Animal problems (OT)

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/30/01 9:18:44 PM Central Daylight Time, slowens@...

writes:

> who is going to cry if she has to get rid of one or more of her

> animals

>

>

>

> I'm so sorry that you are going through such a tough time. I can not

> imagine how hard this is for you. I'm also very sorry that I don't have

> any advice to offer, I am sure some one who has pets will be a great help

> to you. I just wanted you to know that I'm thinking of you and I hope that

> everything turns out ok.

>

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/31/01 2:18:55 AM !!!First Boot!!!, slowens@...

writes:

> . Has anyone ever had a situation where there

> dogs fought? Any advice/suggestions are greatly appreciated! Thanks

> for listening!

>

>

> who is going to cry if she has to get rid of one or more of her

> animals

>

>

,

First off ask the vet!!!! I am going to forward your e-mail to a friend of

mine who is in vet school right now if you don't mind. She might have a

suggestion. Hopefully there is a solution!!!!!

a

Who knows how hard it is when a new member of the family mixes things up :-(

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[Guest guest]

I've been having some problems with my dogs fighting. I have 3

female dogs...one (the biggest) is a half rotteweiler/half lab mix.

Her name is Robin and she will be 5 this summer. A few months after

we got her, we got her a playmate...a blue heeler/cattledog mix named

Nightwing. Robin and Nightwing never had any problems getting along

until last January when we got another dog....she's just a mix of I'm

not sure what...her name is Grayson. I guess the introduction of

another dog set off some sort of power play between Robin and

Nightwing. At first I thought it was mostly Robin because she is the

one who is on the giving end...Nightwing doesn't stand a chance

against Robin. I've since come to realize that Nightwing is not

entirely innocent...I think she does a lot of instigating and then

once Robin has had enough she just snaps. The thing is that of all

the animals...Robin is the best with Skylar. She lets Skylar climb

all over her and never so much as growls at her! Anyway, they got

into another fight tonight and we had to take Nightwing to the

emergency vet. She was pretty torn up. This is probably the 3rd or

4th time that it has happened in the past few months. The first time

was the worst, the other 2 times were bad, but not bad enough to take

her to the vet and this last time (tonight) was again pretty bad.

I'm sick about what I should do. I guess I will have to get rid of

one of more of the dogs, but I don't know how to choose which ones to

get rid of. I don't know if we got rid of Grayson if that would

solve the problem....like Bob said tonight...now that they've already

started fighting, he doesn't know if taking Grayson out of the

picture would do anything. Nightwing would probably be the easiest

to give away......she's got such a great temperment and is a great

frisbee catcher She also has a really unique look. I'm hoping

that one of our friends might take her. I think we'd have a hard

time getting rid of Robin, just because she has been the agressor in

these fights (although I'm sure Nightwing had something to do with

them, too). I don't know....I'm just so sick about all of this! I

love all of them and I don't want to get rid of them, but I don't

really see any other alternative. Besides not being able to afford

the vet bills when Nightwing gets hurt....it's also not safe for

Nightwing. One of these times this will happen when we aren't home.

In the meantime, I'm going to keep the dogs separated. Nightwing is

still at the emergency vet gettting her stitches. Bob has to go get

her in an hour or two. Has anyone ever had a situation where there

dogs fought? Any advice/suggestions are greatly appreciated! Thanks

for listening!

who is going to cry if she has to get rid of one or more of her

animals

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/30/01 10:18:38 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

slowens@... writes:

>

> who is going to cry if she has to get rid of one or more of her

> animals

>

Awwww, I am sorry ! I don't know a thing about dogs, but I just wanted

to send you a hug. (((((shannon)))))

[Guest guest]

> Has anyone ever had a situation where there

> dogs fought? Any advice/suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Thanks

> for listening!

>

> Colleen is our dog expert, so I hope she has some ideas for you.

You are probably right that the third dog (Grayson) changed the

dynamics for the worst. Because of your strong attachment to Robin

(and she for you all), I would hold on to her. How about trying a

trial separation for Grayson for a few days? I know that's is an

excrutiating decision, but something has to change. Or, since you

think Nightwatch (?) would be easier to place, find a home for her.

Are all your dogs neutered and spade? If not, having the procedures

done could resolve the problem. What does your vet suggest?

You and your pups are in my thoughts, . I am sorry you are

going through this.

