[mincbiori]

I have a pitbull who is a year and a half old. He is a good friendly dog and all but he has some issues. He hates me. Lol, I don't know how else to put it. Even when my wife had to leave for 4 months and I took care of him he just does not listen to me. I don't abuse him, I think I spoil him honestly. I always take him on walks and to the park. I am the one who feeds him too. He just will never listen to me. Sure I can make him sit but I have to tell him multiple times first. Also he is very hyper. Even after we go out and play he will not sit still for a minute. He is only calm in his crate. He is all lovey with my wife too, he will slobber all over her face and listen to her but when he comes to me he gets nippy. I don't know what I did wrong to him. I am the one who really raised him...

If I take away his toys he will chase his tail, nonstop for hours. One time he did it the entirety of a 2 hour long movie. If I try to give him attention, he runs away and starts chasing his tail again. When he has toys he destroys them (even the ultra tough ones) and bones he eats while running around the house.

I don't know what to do and am at a loss. I don't want to get rid of him, I do love him, I just wish he would be calmer and listen to me...

[Krruqgwt]

Sounds like lack of exercise to be honest. What is your exercise routine like?

[gdjfhdf]

NILIF training
Leadership Confusion, use the Cold Shoulder Routine


Make him work for every treat, food piece, pat on the head he gets. He doesn't see you as his alpha so of course he's not going to respect you.

[mincbiori]

I get out of work around 3, I go home and we walk around town, maybe about a miles worth. Then on nice days we go to the park and we run around (if there a lot of people he stays leashed). I throw the ball and he is surprisingly good at retrieving it, bringing it back and I do have to play to get the ball back. But we go out 6/7 days for an hour or two depending on the weather.

---------- Post added at 01:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:57 PM ----------

That is what I am worried about. He doesn't respect me. I don't know why though. I give him his food, I let him out and play with him more than my wife and yet I think he sees her as the alpha... But he does have his energy issues with her as well. He only just listens to her better.

[gdjfhdf]

That is what I am worried about. He doesn't respect me. I don't know why though. I give him his food, I let him out and play with him more than my wife and yet I think he sees her as the alpha... But he does have his energy issues with her as well. He only just listens to her better.

Read the 2 threads that I linked, they'll walk you through how to regain the alpha position.

[Andromino]

sounds like your just spoil him to death and he sees you as a food source only. that happens. please click the nilif link.

[elton]

NILIF training
Leadership Confusion, use the Cold Shoulder Routine


Make him work for every treat, food piece, pat on the head he gets. He doesn't see you as his alpha so of course he's not going to respect you.

The second link imo is probably the most important since you say you spoil him. Ignore him, treat him like he isn't there and means nothing to you, give him very minimal affection. Take care of him of course, but treat him like you don't "like" him at all.

[Calluffence]

Indeed, i agree with the other users here. Definatly have to read those stickies. He is treating you like his buddy not his master.

[Olphander]

I also agree with the above posters. The stickies are full of great information,..read them. Good luck with the whole situation.

[Joircarm]

Definitely start NILIF and more exercise. Maybe try running with him for a couple of miles, sounds like the one mile walk just isn't enough exercise for him. Also, teach him that NOTHING is free, by applying the NILIF method. NILIF training

[Lorionasodi]

How old is the dog? Have you considered enrolling in some basic obedience classes?
Check out this thread, it may be helpful to you and if not it's still a great read!
Misconception of Dominance Theory

[grubnismarl]

Definitely NILF, the only time Sadie (8 mos old) doesn't have to sit and stay is when she asks to go out the back door to potty. Other than that she waits at the front door, sits and waits for her food dish, any treat etc. It really makes a great deal of difference, she only has to stay and wait for a few seconds, just long enough that she knows she is waiting till I give her to ok command. And it does sound like more exercise, they need so much. We're lucky we have a huge yard and Sadie loves to fetch. We've got two outdoor toys a rubber ball and a frisbee and I can get her to chase one and then drop it while I throw the other - or she is so worried about having one of them in her mouth at all times that she won't drop it, but will chase the other one anyway. She gets a full out run and it's not killing me. She's a horrible chewer and toy destroyer and so far her black kong is the only thing she can't chew up. It was listed for extreme chewers or something like that, and she's had it over a month now and hasn't been able to chew a piece out of it yet. I think if you just consistently enforce more discipline he will be a much better acting dog.

[avodeinst]

Do you have access to a dog backpack? It might help wear him down a little to carry a little weight on your walks.

[luffyplayaz]

Well I agree with the others. try the NILIF training. Also he sounds like he needs more exercise. Also best thing we ever did was obedience classes. Mainly I think its good because it really helps increase the bond between dog and owner. It sure did with us. I mean she already understood and performed most commands before we went but it really help increase her bond with us and ours will her. I highly recommend it.