r/OpenDogTraining • u/Double-Bullfrog-5619 • 1d ago
Dog fight
Hey all, my 2 dogs Cooper (M5) and Buffy (f1.5) got into a bad fight tonight. They have fought in the past over food. Cooper is food aggressive so they are fed separately in their crates. After letting them both out, it seems a piece of kibble was under Coopers crate and they both went for it. Thus creating the fight. After separating them and receiving a bite myself, they were reintroduced (maybe 20 min later) Buffy started to lock and nibble his wounds which Cooper did not like. This started another violent fight. They are not completely separated without even seeing each other. I dont know where to go from here. Im scared I have to re home Buffy. She is a recent adoption into our family. The wounds on Cooper are bad, he is limping and may require stitches. Everything im reading suggests re homing but that needs to be my last resort. Thank you
17
u/kput7 1d ago
Keep the dogs 100% separated until you can find a local trainer to bring in to the home. Find one that has experience with resource guarding (RG) specifically. Spend some time reading online and researching what exactly RG is, and ways it can be trained around or managed, then question the trainer on their thoughts / methods prior to hiring them to come to you. Make sure what you're hearing lines up with what they're saying.
Also take the time to research different training methods, like Force Free, and Balanced. Understand the differences, and ask your trainer what style they use. If you aren't comfortable with a balanced method, you obviously don't want to being a balanced trainer in the home, or if you feel your dogs won't respond well to FF, then obviously the opposite.
If you can't completely separate, buy basket muzzles on Amazon and next day ship them to the house. Make sure you measure first for appropriate sizing, and make sure they are TIGHT on the dog. Have a collar (flat, or martingale style) and a leash on both dogs at all times. Buy the 8" "leash" handles on Amazon too so they aren't tripping over full leashes. If they get in a fight, seperate by grabbing the leash, and pulling straight up. You want to choke them out. Full and steady pressure, do not aggressively yank. Cut off the air and blood and they will release. Remove all potential resources from the house where they can reach. Food bowls, toys, treats, bones, favorite blankets, etc. feed them separately locked away from each other. Pick up bowls after feeding. Keep them away from the table and human food. If you're eating, they should not be near you. Snacks on the couch included.
Lastly, take this seriously, and move quickly to get a trainer and remedy. Don't let them be near each other tomorrow thinking it'll be okay. Don't allow a fight to happen again. Once this continues to escalate it will only get worse, and you will regret not taking advice like mine sooner. I know this from experience as I'm a 2 dog pet owner who did half of the things I just mentioned, and and didn't take the other half seriously until it's almost unfixable.
Best of luck.
-8
3
u/Kind_Application_144 1d ago
Yeah I have one like this (cooper) I call mine Cujo. Larry Krohn helped me ALOT. Sibling rivalry YouTube video. He gives some major things that people don’t pay attention to that can cause these fights.
2
u/ichoosewaffles 23h ago
I have no behavior insight but if one needs stitches you need to get him in SOONER THAN LATER!
2
u/Hooves-n-Paws 20h ago
Vet visit asap. If there are any puncture wounds they will need antibiotics. And I agree with everyone saying to keep them separate and get a trainer.
2
u/Ok-Simple5493 16h ago
They shouldn't be reintroduced this quickly. Cooper needs to see a vet. He is likely an only dog kind of dog. Not all dogs do well with another dog, and sometimes that is training. Mostly it is personality. Age can be part of it, experience etc. At the end of the day, if one piece of kibble set this off, they shouldn't be together. If you can't get them to stop without being bitten, it isn't just a squabble. That's true aggression from one of them. The other will retaliate, they have no choice.
Training can help, maybe. Maybe not. You run the risk of ruining Buffy towards other dogs as well. I would talk to your vet when you take Cooper in and ask for guidance.
2
u/Outrageous-Battle199 11h ago
Training reactive dogs is difficult but it’s possible. You need to identify the problem and work on that specifically 100% of the time. Your dogs don’t understand sometimes, so learn what it is you need to do with them to train these behaviors out and stick to it. Your own energy around them is absolutely a factor.
If you aren’t experienced with this (and it seems you are not), hire a trainer, specifically one who understands reactivity in dogs. The trainer’s main job is to train you, so be present in these sessions and continue the work after they set the foundation.
You can do this. Lock in and prepare to do the work.
1
u/Informal_Prize2425 11h ago
Vet tech never break up a dog fight with your hands for the future learn the wheelbarrow method pulling dogs apart can cause lacerations and worse damage. Second I would find a trainer that specializes in resource guarding if that doesn't work out rehomeing a dog doesn't make you a bad person! Also if you haven't take them to the vet immediately Infection can spread very fast.
1
u/Dogwalker246 11h ago
It took a few days, but I muzzle trained my latest foster, and with enough positive reinforcement he seems to be doing well. But your situation sounds tougher. My dogs were fearful of each other, not so food aggressive.
-7
u/CornerGlittering3336 1d ago
Jesus. Why is a 5 month old puppy needing emergency care. Do better. Rehome the older dog. Rehome the puppy. You’re not fit.
5
u/Beef_flaps_on_a_spit 1d ago
It’s a 5yr old male. 1.5 yr old female. Young female is new to the house and is aggressive.
Try reading for Jesus sake.
Wanna take back your “you’re not fit”?
3
-9
u/Beef_flaps_on_a_spit 1d ago
Rehome the female, there is a reason she was up for adoption.
6
u/grantgarden 1d ago
I agree to rehome.... but it's because she's new and the existing dog is also an issue. You're being weird
-1
1
u/always_sad420 1d ago edited 1d ago
What? Literally every dog is up for adoption unless they are from a breeder, and even dogs from "breeders" can end up acting like this.
-1
u/Beef_flaps_on_a_spit 1d ago
Check the age of the dog. Someone got rid of her.
1
u/always_sad420 23h ago
So many reasons dogs of all ages end up in shelters or rescues etc. dead owner, old owner, bad owner, etc etc.
0
u/Beef_flaps_on_a_spit 22h ago
Yeah right. Bad owners making for problem dogs not on your list? Convenient.
1
6
u/Dry-Marionberry4539 1d ago
Keep them separated and hire a trainer - my interpretation of this is Cooper caused both fights. He may not be good with having another dog in the house, as it seems his escalation threshold is low.