls are a very high-energy breed, so don't worry about tiring out your pit bull with by repeating this exercise until he gets it.
4. Introduce a real quarry to the training. Take previously hunted quarry and hold it up to your dog to smell. Then, place it in a sturdy, sealed bag. Repeat Steps 1 and 2, but in the new, more challenging location, and instead of using a toy, use the bagged quarry. Remember to reward your pit bull for bringing back the quarry.
5. Get your pit bull acquainted to the sound of gunfire. Gunshots are loud and can startle and scare dogs that are not used to the noise. Fortunately, pit bulls tend not to be naturally nervous or shy, so they should get used to it fairly quickly. Get your pit bull accustomed to it by introducing it gradually. Shoot cans or inanimate objects in your yard while Fido is indoors. Once he's OK listening to gunshots from a distance, bring him outside with you and let him sit beside you while you continue target practice. Make sure he's tied down. You don't want him running lose while you're shooting a gun; an accident may happen. Also, reward him for remaining calm through the gunshots with treats and praise.
6. Let your pit bull become familiar with the hunting terrain. This will make him much more effective at finding and retrieving quarry once you're hunting with your dog for real.
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