Aggressive dog and our baby is on the way

Ok...so I feel the need to ask a question or two here. Why...if you love these dogs would you allow them to go on fighting for...3 YEARS??? Why wouldn't you have sought out help for these dogs "you love" so much instead of allowing constant chaos to continue on. Do you have a plan in place to get proffessional help before the baby arrives? I wouldn't allow not one more day to pass before jumping all over this, and it's simply irresponsible to not do so. For the sake of your dogs and you unborn child...do something now before it's to late.

Richard and Wise....if you can't be part of the solution kindly don't be part of the problem.
 
I had female cockers who fought on and off for their entire lives.  Never had a clue what triggered it and I watched carefully, but for some reason, suddenly one would get a wild hair and just FLY into the other.  I MANAGED them, but I never could totally stop this.  However, when I wasn't home, they had NO access to one another.  They were crated when I was gone.  Sometimes ALL you can do is manage the situation, not fix it.  And yep, I loved those girls FIERCLY.
 
I think your old gal needs to be vetted ASAP.  There are likely meds (or even Knox nutra joint) which will help with her discomfort and likely make her more pleasant and less "jumpy" and willing to start something.  But you've got to rule out medical issues FIRST.  Even then, don't expect this to be instantly cured......as someone said, they've had three long years to practice this behavior A behaviorolist  MIGHT be able to help and it's certainly worth a try...even if all she can do is help you to MANAGE the fighting.
 
Good luck

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Richard,
 You've got mail!

Moving forward, there can be solutions. Suggestions have been made and I'm sure this can be worked out with help and dedication.

Thank you Jaime.  I did see that in the notifications and your quick action probably saved MY bacon! []
 
Bitch-bitch fights can be absolutely dreadful, without any discernable reason and absolutely horrible.  Thats why I strongly recommend vetting, managing and separation AND a behavioralist.

ORIGINAL: glenmar

Richard and Wise....if you can't be part of the solution kindly don't be part of the problem.

Well then...allow me to retort. I've been working with dogs professionally for some 25 years, and sorry to inform you but dogs fighting amongst themselves can be completely STOPPED. I worked with and seen dogs go from fighting to getting along for the rest of their natural lives. As far as your dogs fighting goes, I'll just ask this...what kind of professional help did...you seek?

As far as my post not being helpful...I do believe I mention that the poster should seek professional help. And I believe I have a right to wonder why someone who knows that their dogs fight would not seek professional help and why in the world they would...ever allow them alone together...so the behavior get continue and get worse. sorry I don't candy coat my words, but at the same time I don't think i'm being mean in the least little bit. so how about you help you way...and I'll help mine.

  amstaffy

Your dogs are beautiful, I help save and educate people all the time about these wonderful breeds. IMPO 99% of all dog problems are human created.

Wise,
Thank you, I have spent many years defending the breed, educating owners as well as the public. You are correct the problems do occur majority of the time due to irresponsible owners.
All breeds need training and limitations. When behavior problems exisit like the ones explained in this thread the owner must take action and regain their life as well as the lives of their dogs. Animal aggressive dogs can be maintained. A dedicated owner will seek professional help, limit the unsupervised time and control the supervised time.
 I don't expect you to sugar coat everything but I do ask that you respect all forum members and consider the fact that you could very well be replying to people who are not as experienced as you in regards to terms and training techniques, sometimes more information or detailed information would be more appropriate.

ORIGINAL: glenmar

Thank you Jaime.  I did see that in the notifications and your quick action probably saved MY bacon! []

 
Some days I doubt even I can save your bacon...watch it!

[]Hey!  OUCH!!  I won't even tell you the number of times I've gone to threads in the last two days and then decided to behave!  And you weren't even around to chase me with that dog of yours!

I could only contribute by saying that I was very much in your situation.  The pack was 2 Great Danes (females), English Bulldog (female), and little mix (male).  Could not identify the specific reason why the Bulldog would attack.  My observation was whenever I got up from chair that would be her cue.  She would run up to and lunge at the dog closest.  The Danes ignored her and no fight occurred.  The little mix fought.  I am thinking it was “pack” thing and I was triggering the behavior.  I did not seek a behaviorist but managed and controlled the situation by reinforcing the leave it command and separation when left alone.

ORIGINAL: wisewilddog

IMPO 99% of all dog problems are human created.

 
IMPO, I agree with you...and welcome! 
 
 

ORIGINAL: richard_dragin

Have you people read the original post? How am I the problem when she tells us they have been fighting for three years and she comes home and they are covered in blood and now that she is having a baby IN THREE MONTHS it occurs to her that there is a problem. Some of the suggestions have not been very well thought out to say the least and this person needs to be told the truth and not some sugar coated crap that some of you want to spew. I assure you I am not a psycho and am very level headed. I can also assure you that I care about dogs and sometimes someone needs to be told something harsh to wake them up.

richard, if you knew how many people I see in the course of a year who don't realize this is a major problem until the blessed event is due, it would probably give you heart failure.  In any case, this person needs immediate help on a professional level, and I'd hate to see her not get it because of your remarks, which, incidentally, I did not have the pleasure of reading.  At least the person is here now, asking for advice, so for the sake of the baby and the dogs, I hope she takes the suggestion of finding a professional to help.
To the OP - while a behaviorist will certainly be able to help you, it is also worthwhile to get the dogs into a training regimen that will help them see you and the humans in the family as their benevolent leaders, sufficient that they find it less necessary to challenge each other. 
You do need to be aware that some dogs may never be safe around one another, and the best solution may be to rehome one of them.  After all, the dogs can't be happy in this situation either.

ORIGINAL: Angelique

ORIGINAL: wisewilddog

IMPO 99% of all dog problems are human created.

IMPO, I agree with you...and welcome! 

Thank you.