Dogs raised together - Page 2

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GSD Admin (admin)

by GSD Admin on 29 June 2016 - 17:06

It don't have to be the oldest one just the dominate one and if the other challenges the dominate one. Could be a problem. Males and females aren't a problem generally. And sometimes 2 males or 2 females can get along fine. Depends on the dogs, the owner and the situation. It can work but it sometimes doesn't.

Western Rider

by Western Rider on 29 June 2016 - 17:06

So many problems can arise from this as others have pointed out and they all can and do happen if you have dogs long enough.

The first one I worry about is when playing. Little guy will get physically how bad depends, as well as how often. He will also be hurt mentally either from the physical pain or just the dominance factor which may mess up your desired plans for him.

This will all depend on the breed of dog and the character of the dogs two male Chi's see no problem.  Dogs bred to be strong and willing to bite could find yourself with a problem


by Nans gsd on 29 June 2016 - 17:06

Never turn my back on my two boys; also think it helps to have males without bitches in the equation; but really it is a full time management job on your part. hubs is a bit more trusting than I but my boys are never left unattended even for a second. Just the way I feel I have had better success. Also my boys are both intact and my GSD is 3 years old and my Samoyed is 10 years old. A large separation in age but really that does not usually matter.

PS: I make sure they are NEVER fed together or even near each other, they cannot even see each other when fed and are fed in their crates in different rooms. Feel it is important for them to have their own space and to add the GSD can be food aggressive, of course I also do not allow that but have to be extra cautious with that behavior. Seems also that once they have had a dispute between them sometimes you cannot put them back together again, maybe forever... Not what I want for sure... So helpful to keep the peace and just not let anything happen between them to ruin the relationship. Also separate ball time and play times, one in crate one play time, even their own balls.

Good luck Nan

GSD Admin (admin)

by GSD Admin on 29 June 2016 - 23:06

Thumbs Up


by beetree on 30 June 2016 - 17:06

I have zero aggression problems at the feed bowl. They are fed maybe, 5-6 ft. apart. I have never had problems at the feed bowl, so maybe it is me. lol

The pack order dynamics is very much in play. Unlike the snack issue, where Beau can make a claim and take things over— when it comes to the feed bowl, Mojo calls the shots. I can place food in both bowls, and Beau will NOT eat without the Mojo, OK. Mojo has to start eating first, or if he doesn't, (and we swear he does that on purpose just to bug the bejesus out of Beau) and walks away, Beau won't eat either.

Well, at least until we practically hand feed him to get him started so he knows it is OK. Mojo is the master of reverse psychology and he uses it on Beau all the time to manipulate possessions, etc. We swear he enjoys mind games.

And we know Beau is hungry, that dog has a great appetite. Mojo, is very particular, he will often patiently wait out to eat (for us to finish our dinner!) just to see if something of higher value will show up that he'd rather eat than his mainstay kibble. It is like he rations his caloric intake so he will eat only the best offerings for any particular day. Beau would be a bottomless pit!
 


Western Rider

by Western Rider on 30 June 2016 - 17:06

Beetree I am happy that you have no problems but I do think that there is a vast difference between two males that are young full blooded GSDs, with I hope  real GSD temperaments,  that are not neutered and your dogs.


by beetree on 30 June 2016 - 17:06

Mojo isn't a real GSD temperament? Hmm. Allow me to disagree. The fact remains they both are dogs, big dogs with teeth and have dog drives that are universal... to dogs.

Of course not all results will be the same. I am sharing my experience and if someone wants to discard it, I won't care. If you prefer I not share my experiences further, I won't, you have the authority to make that call.

by Slaux on 01 July 2016 - 05:07

I would heed the advice on here. Raising two dogs of the same sex, especially high drive dogs together as "buddies" can be dicey. Certainly it depends on the dogs, and more so, the handler. You really have to know your dogs and be tuned into even the most subtle changes in mood and behavior. Opposite sex is usually a lot safer, but that's not a guarantee either. Not knowing you or your dogs, I'm thinking your younger one is probably going to get up beat up mentally and physically. It may be very subtle, and you may think their exchanges are cute, but a constant power struggle will be present. If these are dogs bred to be German Shepherds and not door stops in GSD clothing, their fairy tale partnership as "buddies" eventually is going to dissolve in a split second. Be prepared, and learn how to break up a SERIOUS dog fight with two males intent on taking the other out. Being their ages are pretty close - it'll probably be sooner than later - when your younger one hits close to his prime.

