Need some help with Sarge

[Tbarrios333]

OK so first off, he's not going anywhere. I'm not going to give up on him even if it means keeping them separated forever.
Second, I'm sure there's something I missed because I'm a little shaken up.
I'm a little scared of him now, and he absolutely does not deserve distrust already. He's a good guy, just misguided.

I'm looking for suggestions/support on how to treat this situation.
Here's what happened:

I had Denali in the kitchen with me, Sarge busted out of his crate. He went up to her with his dominant posture and on hindsight I should have separated them then and there. He did have a leash on which is how I got him off of her when he attacked Denali.
She yelped but he was pretty relentless in his attack.
She's now sporting a gash near her mouth and on this inside of her mouth.

Later, I was outside spending 1 on 1 with Denali (he's had his 1 on 1 already) and I could hear him barking inside. After a few minutes he stopped. When I walked in I found him roaming free around the house.
Time to reinforce the crate somehow.

I am keeping them separated and they're on leash at all times.

Like I've said before, I've owned two dogs before. Both male and un-neutered, 1 pit bull and one maltice who thought he was boss.

I guess what I'm looking for is reassurance that I'm taking the right steps and opinions on what happened in the kitchen and if I'll be able to trust them together with time.

[JakodaCD OA]

just a thought,,kitchen=food?

I see you haven't had him long, how are they together outside? The pics you posted previously look like they were getting along ok, maybe 'things' are a little different inside?

I think you are doing the right thing, crating & leashing,

May be to early into the new home to have him settled down yet?
Just grasping at some q's...

Hope it works out !

[Tbarrios333]

They were getting along great. Even in the car ride from the shelter, the only issue we had was that he was squishing her on turns

It could be because of the food, either way we're going to give it time. I hope they can get along like my dogs have in the past but if they don't I'll just keep them separated.

[HeidiW]

Maybe you should get him a muzzle, only use it when they are loose together so he can't hurt her. ? How does he get out of his crate? I do hope he accepts her, she is not the agressor it is the other dogs right?

[Tbarrios333]

I guess I didn't properly hook the bottom latch into it's slot and he somehow got out through a little gap under the crate door.
It's insane how much that had to hurt and how much strength that took.

I really don't see it as Denali provoking the dogs because she's very submissive and is basically all over the floor showing her belly.

I might get a muzzle in the future if this continues but in the mean time I'm not going to have them loose together at all.

I called the rescue lady I was working with and she gave me some tips and directed me to a highly recommended GSD trainer/behaviorist in my area.

[Dainerra]

we had to use carabeners on Rayden's crate. or something similar. he bent the door in half on his crate.

[HeidiW]

Poor Denali, hope she is not tramatized? She sounds like she wants to play. It is still early so hopefully with time and the trainer it will all work out. Good luck.

[Tbarrios333]

She does want to play She was traumatized for a few minutes but I did some exercises with her and she's no longer afraid.
I didn't baby her at all even though on the inside I was freaking out hoping he didn't cause any serious damage.
Just treated her wound and went about my business.

The more I read the more I see how common dog fights are.
I didn't know this before since I had two dogs and never had a single incident.

[natalie559]

Any updates on Sarge? Just wondering how things are going. . .