Fighting!!!

[trudy]

Well AgileGSD, I'm sure hope that never happens, maybe I am naive since I've only had 2-4 dogs at a time for well over 1/2 a century, and yep I've separated a few fights but minor because i catch the body language before it happens. Then I amp up the obedience, I do NOT use harsh punishment, but do make it quite clear by use of body language and praise and rules. Maybe it is also because I am very picky when I buy a dog, or adopt one ensuring I get from only stable lines with dogs that do things, there by I see that they can work at what I like and focus and be social out in public. And when I got Gemma at 10 months I was told by many people including several trainers that she was extremely dog aggressive, they all agree she is not now, she is confident but stable and OK now, and yes even with adult visiting females, Gemma is a full sibling of Ty, but had a bad first home where she was thrown in a back yard and ignored, no training or socializing, but I believed her genetics were in her favor. Maybe I've only been lucky, which might be your idea, I don't know but sure hope it remains the same

[katieliz]

when you rescue you often don't have the luxury of "ensuring stable lines". i'd had pairs of males so many times, and lots of people seemed to be surprised that they all got along, but to me it was normal because for many years i had a family bloodline where i continually had a father and son. sometimes a little squabble here and there but NOTHING like a bitch fight. that's when i first heard, "that's why they call 'em bitches", lolol...hey trudy, i hope it stays the same for you too, wouldn't wish that on anybody. it's somethin' else.

[61scout80]

I would like to ask a little advice on the same subject. I have my spayed 4 year old female and a 1-2 year old spayed female that I'm fostering. Until I find a home for the foster I need to find a way to make this work.

There are no signs of fighting when they are left at the house alone.
They curl up and sleep next to each other when my wife is here with them.
I come home and the wrestle, and they have been escalating to full out fights. This is sporadic though. Right now they are both relaxed and laying down...

What am I doing wrong???

[TitonsDad]

I had 2 SSA Boxers that literally tore their throats apart one Sunday afternoon. It came out of no where. I was inside cooking dinner for the wife and family oblivious to what was going on outside as those two males loved each other like no other. Then I start seeing blood spattered all over the sliding glass door with my neighbor banging on my front door that the dogs were going at it. That vet bill costs me 5K. Sad to say, I had to re-home the younger one and the older one died a very young age from coincidence, cancer in the throat.

Point is, SSA is no laughing matter and can creep up out of the blue when you least expect it. Saying that it's a leader issue, pack order issue is hogwash. I can guarantee you, both those boys knew me as pack leader. They knew their order in the family. It was something about one or the other that made them snap and literally kill each other.

[AgileGSD]

Originally Posted by trudy

Maybe it is also because I am very picky when I buy a dog, or adopt one ensuring I get from only stable lines with dogs that do things, there by I see that they can work at what I like and focus and be social out in public. And when I got Gemma at 10 months I was told by many people including several trainers that she was extremely dog aggressive, they all agree she is not now, she is confident but stable and OK now, and yes even with adult visiting females, Gemma is a full sibling of Ty, but had a bad first home where she was thrown in a back yard and ignored, no training or socializing, but I believed her genetics were in her favor. Maybe I've only been lucky, which might be your idea, I don't know but sure hope it remains the same

My SSA bitch was an extremely sound and stable dog. She was extremely biddable, had great drive and was super enthusiastic to work wityh me. One would have never known she was SSA if she didn't live with other bitches.

I'd say you have been lucky, since SSA is a known issue with this breed. And I certainly hope your luck continues!

[TitonsDad]

Originally Posted by 61scout80

I would like to ask a little advice on the same subject. I have my spayed 4 year old female and a 1-2 year old spayed female that I'm fostering. Until I find a home for the foster I need to find a way to make this work.

There are no signs of fighting when they are left at the house alone.
They curl up and sleep next to each other when my wife is here with them.
I come home and the wrestle, and they have been escalating to full out fights. This is sporadic though. Right now they are both relaxed and laying down...

What am I doing wrong???

This sounds like competition for attention from pack leader.

[katieliz]

no wrestling when you come home, actually no wrestling ever. be vigilant for any other signs of escalation, i'd be hesitant to leave them home alone together without being crated or separated. but i'm gunshy and always err on the side of safety for the dogs.

maybe some nilif???