Elena

[Guest guest]

,

I don't have any advice, just support. I know you

will make the best decision for the family (including

the dogs). The dog you decide on (sounds like

Nightwing is the best choice) will be better off in a

new situation. I know you will find a wonderful home

for her. I can imagine how hard it is to part with a

member of the family. We just had a related situation

when we found out my husband was allergic to our dog.

We are (I hope) managing the situation by doing many,

many things to lower the allergen levels in the house

and my husband has started allergy shots. I realize

how heartbreaking it is to think about the dog not

being part of the family. However, as you said, it is

not safe for Nightwing (even if she is instigating).

I know you will make the best decision for everyone.

Sorry you have to face such a tough situation.

Kerri

--- slowens@... wrote:

> I've been having some problems with my dogs

> fighting. I have 3

> female dogs...one (the biggest) is a half

> rotteweiler/half lab mix.

> Her name is Robin and she will be 5 this summer. A

> few months after

> we got her, we got her a playmate...a blue

> heeler/cattledog mix named

> Nightwing. Robin and Nightwing never had any

> problems getting along

> until last January when we got another dog....she's

> just a mix of I'm

> not sure what...her name is Grayson. I guess the

> introduction of

> another dog set off some sort of power play between

> Robin and

> Nightwing. At first I thought it was mostly Robin

> because she is the

> one who is on the giving end...Nightwing doesn't

> stand a chance

> against Robin. I've since come to realize that

> Nightwing is not

> entirely innocent...I think she does a lot of

> instigating and then

> once Robin has had enough she just snaps. The thing

> is that of all

> the animals...Robin is the best with Skylar. She

> lets Skylar climb

> all over her and never so much as growls at her!

> Anyway, they got

> into another fight tonight and we had to take

> Nightwing to the

> emergency vet. She was pretty torn up. This is

> probably the 3rd or

> 4th time that it has happened in the past few

> months. The first time

> was the worst, the other 2 times were bad, but not

> bad enough to take

> her to the vet and this last time (tonight) was

> again pretty bad.

> I'm sick about what I should do. I guess I will

> have to get rid of

> one of more of the dogs, but I don't know how to

> choose which ones to

> get rid of. I don't know if we got rid of Grayson

> if that would

> solve the problem....like Bob said tonight...now

> that they've already

> started fighting, he doesn't know if taking Grayson

> out of the

> picture would do anything. Nightwing would probably

> be the easiest

> to give away......she's got such a great temperment

> and is a great

> frisbee catcher She also has a really unique

> look. I'm hoping

> that one of our friends might take her. I think

> we'd have a hard

> time getting rid of Robin, just because she has been

> the agressor in

> these fights (although I'm sure Nightwing had

> something to do with

> them, too). I don't know....I'm just so sick about

> all of this! I

> love all of them and I don't want to get rid of

> them, but I don't

> really see any other alternative. Besides not being

> able to afford

> the vet bills when Nightwing gets hurt....it's also

> not safe for

> Nightwing. One of these times this will happen when

> we aren't home.

> In the meantime, I'm going to keep the dogs

> separated. Nightwing is

> still at the emergency vet gettting her stitches.

> Bob has to go get

> her in an hour or two. Has anyone ever had a

> situation where there

> dogs fought? Any advice/suggestions are greatly

> appreciated! Thanks

> for listening!

>

>

> who is going to cry if she has to get rid of one or

> more of her

> animals

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

, I don't have any advice for you either, but I sure hope you

find a resolution w/out having to depart w/ a dear pet!! Best of

luck in figuring out how to handle it..

Darcy who wonders if maybe a shock collar would help at all....

> I've been having some problems with my dogs fighting. I have 3

> female dogs...one (the biggest) is a half rotteweiler/half lab mix.

> Her name is Robin and she will be 5 this summer. A few months

after

> we got her, we got her a playmate...a blue heeler/cattledog mix

named

> Nightwing. Robin and Nightwing never had any problems getting

along

> until last January when we got another dog....she's just a mix of

I'm

> not sure what...her name is Grayson. I guess the introduction of

> another dog set off some sort of power play between Robin and

> Nightwing. At first I thought it was mostly Robin because she is

the

> one who is on the giving end...Nightwing doesn't stand a chance

> against Robin. I've since come to realize that Nightwing is not

> entirely innocent...I think she does a lot of instigating and then

> once Robin has had enough she just snaps. The thing is that of all

> the animals...Robin is the best with Skylar. She lets Skylar climb

> all over her and never so much as growls at her! Anyway, they got

> into another fight tonight and we had to take Nightwing to the

> emergency vet. She was pretty torn up. This is probably the 3rd or

> 4th time that it has happened in the past few months. The first

time

> was the worst, the other 2 times were bad, but not bad enough to

take

> her to the vet and this last time (tonight) was again pretty bad.

