Post by melonie on Mar 23, 2011 0:31:12 GMT -5
Normally I take my lab outside to do business by himself. I didn't always have to do this, but over the last year or so he's turned into a jerk when we go outside. He gets fixated on what the other dog does, and tries to ramrod/head butt/ or bite the other dog.
I can still let him and Winston out together occasionally, but it is getting more rare.
Tonight I went to take him out and the sneaky meathead Cleveland got out the door with us. I decided to go ahead and let them out together, I'd just watch Cleavland and put him in right after he was done w/ business.
Just as he was done, I stepped out to get him and Mac came running by ready to be Mr. Jerk. Cleveland started playing with him, I attempted to get Cleveland inside, and it escalated almost instantly. At one point, Mac had Cleveland pinned to the ground, and I was above them trying to pull Mac off. If I were born a man I'd be missing a part or two. I gave up and ran to the porch to grab anything, only thing ready was the poop scoop rake. I smacked Mac on the butt, with no effect. I pulled and shoved, trying to get closer to the door. At this point Cleveland had given up fighting and was caught by Macs mounth...everytime he'd try to get away Mac would attack again... I finally got Mac off enough so Cleveland could get away, I got the door open and Cleveland went inside. Mac was still being a jerk, trying to get inside at Cleveland. I stood there holding Mac, trying to catch my breath, and trying to figure out how to get them inside with out anymore fighting. I had Mac off leash, but held by his collar, but Cleveland was still leashed, so I opened the door and made him go outside, and I made Mac go inside. Once he was inside the house I went back out for Cleveland.
When we got inside Mac went back into jerk mode, I crated Cleveland while I gave Mac a dressing down, put him through his nilf commands, trying to regain control of him... Then I let Cleveland out to inspect damages. He has a couple wounds, and was filthy. I wiped him down with baby wipes looking him over. He's alright, nothing major. Then I went and inspected Mac. He got a bloody lip out of the deal.
Stupid human here should have known better. But I honestly didn't think it would get to the boiling point so fast. I don't even know if Mac went and did business!
I've come to believe that: 1 Mac was not properly socialized when he was younger. 2. He misreads dog body language. 3. Or else he's just a big stupid jerk and doesn't like anyone having any fun ever. 4. He doesn't know how to play properly. 5. He has a short fuse.
On #2 Winnie/Rhett/Cleveland will do play bows, be goofy, and Mac flips into jerk mode. And in Cleveland it triggers his defense systems! Winnie just stops playing, and Rhett was protected by me and the girls and Winnie.
I've learned that it is very difficult man-handling a 105lb dog. I've learned that Mac will never go out w/ Cleveland again.
Cleveland is still a bit of a mystery to me.
But he's proof I guess that not every damn pit bull will fight. Even if he's getting whooped on by another dog.
Mac...has more issues then Winnie, Rhett, Cleveland, and Zeke put together.
But if he were an only dog, or the only big dog, there wouldn't be as many issues!
I can still let him and Winston out together occasionally, but it is getting more rare.
Tonight I went to take him out and the sneaky meathead Cleveland got out the door with us. I decided to go ahead and let them out together, I'd just watch Cleavland and put him in right after he was done w/ business.
Just as he was done, I stepped out to get him and Mac came running by ready to be Mr. Jerk. Cleveland started playing with him, I attempted to get Cleveland inside, and it escalated almost instantly. At one point, Mac had Cleveland pinned to the ground, and I was above them trying to pull Mac off. If I were born a man I'd be missing a part or two. I gave up and ran to the porch to grab anything, only thing ready was the poop scoop rake. I smacked Mac on the butt, with no effect. I pulled and shoved, trying to get closer to the door. At this point Cleveland had given up fighting and was caught by Macs mounth...everytime he'd try to get away Mac would attack again... I finally got Mac off enough so Cleveland could get away, I got the door open and Cleveland went inside. Mac was still being a jerk, trying to get inside at Cleveland. I stood there holding Mac, trying to catch my breath, and trying to figure out how to get them inside with out anymore fighting. I had Mac off leash, but held by his collar, but Cleveland was still leashed, so I opened the door and made him go outside, and I made Mac go inside. Once he was inside the house I went back out for Cleveland.
When we got inside Mac went back into jerk mode, I crated Cleveland while I gave Mac a dressing down, put him through his nilf commands, trying to regain control of him... Then I let Cleveland out to inspect damages. He has a couple wounds, and was filthy. I wiped him down with baby wipes looking him over. He's alright, nothing major. Then I went and inspected Mac. He got a bloody lip out of the deal.
Stupid human here should have known better. But I honestly didn't think it would get to the boiling point so fast. I don't even know if Mac went and did business!
I've come to believe that: 1 Mac was not properly socialized when he was younger. 2. He misreads dog body language. 3. Or else he's just a big stupid jerk and doesn't like anyone having any fun ever. 4. He doesn't know how to play properly. 5. He has a short fuse.
On #2 Winnie/Rhett/Cleveland will do play bows, be goofy, and Mac flips into jerk mode. And in Cleveland it triggers his defense systems! Winnie just stops playing, and Rhett was protected by me and the girls and Winnie.
I've learned that it is very difficult man-handling a 105lb dog. I've learned that Mac will never go out w/ Cleveland again.
Cleveland is still a bit of a mystery to me.
But he's proof I guess that not every damn pit bull will fight. Even if he's getting whooped on by another dog.
Mac...has more issues then Winnie, Rhett, Cleveland, and Zeke put together.
But if he were an only dog, or the only big dog, there wouldn't be as many issues!
Ugh, I am so sorry Melonie! There is nothing I dread more on a daily basis than a fight breaking out. Some might think I'm unreasonably paranoid about it, but having to break up fights and then deal with the aftermath just destroys me both physically and emotionally. Dealing with Lebowski becoming DA after maturity at 1 year old was awful. He really hurt Otis, who reacted much like you described Cleveland did.
