Dog Fight!

[robbinsjr]

Hi everyone. My Rott is 2.5 yrs old and have never had a problem with her. Well we had a party Sunday night and my neighbors dog came into my yard about dusk. i didnt see the dog enter my yard but when it got to my front porch my dog attacked. When we finally got them broke up we took their dog (black lab) to vet...65+ stitches and $754 dollars later Im sitting here wondering what I do now. Do I get rid of dog? I have to little girls at home, shes never done anything like this before.... Im kinda lost here. Any Advice?

[brunie's mom]

The dog came into your yard? Many dogs do not like a strange dog coming onto their turf. Was this other dog a female? Same sex aggression is common in Rottweilers....this is part of the breed....
Just because she attacked another dog, does not mean she will attack people or your children.

Now you know that she does not do well with your neighbors dog, you will have to be extra cautious...because she will always remember.
How well socialized has she been? Has she always done well with other dogs?
Has she been to obedience classes? how well trained is she?

Give us some answers to these questions and maybe we can give you some advice.

Gina

[tla0126]

Were either one of the dogs on a lead?

[fostermom]

I'm sorry this happened...but there is no link between dog-dog aggression and aggression to humans..they are two totally separate things. I was wondering the same thing (whether the lab was another female)...although females (from my experience) seem to be more territorial than males. Did anyone see the fight break out...is it possible the lab initiated the fight?

[QuietDaze]

I hate to hear that, nothing is scarier than a dog fight but your dog was in your yard and the other dog was the 'intruder'. Just because she attacked another dog doesn't mean she'll attack your children so I wouldn't get rid of her.

I think you should secure your gate and try to maintain a decent relationship with your neighbor.

[sweetlee]

I too would not worry about aggression towards people.
There are many dogs who will try and kill other animals that would not ever put their mouths onto people.
If the neighbors dog came into your yard, you should not be liable either. Unless they were a guest at your party and the dog was invited in by you.
My concern would be from now on though that she is not trustworthy with other dogs
You will have to be very watchful now with other animals though,
she may be freaked out by other dogs from this point on.
WAs she provoked by this other dog? Growled at? Or did she just for no known reason take this dog down?
If you can provide more information, I am sure our experts will be able to help you better.
In the meantime, even if the dog has been obedience trained, it might be a good idea to get her back into classes and around other dogs where all are under control to help her get over this.
Keep us posted.

Sharon

[kilasmamix3]

OP, can you answer some of these questions the last people posted?? I want to hear what happened, so i can give you my advice. But from what i read already;;

NO don't get rid of your dog. There is a HUGE difference from animal to human agression.

Which one started the fight? Who was a witness of the fight? Has your female had any other problems with dogs? What sex was the female and was the dog starting stuff with your dog?

Those are my questions (:

I hope you answer them. Thanks.

Dezaree

[robbinsjr]

....here comes the yelling! No my dog has never been to any kind of class.. Ive had my dog since she was weened, my dad has had rotts since I was a kid. I know that doesnt mean she shouldnt be in classes, but I never felt the need for them. I live in the country, My dads house is about .25 miles to the north of me and my neibour is about the same to the south. The only aggresion she has ever shown is to bycicles...she hates them. As for who started the fight. My sister was closest and says my dog just ponced on other dog, witch is a male. As far as did I invite the other dog, NO! Here is the prob thow, my neibor is also my landlord ;o....So anyways I paid the vet bill and what is done is done...Neither of our yards are fenced in, if I keep her should I try a muzzle? Im lost here. Its not my house so I cant really put a fence up, Plus my dog doesnt leave my yard. As far as being around other dogs, my dad has 2 female rotts and a male jack russel and my sister has a female black lab...Never showed aggressing and they are always together..Dads 3 dogs was t here when fight happened.??????????????

[tla0126]

Unfortunately, even if you can keep your dog in your yard, you can't keep other dogs out. I dont think you should have her in a muzzle. Since a fence isn't feasible, maybe you can get her a dog run, or a large outside kennel?? Those aren't permanent so it makes more sense.

[mspooley]

I was able to buy a "kennel in a box" at Lowe's home improvement. Perhaps you can look into that? And then if/when you move, you can take it with you.
The one I purchased is 7 1/2' W x 13' L x 6'H, and it cost about $178. I added a shade tarp on the top and also put a doghouse in there as her "den". I assembled the kennel by myself, in my backyard, which IS fenced by 5'H conctrete walls. I keep her in the kennel when I am at work, and I have a padlcok on the kennel. I do this for many reasons - she's still a puppy so I am protecting my garden -LOL, plus I know she won't hurt herself, swallow something harmful or get stolen by others (which is a possibility here).