> I'm sick about what I should do. I guess I will have to get rid of

> one of more of the dogs, but I don't know how to choose which ones

to

> get rid of. I don't know if we got rid of Grayson if that would

> solve the problem....like Bob said tonight...now that they've

already

> started fighting, he doesn't know if taking Grayson out of the

> picture would do anything. Nightwing would probably be the easiest

> to give away......she's got such a great temperment and is a great

> frisbee catcher She also has a really unique look. I'm hoping

> that one of our friends might take her. I think we'd have a hard

> time getting rid of Robin, just because she has been the agressor

in

> these fights (although I'm sure Nightwing had something to do with

> them, too). I don't know....I'm just so sick about all of this! I

> love all of them and I don't want to get rid of them, but I don't

> really see any other alternative. Besides not being able to afford

> the vet bills when Nightwing gets hurt....it's also not safe for

> Nightwing. One of these times this will happen when we aren't

home.

> In the meantime, I'm going to keep the dogs separated. Nightwing is

> still at the emergency vet gettting her stitches. Bob has to go

get

> her in an hour or two. Has anyone ever had a situation where there

> dogs fought? Any advice/suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Thanks

> for listening!

>

>

> who is going to cry if she has to get rid of one or more of her

> animals

[Guest guest]

> First off ask the vet!!!! I am going to forward your e-mail to a

friend of

> mine who is in vet school right now if you don't mind. She might

have a

> suggestion. Hopefully there is a solution!!!!!

Thanks guys for all your thoughts! When we asked the vet about this

the last time, they said that Nightwing was at the age where she was

also trying to establish dominance (you'd think that after 3 or 4

times of getting REALLY beat up and injured that she would learn it

ain't gonna happen, huh?). We picked Nightwing up from the emergency

clinic last night and I'm on my way to take her to our vet (I'm also

taking Robin in just to check her out because she's limping on her

leg and it looks like her right eye might be a little bit swollen),

so I am going to ask him again what he suggests. Before, he suggested

taking them to a Doggie Psychologist for some behavior

modification...LOL....never thought I'd have to take my dogs to a

psychologist But, I might have to try it (of course we can't

really afford that right now, especially after a $250 vet bill last

night....ugh)! I'm going to ask him what he thinks about getting rid

of Grayson...if he thinks that has anything to do with the problem or

if getting rid of her will fix it. We definitely have the least

attachment to Grayson....don't get me wrong she is a sweet, sweet

dog, but we've had her for the least amount of time. I'll let you

all know what I find out at the vet! Now, I just have to figure out

how I'm going to get Nightwing into the car without freaking out that

Robin is in there, too. Not to mention that I've got to get Skylar

in there, too.......ugh! This might get difficult! Thanks again,

guys! It's nice to know that I can vent here about my OT drama!

[Guest guest]

> Are all your dogs neutered and spade? If not, having the

procedures

> done could resolve the problem. What does your vet suggest?

Elena,

I forgot to mention this in my other post, but yes....all my dogs are

spayed and the cat is neutered, so it's not that! I'll just have to

see what the vet says! I'll let you know!

[Guest guest]

>From: slowens@...

>

>who is going to cry if she has to get rid of one or more of her

>animals

Ohh , that is the pits! A few years back I had a German Shorthair

(GSP) that suddenly starting picking fights with my Lab so I know what you

are going through. The first thing I would is to put yourself and your

family out of any danger. I wouldn't let Sklyar around the dogs together yet

until you guys figure out a solution and I think it is a great idea to keep

them separated for now. It is easy to get bit (been there done that) and you

don't want your little girl hurt or you for that matter.

