[weluvjessicaalba]

i recently adopted a new addition the first nights they would play but then they would fight i got her on saturday but then yesterday i brought out toys my current dog is picky about who he shares toys with. so they got into a fight over a toy. today they were playing and it escalted into a fight. should i bring her back? they are crated seperately throughout the day.
she is always wantign to play and my current dog is so chill that he doesnt always want to play. and i think she may be annoying him.

but they do play

[boleroman]

theyre pit bulls....

[moopierof]

You know you've had more fights in the past week with your, three is it? than I've seen in the past three years with 15-20? try keepin em separated, it migiht cut down on the number of accidents you have and the severity of them. if that is just impossible for you because they need doggie friends then get a break stick and keep breakin em off of each other. might want to get you a first aid kit set up too. (as we speak i'm building mine)

[weluvjessicaalba]

You know you've had more fights in the past week with your, three is it? than I've seen in the past three years with 15-20? try keepin em separated, it migiht cut down on the number of accidents you have and the severity of them. if that is just impossible for you because they need doggie friends then get a break stick and keep breakin em off of each other. might want to get you a first aid kit set up too. (as we speak i'm building mine)

should i get rid of the new one?

[nannysuetle]

Do you need the dogs to get along? Are you against 100% crate & rotate, if that's what's needed?

Maybe these dogs won't be able to play together, but you should be able to get to a point of having them both in the same room, calm & relaxed, without any problems. It may mean that no toys or anything that could trigger a fight should be left available. And you will certainly need to lay out the ground rules & teach them to ignore the other when you ask that of them.

[ClapekDodki]

Get a breakstick.

If they must have playtimes, separate them as soon as you see the male getting shitty with her OR you see her being too pushy.

I learned on this forum that there's two questions you gotta ask yourself if you are wanting a second pit bull....1) are you prepared to deal with a fight, should it occur? and 2) are you willing and able to keep the two dogs separated at all times, from then on out? (at least, that's what I think the questions are, and I'm sure I'll be corrected if they aren't)

Obviously you already adopted the female. But from the tone of your posts, and the number of fights occurred so far, I'm not sure you can handle two pit bulls. Hopefully you can prove me wrong though.

PS, I know which shelter you adopted your girl from, and their return rate is obscenely high.

---------- Post added at 12:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:51 PM ----------

If you're not willing to make modifications such as not leaving toys out, monitoring play sessions like a hawk, and crating/rotating if it comes down to it (meaning they're kept separate forever), then return the poor thing (or "get rid of her" as you so eloquently put it). And hopefully her next home will be bully savvy, although with this shelter's track record, I doubt it.

[infinkPoode]

Nick and Rosie got into a fight over a toy not long after we got Nick. We took the toys away, no more fights.
They occassionally get Galileo bones when we are home, we make sure there are 3 out for the 2 dogs, but Nick always seems to want the one Rosie has. Once he gets it in his head that he wants hers, they get picked up.
They also have Kongs. I'll stuff them, give one to each dog, and Nick is done with his, they both get picked up. Rosie won't try to take Nicks, but he will try to take hers. Fortunally, she usually gets done with hers first.

[tadacia]

should i get rid of the new one?

Should you get rid of the new addition ?

IMHO no, you brought the dog into your home and the dog should be given a fair shot at a new life. The dog never asked you to take her home, you are the one that decided that outcome. By doing so you have accepted all the responsibilty that acompanies multiple APBT's, the good and the bad.

Raising multiple APBT's is a 24/7 chore. It nevers gets easier and you need to be prepared for any chaos that may ensue.

DO NOT LEAVE TOYS OUT, DO NOT FEED THEM TOGETHER, DO NOT LEAVE THEM UNSUPERVISED.

Now here is my asshole response.

WTF did you think was going to happen by placing two dogs with a long history of a fighting heritage together ? This is not a breed for the novice and they require alot of upkeep when you own multiples. You never ever open up your doors to multiple APBT's unless you are 100% postive that you can live up to your end of the bargain. Some of these dogs need to live a life of solitude and some do not, its your job to know what needs to be provided for all the dog in your care. If you cannot accept that form of responsibility then I strongly suggest you rehome the dog and do not under any circumstance take on another.

This goes for any dogs not just the APBT's. Fights are spawned mostly by triggers. By placing toys, food/treats or unsupervised, the dogs can fight. With the APBT it is more so that you do not allow these triggers to be present because a small squable to other breeds can lead to full blown out serious dog fights with our breed. The APBT in general does not recconize submission by other dogs nor do many of our dogs submit either. That is why it is unwise to own mutliple APBT's that cohabitate under the same roof when you not capable of understanding basic dog behavior.

Eliminate the triggers and supervise, see how that goes for now. If your propblem persist then you need to decide if your capable of dealing with it or not. Again I find it unfair to the new dog that you've failed it by returning it. You should've known and prepared for this long before you aquired the new dog. The ball is now in your court, I suggest you think long and hard before you make your next move. Either rehome the dog or step up to the plate and provide the best quality of life that you can for both dogs.

