Two puppies!! Help!!

[Princess6213]

I have a six month old Shih-Tzu, Snickers, who I love to death. He is a really good dog and very playful and lovable. Two days ago, someone my fiancee works with said that they had Pitbull puppies that they had to get rid of and if they didn't find someone to take them they would have to take them to the Shelter. Well, we couldn't stand the thought of that, so we took one. She is 12 weeks old, (we named her Kahlua) and she is very lovable with people. The problem is that she doesn't seem to like Snickers very much. We brought her home yesterday and I tried to introduce them and she growled and snapped at him. I tried to introduce them again today, but she snapped at him again. I'm scared of her really hurting him. They are both crated so they are never alone together without very close supervison, but I'm scared that she will never get used to him because she might be too old. Anybody have any suggestions or ideas on how to socialize them?? I'm not sure what to do.

 

[LabBreeder]

DOG toward DOG aggression IS a characteristic of most terriers, including the APBT. This is a fact straight from: http://www.apbtconformation.com/temperament.htm

I hate to say it, but if you had researched the breed and it's temperament then you'd have known this and probably wouldn't have brought her home.

While various degrees of dog to dog aggression are to be expected. Handlers at all times MUST and are expected to maintain control of their dogs at all times and dogs must be trained and socialized around other dogs...

 

[bubbatd]

Unfortunately this poor pup may have been from a " pitbull fighting " strain. Other Bully owners will now better than I . Personally I would really look into the background without spending time and energy on this pup. It's not fair to your Snickers .IMO ... no 12 wk old pup should be attacking any dog !

 

[Aussie Red]

I worry for Snickers and would check background of pit. What does your hubby know about this breeder/ owner. ? From your post I would guess that he isn't a very responsible breeder or owner to say he was going to take pups to shelter. Sounds like a pain in the you know where type person ( sorry)
Sometimes as animal lovers are hearts are too big and we don't always do the best things. Maybe you have made an error in getting this pup and maybe not I don't know but I would get some advice from a trainer that works with the bully types for agression. Anyway if this sounded bad please don't take it that way it is not meant to be mean spirited. I just worry for your Shih Tzu right now. I really like pitts but am not very fond of how some people breed them or raise them.

 

[Elly]

Please be very carefull with Snickers. I had a Husky years ago and it was attacked by a pit from across the park. Luckily his fur was so thick on his neck the dog didnt do any damage.

I dont want to put all pit bulls down as some are real sweathearts but a lot are very unpredictable especially with other dogs and small kids. I have read they see them as prey.

You might want to reconsider keeping this puppy as he will be a lot bigger than your Shih Tzu in time.

Where I live Pit Bulls are now banned and so many are in the shelters. All the best anyway

 

[Princess6213]

Thanks for everyone's input. I feel really bad about this but I'm going to have to give Kahlua (the pitbull) back to the person we got her from. Today I got each of my puppies a rawhide bone and while they were chewing on them, Kahlua attacked Snickers. And I mean attacked!!! Luckily Snickers has a lot of hair at the moment (it's about time for a haircut), so Kahlua didn't do any damage, but I can't take the chance that something would happen to Snickers, or my daughter. I just love animals and wanted to give her a good home, but it looks like that can't happen.

 

[Brattina88]

its sad, but if the pup is showing this level of aggression at this young of an age, its probably for the best

 

[bubbatd]

I really feel for you and the pup !! You tried ....

 

[Elly]

I am sorry it didnt work out but relieved for your daughter and Snickers. You are making the right decision. You were very kind to take him and tried so nobody can fault you for giving the pup back.

Just feel better knowing you have very likely saved your daughter and Snickers from being badly bitten or worse.

 

[TaylorDawnx0x]

Pitbull puppies

You shouldn't of even got one unless you have no other dogs or cats. Pitbulls are one of the meanest breeds, they are nickname "bully dogs". They also could bite you and Snickers. Be careful.

 

[CrestedRep]

You shouldn't of even got one unless you have no other dogs or cats. Pitbulls are one of the meanest breeds, they are nickname "bully dogs". They also could bite you and Snickers. Be careful.

That is an extreme generalization and ignorant. I agree that pup probably isn't a greatly bred one...obviously by the actions of the breeder and they need to alter there pets obviously. They are referred to as one of the Bully breeds.....I have had the privilage to transport and see 3 very awesome, well socialized, great with kids and other dogs pitbulls in the last month in a half. All were taken from a shelter in Los Angeles and we transported them all the way to Illinois and Wisconsin. Bernie...as you will see in this pic was a bait dog...he got his second chance.... and it was well deserved...atleast look at it. I just get tired of the bad rap that ALL of these dogs get.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7iK--pAA-Q Bernies video...

 

[TaylorDawnx0x]

I was brought up.

I was brought up to believe that pitbulls are not "friendly" dogs. My mother got bit by one when one's owner let him out & he attacked my mom. My mom brought us up to believe that pitbulls are not good family animals. But I do agree with you every dog and cat should have a second chace & just because a pitbull is a "bully" dog doesn't mean (s)he shouldn't. Usually for them to be very nice to kids and other animals they have to be brought up with them in my opinion, of course that's with every kind of dog.

EDIT: But the reason that so many pitbulls are in adoption shelters and stuff is because of there "bully rep." Which comes from most pitbull owners not teaching them to be nicer than most are brought up to be.

 

[bubbatd]

Let's go easy folks .....this is an older beehive that was just whacked again . Again , it was the breeding and the breeder .... not the breed .

 

[Georgygirl]

the "bully" in bully breed is in reference to their bull dog heritage, not a description of their personality.

 

[Loviedovie]

I agree with everyone. It's not easy giving a pet back after you tried to make it work. But I have worked in Plastic Surgery for 10 years and I've seen a handful of children with dog bites from their OWN dogs. I mean it. It's not pretty and they have to go through major reconstruction to look even halfway normal again... You did the right thing...

I have 2 shih tzu's. Get another one, they will be best friends. Mine are 6 months and 4 months and are having a blast. I'm not getting any sleep but they are having fun, that's all that matters right???

 

[cowgurl6254]

Thanks for everyone's input. I feel really bad about this but I'm going to have to give Kahlua (the pitbull) back to the person we got her from. Today I got each of my puppies a rawhide bone and while they were chewing on them, Kahlua attacked Snickers. And I mean attacked!!! Luckily Snickers has a lot of hair at the moment (it's about time for a haircut), so Kahlua didn't do any damage, but I can't take the chance that something would happen to Snickers, or my daughter. I just love animals and wanted to give her a good home, but it looks like that can't happen.

I'm sorry it didn't work out, but please don't blame yourself. The poor puppy was likely doomed from birth because of bad breeding. It's not your fault, and it's not the puppy's fault. Give your Snickers a big hug and try to go easy on yourself. At least you tried

 

[Ashlea]

The posting from TaylorDawn is why pitties have such a bad rap, ignorance.

 

[bubbatd]

Agree ..... at least you tried to save it .

 

[TaylorDawnx0x]

Excuse me.

Excuse me, but I thought we all had an opinion. I'm just saying that me saying that it is a bully breed of course which it is, doesn't make them nice dogs now. They will always have the same rep, and it's not just because of me.

I will no longer be posting on this forum, I have found 2 others that are much better.