Kind of upset...

[KotasMommie]

The other day, my husband's friend came over with his 2 yr old retriever. I let Kota outside to introduce them. Everything was fine ar first and them at the same time they both ran at each other and started to growl and bare their teeth viciously. I don't think they actually bit each other. Maybe just tried to establish dominance. They just like knocked heads. Kota is always so sweet so it surprised me. After we broke them up they were both fine, but the retriever's tongue was bleeding because he had bit it.

Well, last nite I dreamed that I was outside with the pups and the neighbors pit bull came running across our field and attacked Kota. He fought back but I wouldn't even know how to break them up or what to do. Any advice if that would happen? I think he raises them to be mean and always has them caged.

 

[LILYLARUE]

If you are really worried about this happening: I'd definitely build a fence around my property and then alert police and the county's animal control about the pits being improperly restrained and possibly vicious. Doesn't hurt to have them investigate. I'm sure the parents in the neighborhood would appreciate it too.

Keep calm. Don't scream or freak out. That will only instigate the dogs.

1. Don't try to break them up yourself. Two dogs and one person is a bad mix. Scream for help! Loud as you can. Never know who is around that would be willing to lend a hand.

2. Look up "break stick" and learn to use one. Lot's of videos on utube about the proper us of one. You may have to use it to beat the muzzle once the hold is released or shove it down their throat if you have the chance. A gagging dog can't bite down. Hang it outside at all times just in case. "Breaker Boards" are also effective for a short term. Push the board between the dogs, breaking the muzzles. Yes, you may have to beat the dog in a bite hold, or risk hurting your dog, but it will break the bite hold.

3. Call 911 if you feel that you can not seperate them safely! It may be a worst case for both dogs to be shot, but our dogs are our protectors and will do so instinctually. Loss of your dog is well worth the gain of your own life. Sad to say.

4. There is a protocol for breaking up fights. The easiest I have found is to grab the pit bull by the tail and lift up as high as you can - make sure you have a "breaker board" between you (a 5' square board to keep the dog from getting to your legs). Have a slip leash handy at all times - you can tie the pit to something giving you time to grab your dog and get outta there! Hang the dog by the leash if you have to.

 

[KotasMommie]

Thanks for the info.. I looked it up and just the idea of that is pretty scary. I hope and pray that I NEVER have to do that..

 

[lunishka]

Something similar actually happened his past weekend for me. The scene is 2 boxers and a pitbull mix of some sort. There are 4 adults and these three dogs hanging out. Somehow the pitbull mix got fired up and latched onto the other boxer, not mine thank god, and all hell broke loose. To make matters worse, it sort of happened under a big patio set. I immediately got up and swung the table away so I could get at them cleanly and grabbed both collars and yanked as hard as I could. This effectively separated them thank goodness. The boxer had a gouge under his chin, but no other injuries. I was so furious. It wasnt my dog that got the worst of it, but I was disgusted at this pitbull.

Some things I learned are it doesn't matter necessarily how many adults are around, because when things turn ugly and loud and scary, most people will not interfere and the reaction is to move away. And unless the pitbull has the infamous lockjaw thing going on, they can be broken up with a bit of muscle. If I had to, I would do unthinkable things to an offending dog to get them off my boxer.

Definitely stay ahead of the situation, let your neighbor know your concerns. Its no time to be shy or embarrassed. Let them know you are watching intently and that them acting irresponsible or negligent is wholly unacceptable. No room for error.

 

[LILYLARUE]

Thanks for the info.. I looked it up and just the idea of that is pretty scary. I hope and pray that I NEVER have to do that..

The only time I had to seperate a fight was with my own staffy and my other dog. She latched on to Buster's muzzle and wasn't ever gonna let go. I had to pick her up by the tail, up over my head to release her hold.

It was no fault of her own......she had a brain tumor and just went off one day. I knew it was time to let her go. She wouldn't stop shaking after the attack and wouldn't look at Buster at all, would avoid him with her head down. So I know she didn't realize what she was doing. She went after Lily first, and her and Lily were amazingly bestest buds. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do.....but knew it was the right thing to do. She had a tough life, but she had it very good for almost 2 yrs with me. I sure miss that little sausage.

It's a scary thought that an attack can happen. I just hope I never have to intervene again. If it was a strange dog, I would have tried the tail pull first at the same time calling 911. I do keep a break stick handy though, just in case. But most people that see it, think I'm raising fighting dogs. LOL So I tuck it in my pocket or waistband. Just never know but best to be prepared.

