Heather, I am so sorry ---playing musical dogs is so hard---I have done it! We
had Dugga, the Boxer, and Maggie, the Peke mix who thinks she is a Boxer. They
lived together peacefully for over 8 years--2 spayed females-with only an
occasional "skirmish" over a found treat. Then we figured out that Dugga could
tell when Maggie was going to have a seizure, so she "hovered" over her, which
made Maggie mad--Maggie would growl and snap and it was on! Fortunately we were
always in the house when it would happen. But one day they were in the yard
together and all **** broke loose. I had to tackle Dugga to get them apart. From
that day on, they were never together. I had a gate installed between the
kitchen and den and put up a baby gate in the dining room--so Maggie, the little
one had the kitchen and dining room and Dugga had the rest of the house. Also, I
wanted Dugga to be able to go to the door if someone strange came around. We
shuttled them around until Dugga died over a year ago. Now Maggie is almost 16
and has the entire house to herself.
I don't know what set them off, but a dog fight is a horrible thing to witness,
especially between an 85 lb dog and a 12 lb dog--but the 12 pounder never backed
down. As the late wonderful Kim Langlois said, "When the genie is out of the
bottle, it won't go back in." I would have both of the males neutered as soon as
possible and I would try to keep them apart--maybe putting the sister's dog
outside and let your dogs inside if your sister's dog is well enough to go
outside. If you can put up a door of some kind so they can't see each other,
that might help. (I cut off a door and had it mounted to the cabinet with a
hinge) and it's still there. You have my sympathy because this is such a hard
way to live. Please let us know if it gets any better when your sister's dog is
well.
Vida
________________________________
From: Heather Kugler <heatherkugler@yahoo.com>
To: "boxerlovers@yahoogroups.com" <boxerlovers@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Fri, July 22, 2011 2:53:50 PM
Subject: [boxer lovers] Musical boxers is getting old...
Help!
The last time I've communicated here I had just rescued a male which left me
with a male and a female, and I've since had my girl fixed. (she's a white)
Since then, my sister has moved in temporarily with her male that she rescued
and we had an incredibly well behaved pack here!! It was nice and peaceful
until....Tank (sisters male) got let out of the front door, had a spat with a
car, and broke his right front radius. :(
Mending him back to health was not as difficult as we thought it would be until
one day out of nowhere Tank viciously attacked my extremely laid back male (Jax)
as he was asleep on the kitchen floor. We immediately separated them, but my
anxiety is worsening by the day. They have gotten into 3 altercations since
which are so violent (and by complete accident) that I am now keeping my male
and female completely separated outdoors while my sisters dog gets to soak up
the AC. Tank has broken two kennels and a harness to get at my male. My male
suffered a severe bite to the leg the last time which required two rounds of
antibiotics. I don't want to have to kick out my sister or her dog, but what
worries me is that he will begin to attack visiting humans or even my kids.
He is altogether a different animal. Vet says it's a testosterone issue with
both of them being in tact, and that he is defensive. He said it will stop after
time but two weeks out of the cast and he still is Trying to charge him even
With my back Door between them. I'm exhausted with playing musical dogs, and not
only are ALL of the dogs suffering but I am too! My male is terrified to come
inside. I need some advice.
Could the accident have made him so defensive? Should we muzzle tank? Muzzle
them both? My sister will be here several more months (remodel) and has nowhere
else to go. She is doing her best to control it, but nothing works.
I'll take any advice you have to offer.
Heather
Sent from my iPhone
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