Scooby again, I don't know what to do.......

[MJBadger]

Now you think you have found the problem & it doe`s make sense you can possibly control it .
Get a squeezy plastic bottle like a detergent (clean) or drill a small hole in bottle cap & fill with water , a good squirt of that in a dogs face will have immediate effect . Get used to the bottle & always have it by your side . Very simple but very effective .

Fingers x`d for you all , how`s the wounds ?

 

[Wiggs Dannyboy]

When I was a youth, and was around dogs all the time, when dogs became entangled for whatever reason I most often saw the ubiquitous garden hose turned on them to separate 'em. I'm sure you don't have a garden hose in your house, S4L, but there is a suitable replacement to be used:

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&ke...vptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_74ztqbg50z_b

The advantage a super soaker might provide is it wouldn't require the accuracy that your "noose on a walking cane" would require. I can see you trying to slip the noose around Scoob's head while Scoob's head is bobbing and weaving like Smokin Joe's in the ring with Ali. Not an easy target, even for The Greatest.

An interesting, useful link:

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/breaking-dogfight

From the above link:

Plan A: Startle the Dogs or Use a Barrier

Before you physically separate two fighting dogs, try these methods:

A sudden, loud sound will often interrupt a fight. Clap, yell and stomp your feet. If you have two metal bowls, bang them together near the dogs’ heads. You can also purchase a small air horn and keep that handy. Put it in your back pocket before taking your dog somewhere to play with other dogs. If you have multiple dogs who get into scuffles, keep your air horn in an easily accessible place. If a startling noise works to stop a fight, the noise is effective almost immediately. If your noisemaking doesn’t stop the fight within about three seconds, try another method.

If there’s a hose or water bowl handy, you can try spraying the dogs with water or dumping the bowl of water on their heads.

Use a citronella spray, like SprayShield™ or Direct Stop®. Aim for the fighting dogs’ noses. If you walk your dog in an area where you may encounter loose dogs, it’s wise to carry citronella spray with you. If an aggressive dog approaches, spraying the deterrent in his direction may stop him in his tracks and prevent a fight. If he attacks, spraying the deterrent on or near his nose may break up the fight.

Try putting something between the fighting dogs. A large, flat, opaque object, like a piece of plywood, is ideal because it both separates the dogs and blocks their view of each other. If such an object isn’t available, you can make do with a baby gate, a trash can or folded lawn chair. Closing a door between the dogs can also break up a fight. Throwing a large blanket over both dogs is another option. The covered dogs may stop fighting if they can no longer see each other.

If you used the super soaker, maybe you could mix in some citronella with the water to increase it's effectiveness. I also like the idea of having an air-horn around...I can't imagine that wouldn't get ANY dogs attention in a serious way. It might be too effective though...might cause a heart attack.


.

 

[Stoner4Life]

the air horn sounds like a great idea.......

you're full of great advice here Dannyboy, gonna grab one tomorrow.

 

[1TWISTEDTRUCKER]

S4L, you ARE The Alpha, and as such it really is up to you to control it and set the tone.
Wiggs has definitely put it into perspective, and given some great insight.
Hope the new routine solves the issues, cause this means Scooby gets to live.

Peace; 1TT

 

[BlueBlazer]

When I was a teenager, I rode bike in the country a lot. I carried an air horn. If I was chased by a territorial dog, one blast of that horn changed their minds in a hurry. It was very effective in that situation so it ought to work to break up a dog fight as well.

 

[Wiggs Dannyboy]

the air horn sounds like a great idea.......

you're full of great advice here Dannyboy, gonna grab one tomorrow.

Well....it's kinda like a nice game of human "fetch." Your doggy situation is akin to the stick...you give it a nice toss into this thread...and I go chasing pertinent information for the situation...and then I bring info back to you.

WOOF!

 

[Stoner4Life]

S4L, you ARE The Alpha, and as such it really is up to you to control it and set the tone.
Wiggs has definitely put it into perspective, and given some great insight.
Hope the new routine solves the issues, cause this means Scooby gets to live.

Peace; 1TT

I've taken the pillows off the bed, Scooby will learn to rest, live, love w/o her coveted prizes, she's now resting @ the foot of the bed instead of the pillow side. I can only hope it's gonna be this easy to have her forget her obsession.

At the same time I'm still going to keep the 2 dogs apart from sleeping on the bed together, Scooby will also forever sleep in a locked kennel overnight, even after Alice passes.

And I'll also have to be vigilant that Scooby doesn't start to covet something else that she'll feel the need to possess through aggression. Alice has her own special space (a pile of old blankets) on the floor, sometimes Scooby's down there sharing it with her, no more, I'll just shoo Scooby onto the bed or into her kennel.

and to make sure that Scooby isn't on the prowl while I'm posting online w/my back turned she'll be wearing a small collar w/a couple of bells on it, the type that smart cat owners make their outdoor cats wear as fair warning to any nearby birds.......


Everything I give them food-wise is done equitably and slowly so each realizes that they're getting exactly what the other is, @ both daily meal feedings I always announce their names (one at a time) for each scoop I take from the bucket, I've done it from the start, consistency goes a long way. Treats are doled out similarly, neither one ever tries to take what hasn't been announced as theirs and they're shoulder to shoulder waiting, never a snarl or curled lip as I watch for those signs every time I give treats. Scooby was somewhat food competitive when she arrived here, patient equal giving of treats cured that.

I go through that routine or regiment so that Scooby understands she's equal to Alice, otherwise Alice could care less if she's shorted at all, just as long as she gets some, she's so mellow. Alice will now also be sleeping in a kennel so that I favor no dog, resentment won't build, Scooby's kennel is @ the foot of my bed, she'll see & understand.

Scooby is going to have to prove herself to me, I'm looking for laid back predictable behavior, sketchy pushy crap won't be tolerated, long ago she used to brush past Alice and shoulder into her until I intervened with my walker one day, catching her in the act and a 1/2 step away from her, I was slick to that shit but hadda catch her just right.

I want to avoid adding tension to Scooby's life and I think the fact that we're more sedentary in the winter builds pent up energy, our upcoming spring and her increased activity will probably help in this regard.

 

[justpassnthru]

S4L, how are the wounds doing? Did the vet give you a shot of antibiotics and a milkbone? Or just take pictures to show other potential victims with your kindness. jpt

 

[Stoner4Life]

easy to see what you're made of.......

 

[1TWISTEDTRUCKER]

Sounds like a sound plan S4L.
It is to bad Alice looses Her spot on the bed w/You, but I think it is good not to show favoritism, and will keep tension down.
Spring will do the girls good,,, for that matter,,,, Spring will do us ALL good.

Peace & LOve; 1TT

 

[Stoner4Life]

OK, sleeping dogless w/Alice in a kennel didn't work, she'd get restless right away pacing & schnuffing (soft noise thru nose) to remind me she's in the wrong place, I was losing sleep.


Dogs can't tell time so now I kennel up Scooby, then set up my bed & invite Alice up to sleep first shift; I always wake in 2-3 hours to wizz, that's when I put Alice into her big kennel & secure it, then I let Scooby Doo out for her sleepy time snuggles. Being as both Scooby & I are freshly wakened we both pass out quickly & I never know that Alice is making any noise.

Next time I wake it's time to get up & go out but first I strip the bed of pillows & blankets; Scooby & Alice enjoy the fresh air & are on their own missions when outside, their only shared interest might be any particular spot that might contain the scent of an interloper, they'll eventually investigate that together.

Alice will usually get a few tosses of her frisbee & Scooby as mentioned previously in a post above likes to respond to my finger-pointing her in different directions as I tell her "who's that!!" and "watch 'em!!" So that when both dogs come inside their needs have been fulfilled without any jealousy issues, Scooby has no interest in fetching frisbees and Alice doesn't care to be a watch dog. <--- we've always done it this way.

the daytime bed situation​

Scooby is still suffering from her guilt, she knows she's done wrong and she's timid because of it, so when we come in from outside she kennels up and stays there, hell she's gonna lay down somewhere so I don't care that it's her kennel. If Alice is on the bed Scooby won't join her, but Alice will hop up and lay down away from Scooby if she feels like some bed time, each time she does this Scooby looks at me uncomfortably as if expecting to be asked to kennel up.

You all have seen the pics, Scooby's kennel is @ the foot of the bed, if/when she kennels up she's only moved 2 feet to do so & her kennel door isn't latched until we're all sleeping. I've not been adding any angst or tension to her life, she knows on her own what a bad thing she did, when she comes over to me and sniffs my wounds she hangs her head submissively w/o being shamed at all. But Scooby's young & spry, any time I call her to come over for some love she leaps @ the chance (as always) while Alice would prefer I mosey over to the bed to administer her scratches.

Food & treats are dispensed as usual with the exception that I no longer allow them to lick my paper plate clean together, they've done it wonderfully in the past NEVER a snarl or growl about competing as their tongues and snouts jockey for whatever's left, but fuck it they can each still get a snick of my pasta dish separately and be satisfied while I try to guarantee that there's no competition in the house.


my injury's healing well, I needed stitches (but too late to do) on a couple of openings so some scarring surely will occur, it will remain a cheap but daily reminder of my failure to keep things under control.

I blame myself for this and am glad I suffered the injuries instead of Alice, I'm also pleased that I didn't have Scooby put down. There will be more squabbles in the future, they will probably be the snarling snapping posturing types of altercations we've had in the past.

I bought an air horn to shock Scooby into stopping an attack (should one happen) & I'm going to have my big CO2 fire extinguisher certified and refilled, I have an empty spot for it right by my chair and it will give Scooby a world of WTF!!! in a heartbeat w/o harming either dog in the least. I'll probably have to clean a couple of piles of shit off the bed if I ever have to use that method, a loud whooshing sound and suddenly being engulfed and blinded by a very chilly fog. maybe like rioters getting hosed down.

 

[justpassnthru]

Whew, saw this thread with a new post and was worried something happened to you, S4L;
Glad to hear you have it all worked out. Funny though, my little dog has that 'finger' command thing, going on too!

Pretty happy to read this is working out and YOU are healing and no nasty infections. humm, a reminder to go walk my little dog. jpt

 

[Stoner4Life]

I got to my doctors office on Tuesday finally, she said the wounds, swelling etc looked okay, she laughed when she learned my last tetanus shot was 30 years ago.......

 

[stoned40yrs]

my injury's healing well, I needed stitches (but too late to do) on a couple of openings so some scarring surely will occur,

You did the right thing without knowing it. When my arm was ripped up like yours I wasted money going to a doctor just for them to tell me they don't stitch dog bite wounds like that. Way more problems can develop by stitching it closed from the pathogens in the dogs teeth. They gave me antibiotics and band aids and said keep it clean until it heals.

 

[Featherfoot]

I get the impression stoner that you don't know much about dogs, you seem to over intellectualize things.

For a dominant dog like that I get the impression you aren't dominant enough yourself to keep the dog in check.

Also some dogs need a lot of exercise, not just a casual stroll around the park, but hard exercise.
If they don't get this they can exhibit behavioural problems.

I got a dog from the rescue a couple of years ago and when she got here she was a bit bitey, not leaving injuries like you got, but maybe a black bruise that lasted for a week or more.
She doesn't do it anymore, lots of exercise and I play with her and pull her ears and grab her by the scruff of the neck and shake her pretending I'm another dog fighting with her.
I don't do this to exercise dominance or anything, that's just how I play with dogs if they enjoy that sort of thing, but I guess from an intellectual point of view she sees that I'm the leader of the pack.

I haven't read the whole thread but I think scooby is a put bull terrier?
If so, well those dogs are bred to attack, so don't be surprised if they do, they are just following their instincts.

 

[Stoner4Life]

thnx Ff. Scooby is leash free & can run off as much steam as she wants, we go outside 7 or 8 times a day. Also I've owned dogs all my life, 2 rottweilers included so I do know a little bit about dogs.

Scooby is a rescue, her beginnings unknown, she does not like rough housing play which leads me to believe she might have been abused previously; one night I gave her a playful smack on her ass and her entire posture changed from 'happy playful' to 'I'm gonna get beat' as her head slunk down & her tail tucked hard between her legs, she turned and looked @ me with woe in her eyes; so I'm smart enough not to challenge a dog that might have some issues.

But make no mistake, I'm the big dog in my house, been that way since day 1, Scooby's deep jealousy over the pillows put her defending position #2 NOT position #1, Alice's proximity to the pillows has been obvious in every altercation; now you don't have to bother reading the whole thread

 

[Stoner4Life]

so Alice & Scooby have shared the bed together but at different ends, no snuggling at all. Scooby knows that I don't want her near Alice and usually kennels up if Alice decides to nap on the bed while she's there, this morning she couldn't resist. I woke up and stripped the bed of pillows & blankets, Alice hopped up to lay down, away from Scooby who decided to remain close to Alice instead of kenneling; keeping an eye on things it didn't take long for Scooby to move over a couple of feet for some snuggling on Alice.

Scooby is an important part of this family, she'll be watched like a hawk by me but still needs to feel loved, btw I've been giving her tons of love & snuggles as her being close to Alice has been limited. I'm happy to see she's gained the confidence to finally snuggle up to Alice again.

 

[1TWISTEDTRUCKER]

This concerns Me, but I agree that it good that she is regaining the confidence to rejoin The pack.
You know You can't relax Your vigilance, cause there can never be another attack like this last one.
It is a chance You should take. life has to be lived.
Good luck S4L.

Peace; 1TT

 

[Stoner4Life]

This concerns Me, but I agree that it good that she is regaining the confidence to rejoin The pack.
You know You can't relax Your vigilance, cause there can never be another attack like this last one.
It is a chance You should take. life has to be lived.
Good luck S4L.

Peace; 1TT

Scooby knew she was too close for my comfort, she lifted her head to look over at me a bunch of times, not so much in a nervous way but more like her being cautious in watching & reading me. She stayed there with Alice for almost an hour this morning but hasn't tried it since.

it will take her a good long time to regain my trust, if I'm correct in it being possessive behavior over the pillows then our home should become harmonious again, if Scooby gets possessive over something else then it is a matter of her dominance; again w/2 females in the house I have to expect a squabble from time to time, I just hope Scooby tones down her energy in those fights.

I have my .22 magnum @ hand, a big walking stick that I pound into the floor daily to announce who's the big dog in the house, I shake that stick @ Scooby & she kennels up, I shake it @ Alice and she lays there wondering what's up, I just want Scooby to see that each is getting the same attention so I have to show Alice that stick too.

 

[Stoner4Life]

so 3 days later and Scooby hasn't snuggled up on Alice again, couple of times sharing the bed but @ different ends; I keep a sharp eye out now in anticipation of catching Scooby being sketchy over position on the bed, if that bad behavior's in her nature she'll manufacture a reason to assert dominance, so far none.

I adopted a pitbull being aware of the risks, as I read through my 2 active threads here they both feature Scooby's transgressions and not always so much of the pleasure her presence brings to my home. I chose a rescue dog not to 'see if it would work' but to give a good dog a good home, I made mistakes by not addressing the pillow issue more actively, so again I really blame myself for it letting get this far.

spring will bring some relief from the pent up energy the long winter causes, in the old days I'd be out ice fishing 3 to 5 times a week, me & my dogs spent our energy on the frozen lakes, these days I don't do much hard water fishing, cabin fever sets in for all of us.