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Post by sham on Feb 25, 2008 11:32:07 GMT -5
Hi I am new today. My daughter has an 16 month old female named Shamrock. She has been a true delight. I also have an 11 yr. old Jack Russell and she is the only dog he has ever let into his life. Last evening they were finishing up their bones they got as a treat and the JR went over to take her's (which he has done several time in the past and she has always relinquished whatever it is he wants) and for the first time she completely tore into him. I was in the middle and got a bit chewed up myself, but will heal. The JR is ok, a few bites but nothing serious. If I had not had my hand in her mouth I am afraid the would have really hurt him. Someone threw water on her, and she let go. Now what? Do I need to worry every time they are together now? She is in heat, would that make her more aggressive? This is a shock because she has always been very timid. Any help or advice would be appreciated. Sham
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Post by emilys on Feb 25, 2008 19:34:57 GMT -5
Hi I am new today. My daughter has an 16 month old female named Shamrock. She has been a true delight. I also have an 11 yr. old Jack Russell and she is the only dog he has ever let into his life. Last evening they were finishing up their bones they got as a treat and the JR went over to take her's (which he has done several time in the past and she has always relinquished whatever it is he wants) and for the first time she completely tore into him. I was in the middle and got a bit chewed up myself, but will heal. The JR is ok, a few bites but nothing serious. If I had not had my hand in her mouth I am afraid the would have really hurt him. Someone threw water on her, and she let go. Now what? Do I need to worry every time they are together now? She is in heat, would that make her more aggressive? This is a shock because she has always been very timid. Any help or advice would be appreciated. Sham well, for SURE you should never have any food or other high-value things (that might include certain toys) around both of them. Feed/treat them separately: yes absolutely. In separate rooms, if necessary, or in their crates. Fighting over a high value object does not necessarily mean they won't get along at other times. But 16 months is the absolutely classic time when pit bulls discover that they are pit bulls. So never leave your dogs together unsupervised, and watch them super super carefully for any signs that they aren't getting along. If they start fighting about other things, it's time to do the "crate/separate- rotate" routine. It's not unusual for a young dog to start trying to assert dominance over an older dog, particularly a female over a male (they don't say "bitches rule" for nothing). If Shamrock isn't spayed, do that now. It may help, and will prevent all kinds of problems down the road.
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Post by RealPitBull on Feb 26, 2008 10:04:11 GMT -5
Ditto what Emily said! Also, see my post in the thread called: Jack Russell Attacked Pit Bull, Pit Bull Bit Back! It's very applicable to your situation as well.
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Post by sham on Feb 26, 2008 10:41:06 GMT -5
Thank you both. This is our first pit, and we adore her, but need some good advice and you gave it. What about a shock collar. I have no experience with that either.
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Post by RealPitBull on Feb 26, 2008 10:43:28 GMT -5
Thank you both. This is our first pit, and we adore her, but need some good advice and you gave it. What about a shock collar. I have no experience with that either. Oh lord, no. I could give you pages and pages of research and information as to why shock collars are a bad idea if you'd like. But for now I'll just say PLEASE don't use one. Using electric shock to train dogs is not humane. Shock collars for aggression especially can be DISASTROUS - they can have the complete opposite of the intended effect.
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Post by sham on Feb 26, 2008 10:52:40 GMT -5
thanks again. If they start fighting again, what is the best way to stop them?
