What to do about dogs fighting
Discussion
I'll try and make this as short as possible, I'm looking for some advice from the extremely knowledgeable dog owners on here.
He is a 14 month old "Victorian Bulldog", he started to fight with our 2 year old Boston Terrier, at about 6 months old. Due to various issues we had to wait until he was 11 months till we had him neutered (this was advised due to his behaviour and the fighting), by this point he was marking everywhere around the house and generally misbehaving and oozing so much testosterone you could smell it!
Over the first few weeks after neutering the fighting died down along with a lot of his behavioural issues, but the fighting is on the rise again as the behaviour improves and he becomes a great dog.
The last 3-4 times I've not been in the house when it's happened, I'm pretty sure it's because they do see me as the dominant one. (I've stopped what looks like the start of a fight or two with a look, or a command) The worry is despite me telling them not to, my kids 10 and 11 and my wife delve in to stop them, it's only a matter of time before someone gets bitten breaking them up. I'm also a little worried about how fearless the kids are with him and if they ever find that "switch" on him, during play or whatever, I constantly remind them he's an animal, he might go for them and always be weary, but having grown up around dogs since they were babies they have absolutely no fear.
Also, my sister in law with a 6 month old baby visits regularly, we keep the dogs locked in the kitchen, but with 2 kids and absentminded visitors, they escape at lease once a visit! (two access door into kitchen area) This worries me a lot.
He's the most fantastic animal, loyal, friendly obedient, loving, but has a "switch" around food, chews and more worrying dropped food from messy kids wandering around the kitchen, this is how the fights start. We split them up to eat chews, initially put them in their creates but Louie would use his 5 stone and burst out of his and go at Bertie's until it fell apart!
I then tried splitting them in different rooms, but the remains of a chew would be found and fights start again (we also have a 3 year old neutered shih zu who leaves her's everywhere).
So no chews, but if a crumb gets dropped on the floor, they're at it again.
I'm going to contact a behaviourist tonight as I've just has a call that they've been at it again, witnessed by my dog fearing sister in law who's just run out the house back home absolutely terrified, however would appreciate any input.
He is a 14 month old "Victorian Bulldog", he started to fight with our 2 year old Boston Terrier, at about 6 months old. Due to various issues we had to wait until he was 11 months till we had him neutered (this was advised due to his behaviour and the fighting), by this point he was marking everywhere around the house and generally misbehaving and oozing so much testosterone you could smell it!
Over the first few weeks after neutering the fighting died down along with a lot of his behavioural issues, but the fighting is on the rise again as the behaviour improves and he becomes a great dog.
The last 3-4 times I've not been in the house when it's happened, I'm pretty sure it's because they do see me as the dominant one. (I've stopped what looks like the start of a fight or two with a look, or a command) The worry is despite me telling them not to, my kids 10 and 11 and my wife delve in to stop them, it's only a matter of time before someone gets bitten breaking them up. I'm also a little worried about how fearless the kids are with him and if they ever find that "switch" on him, during play or whatever, I constantly remind them he's an animal, he might go for them and always be weary, but having grown up around dogs since they were babies they have absolutely no fear.
Also, my sister in law with a 6 month old baby visits regularly, we keep the dogs locked in the kitchen, but with 2 kids and absentminded visitors, they escape at lease once a visit! (two access door into kitchen area) This worries me a lot.
He's the most fantastic animal, loyal, friendly obedient, loving, but has a "switch" around food, chews and more worrying dropped food from messy kids wandering around the kitchen, this is how the fights start. We split them up to eat chews, initially put them in their creates but Louie would use his 5 stone and burst out of his and go at Bertie's until it fell apart!
I then tried splitting them in different rooms, but the remains of a chew would be found and fights start again (we also have a 3 year old neutered shih zu who leaves her's everywhere).
So no chews, but if a crumb gets dropped on the floor, they're at it again.
I'm going to contact a behaviourist tonight as I've just has a call that they've been at it again, witnessed by my dog fearing sister in law who's just run out the house back home absolutely terrified, however would appreciate any input.
Thanks everyone for their input.
In hindsight I'd been in the U.S. and came back to an 12 hour day when I posted, just after the call from my wife, jet lagged, so my post was a bit "tired and emotional"
There is no risk to the kids, or any other human, well no more than any other dog, I spent A LOT of time with the 3 of them over the last few days and think the majority of the issues recently were borne by my being away and the lack of routine caused by this, this trip was a one off, so that should solve that.
Behaviourist booked.
Cages are the standard metal ones for the likes of Pets at home or Amazon, it's only an issue if we give them treats and lock them in, so we aren't doing that anymore.
Overall they are fantastic, I do agree that over time as they get older they will calm down, as the natural pecking order of things is resolved.
No fights since the last one I posted about.
The bulldog in particular needed a bit of structure, so he's currently getting away with nothing and getting very little fuss made of him, it seems to be doing the trick, I've got to admit i'm a bit too soft on him, but no more.
In hindsight I'd been in the U.S. and came back to an 12 hour day when I posted, just after the call from my wife, jet lagged, so my post was a bit "tired and emotional"
There is no risk to the kids, or any other human, well no more than any other dog, I spent A LOT of time with the 3 of them over the last few days and think the majority of the issues recently were borne by my being away and the lack of routine caused by this, this trip was a one off, so that should solve that.
Behaviourist booked.
Cages are the standard metal ones for the likes of Pets at home or Amazon, it's only an issue if we give them treats and lock them in, so we aren't doing that anymore.
Overall they are fantastic, I do agree that over time as they get older they will calm down, as the natural pecking order of things is resolved.
No fights since the last one I posted about.
The bulldog in particular needed a bit of structure, so he's currently getting away with nothing and getting very little fuss made of him, it seems to be doing the trick, I've got to admit i'm a bit too soft on him, but no more.
Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff