Same household dog fights. - Page 1

Can two dogs that have gotten into a dog fight from the same household get along eventually with training and leadership in my part. My 10 month gsd can't stand my jack russel that was bullying him until he couldn't

stand it anymore. I understand I partually allowed it and I'm trying to fix the situation now. My GSD is currently getting trained daily, and once I'm done with him, my jack will be next...But is it possible for them to be friends again.

it is possible there will be brief moments that they will tolerate each other. this will lull you into thinking all your hard work and training has paid off. please do not leave these two dogs alone together, are you physically and mentally capable of breaking up a serious dog fight, is anyone else in your household able to?

You MUST let your Jack know that behaviour is not tolerated NOW, not later. If the JRT is the instigator then waiting to train him until after your GSD is trained is not going to help, you need to get that under control first. Also, as vk4 already said, do not allow these dogs together unsupervised AT ALL. It must be very clear to both dogs that you will not tolerate fighting, and you may have to separate them at least part of the time even though you are supervising, until they get the message.

Jackies are notorious for this! I have a book on dog breeds called "The Perfect Match" that describes the characteristics of each breed. For JRT, it says they are often aggressive with other breeds, will kill small animals due to their high prey drive, and "the only suitable companion is a horse!"

Many years ago, a neighbour had his JRT out on his property while he was washing his car. The Jackie saw my husband coming towards them, walking our GSD on leash. He came roaring down the driveway, fangs bared. When he got to Tasha, he leapt right for her throat. Tasha knocked him down with a paw, pinned him and bit him on the ass.

He ran back up the driveway, yelping...

My husband apologized, and asked if the little guy was hurt. Fortulately, the owner shrugged it off. "Only his dignity," he said.

It was the ONLY time in her 14 1/2 year lifespan that Tasha ever bit another dog!

So, I'd tackle the JRT's aggression first, and as said, NEVER trust them alone. The GSD could easily kill the JRT, and the JRT could possible do the same to the GSD if he got a throat hold.

It's not just pit bulls that 'lock' on to another dog during a fight, either. A friend of mine had  a female GSD go after another female the other day. Took him 15 minutes to get the aggressor to finally release her hold on the other dog. He had to choke her out...

If that happens to your Jackie, he's likely going to be history!

Hate to derail and "pick" on SS, but Pit Bulls, or any other breed DO NOT 'LOCK' ON! There is no "lock"!! They simply refuse to out. Not allowing someone to open the door by brute strength does not mean the door is "locked."  Tenacity, not a locking mechanism. 

 

 

Yeah, I know, Jenni. But popular culture and all that...

And if you're the one trying to pry the jaws apart, it sure FEELS like they're locked!

Been there, done that, and hope I never have to be there again, but I probably will at some point. 

How old is the Jack Russel? I assume he is an adult, and he was the "alpha", until the puppy ( GSD ) arrived.
Now the GSD pup becomes an adult, and for sure the stronger dog. He wants to become the alpha now - that´s pretty normal, but doesn´t help.
JRT´s don´t tend to care about their size, and most of them don´t tend to give up ( and that´s what he needs to to ).
Sorry, no good idea from me...you need to supervise them every second, otherwise they will fight again and again in all probability, and I think you are not interested in an injured, or worse, dead dog..

Do not turn your back for one second.  Probably will not be able to be together in the future.  Sorry to say;  my experience has been once they hate each other there is constantly a fight going on.  Nan

Op should have gotten a gsd opposite gender to the terrier. Male jrt is very much like the smooth fox terrier and they don't get along with same gender usually, unless great care and supervision by owner who must be in absolute control of both dogs without any ambiguity as to what is and is not allowed.
The situation now with the op's dogs is like closing the stall door after the horse escapes...you're too little too late for these two dogs.

You are in a heap of trouble and will never had true peace again. An as long as the JRT is allowed to act like a JRT there will be fights until he gets himself killed.  A very god friend of mine lost her male Border terrier to a shepherd tha was from her breeding. The year old shepherd had come back for boarding and the border took offence. One second alone and the shepherd crushed the life out of the border without leaving a mark.

When the vet necropsied the little dog his lungs and liver was all mashed up. Shepherd never bothered any other dog in his life.

Crate, rotate and never leave them alone.

Best of luck

Fry