Supervised "training" with them together is another story. I do it with my dogs all the time, but usually of opposite sexes. Training, is the operant word - they are focused on me, not each other and learn that "I" am the center of their world while being basically indifferent to each other and other stimuli. As far as training and their work ethic - IMO it will likely have an affect if they are "buddies" living together as a pack 24/7. Not trying to be a smart a$$ but if you wanted a "buddy" for your GSD I'd have gotten an ankle biter lap dog. Good luck with them.


 


melba

by melba on 01 July 2016 - 11:07

I have 2 females, and up until a few years ago, were both intact. They have been together since they were 2 years old (now 11). Honestly, they are not allowed to play together, just coexist. We have had 3 fights. I would definitely not reccomend it.... they basically hate each other, but coexist mostly peacefully because I have the final say. We have not had a fight in 7 years, and I doubt there will be anymore. I could be wrong, but neither is a fiery as they once were. I love my girls, but I'll likely not have 2 females together again after they pass.

Melissa

by Centurian on 01 July 2016 - 12:07

  There is no absolute answer ! Nothing is absolute .. Just depends .... depends on the many variables . It is possible to have pack quite successfully , yet at the same time it can be an invitation for trouble , disaster !
   I have had 14 in pack .. all living together, in my house in 1 room at the same time. . But also in my life , I have had a number of gs dogs that would never ever ever accept another same sex gs in it's domain. Social but not tolerant in having another gs in it's domain .
    Everything written here has two sides. and all the posts have merit containing truth .
     Your managing them as a variable : your role as the head honcho plays a role , but simultaneously it doesn't. Forget the stupid alpha spiel. Why , because you yourself , with nothing having to do with you , can become the issue. That is to say , no matter your ability , what you do or what you say ... understand that to many gs YOU are / can become , the issue because you simply are their main resource. Both dogs might, so call , claim rights to you unrelentingly and in their heart and mind there will be not a thing they will ever allow you to do in order to change that. Leader smeader- Huh , not ever a consideration , no way ! Leader - you are the one that they may even fight to the death for. Your on the sidelines here buddy. You are a Variable that can be the spoiler. We haven't even talked about mating rights here , which is another factor. Sometimes .. there is no fighting mother nature , sort to speak !!! Just accept that this may or may not be an issue.
    Another variable is the dogs genetic make up and mental mindset. Some gs just have it in them to be willingly highly social pack animals. Perhaps this goes back to the herding days when multiple gs were used to tend sheep and also to the selective breeding practices.        Today , I have seen the majority of gs from current breeding having lost it's original mentality . [ BTW , this is what leads to much turbulence in discussions on this forum about the gs , e.g. latest training post, the dogs have lost mentality ] .Some will not , be tolerant and it is just in the genes - again .. nothing you will ever do to change that. This becomes a situation that you will always always always have to MANAGE . Yet , with outstanding breeding , make up and mentality , I have had multiple gs that set everything straight , like any other canid pack in nature. They work everything out for themselves with status , rights , rules , behavior etc etc. Every single one of them was trained such that the most important feature resulting is that each individual singularly and collectively looks to me for direction. I could down 10 at once with a mild "platz". But the point i make is the genetic make up and mind set of the dogs that you put together to live in an environment plays a critical , a critical role **. Hard to do this with 10 police gs. But just as hard at times with two gs.
 Many other factors come into play with the ability to have multiple gs in pack or not . For example , are some spayed/neutered . Both possibilities , success and failure with multiple dogs , exist and each possibility is different for different people and different gs. Nothing is carved in stone.
 So let your conscience [and your judgement] be your guide.






 


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