do you have dogs that don't get along?

Question

2 of my 3 dogs hate each other so i have to keep them separated at all times. this makes for a very stressful existence. big fight today, they are both at the vets. the living room is a wreck. i'm a wreck. i can't get rid of either of them though so i guess i have about 10 more years of this left. don't say get rid of one of them, i can't, i'm not really complaining, just wondering, does anybody else have this problem?

these dogs happen to be female pit bulls who used to get along great. i don't think they can be trained to like each other again..

Answer 1

Yes, I have four dogs. Had five but one passed away in October. But anyway, out of my four remaining, they are in sets of two. the two get along but if the two sets are ever together then I have a fight. I keep them outside in a kennel during the day and at night I bring them in. Two are kept in a back room of my house and the other two I allow in the kitchen after I go to bed. But until then they are allowed in the living room with the old lady and I. But DOGS either get along or they don't. If they don't it is because the ones that are fighting are trying to establish that THEY are the superior one. Or the ALPHA dog. ONCE this is established then the fighting should cease. NO, I am NOT saying let them fight. They in my opinion should NOT be allowed to fight. I was just giving my opinion is all.

Answer 2

I have had both small and medium size dogs (as many as five at one time) and they have all gotten along fairly well. I think that you will find that they will establish their own pecking order, so to speak, with the first dog in the house being the alpha. Right now I have a daschound and a minature poodle, a French mastaf, and a medium size mixed breed mutt. The poodle is about 12 years old, blind and deaf, but otherwise in good health. And he rules the roost. All of the others defer to him at the water and food bowls, but they also take care of him when he is outside. All puppies will play with each other, and sometimes it becomes "rough and tumble" but if you teach your dogs what is acceptable play I don't think you have to worry about one hurting the other. I think it would be a good idea if you gave your dogs obedience training together at the same time. Generally speaking, dogs are the more intellegent of the domesticated animals and they really are devoted to their humans if they are treated well.

Answer 3

I have a friend that has a pit bull and an american bulldog. These dogs were fine probably the first year they had them, both female, but one day they started fighting. They have to keep their dogs separate. Her husband though is the alpha male in the house (yes, people are alpha in an animal house) and they won't fight around him. If she's left with them though, there is sure to be trouble. These dogs had been taken to the vet a few times due to fighting with each other and like you, she'll have to deal with this for at least 10 more years.

Answer 4

I really recommend the Dog Whisperer, Caesar-Bobbyblues suggestion.
We have a group of 15 dogs.
I have 3 separated from the rest who get along great with each other but not with all rest of the group.
I do however at this time have a Chihuahua, who is senile (15)and is constantly barking at one of the other Chihuahuas. Have taught the other dog to get away from the old one when he barks.
Rewarded him with treats and it took awhile.
Now they are back to sleeping together and everything just like before.
The other dogs just ignore the old dog too.
He looks rather funny standing in the middle of the room barking at nothing.
We have a group of about 9 Chihuahuas and 1 Yorkie together.
Spaying and neutering helps.
The owner being the Alpha Dog helps too.
A person has to be consistent, just like with children.
Bigger dogs need lots of exercise too, every day.

Answer 5

Catz,

When I lived out West, my girlfriend and I had dogs, some of them fought, but only on the odd occasion. My dog was a lab/Staff terrier cross, which many consider pit... but the funny thing was he was actually pretty cool with other dogs. My girlfriend at the time had a pug, who was much smaller than mine, but he, for some reason became more and more aggressive towards my dog... but my dog wouldn't really acknowledge the pug's instigations to fight... but on the last time they fought, he had no choice, and it was pretty violent... I got them separated, but then realized to my horror that the pug had an eye bulging out quite bad... the emergency vet hospital was able to put the eye back in place, but the little pug lost sight in that eye... They never were in the same place again after that.... i guess luckily for us, we had stopped living together after 3 years but were still going out... I had been looking after both dogs at my place while she was in LA.

I'm afraid I don't really have any helpful advice, except to say I've been there, and I wish you luck... I know i would feel the same about giving up any of my dogs... maybe an animal behaviorist could help in some way?...

Answer 6

Well its nice to know your not like most unresponsible dog owners and just simply drop them off at the shelter. I love how you are trying to make it work. My parents dogs HATE my dog, like the would seriously kill my dog if they had the chance (they're 13 years old, and very territorial).... I know how you feel, I had to move back into my parents house for 2 months while in the process of moving, and it was pure hell to try to keep them separated.. and well, actually to keep my dog from getting bit!.. Since they are both yours though, I reccommend taking them a dog training class, or obedience classes. I'm sure a professional dog trainer could help fix, or eliminate this problem all together. Plus, it's really not that expensive, and the prof trainer or classes could work wonders. Give that a try, and see if that helps, i'm sure it would!.. good luck!

Answer 7

Oh no, I'm so sorry. I know how hard it is.

My Grandma had dogs that didn't get along several years ago.

Shar Pei vs Mixed breed - wasn't pretty.

When I was a baby, two of our family dogs would fight over me as well. Two large dogs.

Sometimes, it happens, and separation is the only thing you can do. Not to mention it's the SAFEST thing you can do!

I know it's tough, just keep doing what you're doing.

My Grandma had to constantly separate her dogs and didn't mind because it kept everybody from getting hurt.

I hope they will be ok!

Answer 8

Yes, been there.. done that. In the past (long ago when I had young children) I rehomed an exceptional dog because of this (big dogs and I was afraid one of the kids would get bit trying to break up the fight).

All you can do is try to keep them separate. I've done a lot of work training dogs.. and I just don't see that even with a lot of training you can ever get it to 100% safe (especially if the dogs are unattended).

Answer 9

I have a houseful of Boxers. There has never been a problem with any of them till my Olivia had her only litter of pups. Her "sister", Karlie jumped up to look in the birthing box, and Livers growled at her, being a protective mommy. The moment has never been forgotten, and they can NOT ever be together. I also have a white Boxer that just turned 1, and decided she needed to be boss. She does a certain posturing thing, and off she goes. Inside, outside, they don't care... I am fortunate enough to have a good friend that has trained dogs for the last 30+ years. She told me to get a pressure collar, and make a leash that is about 16" long. When she does her posturing, grab her by that leash, literally pick her up off the ground till she is nearly choked out, then slam her to the ground and hold her down till she relaxes. She said to let the other dogs sniff her, and never let her up till she gives in to me. This sounds like harsh treatment, but I, like you have no intention of getting rid of any of my dogs. They also have crates that they are rotated in daily-some out,some in. I hope this helps, they HAVE to know that YOU are the ALPHA dog!!!

Answer 10

I have 2 females that occasionally do a great job of ventilating each other. They are both alpha females and are always walking up to each other but look at the floor instead . My male, the one that's on my avatar looks them both over and tries to get busy with them while they are distracted. That goes over like one of George Bushes ideas as they are both spay and he's neutered. I made the mistake of reaching between them twice, now i use my size 13 boots to break their concentration. These 3 dogs are all rescues and they at times play like pups. They also take medications for various medical problems. So they will live here till they accidentally kill me.