Do Pit Bulls Make Good Therapy Dogs?

Pitbull might bring up the picture of a bloodthirsty beast into your mind. But are they really? Pitbulls have been used up in illegal dog fighting rings for a long time, and that is what gave them a bad reputation of being a beast. But, the truth is definitely on the other side. Pitbulls can make great companions for humans with the right training.

Are you wondering whether Pitbulls make good therapy dogs? Yes, definitely. Pitbulls make loyal and devoted canine friends. They have a people-pleasing character that loves human attention. Although they don’t top the list of best therapy dogs, they can definitely be a good one.

So, let us now discuss what therapy dogs are for and what makes Pitbulls fit into the list of therapy dogs. We will start by discussing the purpose and qualities of a therapy dog.

What is a Therapy Dog?

Unlike service dogs that are used to perform specific tasks for disabled individuals, therapy dogs are used to provide emotional support and comfort for people, especially to the ones who are undergoing mental trauma.

Therapy dogs are mainly used to reduce stress and anxiety and improve the emotional functioning of a person. Many pieces of research have proven that using therapy dogs after trauma will help to reduce the chances of post-traumatic disorder, stress, and depression.

Certain breeds of dogs are known to make great therapy dogs. The list includes Pug, Golden Retriever, Poodle, Beagle, Pomeranian, French Bulldog, and Dachshund.

Not all dogs are good therapy dogs. There are certain traits a dog should possess to fall into the category of good therapy dogs.

The important qualities a dog should possess to become a good therapy dog include:

• Get along with strangers easily.
• No food aggression.
• No guarding behaviors.
• Obedience.
• Tolerance to unusual situations.
• People-pleasing character.
• Highly responsive to vocal commands.
• Easily get along with other pets.
• Withstand petting and cuddling by people.

So, that are some of the qualities you have to look for in a good therapy dog. Therapy dogs mostly are people-pleasers who crave love and attention from people.

Therapy dogs will make wonderful companions for people who are fighting against loneliness and depression. Most therapy dogs do not like to be left alone for a long time. That means they will accompany you everywhere and keep you engaged. Therapy dogs, in fact, make such a good company to traumatized people to get back to their normal life.

Personality Traits Of Pitbulls

Pitbulls may seem cruel with a shorter stature and a square head, but they necessarily not be. They are actually one of the most misunderstood dog breeds in the world.

Many countries have banned Pitbulls for their human aggression. But, only poorly bred and badly bred Pitbulls are aggressive to humans and dogs. Pitbulls generally are very loving, loyal, and devoted companions for humans.

Pitbulls love to please people. They would literally do anything for people they love. These dogs get along with people easily. Pitbulls actually love getting attention and care from humans.

The people-pleasing character of Pitbulls has actually been exploited for criminal purposes, and that is what brought them the bad reputation of being aggressive.

When you buy a dog, you actually are making a friend for a lifetime. They are very loyal to their master. They easily get along with children and most people.

Pitbulls are actually people-oriented and don’t make good guard dogs. They easily get along with adults as well as children. Pitbulls love people so much, and they would clown around you to burst you into laughter.

They are happiest when they are with people. They are great cuddlers and love being petted and hugged. Pitbulls make a constant companion who will keep you warm on the bed and couches while binge-watching your favorite series.

Yes, They are really not what many people tell you. Although they are a bit stubborn, they can be easily tamed with the right training techniques and positive reinforcement.

Pitbulls make good companions for your mental health. You can wash away all your worries and stress by seeing the long smile of the Pitbull at your home. They, in fact, make good therapy dogs.

Can Pitbulls Be A Good Therapy Dog?

We have come across the traits required for a therapy dog and the personality traits of Pitbulls in the previous sections of the article. So, what do you think?

Do  Pitbulls make good therapy dogs?

Surprisingly, yes. Pitbulls actually make good therapy dogs in contrast to their bad reputation of being aggressive. They really make excellent therapy dogs with proper socialization and obedience training.

The people-pleasing character of Pitbulls definitely implies that they would be great as a therapy dog. Pitbulls love being around people. They would clown around people and make them laugh.  And yes, definitely, they make a great choice if you are looking for a good therapy dog.

Pitbulls like, any other dog, have their own personality, talents, and personality traits. Take them for some obedience training, and they can definitely Canine Good Citizen Certificates.

They have been one of the most popularly misunderstood breeds of dog in the United States.  The breed has been actually exploited for illegal dogfighting. And that is how they got into the label of one of the most aggressive breeds of dog.

Apart from all these gossips, They love people. They love accompanying people and are, of course, great people-pleasers. With a huge smile always on their face, they are great for people’s mental health.

The emotional support you seek from a therapy dog can also be easily provided by a Pitbull. Pitbulls are actually a lot more than what they are said and known to be. You can hardly go wrong in choosing Pitbulls as a therapy dog.

Conclusion

Pitbulls are not the bloodthirsty fighting beasts that you thought or heard they would be. They make wonderful companions for humans.

They are great people-pleasers and will definitely do whatever their master wants them to. They will actually provide the emotional support you seek from a therapy dog.

Also, no wonder if they clown around to make you laugh. Pitbulls are such loving dogs.