agression

neco

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I have three dogs. The oldest is three years old, he came from a neglected home, but was never beaten. He had a bad skin problem and it was never addressed properly, so it escalated until he lost his fur. That was when he came to me. His owner had taken another dog from her neighbor that was not feeding the pup or giving it water, or letting him in the house, an he was only six weeks old, this is vinny. So I wound up with both of the boys. After three months of medical treatment, Rio is the picture of heath, Vinny, the younger one was gaining weight like nothing I had ever seen. He got pudgy, then grew into all of it. Now almost a year later, after having both dogs plus one of my own, Rio snapped. He has never shown signs of aggression that went beyond making gruff noises that were not quite a growl. We were all laying down, nothing going on and he bit vinny. Then he ran to his cage. He was shaking for about six hours after that. This happened about week ago. I am just wondering if there is anything I can do. The worst punnishment that they recieve is a strong NO, and then they go to their cage for a few minutes. I don't understand what happened. He has not been aggressive since, but I just don't know if I can trust him. He has never tried to be dominant with people let alone aggressive, and I am always in the room with them or in the backyard when they are out. So I do supervise, I am just at a loss. He is not going anywhere, I have decided that, and I have bought a muzzel, so if he is getting excited I can put it on him and we can all play until the energy is gone, but I know there has to be a better solution that will not lead to one of my other boys getting hurt. Any suggestions?
 
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RedyreRottweilers

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You have dogs of a breed that was specifically selected for many MANY years for fight drive and dead gameness.

You have 3 dogs of the same sex.

You should not be surprised in the least by this behavior if you have any clue at all about the bull breeds.
 

neco

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And with careful training, all agression can be avoided. I was asking for help not criticism, so if you have nothing to say that may be of help, stay out of my thread.
 
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RedyreRottweilers

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I disagree.

Heredity has quite a lot of influence over behavior and temperament in dogs. IF it did not, there would not be working lines in different breeds.

Facts are facts. Pitties have tendencies towards dog aggression. You have 3 male dogs.

And in the infamous words of Cartman, "I do what I want".
 
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#5
You're dogs are a breed known to be aggressive.

The most vicous dogs were bred annd the sweeter ones weren't. The breed was uxsed in dog fights. and they're all the same gender. This is probably what staarted it. Sugestion, which is strongly advised, separate and rehome the aggressive one. P:referabely to a home with no other dogs. Keep doing this until the dogs get along and don't attempt this avgain with this breed or another known for being aggressive. If you do, get the opposite gender. There's my suggestion.

Hannah
 

Barb04

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#6
The time may have come where you will need to keep them separated. I know none of us like to do this, but when it comes to the safety of our pets, this is sometimes the only alternative.
 

oriondw

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neco said:
And with careful training, all agression can be avoided. I was asking for help not criticism, so if you have nothing to say that may be of help, stay out of my thread.

Not true.


You'll have these problems for the life of the dogs. Keeping 3 males of any breed in same house is not desirable in my opinion.

If they do get in big fights you'll have to separate them when not with them and watch them like an eagle when you are with them.

Recipe for disaster.
 
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#8
First off, hopefully all three are neutered . . .

Next - separation when you can't be there to supervise is a must.

This was obviously a traumatic experience for Rio, or he wouldn't have run to his crate like you've described. Go back and think hard and try to reconstruct - in your mind - exactly what was happening before the incident. Why your dog acted as he did is often the key to avoiding the behaviour in the future.
 

bubbatd

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I had three males and 2 females without a single sqabble ....depends on the breed.
 
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#11
neco said:
And with careful training, all agression can be avoided. I was asking for help not criticism, so if you have nothing to say that may be of help, stay out of my thread.
This isn't true. I have delt with Pit Bulls and rotweilers before. Out of three (2 Pit Bulls, one rotweiler at different times), I only found one who has no trouble with other dogs in public. So, socalisation helps to a degree, but the other two dogs I delt with that were bully breeds, had really big dog to dog aggression problems. And all three of them were "good with other dogs". One of the PIt Bulls got into fights with two dogs and growled at the rest. The rotweiler growled at most of the other dogs. The third Pit Bull has no trouble with other dogs. So hereditary factors participate too. It isn't all socialisation.
 

neco

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#12
Fuzz Puppy said:
This isn't true. I have delt with Pit Bulls and rotweilers before. Out of three (2 Pit Bulls, one rotweiler at different times), I only found one who has no trouble with other dogs in public. So, socalisation helps to a degree, but the other two dogs I delt with that were bully breeds, had really big dog to dog aggression problems. And all three of them were "good with other dogs". One of the PIt Bulls got into fights with two dogs and growled at the rest. The rotweiler growled at most of the other dogs. The third Pit Bull has no trouble with other dogs. So hereditary factors participate too. It isn't all socialisation.
Are 'Pit Bulls' Naturally Aggressive Towards Other Dogs?

The short answer, "No."

"There is no scientific proof that genetics cause a breed of dog to be aggressive, vicious or dangerous." - testimony from Standing Committee on amendments to the Dog Owners Liability Act. 2005

It is more common than not to hear 'pit bulls' referred to as "dog-aggressive". In fact, they aren't. Some may become fearful around other dogs due to a lack of proper socialization. But this happens with all breeds of dogs, not just 'pit bulls'. Unfortunately, this lack of socialization is frequently encouraged by those who fancy themselves 'pit bull' experts. from the Kerwood Wolf Education Centre Inc: "Are Pit Bulls Like 'Dangerous' Wolves?")


