Dog attacks

[pomtzu]

Each one of us needs to do what works for us. We are all not the same when it comes to the tolerance of misbehaving animals. I hope that each person is good to the animals and does what is best for all involved. I try to do it all with a balance that works for me. One shoe size does not fit us all.

We all love our animals and do the best we can.

Love to all

Thank you - this is basically what I was just getting ready to say.

I thank everyone for their post and expressing their views. Obviously there is no right or wrong - no black or white. We are all as individual as the situations with our dogs. What works for one, won't necessarily work for another. If you have the time and ability and resources to keep dueling dogs separate, then that's what's right for you. If you choose to rehome an offending dog, then again, that's right for you. I think the point here is, that we want to do the best thing for our beloved dogs, and this is as it should be. Unfortunately, we do not have the ability to know if a presently placid dog will take a bad turn in the future. If it does happen, then I pray that we have the wisdom to do what is best for all involved, whether it be: keep separated, or rehome, or euthanize.

[Cataholic]

I have only had one dog at a time. But, I do have a multiple cat household. I have, over time, had CA issues. It is far easier to say, "I couldn't rehome, separate, live with, etc.," whatever your problem might be as long as you haven't yet actually experienced it. Sometimes these things creep up on you, and your heart can be torn as to what to do. I chose to keep two cats separated. I never thought to rehome the aggressor (Monte). The cat he tormented is now at RB, and he is better, but still targets Daks- the most gentle cat you could meet. Daks is much hardier than my RB Georgie, but I still holler from time to time.

My friend's dog killed their cat recently. That just set panic into my heart. I don't crate Jasper, and I don't think he has the agression in him at all. He is, thus far, too timid to eat in front of some of my bossy cats. But, wow, what would I do if that changed? I can't say.

Good thoughts and lots of prayers to those that go through this.

[chocolatepuppy]

I've had mutiple dogs most of my adult life. There were squabbles. RB Lacey was the only one who never 'started' a fight. My present pups, Layla and Jake have had issues. If I had known the future, Jake would not be here. He usually starts it. He thinks everything is his and he is no match for Layla, she could kill him, being twice his size. They are both crated when I'm not home. I know the 'signs' and stop Jake even if he gives Layla a 'look'. If they get into it, you have to grab Jake, not Layla as if I grab her, he won't stop. The few times outside that I couldn't grab him, he backed off from her, thank God. He's leary of her now, but sometimes forgets.
The fighting is rare, as I do watch for signs. I will say, due to this, I most likely would not want to own two dogs again.
Most of the time, they're best buds.
As for other dogs attacking mine, that's the reason I don't walk my dogs. They have a huge fenced in yard, that will have to do.

[CountryWolf07]

As much as I hate to say, Hank is 100% dog aggressive dog, except for Butter, his 'girlfriend' from next door. I'm not sure why, but she is the ONLY dog that Hank loves and gets along with, peacefully. I planned on getting another dog, but because of Hank, I will not. Just to prevent this type of issue!

[wolf_Q]

I don't know what I would do if I had dogs I couldn't keep together without seriously injuring eachother. It's easy to say I'd rehome but that's a really difficult decision to make. I've been very lucky so far, all of my dogs get along great. I worried about Nebo and Killer but unless Killer tries to hump Nebo (which he only does when people are outside - he gets jealous of attention ) they are fine together. I have to watch it when I throw a ball because Killer always wants the other dogs ball so I have to throw one for him and one for Nebo and they are fine. Even when they've gotten mad at eachother its been a bit of noise and that's it not a mark on either dog. Keva and Skya both get bratty with other female dogs sometimes but they love eachother. I've seen Keva put Skya in her place before and pin her down but she's never hurt her. Keva didn't like Sydney my mom's schnauzer very much and they got into a couple scuffles, one time resulting in a couple of punctures (it was over food) but nothing major. They got along fine on a daily basis Keva would just get jealous of Syd sometimes and be a brat to her.

