Behavior and public safety are the owner’s responsibility. Training protects the dog and everyone around it. Dogs of any age can learn, and a short daily session prevents more problems than it corrects. See Obedience Training.

Boredom is a common cause of poor behavior. Regular walks, play, and suitable toys address it more effectively than correction alone. A dog should be walked at least once or twice a day, even if the yard is large. A yard does not replace a walk, a game, or time with people. Use a standard leash, not a retractable, and keep the dog under control. On walks, maintain at least six feet between your dog and any other dog.

Do not exercise a dog in extreme heat. Dogs overheat more readily than is often assumed, and heatstroke can be fatal. Never leave a dog in a vehicle on a hot day. Avoid strenuous exercise immediately before or after a meal, which can contribute to bloat, particularly in deep-chested dogs.

Socialization should continue throughout the dog’s life and should include people, places, and ordinary situations. Contact with other dogs is part of that work, and it is also a risk. A newly adopted dog should not be introduced to unfamiliar dogs in the first days. A pit bull may conflict with another dog suddenly, including one it knows. Those meetings should be supervised. Include the dog in household life. Dogs are social animals, and a dog deprived of contact may become dull, destructive, or reactive.

Family, friends, and children should be shown how to behave around the dog. Children should leave it alone while it is eating, sleeping, sick, or injured. Aggression should be discouraged when it appears. See Behavioral Issues and Unacceptable Behavior.