if you have room [yard] for 7 dogs than it will be alright but you need to work with the dogs. first at all i hope all of your dogs are neutered n sprayed. it hard to have one kind of breed special a pit bull. then bring in an other high energy dog into the picture.then start work with them in the play yard being aggressive to each other.you may have to work with 2 at a to meet jr add the jr with your claimest dog at first then that work out thenl mean a other one. and with the food dish u can seperate them around the room in time they will learn to leave the room when all the dish got empty.
i used to run a pet rescue i had up to ten dogs in the same pen play with each other when they was turn it because of fight with other dogs.i have 3 dogs of my own my aussie, keeshood and a chi dog.and when adopted dogs left me they got along with other dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, n kids
drdoolittle wrote:
I do NOT agree with the shock-collar thing! This is really a kind of lazy way to go about training------if you can call it training. This woman simply needs to get rid of some of these dogs------probably all but the JRT and lab. Sorry, but that's my opinion.
You think "getting rid" of dogs is more humane than a shock collar?-----comment by brindlebtch
I think that using shock collars are inhumane when used by someone who has no idea what they're doing. I don't think she should "get rid of her dogs" as in "taking them to a shelter". There are plenty of reputable rescues all over----especially for pitbulls, American Staffordshire Terriers, etc. I just don't think someone should have 7 dogs if they are not going to supervise/train them properly. There are other ways to train these dogs besides using a shock collar------have you ever seen "It's Me or the Dog" with Victoria Stillwell? There have even been times on that program where she came to the conclusion that the owner needed to re-home their dog----and in one instance, the people only had 2 dogs------they just couldn't handle them both. There is no shame in admitting that you cannot provide a safe, nuturing environment to all the pets you have. But there is shame in continuing to keep beautiful animals in a stressful, potentially dangerous environment. I also agree with what halo was alluding to.
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yes, because you know those pit bulls will eat the baby if left unattended.
I think the jack russel needs to go. OR you need to practice crate/rotate in reguards to it. its a small yappy dog, and they are terriers so they will instigate fights. . . reason 20039 that we do not have one
I would get a baby gate and make a room for the JR. Don't put it in exile and ignore him but put him away from the pitties
if he gets along with dog a or b or c let them play, but if dog d is always a problem, well they dont play!
Secondly, as a multi pit bull home as well you need to strictly enforce your rules. each and every time with the dogs. repitition is key and will be your best friend. you need to get sturdy CRATES for each dog and feed in the crate. the dog leaves the crate, the door gets shut . no guarding in the crate, which is maybe where your fight started?
I am confused as to the dynamics of your house- can you please explain how many you have, and where they are PRIMARLY located? you mentioned a dog house outsid ecausing the fight... but the dogs are inside.. maybe you can do that and i can offer some assistance? I personally have four dogs INSIDE, including a small Boston Terrier ( yes, I know i will have similar issues with the small dog thing but hopefully he'll be great and sturdy and be able to keep up with the dogs ... one on one).and two ( and puppies) outside. I dont switch it up- outside are outside and inside are inside. It avoids pack disturbance because i think the dogs think that they are 2 packs.
I also think your DH needs to stop blaming you and get proactive in the situation- or if they are your dogs and yours alone tell him to MHOB and stay out of it. Just my 2 cents ...my df is not into the dogs at all aside from sitting next to the crates at dog shows
Honestly, I'd get rid of dog number 2. If she doesn't get on with her own kind (parents, size wise, etc) then she's never going to be trustworthy. Should your little one die, who will she attack next? Is it worth losing your breeding parents?
Not to mention YOU, DH, family, friends might get in the line of fire between her and her food. It's not worth it.
There was a fellow mom up at the kids' school... her hubby had brought home a dog... refused to see its bad behavior... eventually there was a fight like yours with their much smaller dog... she tried to intervene, just like you did... talking NOT grabbing... and the dog turned on her and tore her thigh all to hades... major reconstructive surgery required... and the hubby still refused to rehome the dog... while wife was IN the hospital... she finally packed up their SMALL children and stayed elsewhere... NOT worth the risk... because if it'd been one of their kids it would have been their throat that was crushed, not just a leg.
