Is the honeymoon over?

[shaun64]

Well last night Zeus and Roxy got into it pretty good. Zeus walked up to where Roxy was laying and she just attacked. I got in the middle to break it up, bad idea I know but I didn't know what else to do. Ofcourse I was the only one that has any marks to show from from it (ripped finger nail, a couple of teeth wounds in my hand and claw marks down my leg). Can anyone give me some suggestions on what to do if/when this happens again. Or how to stop it before it starts. Over all since we brought Roxy home last month they have been great together, the only time I've had to seperate them is at meal times.
Shaun

 

[avts1977]

I don't know how to stop it from happening . . . from reading your post, it seemed pretty random.

I do know that the best way to break up a dog fight is to grab them by their hind legs and pull them up. It's an awkward position, so it's difficult to continue fighting. If you are alone with two fighting, I'd say go for the smallest one and pull that one up and away from the fight.

I've never had to do this, but I've heard it's the best way (and safest for you!)

 

[jaimie]

Well, I have never had to do this with my girls but my brother has had to do it many times with his Sheperds. They are afraid of the broom so he takes the broom and pushes it in their faces (careful of the eyes) but this seems to work really good for him. Since the broom takes the brunt of whatever is happening and no hands or legs get involved. Also, a guy my hubby works with uses a 2 liter bottle (empty) to get his dogs to quit crabbing at each other (he has a sharpei & rottie mix 'nuf said). They are deathly afraid of 2 liter bottles so he throws it in their vicinity and they back off pretty quick (it might help to put pennies in it to make nasty noises). I know the bottle thing wouldn't work with my girls cuz in the summer time they steal the bottles out of the garage to play with in the back yard (yep I have a big clean up to do when the grass needs to be mowed) :p :rolleyes: :D Good Luck, hopefully you don't have to worry about this again and it was only a one time thing! :confused:

Jaimie

 

[Laurie_Duke]

When we first brough home duke..him and my other dog got into some pretty nasty fights...and yes I also grabbed them by the back legs...my rescue told me that they where fighting for dominance in the house hold, this is just me but I would watch them like hawks and whenever I got the feeling like something would happen I would destract one of them...and during the fights I would clap my hands as hard as I could and let them know that this is not acceptable in the house....it has been at least 4 months now since there last fight and they are the best of friends now...I never thought this would happen with the way they started off...and rescuing a dog the last thing I wanted to do is place him back with the foster home....

Now we are one big happy family!!!!

Good luck, I will keep my fingers crossed for you and your babies.

Laurie.

 

[mommafeather]

i agree with Laurie

We got our first guy from rescue a year ago....then about 6 months ago we got a second boxer from rescue....the first month or so they had to take time to get used to each other...they have attempted to scrap with each other...but they have worked things out now and kinda chose a pecking order....now they are best buddies:D I also grabbed back legs...it worked well for us..Good luck and hang in there!!!!

 

[shaun64]

I'll have to remember the hind leg thing, if there is a next (I'm keeping my fingers crossed there won't) I did find out from Roxy's previous owner, that when she did something wrong she use bitter apple. She only she to actually use it 2x, then all she had to do was get the bottle out. I may try that if they start to get pissy with each other. Up until last night you would have thought they were litter mates, they have been absolutly great together since day one.
Shaun

 

[Puddy]

The hind leg thing is hard to perform if one is alone and a fight breaks out. You may grab the wrong dog and the other may still be attacking. When I was younger my parents had a pit and my grandparents also had one. These 2 were brothers and they got into a fight in the yard. Well they could not get them apart for nothing because they just would not let go until we turned the water hose on them. I guess what I am trying to say is maybe a super soaker water gun or just a glass of water. If your alone and nothing is working who knows maybe this will work.

 

[boxermom5]

I reach for the broom and "sweep" them. They don't like the way the broom feels when you brush their fur backwards. It doesn't hurt them, but it is enough to distract them and difuse the situation, in my case usually removing the bone the fight erupted over and sending them to opposite sides of the room to lay down on a time out.

Jen