Information
Boomer Balls are rigid balls usually made of polyurethane. They come in all sizes from
4" to 31" and all colors. Your dog can push them around with
their nose and/or front paws just like a soccer ball. I found a
few places that sell them and there names and sizes are listed below:
PetsMart.com:
Almost Indestructible Ball (6" and 10") and Tug 'n Toss Dog Toys
(6", 8", and 10").
PetCo.com:
Karlie Action Ball (8" and 9.5").
BoomerBall.com:
Boomer Ball (4.5", 6", 10", 20", and 31").
PetEdge.com:
Push 'n Play Balls (10" and 14"). You'll need to enter the
product number in the search box to fin this one. The product
number is: ZT665.
What dog doesn't love to play a good game of catch. They might not want to bring the ball back to you afterwards, but it's still all in good fun. Pit Bulls are the best for catch. They're built athletically and can jump as well. Anything from a tennis ball to a Frisbee will work well for this game. All is takes is a little practice.
Frisbee is pretty much the same thing as above, just a different version of it. It's hard to find a decent Frisbee too play with though. The nylabone Frisbees are harder on dogs teeth and the cheap ones get beat up pretty fast. My best suggestion would be stick to the cheap ones or the fabric ones. They work well also and will keep your dog's teeth in better shape.
Fly ball is a sport that takes a well trained dog. The point of it is for teams of dogs to compete against each other in a relay race fashion. At the end of the race the dog has to run to the fly ball box where the dog must hit the box with his feet. A ball then shoots out of the box. The dog has to catch the ball and then take it back to the handler.
Running is an activity that pretty much every dog loves to do, especially Pit Bulls. That's what they're built to do. It's excellent exercise for both the owner and the dog. So get out and take your dog for a run.
A spring pole is a device that hangs a piece of burlap, rope, or a material that's those suspended in the air. It's usually hooked to a spring so that it has a little give when the dog pulls on it. Springs usually wear out faster, so wheelbarrow inner tubes or any material like that will work just fine. It is then anchored to something solid. I.E.: tree limb, 2 x 4, etc... Not all dogs will like it, as with any other toy, but it's worth a shot. A lot of Pit Bulls love to hang and swing from these. Some Pit Bulls have been known to swing up to 12' off the ground.
I haven't met too many pit bulls that didn't like to go for a nice swim or dip in the pool. You could try getting them one of them cheap plastic wading pools and fill it with water and let them lounge around in that or maybe a nice day at the beach will do. Either way try it out, you never know, you may have a swimmer on your hands.
Treadmills are just that, treadmills. A smaller more compact version of what humans
use. They come in two types: Motorized and Self-Powered.
Self-Powered are better because they can get the same amount of
exercise in 5 to 10 minutes as a 30-60 minute would give them.
The main difference though is price. A high-end
self-powered mill goes for between $300 and $600 dollars. A
high-end motorized mill will go for $600 to well over $1,000 dollars.
There is also two types of manual powered treadmills: Slate Mills
and Carpet Mills. Slate mills are hard to come by aren't
as good as the carpet ones. The Carpet mills are a lot better.
They're very quite, easy to use, and the dog gets more exercise out of
it. They can usually get a full 30 minute work out in 5 to 10
minutes. So if your looking at tread mills I would personally
recommend a carpet mill. I have found a couple of very good
places that sell them and they are listed below:
Colby Treadmills and
Grand Carpet Mill.
Tricks are always fun for everyone, both you and your Pit Bull. They may take a little time and practice, but what's better than showing your friends and family what new things your dog can do. Pit Bulls are also "people pleasers" which makes them a little easier to train. They'll do pretty much anything to make you happy as long as your showing them affection and a little treat every now and then.
Agility is a competition only for dogs that are calm and fine around other dogs. The AKC, UKC, NADAC, and the USDAA all offer sanctioned trials. The dogs compete according to should height and most places offer 3 different levels of competition. Handlers direct there dogs to climb over, weave around, jump over, climb through obstacles on a timed course. Dogs and owners sit around the ring off leash and watch the competitions, which is why you need a docile, calm Pit Bull to compete. But if you can handle the competition this might be for you and your dog.
Hunting is actually the original use for the Pit Bulls. Some people still use Pit Bulls to catch and hold animals such as: badgers, bears, hogs, and other wildlife. There drive to hunt has been undiminished over the years. But you have to be careful, because, unlike, most dogs Pit Bulls will not back down when challenged by larger animals and could possibly end up dead or seriously injured.
In Obedience Trials handlers are required to show off there dogs ability to obey commands and to be a useful canine citizen. Showing a Pit Bull in Obedience Trials does not require papers as with the other major sports. I.E.: weight pulling and ring sport. But they do require you to pass an ILP board. Your dog has to look enough like an Am Staff to pass as one. Your dog must be neutered or spayed and red noses won't pass.
Ring Sport trials show dogs courage, control and stability. The dogs work off-leash and are introduced to a number of situations that test the dogs obedience and judgment. It takes years of training to prepare a dog for trials, but it always showcases the breeds in a positive light. The dogs are tested in 3 areas: agility, obedience, and bite work. Nothing is judged by the dogs height, so a shorter dog must be able to jump just as high or higher than a taller dog. Food is also left on the field to distract the dogs. These dogs must be highly trained. It's all based on the best dog and the best dog always wins. If your interested in this sport you can get more information at: RingSport.org. There is also another sport similar to Ring Sport but is not as exciting. It's called Schutzhund and was developed by the Germans, so mostly German Shepherds compete, but the sport is open to every breed. You can get more information about Schutzhund at: DVG America.
Pit Bulls excel at this activity. It is a precise hobby and requires lots of time, training, and searching. More importantly it requires extremely dedicated dogs and people. Want to learn more about this, visit this website for more information: Forpitssake.org. Only dogs that are completely under control and have a sound temperament should attempt this activity.
Pit Bulls have been used as service dogs for over 20 years now. They work as hearing assistant dogs, physical assistant dogs, and many other capacities. They offer stability, strength, and a willing nature. All which are necessary for the task of being a service dog. For more information go to: The Delta Society.
Tracking tests are available through the AKC for AKC registered or ILP dogs. Tracking is a fun but solitary sport and it shouldn't be confused with search and rescue where the dog can move more freely. Tracking was developed by the Germans and is a dull and precise sport. Dogs are not timed but are judged on how well they keep their nose to the footsteps and how slowly and calmly they move down the track. They are not judged on how fast the complete it. Track tests can range from 30 minutes to several hours and they must follow a trail and pick up things dropped along the way.
A well mannered, calm dog is needed for this activity. You may spend time at hospitals, nursing homes, or rehabilitation programs helping people and children that are ill, disabled, or elderly. The dog and handler work with a therapist on a goal oriented program. If this sounds good to you, you can find more information at: The Delta Society or Forpitssake.org.
This one is pretty self explanatory. Each dog is harnessed and hooked to a cart or a sled in the snow upon which incrementing amounts of weight are placed. They then have 60 seconds to pull the sled 16 feet without any handler assistance. The dog that pulls the most weight or does it in the fastest time in case of a tie wins. Dogs can win 3 titles WD (Working Dog) for pulling 12 times their own weight at 4 different pulls, WDX (Working Dog Excellent) for pulling 18 times their own weight at 4 different pulls, or WDS (Working Dog Superior) for pulling 23 times their own weight at 3 different pulls. This sport is also open to all breed of dogs. For more information go here: IWPA.
* Note: The information on this page was obtained/derived in part from workingpitbull.com *