[weluvjessicaalba]

for the most part they do get along. their playing can esclate. i did take away all the toys when we brought her home. but i wanted to see the reaction would be if i brought out 2 toys. one for him and one for her. they were okay having their own toys and played tug a war with me but then the female insited on having his toy so she would go after it they were tuggin for a while and then after playing tug a war for some time they started to fight.

they are kept seperated when i am not home as well as when i am at home so they can get some chill time. since she is younger and always wants to play and he is more into sleeping.

not to mention the girl is food aggressive with me and my dog. but they are fed seperately. she snapped at him once while i was geting the food. so learning from that i crate her while i get the food and have been hand feeding her

i am trying my best but i dont know if this week is a precursor to how things will be in the future and if so i dont think its fair for wither dogs. eventhough they do get along. maybe i still need to give them time to get adjusted

---------- Post added at 01:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:38 PM ----------

PS, I know which shelter you adopted your girl from, and their return rate is obscenely high.

really?? what shelter did i get her from?

[moopierof]

Why don't you build em chainspots?

[weluvjessicaalba]

i dont have a backyard i live in an apartment complex
i think the big chains can cause physical problems to a dog

[ClapekDodki]

Why don't you start the 2-week shutdown, New Hope Pit Bull Rescue - Post Adoption Tips. It's ideally supposed to be started when you first bring the dog home, but can be started at anytime. It gives time for the dog to decompress, settle in, realize that you're the provider, etc.

[popillio]

I don't think you need to get rid of the pup, however, you do need to learn how to read their body language and intervene before playtime escalates into a fight. If you don't own a break stick, please order one ASAP, here's a link from Pit Bull Rescue Central. They have great break sticks, and helpful information on how to use them properly.

Pit Bull Rescue Central-break sticks

Also, be sure to take up all prized possessions, don't leave them down, they are a sure fire fight starter. Food is also a fight starter. Either crate them both during feedings, or crate one of them.. I feel Mollie and Bella about 6 ft apart, facing opposite directions, and I never leave the room while they are eating. That works for me, but it might not work for the next person, so you might need to crate them both during feedings. Also, take up both bowls as soon as they are finished. Leaving empty bowls laying around on the floor can cause a fight, even though they are empty.

Learn to read their body language so you can step in before play time gets out of hand. Here's some links that you should find helpful.

Multi dog households: Managing a multi dog home - Training Behavior

How to read body language: How to Read Body Language - Training Behavior

NILIF training: NILIF training - Training Behavior

I don't think this is a situation that calls for re homing your pup... just a little knowledge should help you learn how to handle things so you guys can all live happily together.

[iNYZgxNC]

i dont have a backyard i live in an apartment complex
i think the big chains can cause physical problems to a dog

A proper chain setup will not cause physical problems and is a great way to properly contain a bulldog...but since you live in an apartment, chaining is obviously not an option. Crate and rotate, and if you must let them play with each other, be prepared to break up more fights.

[Yartonbler]

You do know a proper chain setup is the best way to contain a "pit bull" don't you? They are escape artists!

[Yartonbler]

Just wanted to say it would be a mistake NOT to put the dogs on chain spots.....in my opinion. Crate and rotate can be very tiring and annoying, I haven't had to do it as of yet for the possible DA reason, but I do it sometimes if they are inside due to WWF matches in my living room

It won't harm the dogs if done correctly trust me.

[SkHukV3N]

Well it sounds to me like you have no business owning ANY pit bull, much less two. What kind of bright idea is throwing two bully breeds who've been around each other a week into a "play tug of war" and share toys situation. It's like you are trying to ensure a fight. Every fight that you allow to happen, is one step closer to full on crate/rotate and somebody getting hurt. And if you can't stand the idea of them not getting along someday, then why did you pick this breed and get multiples? You want your dogs to get along, stop throwing them into those situations and get control over them.

[popillio]

It is more beneficial to offer positive feedback, and positive solutions, rather than bash him for getting this breed. He has them, now he needs guidance on the best way to work things out and manage a multi dog household. Most people would say I have no business owning 6 dogs of various breeds, but I do... and from time to time, I have questions and need suggestions on what to do with different situations. If all I got was bashed for owning my dogs, I wouldn't come back to ask questions.... thus, I wouldn't be learning anything beneficial from the site. Remember why we are here, to educate and HELP, not to bash.

[weluvjessicaalba]

It is more beneficial to offer positive feedback, and positive solutions, rather than bash him for getting this breed. He has them, now he needs guidance on the best way to work things out and manage a multi dog household. Most people would say I have no business owning 6 dogs of various breeds, but I do... and from time to time, I have questions and need suggestions on what to do with different situations. If all I got was bashed for owning my dogs, I wouldn't come back to ask questions.... thus, I wouldn't be learning anything beneficial from the site. Remember why we are here, to educate and HELP, not to bash.

exactly knowledge has to start somewhere

everyone who is bashing, had to aquire their knwoledge from somewhere and that couldve came from askign questions

---------- Post added at 11:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:23 PM ----------

Well it sounds to me like you have no business owning ANY pit bull, much less two. What kind of bright idea is throwing two bully breeds who've been around each other a week into a "play tug of war" and share toys situation. It's like you are trying to ensure a fight. Every fight that you allow to happen, is one step closer to full on crate/rotate and somebody getting hurt. And if you can't stand the idea of them not getting along someday, then why did you pick this breed and get multiples? You want your dogs to get along, stop throwing them into those situations and get control over them.

who are you to tell me what I can OWN?? dont judge me by this situation. this is my first time ever ownign 2 dogs! i am workking out the kinks, i bet you made mistakes and wasnt perfect when you first had a mulit-dog house esp begining with pit bulls

[jackie Obrian]

Unless you are able to get them out and really exercise them, an apartment may not be an ideal place for this breed. Some are quite mellow, but some have more energy than the energizer bunny! If they can't burn that off, it will cause problems.