As they've all gotten older they don't seem to take to new dogs as well so I'm cautious when introducing them to new dogs. Keva hates Corby's parents lab, Sadie, every time she's around her when we've been camping. Of course Keva was on a leash and Sadie was loose which could be part of it. Ironically when Sadie was in our yard they got along fine both loose together. I rarely go to dog parks, but when I do they've been fine (Nebo used to guard the water bowl sometimes I don't know if he does that any more - the last time they were at a dog park like setting was the thing at the pool and that's a little too much water to guard. ). I really follow them around when they are with new dogs though, I can tell if they get that "look" that I need to distract them to avoid any issues.

I don't like to leave them alone together, I worry if they ever did get into a fight for whatever reason that I'd never be able to have them together again. I'll admit when I've been short on kennels (like when camping) I've put two dogs in one crate and left them alone which is probably a bad idea but they've always been fine. Right now Killer and Keva are laying by me and Killer is cleaning the inside of Keva's ears. He is obsessed with Keva, he especially loves humping her yes he's neutered but not until Corby got him at around two, he still loves to hump.

[kokopup]

I could never own dogs that didn't get along. Koko loves every body and all dogs. I have only seen her aggressive once and it was a complete suprise to me then. I had a neighbor with a APBT that came onto my property and came after me. All of a sudden my mild Koko tore into the APBT with a vengence. It left tail between it legs and never came back after that. She wasn't defending her territory she was defending me.

When Kallie (cat)was still with us, we had to keep her separated from Rascal(cat), because Rascal would attack her. She had no defenses because she was both blind and deaf for at least a year before she died. Koko and Rascal are best of friends and to watch them play you would think that Rascal would get injured. So far all of their play is just that, play.

[Mooshi]

I've had zeus for 3 years yes he showed aggression towards a couple of dogs he didn't know but those dogs we're the 1st to show aggression he was reacting to it.

but at home he got along perfectly with all my dogs i had a husky named Kiba he was a handful but zeus loved him protected him though Kiba was trying ti display dominance sometimes zeus never did anything or even challenged back he loved him to bits.

Then came Lucifer a german shepherd who was super hyper and all over the place and still zeus cuddled with him when they slept shared his food with him no problems at all.

I swear if i saw any sign of aggression from zeus towards any of my other dogs i would have been prepared for this i am a responsible owner i really am i love my dogs to death but there were no signs at all im 100% sure of that. When the attack happened like i mentioned in my thred the dogs were perfect together a couple of hours before it happened i was in my room getting ready for bed an hell broke lose.

I know rehoming Zeus if his aggression is not provoked is impossible since it's my responsibility if something happens to anyone else's dog but i just cant imagine being the one who agrees he should be put to sleep! I've never been through a situation like this before i've always had multiple dogs and this never ever happened this is all new to me. yes there are occasional fights but they last no longer than 10 seconds but never experienced this much aggression before so im helpless i don't know what to do or think!

My friend has huskies the females hate each other to death she separated them built them big kennels to run in but accidents happen and they fought twice or three times and the results we're bad and that makes me think even if i do separate what if i made a mistake the smallest mistake could result in another fight and titan might not be as lucky as he is now.

For now zeus is safe and healthy. titan is doing ok. the next 2 weeks i'll have to make a decision on what the next step will be. Please do not get the wrong idea that im a reckless owner and my dogs aren't supervised and left to create chaos mistakes happen no matter how careful you are. I just feel bad i feel responsible i just hope for the best for both of them.

[cassiesmom]

Sadly, here is yet another. My mom received this via e-mail.

"Please, friends, pray for us...our pup was attacked by a pit bull this afternoon and is at the clinic getting taken care of with all the puncture wounds and cut right front paw - also, my husband wrestled with it to let go of her and is very banged up and cut up and scratched up."

Still praying for dab_20, Sam and Molli; Mooshi, Titan and Zeus; and Glacier and family (human and canine).