Staffy Socialing Query

[trublubiker]

Hi

My desexed bitch is now almost 2 years old and is a lovely girl.

Recently some new neighbours moved in next door with their 3 year old Mastiff/Great Dane cross. She is not desexed.

After getting sick of filling in the holes the girls were digging under the fence to socialise, we knocked some palings off the fence so they could come and go .

All is well 99% of the time, they play fight, dig escape tunnels to run amok (we keep filling them in) and generally get on really well together.

However every now and again the 'playfights' get serious and the scenario is always the same. It only happens when the neighbours and myself are together in the yard.

We are very careful not to feed or pet one without doing the same for the other. The latest incident was last night, neither dog was getting any attention or favours.

Out of the blue they were into each other and for about 30 seconds it was scary, particularly for me, as my Staffy is about 1/3 the size of her mate. She is a typical Staffy in as much as she won't back down and keeps boring in. This morning when I went outside I was confronted by a sick and sorry dog with a nasty 2cm gash in her shoulder. As you can imagine I was upset at her

injury as she seemed to be in some pain. I put some mercurichrome on it and tonight she seems more settled. The big dog is hobbling on two legs so we have two chewed up dogs.

Can anyone give me some insight into what may trigger their violent outbursts.

Cheers

Trublubiker

[Staranais]

Too high an arousal level can trigger aggression in some dogs. I have no idea if this is what is happening with your two, but it sounds like it to me.

[Tiggy]

Obviously keep them in their separate yards again - hope the dogs are ok :D

[trublubiker]

Too high an arousal level can trigger aggression in some dogs. I have no idea if this is what is happening with your two, but it sounds like it to me.

Thanks for your reply.

I understand that, but from memory we were not doing anything that should have stirred them up. There were three of us just standing around having a smoke and really not paying any attention to the dogs. Out of the blue they were into it with the Staffy seeming to be the agressor. She only gets agro with other dogs when they show agro towards her. Her initial instinct is always to play and not to fight.

Cheers

[WreckitWhippet]

who cares what the triggers are, fix the fence, plug up the gaps and do not let there near each other again .

[trublubiker]

who cares what the triggers are, fix the fence, plug up the gaps and do not let there near each other again .

I guess that would be the easy way out, but as I said originally they are best mates 99% of the time and really enjoy each others company.

[Tiggy]

I'd never have my dog and a neighbours dog together like that because if something like this happens their goes your friendship and who is going to pay the Vet bills. You have two dogs that can do a lot of damage to each other or worse, keep them apart.

[trublubiker]

Thanks all for your input.

I guess it's segregation again. Hope the girls understand why they can't hang out anymore.

Cheers

trublubiker

[Tiggy]

Why not walk them together and maybe progress to off leash play at a park not on their home turf.

[persephone]

Agreed- If these two go at it when no-one's around, there could be a very nasty outcome :D

Pehaps they can go on onlead walks together...?

[Dame Aussie]

who cares what the triggers are, fix the fence, plug up the gaps and do not let there near each other again .

Agreed

[Staff'n'Toller]

Agreed- If these two go at it when no-one's around, there could be a very nasty outcome

Pehaps they can go on onlead walks together...?

Ditto to that, sounds like things are escalating and you don't want them to decide to fight until one of their ends.

I would be patching fences and burying chicken wire, concrete trench or railway sleeper trench- whatever is easiest.

Edited August 15, 2010 by Staff'n'Toller

[Nekhbet]

gremlins

Edited August 15, 2010 by Nekhbet

[Nekhbet]

more gremlins

Edited August 15, 2010 by Nekhbet

[Nekhbet]

it's all getting just way too exciting, particularly when you guys are there. You are a resource, an object of fixation or a stimulant to your dogs. When you are not there they nay have little to really fight over, when you are there WOW excitement goes up, and bang, big fight considering you have two bitches of more dominant and pushy breeds.

If you want them to play together you guys maybe need to get someone in to see how your interaction is with the dogs. From the sounds of it (and dont take this the wrong way) seem to be pandering to the dogs. One gets a pat, the other does. They want to play, so instead of stopping the destruction and gaining control you let them go. Regain control individually and I agree, walk them together and if they get too excited turn them around and walk them away until they're calm again. You need to teach dogs how to interact especially bull breeds and bitches

set a limit on their behaviour, reintroduce them on lead and in a highly controlled manner and see how far you get slowly, dont be afriad to find a limit and go, ok, they wont interact any further then this. I do agree though I wouldnt leave them together unattended, if they fight now you dont know if they will eventually find something else to fight over and unfortunately you wont be there to help. If they fight again, grab each dog by its hind legs like a wheelbarrow and start walking backwards. Dont pully them apart just apply enough pressure that if they let go your can then rotate them apart. If one has a go at you keep walking in a circle with the dog wheelbarrowed until you can walk it into the garage or the house etc. If they absolutely wont let go and there are enough of you, wheelbarrow the dogs and the third person grabs the hose on full blast and blast their noses/mouths. Dont say anything, just be patient and dont let them munch.

Edited August 15, 2010 by Nekhbet

[trublubiker]

Thank you all again for your thoughtful suggestions.

I've decided to block the access between the yards. Today my staffy doesn't want to stay outside when the other dog comes to visit and when they get close her ears go back and she is very defensive.

They are both still hobbling a bit and both seem very reserved.

I certainly don't need the stress of wondering when the next dust-up will happen or what the outcome may be.

Cheers

trublubiker

[OSoSwift]

Good move as one day the dust up may result in one of the dogs dead. It is not worth the risk and your dogs body language is telling you she is no longer happy with the situation.

My dogs have always been seperated when I am not home, the WHippet mainly because they have to be seperate when my bitch is in season etc and to help the male become a little more independant.

I NEVER left my Dobes together and I would NEVER leave Staffords together as a dust up between these strong dogs can be heartbreaking.