Last Updated: Nov 22, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Are Pit Bull mixs Aggressive Towards Strangers?
- Are Pit Bull mixs Aggressive Towards their Owners?
- Are Pit Bull mixs Aggressive Towards other Dogs?
- Are Pit Bull mixs Afraid of Strangers?
- Are Pit Bull mixs Afraid of Other Dogs?
- Do Pit Bull mixs Have Non-Social Fears?
- Do Pit Bull mixs Get Along Well With Other Dogs?
- Are Pit Bull mixs Easy to Train?
- Do Pit Bull mixs Get Along Well with Cats? Do They Get Along Well with Other Pets?
- Do Pit Bull mixs Like Attention? Are they Clingy or Aloof?
- Do Pit Bull mixs have Separation Anxiety? Do They Like to be Left Alone?
- Are Pit Bull mixs Touch Sensitive? Do They Like to be Groomed?
- Are Pit Bull mixs Hyper? Are they Highly Excitable?
- Are Pit Bull mixs Playful? What is the Energy Level of Pit Bull mixs
- Conclusion on Pit Bull mix Temperament
Introduction to the Temperament of the Pit Bull mix
The are many descriptions of the temperament of the Pit Bull mix out there. However, most of these descriptions are difficult to verify or prove. They are based on mere speculations.
In this article, we will provide a factual description of the temperament of the Pit Bull mix based on solid scientific research. This will give you a better understanding of what you can expect from the Pit Bull mix breed.
We obtained our description of the temperament of Pit Bull mix by analyzing raw scientific data from The Canine Behavioral Assessment & Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) database.
The C-BARQ dog temperament standard was developed by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania. It is considered the gold standard for measuring the behavior of dogs.
Over the years, the C-BARQ study has collected data on the temperament of thousands of dogs of different breeds including the Pit Bull mix.
The C-BARQ study obtains its data by asking dog owners to score the behavior of their dogs on different behavior patterns.
The idea behind the C-BARQ study is that if it collects thousands of scores from thousands of dog owners on different aspects of dog behavior, a clear pattern will emerge on the temperament of different dog breeds.
The C-BARQ questionnaire measures 14 behavior aspects of dogs:
- Aggression towards stranger
- Aggression towards its owner
- Aggression towards other dogs
- How well they get along with other dogs
- Fear of strangers
- Fear of new things (new objects, unfamiliar loud sounds, etc)
- Fear of other dogs
- Separation anxiety
- Clinginess
- Trainability/ Stubbornness
- Prey drive
- Excitability
- Touch sensitivity
- Energy level
In this article, we will discuss the score of the Pit Bull mix for each of these 14 characteristics. This will let you know the real temperament of the Pit Bull mix.
The summary table below shows the score of the Pit Bull mix for the different behavioral characteristics.
High percentage scores close to 100 are bad. Low percentage scores close to 0 are good.
| Behavior | Score |
|---|---|
| Dog Directed Aggression | 83.4 percent |
| Energy Level | 81.0 percent |
| Prey Drive | 75.8 percent |
| Attachment Attention Seeking | 67.5 percent |
| Dog Directed Fear | 66.2 percent |
| Excitability | 60.6 percent |
| Dog Rivalry | 59.7 percent |
| Touch Sensitivity | 53.3 percent |
| Separation Related Behavior | 52.3 percent |
| Nonsocial Fear | 50.7 percent |
| Stranger Directed Aggression | 47.6 percent |
| Stubbornness | 42.5 percent |
| Stranger Directed Fear | 31.5 percent |
| Owner Directed Aggression | 15.2 percent |
Note that with proper training, you can better your Pit Bull mix`s temperament. To learn how to properly train your Pit Bull mix, I highly recommend that you go through Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.
I learned most of the things that I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.
Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Pit Bull mix.
See also our complete ranking of dog breeds from the `best` to the `worst` based on temperament.
Are Pit Bull mixs Aggressive Towards Strangers?
Dog breeds that are aggressive to strangers show hostile responses to strangers approaching or invading the dog`s or the dog owner`s personal space, territory, or home range.
Stranger-aggressive dog breeds are quick to show aggression to unfamiliar people.
Typical signs of moderate aggression in dogs include barking, growling, and baring of teeth. More serious display of aggression generally includes snapping, lunging, biting, or attempting to bite.
Pit Bull mixs are quite a bit aggressive towards strangers.
This is because the Pit Bull mix ranks high for aggression towards strangers.
The Pit Bull mix ranks number 30 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards strangers.