She needs to be in a 1 dog home... no competition for food at ALL... then maybe her good side can really shine.
If you can find someone who will treat her like a princess then everyone will be happy.
But as it is, I fear that these episodes will only get worse.
Particularly if she's getting positive reinforcement from half the population of the house.
For you and your poor little doggie... not to mention #1 who's been taking the blame for #2's actions... repeat that often enough and that can cause damage too.
Not a trainer, by ANY means... just based on enough stories, seeing the scars, and my own furballs...
I have had pitbulls and bully breeds for 20 years and I always find it so sad that people believe food/animal aggression is the same as human aggression.. I have multiple dogs and right now I have 2 adult males sleeping together with a cat inbetween, but I know I am the exception not the rule with a bully home. YOU as the owner are responsible for all actions of your dog, if you do not have control of them, the should not be housed or turned out together, period. That is an accident waiting to happen, I have little yappy dogs also but my dogs (big or small) are disciplined if/when they try to dominate one another (and yes, it usually the little ones starting trouble).
Food aggression is not tolerated either, that is your food and you are allowing them to eat it. When training a food aggressive dog, I usually put the food in the ground in a metal bowl and place my feet on the outside of the bowl, on both sides so I can move the bowl periodically and tell the dog NO or OUT, they should not eat once you do this and if they respect your command wait about 5 seconds and let them resume and you can repeat.
I wish you luck, but you are risking your bullys and your little dog, if you do not gain control over the situation, you are very lucky this did not end worse. When I say you are risking the bullies also, three together is not a good idea without supervision, because a dogs nature is if two are fighting the third dog will usually side with the dominant dog and the other is at a tremendous disadvantage.
I dont think you or your husband should be blaming this dog or the other, it is always the owners responsibility to ensure the safety of their pets from all dangers..
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Thank you for asking. Our JRT is pretty sore, and still very shocked with the event that happened. I have tried feeding her at different times during the day/night and she shuns her food with fear in her eyes. I am now 100% certain that the fight was over the food dish. She has willing taken her pain pills and antibiotics and is drinking lots of water. I have her crate set up in our room completely covered on all sides, with the side door not covered so she can see the familiar surroundings. She is mostly sleeping it off, but when I do go by her, she responds by opening her eyes and wagging her tail. She will remain in the house, we are still trying to figure out what will be best for her after she heals. In the meantime, the 2 of the 3 older Pitbulls remain in their kennels, allowed out one at a time for short durations at a time, then will gradually start bringing the pack together one by one when things have cooled off. The two younger ones, a male and female who were not involved in the attack, are in their crates in the other dog room. The energy level is still a little bit elevated at this time, so it will be day by day. On Monday, we will be making appointments for 4 of the 5 pitbulls to be spayed and nuetured. The other female that was out there but not involved in the fight is just about ready to come into her heat, so will wait for her to complete her heat and then fix her. We have several dog rooms in our house and one of the rooms inside is designated for the girls when they are in heat, so we have already moved that female that will be coming into hers into "the heat room". Thank goodness they cycle one right after another and not all at once! Today, my hubby and I were both emotionally unattached when discussing what we need to do for the dogs and ourselves. I have often expressed that 7 dogs is a little bit much for me to handle as I am the primary one taking care of the dogs, I was more comfortable with 5, but the addition of the last two, especially having another intact male, had made it very challenging for me the past 4 months since jr became coming into manhood.
