2 dogs male in a same house?

Question

i Have a dog male Pit and lab. he is 18 months name helios. Recently another dog "choose" me.. came to my place. he is around 7 months according the vet. everything was perfect until 2 days agos. I was walking them and playing with them when Helios attack "tigger" I couldn't separate them until someone help me. Today it's like nothing happened but i am affraid it happen again. any advices please?

Answer 1

Male dogs are naturly inclined to assert dominace over other dogs in the "pack". This is normal. They need this interaction to maintain a stable situation for themselves. The problem I can see here is that the pitt mix might inadvertantly overdo it and seriously harm the pup. The best you can do as I see it is to let them work it out on thier own in a controled space where you can intervein should it become needed. I have two males and both are neutered and we still had to let them tussel a few times to make peace with one another.

Answer 2

This requires seeing the "attack".

Many factors could contribute. Helios being a Pit, one could be dog aggressive.

The puppy being 7 months old could be maturing and they must see where each stands in the family.

You mentioned that you could not separate them without help. How many wounds were inflicted, where were the wounds, how much blood was drawn, and how much aftercare by a Vet was necessary.

Dogs sometimes have what I call conflicts. Differences in the way they see things so to speak. They will look horrific and really be loudly discussing the issue using bite inhibition all the while and no harm is done.

Other times there is a serious thing going on and brewing where experienced help is needed. If you are near a University with a Veteranairy Medicine School perhaps you could get your Vet to send you to behaviorists there or you could find someone certified in Dog Behavior in your area. I think that by your asking this question, you would need the help of someone qualified in this area because you yourself lack the knowledge needed to deal with the situation.

Another suggestion is to join the Yahoo! Group
whose page addy is:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Pos-4-ReactiveDogs/

There are many very qualified members here and once we hear your questions and ask ours, we can help you as we've helped many others.

Answer 3

The ages of the males dogs would preclude any behavior modification by neutering but, as a responsible dog owner you need to have it done for medical reasons. If this is a show of dominance then it is was too aggressive. It might not dominance but a territorial squabble and again too aggressive. Another problem that could have been averted had you taken Helios and yourself to a good obedience class. This would teach you about dog behavior, how to be alpha, and how to teach your dogs. At this point you do not have the skills to do any major behavior correction.

Answer 4

Dogs will play fight, sometimes it looks worse than it really is. So be sure not to confuse play-fighting with a realy attack.

It's important to get both dogs neutered. This will definitely calm them.

Then, it's doubly important to get both dogs trained properly - meaning obedience training. Proper training teaches not only the dogs, but YOU. Training will teach you how to be in charge, even of dogs you don't know. Once you come across as authoritative and leader of the pack, dogs will respect you, even ones that don't know you. This is, of course, true for your own dogs. You have to show them that you are in charge. Any aggressive behavior they show is not rewarded and a simple word from you should put an end to it.

Therefore, please seek out proper obedience training. Yes, it may cost you some money, but to have two well-behaved, social, non-aggressive dogs that respect you and others, including other dogs, is well worth the money. I speak from experience. Plus, if you don't do this, the price you might pay will be far higher, especially if one dog injures the other or another person or animal.

Good luck!

Answer 5

It probably will happen again, I have an alpha male siberian husky who still has a quick temper. We had to have him neutered, which helped some, he seems to go longer periods without losing his temper. He knows he isn't suposed to do it and when he gets yelled at, he always runs and hides. I just try to keep them separated as much as possible and keep reminding the husky that he has to be good, when he misbehaves, he also knows the muzzle is coming out. Just remember to never get your hands in the way (trust me, learned this the hard way) They say to grab the attacking dog by the hind legs and lift him off the ground. I wish you a lot of luck, you have a lot of year to go. I have been fighting the alpha male syndrome for 7 years now!

Answer 6

First, keep an eye out for dominant behaviors. The obvious is mounting. Others include "shoving," excessive licking, and a long direct stare. If you see these then it's likely it will happen again.
Talk to a dog trainer that has experience working out issues of dominance in dogs. What it comes down to is that YOU should be the "alpha-being" in the house-hold. This way, you can teach your dogs that these behaviors are unacceptable in a (hopefully) efficient, painless way. :)

Good luck.

Answer 7

They may have been establishing dominance. Eventually they will work out who is the alpha dog... if this persists ask the vet the best way to go about altering their behavior. Getting them both fixed is a really really good idea also.

Answer 8

a few questions with answers::
Are tehy fixed??
Ther may be a female in teh area in heat if not. They will possibly fight for the rights to her.
Did they give puncture wounds??
They may be just settign up the pecking order, if this is the case you must let them fight it out this is normal instinct.
In the meantime i would tryto keep them seperated when you are not around to supervise.
Good luck and also they will get into squabbles everyso often.

Answer 9

The dog that attacked might be trying to show the new dog that he is the top dog. Sometimes too it helps that you dont introduce the dogs right away...Give them some time they will work things out.

Answer 10

I have 3 males. 2 are neutered and one is only 4 months. He will be neutered soon. If they are not neutered they may well fight. If they are neutered i would sign them all up for obedience classes. Several males can live happily together as long as they are neutered and trained.

Of course I also have a female that keeps her brothers in line. ;-) *LOL*

Good luck!