I have another question about my Pit Bulls fighting.?

Question

Three days have passed since my dogs last fought. They both have scars but one of them (the older one) is scared badly. Lately I have succeeded in keeping them separated but I feel that that would not help at all especially after watching an episode of the dog whisperer who dealt with a pit bull with a very similar situation as mine. He says to keep the dogs around each other so they can become social and feel what it's like to be part of a pack. Well today both dogs were together, I noticed that as I got close to them (thinking they were going to fight so I can easily stop it before it happens) the younger dog began to growl at the older one. Could the younger dog be trying to fight for a higher position in the pack? It seems as though when any of my family members get near them, the younger one wants to fight the older one. How can I enforce a "no fighting" rule?

Answer 1

Wow....you got your hands full on this one. Yes Cesar Millan (Dog Whisperer) does handle situations like this and uses his show to inform people....but he also knows techniques and doggie body launguage and how far to push a dog (or pack) and when to back off.

Do you remember the episode with the Akitas? The family called Cesar in saying it was all this one dogs fault only to find out the dog who acted "inocently" was the instigator. The dog that growls is not always the one that sets things in motion.

Do you also remember the episode about the Bulldogs? The dogs were equally matched and constantly fighting for leadership (since their owners didn't have any)

The ONLY way to fix this is to assert YOURSELF as "pack leader". In other words you have the attitude of "I don't care what your issues are.....there's only ONE #1 here and thats me and I say NO FIGHTING". Ok....simpler said then done (trust me I know.....) But I have managed to have breeds that you usually can't keep together (intact male akitas living peacably together for instance when most wanna eat each other).

If you seperate the dogs, they are never going to "display" the behavior. If they don't display it you can't correct it. (remember the owners of the 2 bulldogs kept them in cages to seperate them and still did no good).

You must jump in at the precise right moment and correct the offending dog. Cesar would have also done an alpha roll, I have done this many times but THIS IS NOT FOR THE INEXPERIENCED. Even tho I have done it many times, I WON'T do it to my current new German Shepherd.

Whatever you do.....you must follow thru on whatever you start. If you start to correct a dog, you must follow thru and not let him win...and not correct only part of the time when you feel like it. Remember....CM says you must be a packleader "24/7....100% of the time".

I really think you are going to need to find a trainer for this issue. If you like Cesar's methods there are trainers out there that are similar, just do your homework and find a good one. Make sure you feel comfortable with the trainer, if you don't no matter how many "credentials" they have.....walk away.....trust me on that one too :)

Wish ya the best.

Answer 2

This is a tough situation because pitbulls are so strong that it's hard to control them, but yes, this is a dominance issue, and separating them will only make it worse. The younger one is challenging the older one. Dominant dogs do not start fight because they are already dominant. It sounds that they younger one is the problem, so I would focus my attention on that one. If he starts to growl at the older one, give a correction, and block his path to the older one by getting in his way. What you need to tell him is that challenging this dog is not acceptable. You need to take charge or you'll have a mess on your hands.

Answer 3

You nailed the problem exactly. The problem seems to me to be a vacuum in the alpha position. That is the younger dog isnt sure that you are in charge and is making sure that the older dog isnt close to vie for the position. The fact is you MUST correct the younger dog when he openly gets aggressive. And while I truly have the utmost respect for Cesar, the fact is, HE is EXTREMELY experienced and an unquestioned alpha who could stop the behavior, my dog training experience has taught me the averge owner isnt capable of the time it would take to establish that kind of knowledge. THIS IS NOT AN INSULT JUST FACTS. Cesar, like me has spent a lifetime observing and owning and controlling dogs, it comes like walking to us both.
So dont allow the younger dog to get aggressive and correct him like Cesar does on his show. Put him in his place and make him do some obedience positions when he exhibits that growling thing. Let him know that that crap WONT be tolerated. Having said that, DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR OLD DOG TO THE STRESS OF TRYING TO DEFEND HIMSELF AGAINST A YOUNGER FASTER STRONGER OPPONENT.
DO NOT LEAVE THEM ALONE TOGETHER. DO NOT PUT THEM IN THE SAME RUN TOGETHER. AGGRESSION CAN BE SO SUBTLE YO WONT CATCH IT BUT THE OLDER DOG WILL AND WILL WILT UNDER THE CONSTANT THREAT. I've dealt with that with my dogs over the years, as my former alpha (or beta after me) aged and the younger dogs started to disrepect him. They knew better when I was around but I noticed the older dog getting thin despite having his usual feedings and watching discreetly I saw my younger formerly subordinate ***** SILENTLY threaten - curl her lip at him every time he approached his OWN food bowl This is nature and cant be entirely stopped.
I corrected her strongly and stood there with her on her back standing her over while he ate. But I noticed that though he ate, he never took his eyes off of her and ate nervously. After I left the yard, even though he had finished his food, she still
was stiff-legged and threatening towards him. I removed him from the communal eating situation as it had become obvious that reprisals were going to happen and that he might get attacked. I didnt want him to be under the constant stress of the fear of attack. So he was never cooped up with her alone and I moved him to the kitchen on his comforter with a puppy gate up between them when I wasnt home and allowed the female to become the beta unquestioned, things chilled out and he seemed to prefer the safety of the kitchen and started to put weight back on. When I was home they were together again. With me quick to correct ANY perceived threat from the younger dog. She eventually chilled out and accepted that I understood the new pecking order. It was hard to deal with; to see my old guy have to step back but that is the cycle of dog pack behavior.
For the record, the same thing happens to people - we grow old and lose our place in the pack too . :) Like when wives get replaced by younger trophy wives. Except unlike dogs - women can get lawyers and get HALF OF YOUR **** :D!!
'm joking. Kinda.

Answer 4

It could be that the young dog's growling is the reaction of fear. After my whippet (the calmest dog in the world) was mauled by a pitbull, his reaction to all dogs henceforth has been a aggressive display. This instinctive reaction is perhaps even more prevalent in the Pit Bull, as breeders have been cultivating such aggressiveness in this breed. You may never be able to get these dogs to get along, but as my uncle used to say, "Don't cut the cheese in a phonebooth then complain about the smell!" .

Answer 5

Sounds like the younger dog is feeling overly protective of you and your family and feels he needs to protect you from the other dog. Not sure what to advise you on this. Have you tried talking to the vet about it or maybe an obedience instructor?

Answer 6

You need to establish YOU are the alpha dog! Let them know their behavior will not be tolerated at all ( don't beat them or anything). Obviously they are jealous of each other.

Answer 7

You might want to try using shock collars on them. Then every time they look like they are going to fight zap them a couple of times.
They'll get the hint.