Citing the breed's history as a dog fighter, some people believe there is some kind of magic "dog fighting" gene or brain chemistry that is passed along from sire and dam to puppy. The truth is, there is no such thing. (Read the article from Dr. Gary Goeree, DVM, regarding the theory that 'pit bulls' have some kind of unique brain chemistry.)

Cyndi Frendo of K9 Concepts aptly put it, "Aggression is a behaviour, not a temperament."

THE DOG PARK AND THE PIT BULL
author: Debby Wolfinsohn
source: Pit Bull Press

Here ia a section from this article:

"PLEASE don't let dog aggression become an excuse for isolating him! Just because he might be dog-aggressive doesn't mean he can't control himself, act polite, go to obedience class, go on neighborhood walks, etc. Like humans, dogs have the ability to learn self-control. Let him become worldly and you'll have a better dog. IT IS YOUR JOB TO PROTECT YOUR DOG."

This was all found at this link if you guys would like to take a look.
http://www.goodpooch.com/MediaBriefs/GPpitbulls.htm#towardsdogs

"Only those who have never been successful at re-training dogs believe it can't be done." (Read about Dr. C. W. Meisterfeld's documentary, "The Unique Nature of Man's Best Friend: Rehabilitated 'Pit Bulls'")
 
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RD

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#13
Aggression is not a temperament, but dominance is a temperament trait which quickly escalates to aggression. Also, I consider the Pits fight drive to be more instinct than anything else. It's not a temperament trait, but it's an instinct and you cannot argue that dogs have instincts.

Sorry, but the most convincing article in the world is not enough to change my opinion that Pits, in general, are not reliable around other dogs and especially not other dogs of the same sex and breed. I'm sure some people can make it work, but apparently your attempt has been unsuccessful, so this is not the best time to preach at us about how -we- are wrong. /blunt

Dog aggression can be controlled, yes, but you'll be hard pressed to get three male Pits to live harmoniously.

If they were my dogs, I'd separate Rio from the other two unless I could have him on-lead and by my side.
 

Doberluv

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#14
I disagree also. All our breeds have been selectively bred for certain jobs, some for hundreds of years, some fewer. That's why hunting dogs are used for hunting, why bloodhounds are so wonderful at tracking a scent, why a Doberman Pinscher is so good at protecting his master. They took personality traits of dogs and bred dogs to other dogs to enhance certain traits. Personality is in a big part determined by genes and heredity. Pit bulls were selectively bred to fight. They took dogs with stronger fighting traits or drives and bred them to others like this to produce what they were looking for, a tenacious, aggressive dog....aggressive toward whatever it was they were to be fighting. Pitbulls are notorious for being dog aggressive and all the training in the world isn't going to take away generations and generations of genetic blueprints. You put the same sex, especially males together of any dog and that increases the liklihood of fights. (of course there are lots of exceptions) You add to that mix a breed bred for fighting and it increases even more. In other words, you've got the odds stacked against you here.

You can argue and think you're correct and go on like this, but you brought it up, that your dog acted aggressively to the other dog. This most certainly won't be the end of it. As they mature, things are very likely to escalate.

It is advised to re-home two of them so that you only have one male Pitbull at a time unless you can keep them seperated. Personally, that wouldn't be much fun to have to live that way.....so careful all the time, but you can do what you like.

You made this thead, stating that you didn't understand what was going on and asked for suggestions. Here you have the opinion of some people who understand and you can do what you like....whatever works for you.
 
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RedyreRottweilers

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Bubbatd, my point exactly.

Many breeds have been bred specifically to live together in groups, such as certain hounds.

Many companion type and/or sporting breeds live together in harmony.

Dog aggression has a high genetic component, and is VERY common in the Bull and Terrier breeds. Not present in ALL dogs, but present in a high percentage.
 
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#17
Look, I guess I determine dog aggression differently than you do, RedyreRottweilers. I just honestly think that a dog who gets into fights with other dogs or growls at every dog shouldn't live with other dogs and I think the same is true in this situation. Maybe this is one if those situations where the other two dogs got along, so necco asumed this Pit Bull would to. That isn't what happened. I don't think three male Pit Bulls should be in the same home no matter how the dogs are in public. By the way, the Pit Bull who I worked with that was fighting and growling at other dogs was classified as good with other dogs same with the rottweiler and it scared me when the Pit Bull was getting in fights with the other dog, even though there was qa reason, that didn't matter at the time.
 
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RedyreRottweilers

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#18
You must have me mistaken with someone else, fuzzpuppy because I agree with what is in your above post.
 

Saje

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#20
I have to agree with you again Renee. :D I think a lot depends on the individual dogs, how they were raised and the owner. These dogs have a shady history before you rescued them (good for you!) so they will probably be harder to work with. My pittie mix (if that's what he is) is the most submissive of all my dogs. Bottom of the pack without a doubt! Maybe using some NILIF principles will help get things in order.
 

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