This information is based on what 41 Pit Bull mix owners reported on the temperament of their Pit Bull mix in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Pit Bull mix has a stranger-directed-aggression score of 47.6 %.
Other dog breeds that are quite a bit aggressive towards strangers just like the Pit Bull mix are listed in the table below
| Stranger-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Stranger-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 27 | Chow Chow | 48.4 % |
| 28 | German Shepherd | 48.0 % |
| 29 | Australian Shepherd | 47.9 % |
| 30 | Pit Bull mix | 47.6 % |
| 31 | Bouvier des Flandres | 44.8 % |
| 32 | Pomeranian | 44.6 % |
| 33 | Jack Russell Terrier | 43.9 % |
The dog breeds that are most aggressive towards strangers are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards strangers are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Pit Bull mixs Aggressive Towards their Owners?
Due to human effort over the course of many centuries, the dog has become a very domestic animal. Dogs have learned to live well with humans. As a result, dogs respect and love their owners. Nevertheless, some dog breeds are less respectful to their owners than some other dog breeds.
Owner-aggressive dog breeds show threatening or hostile responses to their owner or other members of the household when challenged, manhandled, stared at, stepped over, or when approached while in possession of food, objects, or toys.
A dog that is owner-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite their owners.
Pit Bull mixs are somewhat aggressive towards their owners.
This is because the Pit Bull mix ranks average for aggression towards its owner.
The Pit Bull mix ranks number 61 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards their owners.
This information is based on what 41 Pit Bull mix owners reported on the temperament of their Pit Bull mix in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Pit Bull mix has an owner-directed-aggression score of 15.2 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat owner-aggressive just like the Pit Bull mix are listed in the table below
| Owner-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Owner-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 58 | Rat Terrier | 16.4 % |
| 59 | Anatolian Shepherd | 16.3 % |
| 60 | Pug | 15.4 % |
| 61 | Pit Bull mix | 15.2 % |
| 62 | Bichon Frise | 14.9 % |
| 63 | Shetland Sheepdog | 14.8 % |
| 64 | Kuvasz | 14.7 % |
The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards their owners are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards their owners are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Pit Bull mixs Aggressive Towards other Dogs?
Dogs that are aggressive towards other dogs will direct aggressive threats or actions toward unknown or unfamiliar dogs.
A dog-aggressive dog will threaten or show hostile responses when approached by unfamiliar dogs
A dog that is dog-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite other dogs.
Pit Bull mixs are very much aggressive towards other dogs.
This is because the Pit Bull mix ranks very high for aggression towards other dogs.
The Pit Bull mix ranks number 4 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards other dogs.
This information is based on what 41 Pit Bull mix owners reported on the temperament of their Pit Bull mix in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Pit Bull mix has a dog-directed aggression score of 83.4 %.
Other dog breeds that are very much dog-aggressive just like the Pit Bull mix are listed in the table below
| Dog-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Dog-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | American Eskimo Dog | 100.0 % |
| 2 | Parson Russell Terrier | 90.2 % |
| 3 | Chinese Crested | 87.0 % |
| 4 | Pit Bull mix | 83.4 % |
| 5 | Dachshund | 81.3 % |
| 6 | Akita | 80.9 % |
| 7 | Alaskan Malamute | 76.1 % |
The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards other dogs are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Pit Bull mixs Afraid of Strangers?
Some dogs breeds tend to be fearful of strangers.
Dogs that are fearful of strangers will avoid strangers. These dogs will crouch, cringe, or tremble when approached by strangers.
Extreme fear in dogs is characterized by serious attempts to escape or hide from the feared stranger.
Pit Bull mixs are somewhat fearful of strangers.
This is because the Pit Bull mix ranks average for fear of strangers.
The Pit Bull mix ranks number 54 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of strangers.
This information is based on what 41 Pit Bull mix owners reported on the temperament of their Pit Bull mix in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Pit Bull mix has a stranger-directed-fear score of 31.5 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat stranger-fearful just like the Pit Bull mix are listed in the table below
| Stranger-Directed-Fear Rank | Breed | Stranger-Directed-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | Tibetan Terrier | 32.6 % |
| 52 | Great Pyrenees | 32.5 % |
| 53 | Cairn Terrier | 32.2 % |
| 54 | Pit Bull mix | 31.5 % |
| 55 | Belgian Malinois | 31.0 % |
| 56 | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 30.6 % |
| 57 | Redbone Coonhound | 30.0 % |
The dog breeds that show the most fear of strangers are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of strangers are the:
Are Pit Bull mixs Afraid of Other Dogs?
Some dogs breeds tend to show fear when an unfamiliar dog approaches them.
