My pit is showing aggression.

[pitlover2007]

I have an 8 week old american pit terrier, he is a good dog at times, but
he is really spoiled, which is my fault.
Lately, while trying to train him, I notice that he growls or barks
at me when I try to discipline him.
I use strong voice commands, and a lite spanking with the newspaper.
He is showing signs of aggression and I don't want it to get worst.
Suggestions please!

[Sara]

At such a young age I would seek professional help from an OB trainer. He may also be wanting to play so I would see if a professional can assess him and help you out.

Sara

[Shineillusion]

In addition to getting help from a trainer, STOP SMACKING HIM WITH A NEWSPAPER! The only thing that will do is make him hate newspapers.

Your puppy is entering the first fear impact period. If you make him fearfull of anything at this age, it is permenant. Everything he's learning right now will last a lifetime. Right now, corrections need to be quick but light handed. Use play to train him. Don't play tug-of-war games, don't play rough.

If he gets too big for his britches, push him away and give him a "time out". Think of how his mother and littermates would discipline him. Mom would probably put a paw, her mouth, or her chest on his back and push him down, while making a sound that resembles the word "enough". So instead of saying NO, use the word "ENOUGH" while putting your hand on his back and pushing down.

Another thing you should be doing is praising him for everything he does that's right. When he's playing nice, tell him he's a good boy. When you see him start to sit down, say "SIT" then tell him he's a good boy. Throw a toy and tell him "GET IT", and praise him when he runs to get the toy. When you see him trotting toward you, tell him "COME" and praise him. You get the picture.

And remember, discipline should be to train or develop by instruction or exercise, especially self control. When raising a puppy, discipline should not equal punishment.

[True_Pits]

Well he is so very young (not too young to start training) but he should be just beginning with you, so take it easy on him. Since pups shouldn't go to their new homes until at least 8 weeks of age it'd be hard to spoil him so quickly. If you unfortunatly got the dog before 8 weeks (which is too early) he might be showing dominance aggression which is something I see often in pups that are taken too early. They don't have time to learn from mom and littermates/pack.

Also it is really hard for us to help not seeing the dogs actions, Sara is right he might just want to play. I have a female that has always been very talkative and isn't the slightest bit aggressive. So he might think you are playing. You might want to find a nearby trainer to help.

You say he does this when you try to discipline him. What are you correcting him for? How are you doing it? This might be part of the problem.

[pitbullsmiles]

Get it fixed immedietly before it turns into an extreme problem when he's an adult. I wouldn't use such discipline methods either, Pit Bulls are fragile dogs that you need to be careful wtih when training, esspecially in their really young age like his age now.

[Chezza]

Definitely seek advice on it, an expert trainer, pitbull. Puppy kinda may be a good idea, he is still very young, my Zeppy is about 3 months old I think, and I have him sitting before dinner and brekky, mind you he is a smarty pants too, but I'm biased .
They learn very quick, zepp is a quick learner, and he is vocal also, when I talk with him he will lift his gums and talk back, its hilarious, a short sharp "Enough" should get him thinking, and yep, time out. That will have him thinking "Oh why did I get that", and he'll relate it to what he's being naughty for.

But seek advice first to determine if its aggression or normal cheeky puppy behavior.