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The Pitbulls (all 5 of them) love and adore children, and when I watch my grandkids, which is nearly everyday, the bulls are so gentle around them, and even when the grandkids are eating food, walking around, the dogs do not dare try to take their food. I have never ever left the grandkids unattended with the bulls in the house. My husband and I have a Japanese style table that we eat on, low to the ground and we sit on pillows, the dogs are always with us when we eat, and we can even walk out the room, away from our plates, and they dare not even look at or smell the food. The dogs are well socialized, we take them all riding with us most everywhere we go, we take them to the beach where there are other dogs and lots of people, never anything out of place. We take them to dog parks, they socialize great with other dogs, and we even take them into non food establishments either on leash or in the wagons, and they have always displayed docile temperments. We work with these dogs constantly; physically, emotionally, mentally, I feel we have done a great job bringing these dogs up, and others that meet our dog have commented on the same. My bad was not checking the JRT dog bowl outside the house before I let the dogs out, as the JRT is always done eating within 10 minutes, and unfortunately, this was a time she did not finish her bowl and there was a two hour lapse in feeding.
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Thank you, definitely the highest priority on my list. I so love Cesar Milan and have learned alot from his shows and his writings. In fact, I check his site pretty regularly and keep hoping that he will make a stop in Hawaii, as I would love for him to come and work with our pack. Dog bowl food aggression is this particular dogs weakness, and her role in the pack is the peacemaker, she is the one who keeps all the other dogs in check. I have mentioned on another post, I am only 5 yrs. into this power breed, I love their loyalty, their companionship and their intelligence, however, I know there is so much more to learn and continue learning about this unique breed, unlike the other breeds that I have raised in the past. The dogs do know that my hubby and I are the pack leaders, and I have never doubted my place in the pack and thank goodness that I was able to get her "off" the JRT instantly with the water, it quickly snapped her out of "the zone".
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yes, because you know those pit bulls will eat the baby if left unattended.
I think the jack russel needs to go. OR you need to practice crate/rotate in reguards to it. its a small yappy dog, and they are terriers so they will instigate fights. . . reason 20039 that we do not have one
I would get a baby gate and make a room for the JR. Don't put it in exile and ignore him but put him away from the pitties
if he gets along with dog a or b or c let them play, but if dog d is always a problem, well they dont play!
Secondly, as a multi pit bull home as well you need to strictly enforce your rules. each and every time with the dogs. repitition is key and will be your best friend. you need to get sturdy CRATES for each dog and feed in the crate. the dog leaves the crate, the door gets shut . no guarding in the crate, which is maybe where your fight started?
I am confused as to the dynamics of your house- can you please explain how many you have, and where they are PRIMARLY located? you mentioned a dog house outsid ecausing the fight... but the dogs are inside.. maybe you can do that and i can offer some assistance? I personally have four dogs INSIDE, including a small Boston Terrier ( yes, I know i will have similar issues with the small dog thing but hopefully he'll be great and sturdy and be able to keep up with the dogs ... one on one).and two ( and puppies) outside. I dont switch it up- outside are outside and inside are inside. It avoids pack disturbance because i think the dogs think that they are 2 packs.
I also think your DH needs to stop blaming you and get proactive in the situation- or if they are your dogs and yours alone tell him to MHOB and stay out of it. Just my 2 cents ...my df is not into the dogs at all aside from sitting next to the crates at dog shows
Thank you for your willingness to help me and offer advice further. We have 5 cemented, chain link kennels on the front of the property where all 5 of the pitbulls are housed when we are not at home, and each kennel door has a separate lock on it because they figured out how to get the doors open. Otherwise, the pits are with me in the house when I am inside, and out with all the other animals when I am outside. The lab is free roaming on the property, always been an outside dog, he is the OG and protects the property when nobody is home. The JRT is situated right next to the five pitbull kennels, she is tied to a long lead, with a dog house and other shading. (The JRT was always an inside dog up until a couple of years ago when my inlaws wanted to keep her at the cottage on our property. Since then, the JRT is only allowed to join the other dogs in the pack when all the chickens are housed in their henhouse and runs because when she had free range of the property with the other dogs, she had killed a couple dozen of my chickens over time, in my presence!
