(Top: Lala, Schutzhund 1, 96 pts protection, Franklin, Tennessee, at two years old)
I didn’t write about fight #1 but a month or so ago for the first time Lala and Dixie had it and got into a pretty bad fight. Lala was sitting with me in the backyard and Dixie, as she is a little younger (three months younger, she is 27 months old now) and less mature mentally, was bothering her. Lala for a long time just ignored her but that day, that special day as now known as the day of no return, Lala just had enough and went to an all out war.
My obedience trainer Sara Donadei, a really good trainer that now also works with us at RMG, advised me before that if they try to fight to just let them so they can sort out the dominance issue between them. Since I was out with them I listened and let them fight it out.
(Top: Dixie at two years old)
First round took about one minute and Lala was on top. Break for 5-10 secs and there they go again. Another 30-45 secs and now Dixie is on top, Lala’s head down, pride injured, she lost the crown. 10 secs break and .. here they go again. At that point I had enough as I noticed the blood was flying all over the place. The blood was mostly on Dixie’s face. I had no clue who got hurt at the moment but after the fight it was Lala’s, not Dixie’s blood.
So, I Separated them, I had enough. Dixie is now with my sister and Lala stays here. After that fight Lala had to have staples under her right eye and Dixie ended up with a bite hole on top of her head. Nothing serious but the hair color on top of her head changed color a little to white (what happens after a bite).
From time to time my sister brings Dixie here as they don’t (read: didn’t!) fight, even though they still try to figure out the dominance issue. They would growl at each other and show other signs to show who’s more dominant but no fighting.
This week I’ve been very busy trying to sort out some databases and been putting many hours into it just like back in 2000. You know, going over thousands and thousands of entries!
Today I did the same and after few days non stop doing that I just couldn’t continue and at around 2PM I decided it is rest time. My sister came here an hour later and saw I put both Dixie and Lala in their crates (she brought Dixie earlier today) so she thought.. let them play outside! (like they ever do?!)
WRONG WRONG WRONG.
So I got up to barking and biting sounds with my sister screaming, dogs barking and biting. Jumped on top of them, Dixie still had Lala in her mouth and Lala still tried to get her back.
Seperated them, put them on a Down command, and just set between them. My sister took Dixie away promising NEVER to bring her back. That I’m sure won’t last.
Result of second fight: Lala has a bite on her front left hand and also a new place for an earring on her right ear. Dixie, as far as I know, has no injuries.
As my friend Miriam Barkus, a top GSD (German Shepherd Dog) trainer and a legend in the GSD world, wrote to me a couple of days ago after I told her about the first fight..
“Sad about the fight, but at least you were there. Guess you didn’t hear me when I spoke about not having two same sex gsds………………..”
I think I’m getting it.. really!
Dear Sal,
Thanks for giving me credit. Wish I had been wrong in this instance.
The idea of letting two dogs “sort it out” by themselves only works when there are very different aggression levels in the dogs. I do not like it even then. I believe the dogs should be made to understand even growling at another dog is unacceptable; even “evil-eying” another dog is unacceptable. The ONLY acceptable conduct is ignoring other dogs.
What happens many times when two dogs are allowed to fight, the winner believes he or she is now the entire pack leader, and thinks can set the rules for everyone, including the owner. Many times fight for dominance will continue with a challenge to the owner.
At any rate, hope to see you soon. Glad you may stop by at the club.
Ciao.
Miriam