Here is in detail what we have tried. They have been together since they were 16 weeks old. Both were nuetuered at 6 months old.
The rounds of fighting began when they were approx. 1 yr old. Both dogs went to the vet and were completely checked out. Trouble was put on medician to help calm him down. Kind of like Ritalin. He was on this for approx 3 months. Everything we real well for a while. When they turned 2 it started again.
This time we not only re-tried meds. he went to a professional behavioral specialist. She determined that he was the "Alpha" male and that we should try to break that. So we began feeding the other dog first, petting the other dog first, letting the other dog outside first, ect. This worked for awile too, but things soon went down hill again.
The third time we sought help we went back to a different vet, they once again gave him meds to help calm him down. And they once again worked. Each time he goes on meds they work, but the vet does not want him to stay on them for life. So we try them for awhile and then slow ease him off of them.
Last night the fights were really bad. Trouble (the handful) attacked Rowdy first outside. The wife is outside with her 17 year old brother digging holes for a new privacy fence, I am sick inside with bronchitis. Her little brother comes to the back door yelling that the dogs are fighting and they can't pull them apart. I go outside get the dogs apart. We put them in their homes to help calm them. We let them out about an 1.5 hour. Everything seemed ok for about 10 min when suddenly for no apparent reason Trouble attacked again. This time when I pulled them apart I grabbed Rowdy and pull him back. Trouble lunged and bit me pretty hard and didn't stop when he realized it was me he bit. My wife went to put Rowdy in his home and Trouble again ran down the hall and attacked. This time he injured the other dog. Rowdy has two 1.5 inch cuts on his right fron leg and was caring his leg, he is better this morning. He is going to the vet to be checked over this morning. Trouble spent the night in his home and I am keeping them separated.
Trouble is breaking my heart here he sits, the perfect angel. Laying on the sofa, looking at me with those eyes. Don't tell me I don't love or care for this dog like he is my furry son. I am at my wits end though. I don't know what to do.
We are going back to the vet and see what they can tell us. I am assuming meds for awhile. The part that really scares the wife is that if I am not home she cant pull them apart. They don't even here you yelling at them. It is almost as if they are fighting to the death. It is not just a spat. She is scared they will kill each other. She cried half the night.
So please don't tell us we don't love the dogs, they are human to us. We just don't know what to do.
Thanks,
Rusty