A dog that is fearful of other dogs will try to avoid meeting other dogs.
Pit Bull mixs are very much fearful of other dogs.
This is because the Pit Bull mix ranks very high for fear of other dogs.
The Pit Bull mix ranks number 11 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of other dogs.
This information is based on what 41 Pit Bull mix owners reported on the temperament of their Pit Bull mix in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Pit Bull mix has a dog-directed-fear score of 66.2 %.
Other dog breeds that are very much other-dog-fearful just like the Pit Bull mix are listed in the table below
| Dog-Directed-Fear Rank | Breed | Dog-Directed-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Maltese | 68.6 % |
| 9 | Border Terrier | 66.9 % |
| 10 | Parson Russell Terrier | 66.5 % |
| 11 | Pit Bull mix | 66.2 % |
| 12 | Dachshund | 62.1 % |
| 13 | Italian Greyhound | 61.7 % |
| 14 | Fox Terrier (Smooth) | 60.7 % |
The dog breeds that are most fearful of other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of other dogs are the:
Do Pit Bull mixs Have Non-Social Fears?
Dogs that are fearful of sudden or loud noises, traffic, and unfamiliar objects and situations are said to exhibit nonsocial fear.
Pit Bull mixs are very much fearful of unfamiliar sounds, situations, and objects.
This is because the Pit Bull mix ranks very high for non-social fear.
The Pit Bull mix ranks number 20 out of 124 dog breeds for being fearful of unfamiliar things and situations.
This information is based on what 41 Pit Bull mix owners reported on the temperament of their Pit Bull mix in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Pit Bull mix has a nonsocial-fear score of 50.7 %.
Other dog breeds that are very much nonsocial-fearful just like the Pit Bull mix are listed in the table below
| Nonsocial-Fear Rank | Breed | Nonsocial-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Pembroke Welsh Corgi | 53.3 % |
| 18 | Maltese | 52.0 % |
| 19 | Yorkshire Terrier | 51.1 % |
| 20 | Pit Bull mix | 50.7 % |
| 21 | Miniature Pinscher | 50.5 % |
| 22 | Alaskan Husky | 50.3 % |
| 23 | Bearded Collie | 50.0 % |
The dog breeds that are most fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:
Do Pit Bull mixs Get Along Well With Other Dogs?
Some dog breeds display high dog rivalry. These dog breeds will threaten or act hostile to other familiar dogs in the same household.
These dog breeds will compete with other dogs. Also, these dog breeds do not get along well with other dogs.
Pit Bull mixs are very much competitive when dealing with other dogs.
This is because the Pit Bull mix ranks very high on dog rivalry.
The Pit Bull mix ranks number 22 out of 124 dog breeds for displaying dog rivalry when dealing with familiar dogs.
This information is based on what 41 Pit Bull mix owners reported on the temperament of their Pit Bull mix in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Pit Bull mix has a dog-rivalry score of 59.7 %.
Other dog breeds that are very much competition-driven just like the Pit Bull mix are listed in the table below
| Dog-Rivalry Rank | Breed | Dog-Rivalry Score |
|---|---|---|
| 19 | Chesapeake Bay Retriever | 61.3 % |
| 20 | Shiba Inu | 60.5 % |
| 21 | Chinese Shar-Pei | 59.9 % |
| 22 | Pit Bull mix | 59.7 % |
| 23 | Alaskan Husky | 58.6 % |
| 24 | Cairn Terrier | 58.4 % |
| 25 | Beagle | 56.7 % |
The dog breeds that do not get along well with other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that get along well with other dogs are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how well they get along with other dog breeds.
Are Pit Bull mixs Easy to Train?
Dogs have high trainability have the willingness to listen to their owner. These dogs are not stubborn. These dogs obey simple commands, and they learn very quickly.
Highly trainable dogs excel at fetching objects. They also respond positively to correction and ignore distraction.
Pit Bull mixs are a little bit easy to train.
This is because the Pit Bull mix ranks low for trainability.
The Pit Bull mix ranks number 86 out of 124 dog breeds for easiness to train.
This information is based on what 41 Pit Bull mix owners reported on the trainability of their Pit Bull mix in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Pit Bull mix has a trainability score of 57.5 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit easy to train just like the Pit Bull mix are listed in the table below
| Trainability Rank | Breed | Trainability Score |
|---|---|---|
| 83 | Pomeranian | 58.6 % |
| 84 | Bulldog | 58.3 % |
| 85 | Ibizan Hound | 58.1 % |
| 86 | Pit Bull mix | 57.5 % |
| 87 | Scottish Terrier | 56.8 % |
| 88 | Fox Terrier (Toy) | 55.9 % |
| 89 | Alaskan Husky | 55.8 % |
The dog breeds that are most easy to train are the:
The dog breeds that are difficult to train are the:
Do Pit Bull mixs Get Along Well with Cats? Do They Get Along Well with Other Pets?
