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Post by Dave on Jan 3, 2012 22:14:31 GMT -5
Lola bides her time, waiting for another chance to assert herself. She rarely shows her hand, she just seems to accept the housemate and pretends to like her, through the barriers. Tonight, she blew her poker face, the dog that never smiles... I received newly ordered collars today, and as I was fitting them to Lola, Sedona got pushy on the baby gate trying to get in on the action. Lola focused, and it was game on. I had a tough time refocusing Lola. I had to crate Sedona temporarily to get them a little more relaxed. Don't forget, I'm the trigger for the girls, and they can never be together again without outside help. Living with multiple DINOS is tough sometimes. Lola is very serious, and Sedona is more than willing to comply. Such is the reality of living with the real deal. There's never any overt aggression... just the dark cloud of what might happen. This is what I live with every day, and people with compatible dogs should count their blessings if their dogs don't have issues with each other. I love both my girls, and there's nothing they can do to change that. I accept them as they are. I guess that I just want to say, never let your guard down. I wish that the girls weren't so reactive, but there's no Genie to grant my 3 wishes. They are what they are... the best dogs in the world. Even with their flaws.  Four and a half days til the next hike... ;D |
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Post by melonie on Jan 3, 2012 22:22:35 GMT -5
I don't miss that dark cloud.
But even though the three I have get along fine, I am still on guard for trouble.
I'm glad no one was hurt and you were able to get a handle on the situation!
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Post by Dave on Jan 3, 2012 22:44:07 GMT -5
The girls can't get to each other. There's always a safety between them. But, I'm always aware that there is always the possibility they can get around the safeties, even though they really can't. I always think, where there's a will there's a way. I'm not going through that again.
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Post by perfectpit on Jan 3, 2012 23:02:10 GMT -5
Oh how I know what you are talking about. It's great that you are consistent with the separation. My one is major DA just biding his time also. Today my husband once again forgot to secure the gates. He walked outside and when he came back in he called me and said you won't believe what I found when I walked in the door. Both dogs standing next to each other. My one must of forgotten he didn't like Beastley. They were both focused on the door hoping to go for a ride. Thank goodness or we would of had another fight on our hands. He got them separated before they realized they were next to each other. It's been almost a year before the last fight. Now my husband thinks everything is okay with them. I told don't believe that you were just lucky they were focused on going for a ride, next time you won't be so lucky. Once DA is there it will never change it can only be controlled through separation.
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Post by RealPitBull on Jan 4, 2012 8:34:24 GMT -5
THANK you for posting, Dave. There is no room for complacency with this breed when you own multiple dogs. Even the ones that get along great. If a fight breaks out, it's no.holds.barred, and a history of harmony does not mean you can let your guard down.
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Post by Dave on Jan 4, 2012 8:50:38 GMT -5
THANK you for posting, Dave. There is no room for complacency with this breed when you own multiple dogs. Even the ones that get along great. If a fight breaks out, it's no.holds.barred, and a history of harmony does not mean you can let your guard down. Boy, no kidding. That day you were here in the summer Lola surprised me by attempting a redirect on Rocky. That never happened before, or since. You just never know. |
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Post by erins66 on Jan 4, 2012 17:06:20 GMT -5
I hear ya, too. Two of my boys get along stupendously, but I also know they can be little hotheads and need supervision and direction to keep it that way. Then I have a third who doesn't get along well with either of the others. They all used to get along and play reasonably well, but after the youngest and the oldest had their first fight, it became a dicey proposition, and it's honestly just not worth it to me to take chances with them. Because I know it's no a matter of if they will fight, but when they will fight and we've had a few close calls trying to re-acclimate them. So ... we accept them for who they are and love them for what they are rather than trying to pretend they aren't ... if that makes any sense!  |
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Post by adoptapitbull on Jan 4, 2012 18:15:11 GMT -5
Good to point this out, Dave!
Don't let them fool you; they can and will!
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Post by drewsthepits on Jan 4, 2012 20:37:09 GMT -5
I am glad to hear there haven't been recent instances of fighting, that is always positive. Stay vigilant.
My ex has my 2 old dogs, plus the 2 we fostered which she never wanted to find homes for. So it is her and four Pits. I stopped by once to see my 2 dogs for the first time in almost 2 years and she had the 2 fosters IN THE SAME CRATE.
There is nothing anyone can do. I almost hit the floor.
They all get along well. But all it takes is 1 spark. Scary.
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Post by adoptapitbull on Jan 4, 2012 22:33:43 GMT -5
Perfect timing, Dave....
Mav and Cap just got into it big time.
I came home from the store, let them out of their crates, and walked to the door to go outside. They were all excited to go outside, jumping, acting nuts as usual. They started snarking at each other, and before you know it, BOOM! It took me a long time, like a minute, to separate them. Blood is every-f!cking-where. Cappy is covered, which happens when you have a white dog. I threw him in the tub and cleaned him off. Thankfully both just have some small punctures and scratches. It looked so much worse than it actually was, because blood mixed with spit gets all over the place. No vet trip is needed, thank goodness.