I have two crates in the house, very sturdy ones in which I feed the two younger pits inside, which is located in our dining room. I begin feeding the two younger ones in their crates at 5pm. I then go out to the kennels, let the other 3 pits out to run around and what not before I bring them in to the house to eat. They all come in, take their designated spot in the living room, without being told. I then go and remove the dishes from the crated dogs, then begin feeding the three older ones. I feed the oldest male in the laundry room, adjacent to the kitchen, the younger of the female opposite end of the kitchen, and the food aggressive dog in the living room by the front door. The dogs do not come to their designated feeding area until called upon, and when they are finished, they return to their designated area in the living room. The food aggressive dog is always finished way ahead of the other two, and her bowl is immediately picked up. When the other two in the laundry room and kitchen are done, they go to their designated area in the living room and I remove their bowls. After 1 hour, I take the three older dogs and place them in one of the dog rooms I have designated in the house so I can let the two younger ones out to do their deed. When I bring them back inside, they go to their designated areas in the living room, then I allow the three older dogs to come out and join us all in the living room, taking their designated spots. When all five are in their designated areas, I then go out and feed the lab and JRT. Both of them take 10 minutes to eat. After 1 hour, I take the 3 bigger dogs out to relieve themselves, then they rejoin the pack in the house. Never is the energy high strung when the dogs are all brought together. Before going to sleep at night, I take the three older ones out to do the deed, then straight into my bedroom, all taking up their designated spots. I then take the two younger ones out, then return them each to their crates before retiring myself. The male sleeps on the floor, next to my side of the bed, the food aggressive dog sleeps next to my husband on the bed, and the younger of the females sleeps in the folds of my legs. In the morning, the oldest of the male, wakes me up by brushing my face, or literally lifting up my head when its time for him to go out and do the deed. I take all three out of the room and outside at that time. When they come back in, its straight to my bedroom, where they go back inside with my hubby til 7am. I then take the two younger ones out, and upon bringing them back in, they go to their designated areas in the living room. When the older dogs come out of the bedroom with my husband, they take their designated spots. I then go out and feed the ducks who free range the property, then I feed the chickens and pig. When all are through eating, I bring the dogs outside all together, and they all pretty much do their own thing; interacting, rolling in the grass, running around, sunbathing or napping.
Because I breed and sell chickens and sell my eggs, we constantly have people coming and going through out the day, everyday. I have ppl call me before reaching my house with an ETA so I can get all the dogs locked in their kennels upon their arrival. As soon as I say, "kennels", the dogs all eagerly run to their designated kennels and locked in before anyone arrives. The lab is placed on the deck, which has a gate on it as well. All of the dogs sit at the front of their kennels when guest arrive, always the first stop for introduction before heading over to the chicken area. After the guest leave, I let all the animals back outside with me, letting the two younger ones out first, then the three older ones. So all day, everyday, as I do not work, all the animals are with me.
This is the take on the dogs:
Male lab, neutered, 15 yrs. old (Was with me from first day of birth)
Female JRT, spayed, 10 yrs. old (was a rescue dog for hubby before we got together)
The rest were acquired in our marriage.
Male Pitbull, intact, 5 yrs old (father)
Female Pitbull, not spayed, 4 yrs old (mother)
Female Pitbull, not spayed, 2 1/2 yrs old (daughter)
Female Pitbull, not spayed, 1 yr old, (daughter)
Male Pitbull, intact, 1 yr old (son)
Out of the two litters we have bred, 27 puppies later, we have maintained close relationships with the new owners and dogs, and we often have them up for socializing with our pack; dogs get along great, never been any aggressive behaviors from or with any of the off springs. We often go and visit with the other owners, taking the dogs in two's or threes, never had a problem there either. After alot of soul searching, my hubby is no longer blaming me or the dog, and has become pro active in finding the best solution. I think his intial reaction was way out of line, his emotions took over his ability to process the situation, but has been very supportive and active in the planning for continuity of care for the animals, as well as ourselves.
Again, thank you for taking the time in wanting to help us find the best solution for everyone.