Dog breeds that have high chase-drive will run after (chase) cats, birds, and/or other small animals, given the opportunity.
Pit Bull mixs are very much into chasing after other smaller pets like cats, squirrels, chickens, and birds.
This is because the Pit Bull mix ranks very high for small-pet-chasing.
The Pit Bull mix ranks number 12 out of 124 dog breeds for chasing after smaller pets.
This information is based on what 41 Pit Bull mix owners reported on the temperament of their Pit Bull mix in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Pit Bull mix has a chasing score of 75.8 %.
Other dog breeds that are very much into chasing after smaller pets just like the Pit Bull mix are listed in the table below
| Chasing Rank | Breed | Chasing Score |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Border Terrier | 81.3 % |
| 10 | German Shorthaired Pointer | 76.3 % |
| 11 | Cairn Terrier | 76.2 % |
| 12 | Pit Bull mix | 75.8 % |
| 13 | Afghan Hound | 75.1 % |
| 14 | Shiba Inu | 75.0 % |
| 15 | Fox Terrier (Wire/Wire-haired) | 74.4 % |
The dog breeds that like chasing after cats and other smaller pets are the:
The dog breeds that will not chase after cats and other smaller pets are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their prey drive.
Do Pit Bull mixs Like Attention? Are they Clingy or Aloof?
Some dog breeds like to stay close to their owners all the time. These dogs like attention, and they like to receive the affection of their owners.
These dogs get jealous when their owners give attention to other dogs or other people instead of them.
Dogs with these traits are described as attachment/attention-seeking.
Pit Bull mixs are quite a bit attachment/attention-seeking.
This is because the Pit Bull mix ranks high for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.
The Pit Bull mix ranks number 32 out of 124 dog breeds for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.
This information is based on what 41 Pit Bull mix owners reported on the temperament of their Pit Bull mix in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Pit Bull mix has an attachment/attention-seeking score of 67.5 %.
Other dog breeds that are quite a bit attachment/attention-seeking just like the Pit Bull mix are listed in the table below
| Attachment-Attention-Seeking Rank | Breed | Attachment-Attention-Seeking Score |
|---|---|---|
| 29 | Bichon Frise | 67.9 % |
| 30 | Rat Terrier | 67.6 % |
| 31 | Dalmatian | 67.6 % |
| 32 | Pit Bull mix | 67.5 % |
| 33 | English Springer Spaniel | 67.1 % |
| 34 | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 66.5 % |
| 35 | Belgian Sheepdog | 65.5 % |
The dog breeds that are always seeking the attention of their owners are the:
The dog breeds that are aloof are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their clinginess.
Do Pit Bull mixs have Separation Anxiety? Do They Like to be Left Alone?
Dog breeds that have separation anxiety do not like to be left alone.
These dog breeds tend to bark and destroy things when separated from their owners.
They become restless or lose their appetite when left alone.
Pit Bull mixs are quite a bit prone to developing separation anxiety.
This is because the Pit Bull mix ranks high for separation anxiety relative to other dog breeds.
The Pit Bull mix ranks number 29 out of 124 dog breeds for separation anxiety.
This information is based on what 41 Pit Bull mix owners reported on the temperament of their Pit Bull mix in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Pit Bull mix has a separation anxiety score of 52.3 %.
Other dog breeds that are quite a bit prone to develop separation anxiety just like the Pit Bull mix are listed in the table below
| Separation-Related-Behavior Rank | Breed | Separation-Related-Behavior Score |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | Parson Russell Terrier | 53.1 % |
| 27 | Great Pyrenees | 53.0 % |
| 28 | Cardigan Welsh Corgi | 53.0 % |
| 29 | Pit Bull mix | 52.3 % |
| 30 | German Shorthaired Pointer | 51.7 % |
| 31 | Bull Terrier | 51.5 % |
| 32 | American Pit Bull Terrier | 51.4 % |
The dog breeds that are most prone to develop separation anxiety are listed below. These dog breeds do not like to be left alone. These dog breeds are the:
- Treeing Walker Coonhound
- Fox Terrier (Smooth)
- Chinese Crested
- Miniature Pinscher
- Australian Silky Terrier
The dog breeds that are least prone to develop separation anxiety are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their tendency to develop separation anxiety.
