Youtube is cool, but I don't think it is a substitute for a real life trainer. Trainers will pick up on subtle mistakes you make and can offer advice on any problems you might want help with. Plus, for the future when you move out, you will have a certificate from the obedience class and a trainer who could write you a reference so that you can show landlords your dog is well behaved and not likely to damage people or property.

Alright that sounds awesome. Thanks for the advice everyone!

Glad to hear there is light at the end of the tunnel. I never think it is a good idea for any young person to own a dog unless their family is also into the dog. Even if you got out of moms house and into your own place, typically school or making a living puts too much demand on your time to be fair to a dog. Seldom does a teenager or young adult have enough stability or certainty in their life for the next 12 years to have a dependent like a dog able to rely on them. The only way this works out is if the family grows to love the dog also and can be counted on if need be.

Advice needed
 

So I've had Janna for a month and a half now and he's a little over four months old. I love him, but my parents however, don't. They have constantly been asking me to return him. The reasons why they don't want him in the house is because of the stories they've heard about pit bulls. They don't have peace of mind with a pit bull in the backyard. They are scared that he will bite someone some day and we'll get sued. Janna does bite a bit, but it's more playful than harmful and this scares my parents as well. They believe that it's going to be expensive to keep him around too. We'd need to put up more fencing around the backyard so that he doesn't jump over to the neighbor's yard when he gets older, and this could be expensive to do. In case he breaks a leg or needs some kind of medical treatment, that will be expensive as well. So I don't know what to do. I don't want to give him back. Any kind of advice will be helpful at this point. Thanks.

Your puppy is going through a puppy mouthy stage, which needs to be nipped in the bud. However I'm afraid there is not a whole lot you can do other than try to educate your parents on the real truth about this wonderful breed. Definitely need to fix up the fence. Maybe consider a chain spot as well. The APBT is a known escape artist.

I agree conpletely, fix up the fence, get a nice comfortabke chain for when youre gone and educate your parents as best as possible!

Take him back.....

Sounds like they are right if you are just leaving a dog loose in the backyard 24/7 without teaching it anything....

He needs taught bite inhibition, house manners, crate training, leash training, basic OB commands, NILIF, and yes dogs are VERY expensive to feed and give basic preventative care to... nevermind the costs that could be incurred by a badly bred blue am bully pup. Food/environmental allergies are extremely likely, which means expensive food and vet care. You prepared for that? Can you afford training classes?

Some people say just chain your dog in the backyard.... which is well and good if you live in the boonies where no one will harrass your dog. In town your dog will be suceptible to poisoning, harrassment, other animals jumping in and harrassing/hurting it, people shooting it (its happened to a member here...), etc. Oh and the huge risk of it getting stolen! Especially since its a "popular" blue bully pup. IMO its not worth it to ever leave a dog unsupervised in a yard in a populated area, fenced and/or chained even.

Another classic story of somebody getting a dog who shouldn't have. No advice from me.

You're making solid points monkeys23. He didn't used to bite, but it's becoming a habit now. Yelping doesn't seem to work anymore but we still try it. When he's inside the house, which is just at night times, he has proper manners. He doesn't jump on the couches or anything and if he needs to use the restroom, he sits by the back door. He knows simple sit, stay, lay down commands, but nothing too crazy yet. I feed him Natural Balance with fish oil added. I bathe him with prescription shampoo.

I had done a whole lot of research before bringing the dog in. I had looked at hundreds of pups before choosing this one. So I did do my homework and was prepared. I just didn't think it was going to bother my family this much. I can afford training classes, but I do not know how much this will change my family's mind about keeping him. The fencing must be done around my backyard. At his age, Janna won't be able to jump the brick wall we have around our yard, but once he's bigger and older, he'll easily jump it. I live in a pretty safe, quiet neighborhood, and stealing and/or shooting is highly unlikely.

^^ This. And, honestly, it's always a bad idea to get a dog when living with other people. Especially a bully breed. If your parents are so uncomfortable with a "pit bull" on the property why did you get one? You said you did your research, but did you discuss it with your parents first and make sure they were also researching and on board with the decision?

no, you didn't. If you didn't know your parents were going to freak out, then you didn't do enough research. Can you move to your own place? If they won't change their mind and you can't get your own place, I would return him. He's missing out on valuable socialization opportunities.

My parents didn't mind having a dog when I spoke with them. They didn't know much about any breed. So I went ahead and got him. They loved him when I brought him in but it wasn't until after when they started telling coworkers and relatives that we had a pit bull and that's when the stories started coming in. And that's when they started worrying.

As far as socializing opportunities are concerned, my puppy has met a whole lot of people. I take him walking and people always approach us and pet him. I wanted him to socialize at a young age so I try introducing him to as many people as I can.

Would it be possible for you to move out and find your own place? You may be able to find a private landlord that would rent to you. I mean you made a commitment to this pup and if your parents are uncomfortable there may come a point where they say "enough"

At this very moment, no I cannot. In the near future, yes.

Since you already have the puppy and can't get your own place at this time, perhaps it will help motivate your parents to change their mind if you educate yourself on the responsiblities of owning a pit bull and follow monkeys advice. Perhaps your parents may change their mind if the pup is under your control and better behaved and getting enough attention and excecise.

times 15!! I dont see this turning out well! Not like you're gna listen anyways.. so its pretty much pointless..

Please do the breed, your family and the dog all a favor.. KINDLY return the pup to the place yougot him him from. You wil be giving him a better chance at life. You're not ready for a dog, let alone a PUPPY. I know he's sooooooooo cute and you love him sooooo much... But.. that doesnt cut it. He's still young... Give him a chance to be a house dog to someone who lives on their own and can give him what he needs. You'll be more prepared next time. For the time being... Go offer your time at your local shelter.. they would LOOOVE to have an extra hand around their helping out!! Makes you a better person for doin such too!!!

Good Luck.. Even tho.. again.. You're gna keep the dog, upset your family.. and just reenforce what your family thinks about the breed... cuz, in this type of situation.. something WILL happen..in due time I'd bet my last dollar on it.

Also, Dogs of that color tend to have skin issues (not ALL of them, but a good many) sooo, being outside in the elements all the time.. isnt helping either...
Its time to stop being selfish of what YOU want, think about your family and the dog!!!

Enroll him in training classes, even if you don't think it'll change your parents' view. Do it for him. Bullies are strong-willed dogs. If you don't do away with his bad habits now, you're in for it. And upgrade the fence NOW. You'd be surprised at how fast a dog grows and how amazing bullies are at escaping. All he needs is the proper motivation.

But I must ask... why get a dog (especially a puppy) if it has to stay outside all day?

There's nothing wrong with a dog being out all day or even living outside full time provided the dog is properly fed, watered, provided vet care and training/socialization/exercise. The problem here is the parents and homeowners of the OP do not want a pit bull pup on their property and the OP seems to be lacking in the training department.