Dogs fighting

getcarter

Hi everyone

My question is do your dogs ever fight, I mean real fighting, not half hearted or playing.

My dogs went at it today again I'm not sure what to do, well I know really what I should do and whose fault it is but wanted some other opinions.

shirlgirl2004

Yes mine fight. Mine are all girls and fighting tends to occur when they are in season the rest of the time we have peace and quiet. The fights always occur between the same ones and some never get involved. Dogs can be best pals or irritate each other just like people and the hormones send them over the top sometimes.

Raksha

I've had a couple of 'arguments' which have needed vet treatment - it comes with the territorry of multiple dog households very often.

It very much depends on the circumstances as to wether you might consider doing anything - if it was a one off, down to poor management (food possesive dogs being fed together), or any other circumstance where you can see what caused it and can take measure to prevent it happening again it's a bit easier. If it's hierachy based, your best bet would be to get a good behaviourist in to assess both dogs and their environment and advise you.

Ofcourse, a good behaviourist would also advise that if this is a recent change in behaviour, then a vet check of both dogs would be a good idea to rule out medical reasons for the aggression.

HTH

UKTigerlily

Are they Neutered? That can help & the advice given by Raksha is good.

shirlgirl, can I ask if there's a reason they aren't Spayed?

shirlgirl2004

Yes there are reasons why they aren't all spayed.

superstylin

are your dogs of a fighting breed carter? I watched the dog whisperer last night where two pit bulls were just intent on killing each other. was a horrible thing to see, especially since they 'lock on' when they bite - they both had holes through their necks and mouths. everyone around them had no way of seperating them until they felt like letting go.

UKTigerlily

superstylin wrote: »

are your dogs of a fighting breed carter? I watched the dog whisperer last night where two pit bulls were just intent on killing each other. was a horrible thing to see, especially since they 'lock on' when they bite - they both had holes through their necks and mouths. everyone around them had no way of seperating them until they felt like letting go.

It's a worry, I have a Staff, the jaw locking is a myth, no Dog has locking jaws, but it's like you say a nightmare to split them. Tho with Staffs the Owners should know to keep them apart when out, must be scary though to see your Dogs going at it.

Shirlgirl, thanks for replying, I only ask due to mine not having been done as a Pup by her old Owners & the problems it's caused years on!

superstylin

UKTigerlily wrote: »

It's a worry, I have a Staff, the jaw locking is a myth, no Dog has locking jaws, but it's like you say a nightmare to split them. Tho with Staffs the Owners should know to keep them apart when out, must be scary though to see your Dogs going at it.

Shirlgirl, thanks for replying, I only ask due to mine not having been done as a Pup by her old Owners & the problems it's caused years on!

sorry tiger, I meant just that they held on - literally for minutes with their teeth through each others skin. It wasn't bite and bite again, it was bite, get a good hold and stay like that! I don't mean to exacerbate an idea of pitbulls etc being a vicious breed - I've known staffy's etc that have been some of the sweetest, most affectionate dogs I've known but once they go, god they go for it!

UKTigerlily

superstylin wrote: »

sorry tiger, I meant just that they held on - literally for minutes with their teeth through each others skin. It wasn't bite and bite again, it was bite, get a good hold and stay like that! I don't mean to exacerbate an idea of pitbulls etc being a vicious breed - I've known staffy's etc that have been some of the sweetest, most affectionate dogs I've known but once they go, god they go for it!

lol noo yer ok, was just thinking on what the other poster suggested, cause like you say if they were Staffs they might be like it cause of that! lol I'm wondering if DAP could help but finding out the cause is a good place to begin as suggested

shirlgirl2004

UKTigerlily wrote: »

Shirlgirl, thanks for replying, I only ask due to mine not having been done as a Pup by her old Owners & the problems it's caused years on!

It can cause problems but so can having them "done". I was going to get one of the main "trouble makers" done in January but just before that she started having liver problems and she's not well enough. One of the others has incontenance due to being spayed. I think spaying is something every owner should consider after getting full information. For me it is not something I would now do as standard even knowing that it slightly increases the risk of cancer. But yes it is something I would consider when being unneutered is causing problems. I was a little short in my reply because things often turn into a debate on here and I am comfortable with the decisions that I make on behalf of my animals.

I hope your girl is OK now.

foreign_correspondent

getcarter wrote: »

Hi everyone

My question is do your dogs ever fight, I mean real fighting, not half hearted or playing.

My dogs went at it today again I'm not sure what to do, well I know really what I should do and whose fault it is but wanted some other opinions.

without more info all we can do is guess!

what were the circumstances?

how old are the dogs?

what sex? neutered or not?

what breed?

was any damage done?