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Author Topic:   I want to be smart about this...help me!!!
LadyV
Member

Posts: 14
From:
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 09-25-2003 05:08 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for LadyV     Edit/Delete Message
Ok...I have had pits before....but never two at once! My concern is...I also have a miniature Schnauzer and and a 5 1/2 pound Toy Munchkin ($4000 internet designer dog that got dumped when they found out it wasn't "really" worth the money they paid for it...I had been grooming it and they have him to me and DH fell in love him) I don't want to risk these two smaller babies being hurt..I love them as if they are my kids!!! Usually there is ALWAYS someone here with them...but on an occasion as today....I will be at work and DH will be sleeping all day....I am going to put the two smaller babies in the room with him and leave the two bullies to run the house.....My Roxy is not in the least aggressive, unless it comes to food..she had been starved...she "nips" at the other dogs even at their own food bowl, but never bites....the other pit...is the newly rescued baby I'm thinking he is about 4 months old as his little "teddies" are just now dropping....he is past my knees so I am assuming he is going to be a big boy. I guess I'm worried that through out a lifetime of a pet....mistakes can be made...you get in a rush, your forget blaa, blaa, blaaa........and I feel there is NO room for such a mistake...as I don't want any of my babies hurt......My oldest son is advising that I nurse this baby to health and find him a good home....I'd like to keep him.....ANY input would be appreciated

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desertAPBT
Member

Posts: 51
From:
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 10-01-2003 05:07 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for desertAPBT     Edit/Delete Message
Never trust bulldogs not to fight.

Never trust a bulldog not to eat Fluffy or Muffy.

If it does happen remember...It is your fault, not the dogs.

Carol

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jeminn
Member

Posts: 166
From:Colorado, USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 10-01-2003 06:39 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for jeminn     Edit/Delete Message
You now have a "dog pack" in your household and all the rules, behavior and dispositions can change. Things can become very unpredictable. I think you are asking for trouble, not because of the breeds, but because of pack-drive behavior between dogs when there are more than two. Crate your animals when you are not home, and I would try to find homes for the other two dogs with someone who understands the breed. I am not suggesting that it won't work out for you to keep them all, but everything changes when you have a "pack" situation and it requires a great deal of supervision and understanding of how to control pack behavior, and what you need to do to keep your animals safe. Good luck with your decision.

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goob
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Posts: 552
From:
Registered: Mar 2003

posted 10-02-2003 12:49 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for goob     Edit/Delete Message
Jeminn, I think this person already owned 3 dogs, and they also work with dogs in their work, so they probably have a pretty good handle on things from a pack perspective.

LadyV, coming from someone who lives with five dogs, two bullies and three smaller dogs, I fully understand your worries about accidents, differences in size causing problems, etc.

That said, if it were me, I wouldn't leave the two bullies together. I would shut the new guy in a room or crate him for the simple reason that if two bullies get into a fight, it will most likely escalate to the point that you come home to at least one seriously injured/dead dog. That's not so much of a worry since he's young still, but I would start at least soon, just to be safe.

I'll also say that with my older girl, who's dog agrgessive and pretty quick to fire up around medium/large dogs, the small dogs (a Cocker, a mini Dachshund, and a Chi) have never been a problem. They've even launched themselves at her furiously on a few rare occasions, but they're so much smaller that she never takes their attacks seriously. I would even go so far as to say that you're probably less likely to have dog aggression with the smaller dogs than with the larger AmStaff, simply because he'll be less likely to see their actions as challenges, even when they are. What sexes are they? And how old is the AmStaff? The problem with small dogs though is that it doesn't take much to hurt them, even too rought play, or if he ever gets pushed to the point where he snaps at one and actually lands teeth, he could hurt one. There's also the possibility that he could see them as prey, but that's usually not so much of a problem in dogs that have been raised with the animals (like dogs that love "their" cats, but would kill a stray).

I'd definitely reconsider leaving her and him loose together if she's got some food guarding tendencies, as a scrap over a stray kibble can escalate quickly if no one's there to break them up, but other than that, it seems like you've got a pretty good handle on things. Possibly you could set up a babygate to seperate them while you're not home?
The new dog we got stuck with (don't get me wrong, I love her to pieces ), Haley, is dog aggressive, and has horrible manners with other dogs. She acts all pushy and assertive, then when they go to correct her, she comes back at them and "poof", you've got a dogfight. At first, we had to keep her completely seperated from the other dogs, which was a bit of a drain at first, but became second nature after a while. Now, she can be loose with my older bully girl, Goo, when I'm home with no problems. I've also been working with Haley and Annie, the dachshie (who is also dog aggressive, but will control herself), though that's going much more slowly, because Haley thinks that Annie just *might* be a prey item, and isn't sure how to act around her, and I don't want a roaring fight between a 10 lb dog and a 50 lb one. So, at times, I have Haley, Annie, and Goo out with me in the house, and when I leave, all go to their little areas. The little dogs are babygated out in the kitchen because they sometimes pee on the carpet if left alone, then either Haley is gated in the office (with a 3' gate, she can't jump it, and Goo won't bother) with Goo loose, or Goo is shut in my room and Haley is left loose. Which way we do things depends on who's at home (sometimes someone else is home, just asleep), how long I'm going to be gone, what the weather's like outside (Goo can't be out when the doors are open because she'll go through them if another dog comes up to the house, so when they're open, it's easier to put her away than shut the house up), and how much exercise each has had. Shutting doors/gates, double checking latches, etc becomes second nature after a few weeks of it, you'll find.