Fights between female dogs are common. And unfortunately, usually once the

peace is broken, they don't ever do well together. But all is not lost. Is

there a good trainer in your area, someone that specializes in aggression,

someone who knows the breeds. Go to them and have them evaluate the

situation. See if they can help you with any training to ease them back

into a good routine again. Another thing you could do, and it is a lot of

work and you must be careful, is to build a run and never let those two dogs

run together. Always have them separated. Never give them the chance to get

into a fight. Try to figure out if something in particular sets one of them

off. Sometimes there is no obvious trigger, like food or jealousy, etc. and

that is what makes it hard.

You are probably right that one is instigating the other. My lab mix (who

was picked on by the GSP) instigates all the time. She has no boundaries

when it comes to food. She has a tooth puncture wound on her muzzle right

for trying to steal a bone from my male Dobe. I thought I put all the bones

away before I let them in but I didn't. When this happens BOTH dogs get in

trouble. My lab knows better than to cross the " food line " but my Dobe

knows better than to be a JERK. Being a Dobe, he gets a tougher punishment,

even though he's only 13 mos. Dobes require a strong hand (not a mean hand,

a strong one). He gets scruffed like momma would do and if he does it

again, he gets picked up by his scruff and then goes right into his crate.

When my GSP started in on my lab, I had to completely separate them at all

times. You NEVER let them loose at the same time even on leashes!! If you

have crates, you put one dog in the crate, bring the other dog in, put her

in the crate, then let the other dog out. Don't risk anything. You'd be

surprised at how quick and strong they are. My little GSP was only 50 lbs

and she threw me across the room on my back and took a little chunk of

muscle from my leg...all so she could get to my lab. Her situation was

different, she had what they call rage syndrome and turned on people after

dogs so I'm sure your case isn't as bad.

I don't think letting Grayson go to another home will solve the problem.

This is now completely between Robin & Nightwing. Here are some tips just

in case another fight ensues: screaming/yelling only aggravates the dogs

more (even though it is the first thing that comes to mind); try using a

jacket or blanket to separate them but only if you can do so without getting

bit. Do they wear collars? If they have collars on, then you will always

have something to grab onto. Gosh, I know how scary that is. I thought for

sure years ago that my lab was going to die. She was literally fighting to

her death. Her and the GSP were chest to chest and then my first Dobe ganged

up with my GSP and nailed my lab in the rear. I got him off and threw him in

the garage but when I came back, my lab was no longer chest to chest but

slowly going down to the ground. I literally grabbed my German shorthair

and just ripped her off my lab to save her. Unfortunately, it made one of

the wounds much worse, but I had no other options.

I'd suggest giving Nightwing some Vitamin C for her muscles. If she got torn

up like my lab did, the biggest source of pain is the muscle soreness.

Vitamin C will help a bit.

Have you gone to the same vet with Nightwing? Has she seen your dogs

interact or met Robin also? Ask for her advice and suggestions. I'd also

make sure they are all physically healthy. Sometimes something as simple as

low thyroid can make a dog aggressive. What city do you live in? I will

ask on my Dobe list if anyone knows a good trainer or someone you can talk

to.

Another thing to remember is that if you get bit and have to go to the

hospital, find out what your bite laws are in the county you are in. Some

counties have a no bite ordinance, one bite and that's it for the dog. You

will have to fill out a form indicating the name, owner of the dog, etc.

Where I'm at we have a two dog bite rule, they can bite once and not be put

down (of course unless it is a mauling), but two bites and you have no

choice. On the other side, please don't let that keep you from going to a

hospital if you do get bit. Dog bites can be very nasty and there is a big

risk of infection. In a normal wound, they would have stitched my leg and I

would have only a slight scarring but because it was a dog bite they had to

clean it several times and then only stitch it loosely so they could keep an

eye on it.

Colleen

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[Guest guest]

>From: taebo_spirit@...

>

>Darcy who wonders if maybe a shock collar would help at all....

>

That's what I thought of when my GSP started attacking my lab, that or one

of those stun guns. But my vet said often times, it actually provokes the

dog into a further rage. I never realized how hard it is to break up a dog

fight. I poured water on her, banged her with the big metal dog bowl on the

body and the HEAD, hit her with a stick, the pooper scooper, screamed and

yelled...nothing worked so I just grabbed and pulled and prayed I didn't do

much more damage. Mine ws also a case where the dog had a disease called

rage syndrome so they go into fits of blind rage so maybe that's why it was

so hard to get them apart.

Colleen

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