 

[Fudgie]

Thanks from my side, had thought about it but never asked. There are several folks in my neighborhood who walk their dogs off lead. While most of them are well trained, three have been a few close calls with retrievers for some reason. To be honest, with a pit bull, I wouldn't interfere, but I am partially sighted and therefore don't have quick enough reactions if it turned on me and as mentioned above, in that case, a human's life is more important.

 

[KotasMommie]

I seen on one video that a tent stake will work like a break stick. Im going to be extra careful when letting out my pups because they are always off leash. I know Kota will protect Jolie, but that is what I'm afraid of. My husband said to get our bat and break the pit's back with it if I have to. I definitely wouldn't just sit by. My sheriff's office is slow tho so I don't know how good 911 would be for me to just wait on them. I think I will talk to the neighbor very soon and let him know my concerns.

 

[hmdupuis]

It's unfortunate that pits have been given such a bad rep. I know alot of people who have pits, my aunt infact got 2 after losing her boxer of 14 years. Her 2 pits remind me alot of boxers aside from the fact that they don't look the same. Despite my feeling on it being bad people parents that ruin the breed I still feel nervous having Tyson around a pit. It's only happened once, yesterday actually.
I brought Tyson to my cousin's house for another play date with her boxer (Ceaser). The neighbor came outside with his all black, very huge pitbull. We immediately put Tyson and Ceaser on their leashs. The owner brought the pit over to us (Tyson was all too excited to have another play mate and the pit was wagging his tail wildly). Ceaser was not too keen on the idea. He didn't react at all but was not willing to play. The pitbull jumped up to play with Tyson and before he even landed, Ceaser was at his throat. He instantly became superdog. Like I said, he was on a leash. Both dogs growled and jumped up on eachother. Right away they were pulled apart and the pitbull and his owner went on their way. Ceaser's dad scolded him for fighting but I felt bad. I know he was only protecting Tyson. Ceaser knows that Tyson is just a baby. We never have to calm him down so he doesn't hurt him. I don't know if a pitbull would know this and even if he was only trying to play, he could be too rough and hurt Tyson. I'm proud of Ceaser for being protective. It's not a situation I want to end up in again though. It's very scary to think about what a pit has the capability of doing if angered.

 

[EAO76]

Threads like this make me sad. There are so many wonderful Pitbulls. Pitbulls are simply dogs just like any other breed. Dogs are individuals. And just like we should not label or pigeon hole any certain race or ethnicity the same goes with a breed of dog. I have met some really nasty & aggressive boxers (both people aggressive and dog aggressive). I have been bit by boxers. There are aggressive dogs in every breed. The most dangerous dog is an unsocialized dog (of any breed). Pitbulls are terriers and terriers can be scrappy with other animals if not properly socialized. But just like any other breed of dog pitbulls can run the gamut from dog aggressive to exceptionally dog friendly.

 

[lunishka]

Threads like this make me sad. There are so many wonderful Pitbulls. Pitbulls are simply dogs just like any other breed. Dogs are individuals. And just like we should not label or pigeon hole any certain race or ethnicity the same goes with a breed of dog. I have met some really nasty & aggressive boxers (both people aggressive and dog aggressive). I have been bit by boxers. There are aggressive dogs in every breed. The most dangerous dog is an unsocialized dog (of any breed). Pitbulls are terriers and terriers can be scrappy with other animals if not properly socialized. But just like any other breed of dog pitbulls can run the gamut from dog aggressive to exceptionally dog friendly.

I used to agree with you, and had the opinion that each dog is a clean slate and can be molded and formed and taught to be a balanced, happy social dog.

That changed when I learned a little about genetics. The fact is that there is and has been a very large population of pitbulls that have been reared most unfortunately to behave in disgusting ways. So you have a group of pitbulls that are wired for destruction that I AGREE is a man made behavior. Now when these off balance dogs have puppies, those puppies are absolutely PRE-WIRED with this negative deadly trait. Yes, it may lay dormant with an owner doing all the right things and bad encounters never presenting themselves, but this is only part of it. Since they are very much pre-wired with these traits, they can awaken or activate that scary dormant behavior at any time. Its subconscious, involuntary, uncontrollable, but its inherent in their genetic make up.