Pit aggression issue with other male dog

pitbullLover2012 · 01-22-2013, 02:39 PM

My husband and I have had a pit (JJ) and dachshund (Charlie) both male for almost two years. When we first got the boys JJ would get aggressive with Charlie but we thought it was the dominance issue and it didn't happen very often. We helped to dominance by feeding JJ first, giving him treats first, etc. Recently JJ has been going after Charlie more frequently. A couple months ago JJ attacked Charlie and opened small puncture wounds around his eye and on one ear. It did not seem like a bite, more that the teeth simply hit and broke through the skin. We thought that fight was about food so we only give treats in their crates and separated them. More frequently JJ has been just going after Charlie for no reason that we can see. These attacks are not very violent where Charlie gets hurt, but more that JJ is getting on top of him before me or my husband intervene. When JJ does these attacks my husband separates the dogs and he pins JJ to show is dominance over the pit. This has been a constant since we got the dogs and was advice we received from other pit owners. At first, the pinning would settle JJ down to the point that he wouldn’t go after Charlie for another month or two. However, recently it doesn’t seem to make a difference if JJ was recently pinned or not as to the frequency of the attacks. JJ has also recently picked up a trait where if he is under a sheet and Charlie comes around, JJ will growl or make noise until Charlie goes away or JJ’s head is uncovered and he sees that Charlie is not being a threat. Since my husband and I are going to start having kids soon we would like to figure out and hopefully fix the problem before children come into the picture. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

**cEElint** · 01-22-2013, 02:44 PM

Dog aggression comes with the breed... may have to keep them separated

**ames** · 01-22-2013, 02:56 PM

Yeah crate and rotate poor Charlie!!! You need to keep both safe and not let them be around each other. Give them a break for a month or so. This gives you time to find a good trainer. It doesn't just happen. JJ will give you queues and you are missing them. Could be subtle. Find a trainer who is used to working with dog aggression. If he is attacking unwarranted then the safest and healthiest way to live for a is to keep them crated and rotate them every hour so they have equal time. You have basically shown JJ he is the more important dog by Feeding and letting him do everything first IMO. Good for you for trying to get help. But DA is very common with bully breeds. If you can't afford a trainer right away the just crate and rotate. They are depending in you to keep them safe!

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Carriana · 01-22-2013, 02:57 PM

Dog aggression is different than human aggression so issues between the dogs shouldn't extend to children.

NorCalTim · 01-23-2013, 03:03 AM

Two males in one house (if one is an APBT) takes a very special person. If someone wants a male puppy from me and they already have a male dog, I respectfully decline. Females tend to fit in a "pack" better. I only keep one male with my bitches LOL

**Odin`s_BlueDragon** · 01-23-2013, 02:32 PM

yeah i just fostered an 8 month male with my now two year old Odin and it was a lil bit of a challenge, but more cuz the foster was so ruined from being a stray and in the shelter for half of his life. depending on the dogs and depending on the mentality and commitment from the handler/owner it can be done via crate and rotate with supervised play. but keep in mind that DA comes in different levels. some dogs wont ever get along with other dogs, some will get along with certain dogs, and some could be fine with any. the thing with bully breeds in general, is that the DA trait is more common than in other breeds.

HeavyJeep · 01-23-2013, 06:45 PM

As it has been said... Aggression towards other dogs, especially males, comes with the territory... If you dont want a dead dog in your house one day you both need to watch very carefully and keep them separated when you are gone..

thats about it.....