I'm a newb here. A real life friend of mine told me about a site called Terrific Pets and I went there to join and they are not allowing new users so she told me about this place. Dang it's hard to find...lol
Anyway, one less member for them and one more member for you!
I'm not a breeder, just a dog owner. Having some agression issues between male dogs. Have one about 2 years old and another about 6 months old. The 6 month old is a new pup and extremely agressive towards the older one. Both are males. Until provoked, the older dog shows no signs of aggresion.
Any proper way to introduce them? It's really viscious. I honestly think one would kill the other if not restrained.
I don't run non-compatible dogs together, ever... I had seen nasty fights between dogs growing up, and just don't take chances with my brood/show stock. Sure is not worth the vet bills, if you are a sloppy dog owner. It is not hard to keep them separate, but if you want to force them to be together, and personalities clash, I would suggest electric collar training, and perhaps muzzles. The e-collars are a miracle worker, if you learn to use them right. Check into dog whisper guy's stuff also, but I prefer concrete deterents, so you will be on your own there...
Welcome! What breed(s) are your furpals? How long have you had them? Are they both neutered? Have they had any obedience training & if so how far are they? Is the pup from a breeder or rescue? What do you know about his background? How did you handle the initial introduction? Do you take them for walks together?
What situations tend to bring on the fights? Is it over food bowls, treats, toys or you? Do you see signs that things are going to escalate into a fight? If yes, what are the signs & by which one and what do you do then? If no, what do you do when a fight occurs - during and after?
With some of this information we might be able to give you some suggestions that might help. Until you have it resolved I would definitely not keep them together unless they are under complete supervision.
My original male is a mutt, not sure what he is. Looks kind of lab-ish. The new dog is a border collie - has papers and looks pure, but his temperament really makes me question.
How long have you had them?
Had my mutt for a few years. Just got the BC a few days ago.
Are they both neutered?
Older dog yes, BC pup no
Have they had any obedience training & if so how far are they?
No, neither dog.
Is the pup from a breeder or rescue?
From a BYB, no doubt. Given to me by a friend who could not handle him. Friend had him a few months. BC pup is about 6 months old.
What do you know about his background?
Bad background. BC pup was chained in the woods, away from the owner. No play time, no livestock, nothing. Often screamed at and hit with a broom.
How did you handle the initial introduction?
Both dogs on leashes and restrained. My older dog really didn't pay the BC any attention. He is not agressive in any way. The BC growls, lunges at the older dog, has bit him a few times, and literally foams at the mouth. BC is very playful with humans. When the BC lunged at my dog, my dog would jump back but I pulled them apart. I do know the BC is current on shots.
Do you take them for walks together?
Not possible at this time.
What situations tend to bring on the fights? Is it over food bowls, treats, toys or you?
Just the mere sight of my older dog brings this on. Older dog doesn't even have to be looking at the BC or anywhere near him.
Do you see signs that things are going to escalate into a fight? If yes, what are the signs & by which one and what do you do then? If no, what do you do when a fight occurs - during and after?
Yes, its a guaranteed fight when the BC sees my other dog. If not restrained, I have no doubt one of them would kill the other - my dog only out of defense though. Older dog has never started and agressive behavior its always the BC. The BC has already killed a stray pup that wandered onto the property of the owner who had him before me.
I have never in my life seen a BC like this. Very vicious towards another dog. He doesn't appear intimidated by the size or dominance of my other dog. When near each other, the BC continually barks, snapping, showing teeth until he lunges at my dog. Has happened every time. My dog could care less until the need for defense arises. He is fine with anyone else's dogs as well. This is entirely instigated by the BC.
Yikes, you really do have your work cut out for you. The poor pup surely has had a rough start in life. It does sound as though the BC was never socialized with other dogs and it is going to be a long haul and will take alot of time, dedication and in my opinion the help of a professional.
My suggestions at this point would be to have the pup neutered asap & vet checked to rule out any medical problems. I would also consult with a qualified behaviorist (your vet may be able to recommend one) as well as get the pup into obedience training. I would definitely advise the trainer of his dog aggression. It would be an easier fix if it was due to resource guarding such as toy, treat or food but it is not the case with your pup.
Since he is so young unless the aggression is hardwired in the pup, I do think it is fixable but it is not going to be easy or quick by any means.
If you aren't willing to or are unable to undertake the big task you are facing I would suggest looking for a BC rescue who might be able to rehabilitate and rehome the BC.
You may also want to check on-line for a BC oriented forum as their members might be able to give you more insight into the traits of the BC and breed specific suggestions.
Best of luck to you and thank you for rescuing this pup and trying to help him have a happy life.
Neutering might help.. Not sure but it's worth a try. I had two that couldn't even see each other. Oddly enough, one was okay with all dogs (except my other dog) and the other, while not overly happy about any other male, wouldn't spazz out and foam and shake and whine (wanting to fight) at the mere sight of any other dog except his "brother." They truly hated each other!
I had to keep them separated at all times, and having children running around, they ended up in the same place at the same time twice, both times resulting in vet visits-- the second time several days' stay at the vet and around $1000!
I wonder if a behaviorist could help you? Because it sounds like just keeping your two separated isn't going to do the trick, since he hates ALL dogs with a passion. (In addition to the fact that it is hard to NEVER slip up)
An e-collar is one that comes with a remote control which can be used to deliver either an vibrating warning or shock correction to a dog. In my opinion while they definitely can have great results they are a last resort and I personally would not use one on a 6 mo. old pup. They can create more problems than they can resolve when used incorrectly or on the wrong dog. Where I have used them in the past is for a particularly stubborn dog who definitely knows a command but refuses to follow it and more readily acceptable methods of training haven't worked. We have 1 golden in obed. school who is extremely hyper and who works wonderfully for myself and another trainer. But although he knows all the commands and has earned his AKC CD degree he knows his elderly owners are physically unable to physically hold him back if he decides he wants to go. We have him in an e-collar as their method of controlling him. Personally in my opinion he is too much of a dog for them but at least with an e-collar on he keeps his manners. And it is extremely rare that they actually have to use it - he knows what it is and just him seeing them touch the remote is usually enough for him to behave. An e-collar correction should never be given if a person isn't 100% sure the dog knows the command.
E-collars are not a short cut to conventional obedience training and should never be used as such.
I suggest you have the pup neutered and get him in some obedience classes. I think with that combinaton together with your dedication you will see a big improvement.
I agree, they are a last resort. Right now, I prefer cussing and screaming, but they have helped in the past. I have not had an aggressive Lab, but I would collar one if I did, because the alternative is usually killing the dog, if it does not come around to accepting pack order [um, I mean with me as errr, leader]. Seems to me that some dogs just don't get along, and can be allowed that as long as they are never forced to interact with others. If all doggies must "play nice" and get along, it will cull a few out of the breeding pool, and that seems the way of the future, anyway.
Only when I use the really filthy words. That way they know I'm real good and mad. Plus it's good for my blood pressure to yell [think of a tea-kettle whistling when it gets to full boil].
i heard its good to make sure that they know which ones like a higher ranking if u know what i mean so they dont get confused and right for who higher.
You are right, Cazabell, they think much like wolves, not people. Best to be the wolf in charge. Sometimes restraints are more effective than psychology, but you have to use judgement with each dog as an individual. Just like with people, every dog is different and unique. You can only generalise a little with any of us.
my doggy pippa
