My dogs are going to kill each other :(

    • Bronze

    My dogs are going to kill each other :(

    Our Boston Terrier has had some knee problems, and required surgery for a luxating patella (a $5,000 surgery for a dislocated kneecap).  While he was recovering for the first two weeks, we sent our other dog (a German Shepherd/Pug Cross [we're not sure how this happend either]), to a family members house so that our Boston could recover without worrying that they would play too rough, and his knee would get injured.

    We brought the German Shepherd/Pug X back home yesterday, and every chance they get, they are fighting.  Its not one of them attacking the other, its both at each other's throats!  I separate them and put them in their kennels.  And bring one out a time - but the minute that I turn my head, they are fighting.  They both weigh about 30 lbs.

    My boyfriend says that we should just let them go for it, and they'll sort it out on their own - but I'm scared that one of them will get hurt, and I honestly cannot afford another vet bill at this time.  Can anyone tell me what we need to do when they do this?  Do you suppose that the Pug/ShepX views our Boston as weak and is trying to ensure that only the strong survive?

    Any pros out there that have any advice for our family?

    Some background:
    -Our dogs play together, and got along the majority of the time before the surgery took place.  The odd time they may have been a fight, but we knew it was coming by their behavior.
    -Both dogs are around 2 years old, both male, and have been neutered since about 6 months old.
    -Our Boston is an insecure dog, and will bite if approached by someone.
    -Our Boston also shows red zone dog aggression when we approach another dog.
    -We currently have been under the direction of a professional dog trainer who uses ceasar's ways, who has been to 6 of cesars's sessions.  They call her the "Canadian Dog Whisperer".  Unfortunately, shes been very sick with cancer, and most recently a stroke - and don't have the ability to ask her for any advice right now. 

    • Gold Top Dog

    You might want to investigate a positive reinforcement trainer.  That said, until you are able to move ahead in desensitizing these dogs to one another, you MUST keep them apart.

    Your boyfriend is way off target that they will sort it out.  They MIGHT, but, yes, they also might literally kill one another.  When dogs are that intent on "going at it" the only thing you can really do is keep them completely separate.

    • Gold Top Dog

    I agree, keep separated until you can get professional help.  There's a lot of possible reasons.  If the dogs are around 2, they are now mature and things can change as a dog hits maturity (a dog it previously tolerated can become an enemy).  If the Boston is insecure and now also physically not 100% because of the surgery, sometimes dogs "attack" the weak one.  It could be that they just don't and won't get along.  Forcing the issue will only make it worse.  Right now focus on management.

    • Gold Top Dog

     The Boston weighs 30 lbs?

    • Gold Top Dog

    Liesje

    I agree, keep separated until you can get professional help.  There's a lot of possible reasons.  If the dogs are around 2, they are now mature and things can change as a dog hits maturity (a dog it previously tolerated can become an enemy).  If the Boston is insecure and now also physically not 100% because of the surgery, sometimes dogs "attack" the weak one.  It could be that they just don't and won't get along.  Forcing the issue will only make it worse.  Right now focus on management.

     

    This is very good advice.  And, when you finally get professional help, please avail yourself of a real behaviorist who has DVM or PhD credentials, or affiliation with one of the major organizations such as IAABC or the Animal Behavior Society.  It is worth the money to get help from someone trained in behavioral science. 

    • Bronze

    Just last night, I saw one of the "whisper" shows on Animal Plt, where Cesar dealt with just such a situation.

    Didn't get a number on the show, sorry.

    Have a good Day ! Smile

    S.W.

    • Gold Top Dog

     "CM" is not normally found in the same sentence as "positive reinforcement trainer" or even, for that matter, "qualified".  If you are indeed looking for a qualified behaviourist who uses mainly positive reinforcement (which is great advice and I commend it), then CM is a good example of what not to look for.

    • Bronze

    Hay, you can't argue with results !!

    Punching those dogs in their chests with his hand, snapped them right in line !Crying

    PS-EDIT:  I just noticed something, everytime I return to this Thread, the Picture below your post changes, very cool !

    Have a good Day ! Smile

    S.W.

    • Gold Top Dog

    SWHouston

    Hay, you can't argue with results !!

    Punching those dogs in their chests with his hand, snapped them right in line !Crying

     

     

    I have been impressed too. I have found that since i have been using this technique on my fellow workers, they are suddenly agreeing with everything i say. The problem is that they don't want to stay to long. Big Smile

    • Bronze

    poodleOened,

    HA, quite clever !, Wink

    From what I saw, no doubt that those dogs may not have wanted to stay there either.

    CM has an answer to all problems, though I don't always agree with his approaches.  It seems as though he's always wanting/training to totally subordinate the animal, and I'm not sure I want that from mine.

    I have a Yorkie.  They were bread to be quite independent.  That's what I like about the breed. I wonder just how much of his personality is "taken", the more "we" make them "mind" and obey by rote.

    I admit, it's been quite a few years since I've had a Dog, loosing the last one hurt too much, and I've (before now) been resisting having another.  My (previous) Old English was "soft butter" compared to the energy displayed by Goofie, a male Yorkie.  He's SO mischievous, and I DO like that, I've had more laughs with this animal than any other I've ever had.  I'm just not all that willing to keep "snapping him back", like CM does in every instance.  Am I wrong, is this going to cause me a problem later ?  He's only 1 yo now.

    Have a good Day ! Smile

    S.W.