It had been about a year since a real fight. We had one or two minor snarks, but nothing that caused blood or more than a "Stop!" to separate it. I'm so ticked because this is exactly the sh!t that happens when I a) think they're fine and b) am alone. Usually they are OK to be together again shortly after a fight, but this time I can't risk it so soon because Jim is not around to help if something goes wrong.
I swear, nothing like this ever happens when both of us are around. Typically I'm gone, or we're both gone, and now that he's gone, here we go again. And these dogs are not enemies. Far from it. These are the best buds. The ones who sleep together, share toys, share people, etc.
Just goes to show you...never, ever underestimate them.
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Post by adoptapitbull on Jan 4, 2012 22:37:57 GMT -5
Oh, and best part is, my mom was on the phone with me at the time and when I threw the phone down, it stayed on. She heard the whole thing, and was basically in tears. She's gone through it with hers, so she knows the feeling. She had to have heard my "Please, God, make them stop!" pleas, and I'm sure that tore her up inside. Heck, I'm torn up enough for all of us.
F^CK...just f^ck.
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Post by RealPitBull on Jan 5, 2012 9:15:39 GMT -5
Holy crap Allison!!!!!!!!  How are the dogs today? So sorry you had to go through that. |
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Post by catstina on Jan 5, 2012 9:21:06 GMT -5
That must have been so scary to go through all by yourself! I hope everyone is ok!
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Post by Dave on Jan 5, 2012 10:23:19 GMT -5
Oh, Allison I hope everything's okay today. That really sux. I remember having to keep an eagle eye on my boys years ago. Jackson would instigate things with Buster all the time. They were not buds. I don't miss those days.
Oh wait... those days are back, aren't they? just with two little girls now.
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Post by fureverywhere on Jan 5, 2012 10:37:03 GMT -5
I've never lived with multi dogs but I can kinda imagine...the cats roam the house freely but if Chii, Sushi, and Stumpy were dog-sized they'd have to be crated all the time. Fortunate the other cats keep a safe distance from them on their own.
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Post by dooktruck on Jan 5, 2012 16:42:11 GMT -5
so happy that palace is very very cold. breaking up a dog fight by yourself is no fun. had to resort to a big pot of water and dump it on them and then grab one really fast and throw her in the house. god.
i want another dog but don't know if i'm ready to deal with that again. i know mrs dooktruck isn't.
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Post by suziriot on Jan 5, 2012 16:42:55 GMT -5
I'm so sorry Allison. I hope Mav and Cappy are doing okay. And that you are okay as well. I live in fear of having aggression develop between Otis, Brandy, or Dharma. I most worry about Dharma and Brandy, as the two females. And Dharma can be such a little bitch. And it really sucks having to deal with this alone. Sending you a big hug! |
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Post by drewsthepits on Jan 5, 2012 16:56:11 GMT -5
Sorry to hear about your pups but at least it was minor. It is tough having 2 that don't get along I can't imagine how hard it would make the everyday tasks which we take for granted.
I hope you the best in the future.
There might be something that your husband brings to the home that causes the dogs to stay calmer or at least not fight. Maybe enough attention for both of them or possibly they may be more controllable. Just a though is all, I would notice a stark difference with my dogs when I was around or controlling them as opposed to when I was not.
Hope your mom feels better too, that must be a pretty tough thing to listen to as well.
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Post by adoptapitbull on Jan 5, 2012 18:14:11 GMT -5
They both look a lot better today. I can see that their cuts are very minor. It's always hard to assess when you're still freaking out.
It's so frustrating because they really are best buds. Sleep together, play with toys together (mostly things like slippers they've stolen; I don't buy toys often because I know they can be triggers), truly they do everything together.
Usually after a scuffle, I let them together soon after so they can not become strangers. Now, though, with just me here, I'm afraid to do that. If they go at it again, I'm f*cked. I let Mav walk around Cappy's crate a bunch last night, and they both just shook like leaves. No growling, snarling, anything.
I'm wondering if buying some muzzles to put on them while they re-adjust would be a good idea. I truly believe they will be buddies again and go back to the way they were before. Of course, if they had more fights more often, they would be C&R'ed as well. REEEEALLLY don't want to have to do that, but I will if necessary.
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Post by drewsthepits on Jan 5, 2012 18:29:33 GMT -5
Muzzles would mask the problem, but would serve the purpose your looking for."
But, I should say, whenever I put one on Dakota she went into an almost vegetative state. She hit the floor and wouldn't move or respond to commands.
Partially due to the fact it was just taken and put it on her right away but I have heard of other dogs having that problem.
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How are the dogs today? So sorry you had to go through that.
