The Power survived a scare from Melbourne in Alice Springs on Saturday, with the Demons surpassing expectation by hitting the lead with just 10 minutes left in the game.
It was the second scare in as many weeks for Pittard and his teammates, who were challenged strongly by an undermanned Hawthorn unit in round 10.
Pittard said such tests were to be expected though for a side sitting on top of the ladder.
He said knowing opposition sides were all plotting the Power's downfall only motivated the players on game day.
"The last few years it's been Hawthorn and Sydney and Freo and you're chasing those teams, trying to combat them and maybe play a little bit the way they do and I think now we're at the top of the ladder teams are putting a bit more focus on us," Pittard said.
"I think it's actually a good thing because it gives us something to focus on every week … you can really hone in on what you need to do.
"We know that teams are going to come out pretty hard against us because they want to knock us off.
"That means we're always going to be in for a tough game and I think we play our best footy when it's a real physical game."
Port will enter its next match, against St Kilda on Saturday at Adelaide Oval, as raging favourites after the Saints were thrashed by Collingwood last Friday.
The 86-point defeat equaled the club's second worst of the year, but Pittard said the Power's clash against the Demons was proof no side could be taken lightly.
Pittard also said Saints coach Alan Richardson's time at Alberton in 2012 would offer his side unique insight into Port's plan.
"They've been competitive in a lot of matches and they'll be raring to go against us, particularly with 'Richo' being here last year, he'll [have] a few bits of inside knowledge," he said.
"He knows a few of us quite well and the way Kenny wants us to play so he'll be able to combat that pretty well.
"It's going to be another tough one for us."
Despite initial concern that Port skipper Travis Boak would struggle to overcome a rolled ankle, Pittard expected the star midfielder to make himself available.
He also predicted Chad Wingard to quickly "bounce back" from the concussion that saw him subbed out of the match.
"He [Boak] was walking around this morning so I imagine we should be right," he said.
"[Wingard] was a bit shaken up but walking around this morning he was fine and after the game he was just a bit disappointed he got subbed off.
"He'll bounce back, he'll be fine."
