Introducing "aggressive dogs"

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syddakyd

syddakyd

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Nov 10, 2008
1,356
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NY
Hey everyone. just got engaged to my fiance 3 days ago. feels great. anyways, we both have our own dogs. my parents have a dog aggressive boxer that i got to become friends with my dog. boxer is female my pit is male. it took a month of walking them together with two people then muzzled introductions...now they play wrestle like best friends.

my dog looks big and scary but hes actually good with dogs just rough when playing. hes territorial to the house though (which is a good thing since it has been broken into and my parents had 2 cars stolen here.


anyways, my girls dog chloe has attacked a dachshund (the dog was ok) but ate part of its ear. it also fought her moms dog and had to get staples. this was all before i even met her. her dog is around 5 and mine is almost 3.

her dog gets along with no dogs but im thinking because shes a small female around 40 and my is a big male almost 70 and the vet said he may hit up to 80...it should be ok.


i dont have the opportunity to introduce these dogs over a month. they met on leash and were fine together but my girl says her dog act different off leash.


i heard they make huge baby gate/dog doors so we can keep the dogs separate until we can trust them together and i already have two muzzles. like i said...my dog is good but if he gets attacked he will murder her dog.

onyxok-crop.jpg

thats onyx

pitbox.jpg


him with bella

bellaonyxgg-crop.jpg


them wrestling

chloe-crop.jpg


chloe. i forgot to mention chloe is also def. chloe and bella will never be meeting as there is no need for it. i just need her to get along with onyx
 
keep dog, say goodbye to fiance

keep fiance, say goodbye to dog

choose one, there's no way around it


just kidding, haha

i don't have dogs but i've never thought about this before. with all the dog owners, i'm sure you'll get some good advise. let us know how it turns out
 
i want the dogs to be best friends. this can workout so great for all of us. when im at work i know onyx has a friend...plus she lives here so she can let him out when im gone. also her mom is so happy b/c now her 3 dogs can live without being seperated from this one. her mom has a Chihuahua, dachshund, and a greyhound/pit that are all good friends. chloe terrorized them all. hopefully onyx puts her in her place without a vet bill lol.

and im not getting rid of anyone. all these dogs were adopted including her moms
 
your going to have to do the same thing you did when you slowly introduced your dog to the other dog Bella....this is the only way it will be a success.. and yes male and female are better combo.. so that is good..
 
Red Devil said:
your going to have to do the same thing you did when you slowly introduced your dog to the other dog Bella....this is the only way it will be a success.. and yes male and female are better combo.. so that is good..
Click to expand...

x2.

Honestly, I'm surprised that this dog hasn't been put down because of the multiple incidents in which it has attacked other dogs resulting in injuries.
 
Wiggles92 said:
x2.

Honestly, I'm surprised that this dog hasn't been put down because of the multiple incidents in which it has attacked other dogs resulting in injuries.
Click to expand...

No way. Any dog's behavior can be corrected with patience and hard work.

Anyway, congrats on the engagement. I have a few tips for you based on my experience.

1). You are so on the right track with walks. I've found that a walk of 45 minutes plus with no sniffing, only emergency pee breaks is the way to go with high energy dogs. Additionally, before a walk put the leashes on and walk around the yard and maintain a calm demeanor.

2). Your dogs are going to throw down. Probably more than once. So again you are doing the right thing with the muzzles. Are they the soft kind? If not pad them or your dogs are going to find out which one is better at dishing out blunt force trauma. Seriously though when they show any kind of dominance especially fighting issue a stern verbal "no." with a tap to the abdomen just in front of the hind leg or the sides of the neck. The dogs should then be told "Down" and placed on their backs/sides with a hand lightly gripping the skin of the neck. The dogs should both be kept down until they can be seen to physically relax and no longer try to get up without permission. Eventually, you will be able to make them submit and lay down with a look.

I know after the 8th fight you have broken up in 20 minutes you are going to want to grip the trachea. Just remember you love the dog, take a deep breath, and keep the grip light. lol It does get really frustrating sometimes but do not get angry, frustrated, etc. It only hinders progress. Stay calm and dominant.

3). I take away toys during the first month or so of an introduction with a problem puppy. This helps reduce tension over objects. I take the toys out to play with each dog separately then place the toys back when done. This is one of the few things that I separate the dogs for.

4). A good exercise to do with the dogs is to have them sit in front of you while you have treats in your hands. Then have them sit and calmly quiet them. Once they are relaxed and no longer looking at your hands but rather you then reward them.

5). Based on the photos I'm assuming that the dogs are indoors. When they are moving from indoors to out have them sit. Then what I do is tell them, "Wait." and all the people transition first. Then the dogs are called individually. Once the first dog is called by name it comes through the door then is told to sit again. The other dog is called and told to sit once it has transitioned. Then the dogs are told to "Go play/pee/whatever". Remember that just like in prison the yard is where you will have the most issues. Stay vigilant and correct any dominant/aggressive behavior. Additionally, the intensity of play should be kept very low initially.

6). Having all the dogs on the bed together for sleeping adds to pack cohesion. Again monitor for dominance, correct it, and use soft muzzles until you are 150% sure they won't fight. Nothing worse than waking up to an errant paw to the groin. :)

7). At feeding time use the same technique as when they go out to the yard. I have them sit, then tell them to wait, and I walk away from the food. The dogs are corrected if they try to get the food before being given permission. I then give them permission to eat. For the newer dogs while working with them I will place my hands in their bowls while they eat. They are then told to wait and sit before being given permission to eat again. Most of the time it takes one or two times before all it takes is a hand in the bowl to get them to stop eating, step back, and sit.

8) I know its hard but try to avoid rough play until the dogs are a cohesive unit.

9) The biggest tip I can give you is to stay calm, relaxed, and dominant. Remember to read body language and reward (treats, praise, affection) only when the dogs are calm submissive.

This process is slow. There is no quick fix on it. It could take months to achieve what you want but with patience and a calm attitude you can do it. :)
 
^thanks dude
 
No problem brother. Good luck and let me know if I can help in any way. :)
 
i got this gate coming i cant find the site she ordered it from but its like this

http://www.shopping.com/Easy-Step-Extra-Tall-Pet-Gate/amazing-gate/439878/reviews#tabAnchor

but its black and more decorative. for now we will keep chloe in the kitchen with a dog bed and onyx in the bedroom and living room and switch it. onyx needs more space as hes twice her size. shes been living in a room with only hours outside so this is an upgrade for her and he was in a small prison cell in yonkers. so while these are not ideal conditions they are temporary...as i have hope they will get along being male/female and her being weak but aggressive yet him strong yet easy going. we also take the dogs out with us separately and for long walks.

besides greyhounds....pits and their mixes need homes the most. shelters are filled mostly with them its a damn shame
 
also i forgot to to mention i live in a two family house not a building apartment. my parents are moving upstate and im taking over the top house which has two levels and 3 bedrooms so the dogs will be much happier too. this should be in 2 years max and the dogs are young
 
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