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Scuffles between Jack and my friend's dog

814 views 13 replies 5 participants last post by  MaryAndDobes 
#1 · (Edited)
Every morning I meet up with a friend of mine and her male dog, Boston, for a romp in the field. They pretty much just do their own thing for the time we're there, Jack chasing his stick (or ball), and Boston chasing his.

Every now and then they get a little growly, like if Boston comes near Jack's stick, for example (and vice versa, but less so, as Boston tends to be slightly more submissive). If it looks like they're going to go this way, I can generally call Jack off, no problem. Boston is less obedient however, and is generally a rather rude dog, with little manners towards other dogs (or people for that matter).

So they'll growl over a stick, or if they bump into one another in pursuit of their respective sticks...and sometimes if Boston is running in Jack's general direction, Jack will charge toward him for some reason...again though, I can break Jack off most of the time, and he'll circle back. But a few times they've gotten a little scrappy...I guess you'd call it a fight; Often, when they're growling and snapping and I call Jack off, he'll come towards me, totally done with the altercation - but this is ALWAYS when Boston gets bold, and he'll come in snapping after Jack is done with it. Jack is no angel, but he is far more disciplined that Boston.

Anyway, that's the general scenario. I just wanted to get some opinions and advice for us on for how best to handle things, and how best to break off a scuffle. Thanks!
 
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#3 · (Edited)
Yeah, it is same-sex aggression...but it's not all that bad. We're not about to stop getting together as it's been quite manageable, and predictable (and rather rare). Just looking for advice from those that have been there before. Particularly advice on how to snap the less responsive dog out of it...like we can get Jack totally reigned in, but then Boston gets rude just as Jack's got his back turned. What's up with that? Can anyone speak to why a dog would only get bold when the other dog has stopped?
 
#4 ·
This isn't the first time Jack has had an incident with another dog. I guess I don't understand why you keep putting him in situations that set him up to fail. If it were me, I would stop letting the dogs play together. At some point they are more than likely going to have an all out fight and there will be serious injuries or worse.
 
#5 · (Edited)
Jack got attacked before, yes. Surely avoidance isn't the ONLY strategy possible. These two dogs generally get along fine; It not nearly as bad as it could be.

C'mon guys, I'm sure there's some other nuggets of wisdom from people who have experience getting two male dogs together. It's not like it's impossible...some people even own two male dogs, living under the same roof. This is by best friend's dog, not some stranger at a dog park.

And for the record, I do avoid contact with other male dogs, always. Boston is the exception because, as I said, they generally get along quite well. It just so happens that of all the people I know with dogs, not one of them owns a female. Bad luck, I guess.
 
#8 · (Edited)
No, I don't think he's an exception, and no, he did not respond in kind when he was attacked. He looked shocked and scared (if I were to put human emotions to it, which I shouldnt) when Casey bit him on the face. But that's beside the point...

Anyway, I posted this thread so I could see what others suggest about getting the other dog to be more responsive to his owner in these situations....as Jack listens to me most of the time. Also, I posted this thread so I could better understand a) why Boston only comes in when Jack has broken it off, and b) why Jack will sometimes run towards Boston when Boston is running towards him. They don't seem to mind each others company until something comes between them, a bone of contention, if you will. They'll often sit together chewing sticks and what not, and sometimes seem like buddies (though rarely).

I do appreciate your input though.
 
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