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Post by RealPitBull on Feb 26, 2008 11:19:51 GMT -5
thanks again. If they start fighting again, what is the best way to stop them? In most cases, with fights involving Pit Bulls, you'll have to go in and physically break them apart. But be careful, as simply pulling off one dog who has a mouthful of skin/flesh can cause real damage to the dog being bitten. Typical means of breaking up fights, for instance throwing water on the fighting dogs, may not work for Pit Bulls and the time you waste trying such things can mean life or death for a dog. If you had success with this already, it may be an option for you barring Shamrock actually having a firm hold on your JRT. If you don't already, I recommend keeping collars on the dogs when they are together. I typically will go right for a collar and pull the dog up so the forelegs are up and off the ground (slink the collar up behind the ears, as this will give you leverage). This gives you control of the head so you have less chance of being bitten. Immediately turn the dog away from the other, and put him in a seperate room. The problem with grabbing the collar is that it puts your hands close to the dog's face and teeth and hence ups the chance of being bitten in some cases. You can also try grabbing the back legs, and pulling up and backwards (so the dog is balancing on two front legs), but the problem with that method is that a) you leave yourself open for a redirected bite (the dog could swing around and nail you), and b) you don't have control of the head, so if the dog being attacked (in this case your JRT) comes back at the Pit Bull, you'll still be dealing with a dog fight. If the Pit Bull is hanging onto or has a good grip on the other dog, this is where things can get tricky. I've been known to stick my hands inside a Pit Bull's mouth to pry the dog's jaws open, but I wouldn't recommend this unless it's totally necessary (and don't ever try this with another breed, as you WILL get bitten). You can read about breaksticks on realpitbull.com, here: www.realpitbull.com/breakstick.htmlI would definitely suggest reading this. If a fight breaks out you have GOT to act calm. Screaming, hitting, kicking can only make matters worse. I know it sounds impossible given the circumstances of a fight, but you need to at least ACT calm even if you are not (and who would be, really!). BE PROACTIVE!!! Fights are horrible, scary things (and one fight could mean death for a small dog) and you should do EVERYTHING in your power to prevent them from happening. I can't stress enough the importance of management - in this case, especially, DO NOT feed these dogs together and keep bones, toys, etc put away. The only time the dogs should get food/treats/toys, is when they are safely separated. Even things like crumbs can set off a fight. So just be aware. Also, sometimes dog will fight over space, so if the two are vying for couch positions or something similar, intervene - and send the dogs to respective places.
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Post by emilys on Feb 26, 2008 13:19:33 GMT -5
thanks again. If they start fighting again, what is the best way to stop them? the best way is never to let them start. seriously. Or you are in for some vet bills.. and possibly doctor bills for yourself. While pit bulls aren't supposed to re-direct onto humans, anyone intervening in a dog fight can easily get hurt (as you were already) If you are not prepared to ALWAYS supervise these two when they are together, and to watch them like hawks to make sure they aren't ramping up into a fight, you'd do better to find another home for one of them. PLEASE spay your female. The world doesn't need any more pit bulls bred carelessly. NO NO NO to shock collars. Run away from anyone who has suggested them. They may have some purpose in very limited specific purposes, but absolutely NOT for basic training or to break up fights. YES YES YES to training your dogs with positive means. Take her to classes, if you need help.
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Post by sham on Feb 26, 2008 15:40:08 GMT -5
thank you both again. I have never heard of break sticks, but should get them.
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Post by bullymommy25 on Apr 15, 2008 19:44:42 GMT -5
I think the best way is prevention. Most fights are over lack of resources (hey, they might not understand you have a 40lb bag of food in the pantry), toys, sleeping spots, just like people! Immediately correct ANY bullying, like stealing a toy, so that this behavior doesn't continue and result in a scuffle. I am a little different beliefwise in that I don't think our dogs are naturally prone to fight eachother, they are just prone to not backing down once a fight sets off. This determination manifests in almost every aspect of pit bull behavior, and combined with the high tolerance of pain and strength, is what makes them appealing to fighters. I think they have "heart" and fighting is an abuse and improper direction of this heart. What might be a show of dominance between two labs, with one backing down even before the first blow, can surely turn into a horrible thing with our dogs because they are predisposed to stuborness. These are just my observations, and while they make sense to me, they may not be accepted by all, so do lots of research! I have found that, with multiple pits, lots of playtime; fairness in food, shelter, and affection; and correction of the slightest pushiness have prevented the dogs who have been in my care from having fights. Also a warning: SPAY because you want to prevent unwanted pregnancy, NOT as any attempt to alter behavior in females. Numerous studies are showing that spaying does not alter behavior in this way. Good training and prevention will do much better. Pregnancy prevention is still SUPER important, for so many reasons. Good luck! and ps from I know, a break stick is anything that is flatter on one side and gets thicker, like a wedge.
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