[QuietDaze]

Aw man, that's a mess that your neighbor is your landlord. I was wondering if you paid the vet bill and it seems you did.

I'm at a loss. Other than if you're outside, your dog has to be on a leash. Especially if the neighbor dog doesn't stay on it's own property.

[Teej]

You can put up a real affordable wire fence that you can take town and bring to you next house.
It could be as simple as turkey wire and metal steaks. This is easily put up and taken down.

[brunie's mom]

Originally Posted by robbinsjr

....here comes the yelling! No my dog has never been to any kind of class.. Ive had my dog since she was weened, my dad has had rotts since I was a kid. I know that doesnt mean she shouldnt be in classes, but I never felt the need for them. I live in the country, My dads house is about .25 miles to the north of me and my neibour is about the same to the south. The only aggresion she has ever shown is to bycicles...she hates them. As for who started the fight. My sister was closest and says my dog just ponced on other dog, witch is a male. As far as did I invite the other dog, NO! Here is the prob thow, my neibor is also my landlord ;o....So anyways I paid the vet bill and what is done is done...Neither of our yards are fenced in, if I keep her should I try a muzzle? Im lost here. Its not my house so I cant really put a fence up, Plus my dog doesnt leave my yard. As far as being around other dogs, my dad has 2 female rotts and a male jack russel and my sister has a female black lab...Never showed aggressing and they are always together..Dads 3 dogs was t here when fight happened.??????????????

Not going to yell....we live on a country property and also don't have everything fenced. I do have a kennel run that I can put both of my dogs in if they want to stay outside without me.

Is your female spayed? Is the neighbors dog intact? I am really surprised that a female would attack a male dog this severely. Was there any damage done to your dog?
It really was the neighbor/landlords fault...his dog should not have been wandering around. It would have been more fair to pay half the vet bill.

Now that you know that she can be aggressive with other dogs, and especially this dog, you will have to supervise her. No more letting her out loose or without a leash on. Make sure your neighbor keeps his dog home too...the days of letting dogs out the door and letting them wander, are over.

You can buy a kennel run or find a used one, or build one, and put her in there when you cannot watch her outside.

I'm really surprised with all of the people around when the fight started....why you could not get them separated before all of that damage was done???
And I really don't think your dog "just pounced" on this dog...there were probably big signs that your dog was ready to go...usually they stiffen up...the hair on their back goes up,etc.

Gina

[robbinsjr]

the direction the other dog came from was the side of my house. There was no way to see him untill he was at the corner of porch. I didnt even see him till I heard dogsd barking. My sister was right at the front corner and seen it all...She says my dog just ran over and attacked. I dont know??? As for letting dogs run alone outside...They have a doggy door so he can come and go as he pleases. They have 85 acres and he runs them all. I dont know what to do. I think Id rather move than to get rid of her. My wife is wanting to get rid of her. Says she cant be trusted now. She is a great family dog, she just has a couple flaws we need to work on. She is not fixed, and she did not have one mark on her after the fight. As far as not being able to break them up...how do you break them up fast? We did what we could..It only last 10 sec top. She grapped and just started to pull and the skin ripped away from the fat. Almost like she skinned him. As soon as we seperated them I put her up and they took him home. I went straight over there and we left for vet. They said sh** happens and not to worry about it....How can you not worry about it?

[brunie's mom]

I thought she may be intact. When was her last heat? has she just come in or coming into heat? Sometimes if females are at the end or the beginning of their heat cycle a male dog coming around may just set her off.

It almost sounds like she was protecting you all. If the male just rushed in from out of now where?

This dog should have been spayed. Why is she still intact?

The whole set up of where you live is setting things up for failure. A dog with a doggie door that is allowed to go wandering around all over the countryside? That's just crazy in this day and age. Labs tend to wander too...they don't like staying home.

When two dogs are fighting and you have enough people around...each person can grab a dog by the back legs....and start pulling...wheelbarrow style. Also I've used a chair and a steel garbage can lid to wedge in between two dogs.

I would honestly move....have the dog spayed and get into some training.

Gina