Doggie agression

[mzbogart]

I asked for advice not judgement. You really don't know what all is going on. first of all I did NOt breed my two dogs, it happened irresponsible? yes but it happened. I'm not going to give my dogs to rescues, that to me seems even more irresponsible, I will do all that I can to rehabilitate them. That means finding someone who will help me not judge what has been done. If I did put my pit in a rescue do you honestly think that he will be alive the next day? People don't like pit bulls. and I love mine more than anything, so I am going to help him. not just pawn him off on someone else. I chose him and it is my responsiblility to fix the problems that I made when he was a puppy.

[pnance]

I'm so sorry to hear about your parents dog. I agree with previous posts in that you are probably dealing with a pits animal aggression plus a stong prey drive, throw the fact that you've got puppies in and you've got a nightmare on your hands. I would recommend not allowing anyone unknown unsupervised near the pups/parents until the pups are found new homes. I'd definately keep any animals and children completely away as long as the pups are there. When there are pups involved even the gentlest dogs can be aggressive if they think the pups are in danger. I'd definately stick with your original plan to neuter him and probably spay the female if you can. Even if he's neutered he may be more aggressive when she's in heat. As posted previously make sure he knows your the boss, NILIF is a great starting point that doesn't cost any $$ to do. If possible ask your vet for the name of a good behaviourist/trainer in your area that handles dog aggression. They can evaluate your dog and give you some ideas based on your dogs personality. I agree one on one training is good to establish basic and teach him whose boss, but since he's animal aggressive I don't agree that, that should be the only training which is why I'm not sure Petsmart is your best option. The trainer I took Hunter to had 6 one on one sessions, plus they have group refresher courses once a month for as long as you want. They can not only socialize, but work on the skills they learned at the one on one in a social setting. If at all possible I'd work on getting him neutered and into training soon before the problems get worse.

[Pit Chick]

Him being forced to live outside explains a lot. He lives outside by his own rules so why should he listen to you when you're just a visitor to his territory? I know it's not your fault he has to live out there, I'm just making an observation about his dominance issues. Bully breeds left to themselves will test their owners to see what they can get away with and by not living in the house he has no structure or guidance from you and he's managed to bully his way to the top of the pack. The Bully and GSD can't be blamed for killing your parents' dog since they are the ones that forced them to live outside. THEY set the dogs up for failure. The wise thing to do would be trying to convince your parents to let the dogs live inside before they have a liability on their hands. A GSD taking care of pups and an unaltered AB/PB outside is just an accident waiting to happen and neither one of these breeds needs that right now. Do persue the training though and I hope it helps.

[bckrazy]

I'm not judging you at all. I'm giving advice ~ because you asked for it ... I feel very bad for your situation, you're husband is gone atm and your parents have banished your dogs to the backyard. BUT, you should really want whats best for your dogs, and especially what is best for a GSD trying to mother infant puppies is to be inside of a secure, attentive home! Rescues do not euthanize dogs, unless they are beyond hope. Your dogs dont sound like they're beyond hope, they sound like they dont get much of any training or attention.

The reason I suggested rescue is not because I'm judging you, its because you ended your post with "I thought I had a bit more time to catch it"... to me, that sounded like you were considering euthanizing him or giving him away. Rescues will place him in a foster home and train him. At this point, honestly, you need to think about what's best for the dogs ~ living outside, becoming territorial over their yard and harming people/animals, breeding with each other, driving you nuts ~ or, in an experienced home with lots of time/safety to give them. Since you're keeping them, you definitely need to keep your yard secure from all children/people/animals... my advice would be to spend ALL of the available time you have with your dogs, training, playing, and just getting them used to having people around them. Try to make a deal with your parents ~ maybe, ask if your GSD and her puppies can come inside and stay in your room, a bathroom or a laundryroom at night. Also ask if your Pitty boy can sleep in a crate inside at night, or spend time with you in the living room or your bedroom for a few hours a day. I really hope the Mommy has a doghouse or shelter of some sort to get to during the day even, puppies cannot tolerate extreme heat or cold at all and they could be severely affected by being outside 24/7 they should be your main concern right now. Puppies need constant handling and socialization by people while they're young -- or, THEY could end up with aggression and fear problems as adults and you dont want that! Introduce them to as many people, children, and animals as possible in this crucial time, and please consider waiting until they're at least 8 weeks to sell them. I really, really hope you find good homes for her puppies (screening and getting to know the new owners is very important!) and sell them on a contract (including the new owners must spay/neuter, care for the puppies, and tell you first if they need to rehome them).

[mzbogart]

hey guys, I just wanted ya'll to know the update. I took my pittie to a trainer and he has been doing really well, he has been catching on very quickly and he has been obeying alot better. My shepard and her babies are doing good too, they are well fed and opening their eyes and trying to stand all the way up. its cute! after talking to the trainer, I'm thinking that my shepard is the one who did all they other stuff becuase of her hormones and her prey drive. I'm not saying that my pittie had nothing to do with it but she was the main reason. and I know her and I think it had a lot to do with her new babies. as much as I would love to have my babies inside this is not my house. so I hooked up fans and pretty good shelter for the babies they stayed cool.