Only you know whether or not you can handle this, I'd say you sound responsible enough, and seem like you're giving it a lot of consideration, which is great. Just do what you think is best.

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jeminn
Member

Posts: 166
From:Colorado, USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 10-02-2003 09:46 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for jeminn     Edit/Delete Message
Yes, I think I misunderstood LadyV, thinking you were bringing two pitbulls into your household with two exsisting smaller dogs. As you can see from Goob and other posts, it requires a great deal of supervision to handle more than a couple of dogs living in your household. But, given that you seem well-informed and experienced in handling the various temperments and behaviors of different breeds, then keeping them safe and out of harms way should not be a problem. I just always caution people about pack-drive behavior with any breed of dogs when there is a group of three or more. It takes a lot of time and energy as a pack leader to keep everyone safe and out of harms way, in addition to knowing and understanding each breed, instictive behaviors, and individual temperments. If they are left to their own devices during the day, or happen to be in each others space without supervision, you can almost count on a fight breaking out in order to establish rank in groups of three or more. As their pack leader, you have to set limits, understand their behavior, supervise interaction, and keep them safe when you are not home. Just take the precautions you need to and everyone should be able live peacefully, and safely.

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the_maine_pitbull
Member

Posts: 320
From:Allagash, Maine USA
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 10-02-2003 12:00 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for the_maine_pitbull     Edit/Delete Message
okay.. I have had (at the one time) two female pitbulls (one was twelve the other was one) a Pug, a chocolate lab and seven puppies (lab had babies) And all of the adult dogs were females. With these all being big dogs except the little runty pug... there wer no problems, except I had to watch the Pug!!! She was always picking at the big dogs.. trying to attack them and being a real nuisance to the other dogs, so be careful that your little ones don't try to pick on the big dogs and cause a dispute as well. Also, desertAPBT, I am really offended by the last two messages I read that you posted.. What right do you have to carry on the APBT name as well as say "Never trust a Pit to not turn on you" and make them seem like they aren't good dogs. I have never not trusted my Pit's. they have never harmed anyone or thing that wasn't self defense or for protection reasons. Bandit towards the end started gettig aggressive for no reason but we discovered she had a huge brain tumor causing it.. anyhow.. please don't tell people that Pits turn because it is a lie.. Pit's aren't any different from any other dog. The lines, never trust a BD not to fight and never trust them not to eat Fluffy and Muffy was unneccesary because it is not just Pit's.. Any dog--- you cannot trust a new dog immediately with others until they build that trust.. stop making it seem as thoug it is just Pit's that are untrustworthy dogs.
Angie

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rgyoung777
Member

Posts: 40
From:Seattle, WA, USA
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 10-02-2003 12:47 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for rgyoung777     Edit/Delete Message
mainepitbull, desertAPBT did NOT say "never trust an APBT not to turn on you." She said "never trust an ABPT not to TURN ON."

"Turning on," "Clicking on," and "Switching on" are all terms used for when an APBT "fires up" and develops dog aggression. This usually happens during adult hood. Some APBTs never develop any level of dog aggression, but they are rare.

You were LUCKY that you never had an incident with all of those female dogs. Trust me, same sex aggression is an ugly, ugly thing, and female ABPTs can have some pretty terrible fights if they don't get along.

It's true that any dog can fight, but no breed but the APBT was as extensively and selectively bred for pit fighting and to keep going after the other dog has submitted. Desert is not mincing words and she shouldn't, because this is a very serious issue that needs to be discussed plainly. It has nothing to do with demonizing the breed, and it has everything to do with keeping our Bullies and other dogs as safe as possible.

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the_maine_pitbull
Member

Posts: 320
From:Allagash, Maine USA
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 10-02-2003 04:00 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for the_maine_pitbull     Edit/Delete Message
My mistake.. read the post wrong.. no need to get all hysterical.. lol. Anyway.

I never said I never got into any squabbles with doggies. They never atttacked anyone, meaning people. But those two female Pit's got into it a couple times. And I know the destrcution they can cause.. I have been on my hands and knees with my face inches from their fight.

I know what this breed is capable of and do not need to be educated on it.

I also know what Turn on means.. I just read it wrong.. Excuse me!!

Angie

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rgyoung777
Member

Posts: 40
From:Seattle, WA, USA
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 10-02-2003 04:17 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for rgyoung777     Edit/Delete Message
quote:
I know what this breed is capable of and do not need to be educated on it.

Forgive me for being blunt, but that last post of yours sure didn't *sound* very breed-savvy. That's why I wrote what I did. I'm sure you *are* knowledgeable about the breed.

And there's no need for hysteria on your part either, just take more time to read people's posts--try not to leap to conclusions so often.

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