Dogs are great judges of character, or the lack thereof. My big boy, Fergus, is new to my pack, and new to my neighborhood, so he came to meet the evil neighbor with no preexisting idea of what the guy was like, and I showed no emotion or even showed any sign that I knew what was on the other side of the fence, yet when the evil neighbor came out into his yard, and approached the 6ft wood fence that divides his place from ours, and gives us some privacy, my Fergus jumped to his feet, his hackles raised and he got between me and the fence and commenced to growling in a way that I have only heard him do when gnarly looking guy approached my truck in the parking lot of the grocery store.
My neighbor is an abuser, he not only has abused his own wife, and his own animals, he was observed by other neighbors, reaching over the previous fence and abusing my other dogs,(thus the 6ft board fence with hotwire along the top), but Fergus had no knowledge of this, he just knew an S.O.B, when he smelled one, my other dogs bark and growl at that man, unlike anyone else that drives up and down our road, and I believe if he were ever stupid enough to come into my yard, he would most likely be seriously harmed. What I am trying to say is, it is really important that you use firm, fair, and consistant, discipline and correction, but never, ever, hit or beat your pit. I am not saying you will, but they are the kind of dog that takes that kind of abuse and files it away and never forgets that they were wronged. My hound is the most stubborn critter alive, and there are days when I just have to admit that we are both in the wrong frame of mind to get anything done, and we just play. If you hire a trainer, only hire a trainer that comes to you, and that you can observe and that has references, in this way, I agree with treating your dog like you would treat your child. You have to know who is handling them, who is affecting them, and who is possibly changing them for life. Making training fun is the best way to get through to your dog, and to get the quickest results. Have fun, be the Alpha, and stay calm and balanced. I love Caesar Milian, he really makes the most sense when it comes to the more intense breeds.
One more thing though, WEAR SENSIBLE SHOES!!
Every episode I see people complaining that they cannot control their dogs, and that their dogs are too much for them, and what kind of shoes are they wearing??!! Flip Flops!! How Stupid!!
When you are working with your dog, please be sure you are wearing shoes that you can actually walk in, and that are safe for manuvering about with a critter that can be strong as an ox, and stubborn as a teenager.
