I saw nothing aggressive in his manner. I continued to eat, and Cash was still laying down next to me. Genghis stopped on my left side, and sat. (The dogs are well trained to not beg). With literally no warning, Cash attacked Genghis across my lap. I did not see any posturing or stiffening to warn me of this.
pitbullgirl42 wrote:I am more than willing to separate when I cannot supervise, (as I have always done with any foster dogs I have had, and have also always done with Genghis and Cash), but have a very hard time accepting that these two dogs can never be together again (or that Cash cannot be with any other dog), because they get along SO well outside of situations where there is food involved.
DemoDick wrote:Regardless of breed or resource guarding, etc., I strongly suggest that everyone feed their dogs alone in a secure crate. It just makes sense.
However, take resource guarding out of the picture for a moment and consider something.
What would you tell a client who brings you a Jack Russel Terrier from working bloodlines who insists that with proper training and supervision, the dog will be able to safely interact with her pet rat? You find yourself in a very similar situation right now. You have dogs that aren't getting along, and it's getting worse. Please consider that this may not be a resource guarding issue at all. Because even if it is, you still have to deal with the genetic direction your dogs lean. And that is towards dog-aggression, not because of fear, dominance, or resource guarding, but for its own sake.
Most people, even those with years of experience in the breed, don't readily recognize what serious dog aggression looks like in Pit Bulls, because their particular brand is deceptive. It looks like play to those who haven't seen it. Then the dog "just snaps" and silently attacks another dog. In reality, he didn't "just snap," he just started acting like a Pit Bull for the first time and it shocked the owner. You don't see pit dogs barking and snarling in a match. They just lock up and fight. They may bark or scream before being released, but this is not a warning, it is due to frustration.
Plenty of Pit Bull owners never have to deal with dog-aggression in their households, until the day they do. Then they end up, at minimum, with a seriously injured dog, or worse, a dead one. They will usually go one of two routes at this point, if they are responsible. They will (1) accept the need to crate and rotate or (2) get out of the breed all together.
As mnp13 mentioned, we have two boys who potentially could be out unsupervised, with a LOT of work. Why don't we? Well, what's the point? The only reason to do so would be to make OUR lives more convenient because crating and rotating is a pain in the ass. We would probably still end up with a fight any way. So why bother?
Please, crate and rotate. Your dogs will thank you.
Demo Dick
Dog_Shrink wrote:Like you I am also a behaviorist and I agree that at least the 2 males should be crated in the presence of food, feeding in the crate for at least 2 of the 3 (doesn't sound like the girl really needs it) and let them to continue to interect with eachother when you know it's a non-confrontational situation (IE NO food).
It sounds like Cash is definately entering into the age of sexual maturity and feeling his oats dispite just being neutered (which as you know could take up to 6 months to totally have the testosterone decrease inhis system). At this age a male will try to increase his rank in the pack and become more in control of "assets" such as females. The age difference betwen your males also plays a HUGE part into Cash's desire to be assertive since he likely feels the "old man" is ready to drop down in postions that he is totally willing to take by might if need be. Your fights are going to get worse and your older male is going to be more aggressive with each response to Cash's instigations.
You are going to end up in a situation where Cash and at least your older boy are going to have to crate and rotate (which I am NO fan of. I would rather rehome the instigator than crate and rotate simply because that is no quality of life IMO).
If Cash is acting like this with the coming of the age of sexual maturity how is he going to be at 2 when he reaches social maturity???There is anamocity now amongst your pack and Your gal and older fella are going to gang up on cash one of these days and have a tug of war.
I think your older boy bit you on the bum out of sheer anxiety not any kind of personal attack. Maybe more of an instance of displacement biting than anything. IMO and I certainly hope I'm wrong but I'm afraid that Cash will take his food issues to other resources in the future such as toys or attention, but hopefully with the waining of testosterone you might be able to avoid that issue.
[/quote]You already know the answers that you are asking for hon... you've been in the industry long enough to know which way this is going. Unfortunately pits have beenbred for too long to increase that dog on dog aggression and with a lot of the unethical breeding going on these days it's probably worse than you could imagine. This pup being found stray at such a young age only reinforces this theory that he was bred of aggressive lines since a COE breeder would certainly try to breed that trait down in their lines.
lPit♥Bull wrote:ArtGypsy wrote:I"m so new at being a pit bull owner, I still have a warranty.
Dog_Shrink wrote:I would rather rehome the instigator than crate and rotate simply because that is no quality of life IMO
Dog_Shrink wrote:I think your older boy bit you on the bum out of sheer anxiety not any kind of personal attack.
Dog_Shrink wrote:IMO and I certainly hope I'm wrong but I'm afraid that Cash will take his food issues to other resources in the future such as toys or attention, but hopefully with the waining of testosterone you might be able to avoid that issue.
Dog_Shrink wrote:This pup being found stray at such a young age only reinforces this theory that he was bred of aggressive lines since a COE breeder would certainly try to breed that trait down in their lines.
TheRedQueen wrote:I think the OP would be best served by having someone else come observe the dogs...a qualified someone.
Dog_Shrink wrote:As far as testosterone and resource guarding... testosterone is a HIGHLY motivating factor in dominant behavior such as ersource guarding so with the waining of testosterone hopefully the dog will be less driven to perform such dominant behaviors.
Dog_Shrink wrote:Like I said... those are just my opinions or C&R life for dogs in that situation. it doesn't make me a judge or a critic... it's just my opinion and how I feel... If it works for you great... but it's not the kind of life I would want to subject a dog to.
Dog_Shrink wrote:Breeders have been trying for years to breed down the aggressive traits in Pitbulls to make them a more balanced dog with out destroying the qualities taht makes them what they are. To say that a pit isn't going to be a pit anymore just because the aggressive nature has been bred down is niave. Personally I give kudos to the breeders that are trying to accomplish this and garner the dog a better reputation. So you would rather keep the aggressive nature the way it is rather than try to make the dog more balanced? Who does that honestly help?
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