Are Pit Bull mixs Touch Sensitive? Do They Like to be Groomed?
Dogs that are touch-sensitive are fearful of `painful` procedures such as bathing, grooming, nail clipping, and veterinary examinations.
These dogs do not like going through these `painful` procedures, and they will react to show they do not like the procedure.
Pit Bull mixs are very much touch-sensitive.
This is because the Pit Bull mix ranks very high for touch sensitivity.
The Pit Bull mix ranks number 9 out of 124 dog breeds for touch sensitivity.
This information is based on what 41 Pit Bull mix owners reported on the temperament of their Pit Bull mix in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Pit Bull mix has a touch-sensitivity score of 53.3 %.
Other dog breeds that are very much touch-sensitive just like the Pit Bull mix are listed in the table below
| Touch-Sensitivity Rank | Breed | Touch-Sensitivity Score |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Fox Terrier (Smooth) | 64.8 % |
| 7 | Chinese Shar-Pei | 61.7 % |
| 8 | Shiba Inu | 56.1 % |
| 9 | Pit Bull mix | 53.3 % |
| 10 | Maltese | 50.2 % |
| 11 | Afghan Hound | 50.2 % |
| 12 | Cairn Terrier | 49.3 % |
The dog breeds that are most touch-sensitive are the:
The dog breeds that are least touch-sensitive are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their sensitivity to touch.
Are Pit Bull mixs Hyper? Are they Highly Excitable?
Excitable dog or hyper dog breeds display strong reactions to potentially exciting or arousing events, such as:
- going for walks
- car trips
- sound of the doorbell
- arrival of visitors, and
- the owner arriving home
Highly excitable dog breeds have difficulty settling down after arousal.
Pit Bull mixs are very much hyper (excitable).
This is because the Pit Bull mix ranks very high for excitability.
The Pit Bull mix ranks number 17 out of 124 dog breeds for excitability.
This information is based on what 41 Pit Bull mix owners reported on the temperament of their Pit Bull mix in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Pit Bull mix has an excitability score of 60.6 %.
Other dog breeds that are very much excitable just like the Pit Bull mix are listed in the table below
| Excitability Rank | Breed | Excitability Score |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | Boston Terrier | 61.9 % |
| 15 | Boxer | 61.8 % |
| 16 | Maltese | 61.1 % |
| 17 | Pit Bull mix | 60.6 % |
| 18 | Belgian Malinois | 60.1 % |
| 19 | Fox Terrier (Toy) | 59.9 % |
| 20 | Dachshund | 59.1 % |
The dog breeds that are most hyper (excitable) are the:
- Australian Silky Terrier
- Fox Terrier (Smooth)
- American Eskimo Dog
- Parson Russell Terrier
- Miniature Schnauzer
The dog breeds that are least hyper (excitable) are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how hyper they are.
Are Pit Bull mixs Playful? What is the Energy Level of Pit Bull mixs
Energetic dog breeds are very playful dog breeds. These are the dog breeds that do not get tired easily.
Pit Bull mixs are very much energetic.
This is because the Pit Bull mix ranks very high for energy level.
The Pit Bull mix ranks number 7 out of 124 dog breeds for energy level.
This information is based on what 41 Pit Bull mix owners reported on the temperament of their Pit Bull mix in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Pit Bull mix has an energy-level score of 81.0 %.
Other dog breeds that are very much energetic just like the Pit Bull mix are listed in the table below
| Energy-Level Rank | Breed | Energy-Level Score |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | German Shorthaired Pointer | 86.4 % |
| 5 | Ibizan Hound | 85.3 % |
| 6 | Australian Cattle Dog | 82.9 % |
| 7 | Pit Bull mix | 81.0 % |
| 8 | Cardigan Welsh Corgi | 80.9 % |
| 9 | Brittany | 80.0 % |
| 10 | Airedale Terrier | 79.7 % |
The dog breeds that are most playful and most energetic are the:
The dog breeds that are laziest are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the most energetic to the least energetic.
Conclusion on Pit Bull mix Temperament
The temperament of your Pit Bull mix comes from a combination of its genetics and what environment your Pit Bull mix is exposed to.
You cannot change your Pit Bull mix`s gene but you can change the things you expose your Pit Bull mix to.
Exposing your Pit Bull mix to dog training sessions early in its life can help you mold the temperament of your Pit Bull mix to what you desire.
Again, with proper training, you can better your Pit Bull mix`s temperament. To learn how to properly train a dog, I highly recommend Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.
I learned most of the things I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.
Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Pit Bull mix.