I need some help

[DirtySouthChins]

Dena that's great, lots of vibes coming your way in hopes of it all turing out just great Can't wait to hear the update(s)...

[jmb9101]

Just read this thread...I hope everything works out for your girls...I know what you mean on not being able to pick one...I dont know how I would do it if it were me either...good luck with them!! And good luck with the animal "Dr. Phil"

Max and Har can get a little rambunctious sometimes over bones and stuff like that...so far they have been able to work it out on thier own with out us having to scream at them...hopefully it never gets to more...glad your girls arent breaking skin though...thats a good sign.

Good luck!!

[lixx]

I hope that everything goes well. It'll be interesting to hear what he has to say.

[Jodi]

So Dena, what did the specialist say?

[Dena]

I cannot tell you how stressed out I've have been over the last few weeks. I can't sleep, I've been having nightmares, and breaking out like a 13 year old over all this. The behaviorist said that in the wild wolf packs, when too many animals in the pack, mature animals will split to form new packs to prevent inbreeding. Since I have two siblings and two dogs is one too many in their (my dogs) estimation. He said in males when they are neutered this is completely taken away but females never completely lose this "feeling" even when spayed. So that apparently is the call of the wild reason why they have been fighting over food and attention.

He told me that because they get along together when they are alone there is no reason why they could not learn to tolerate the other getting attention. Actually for the past couple of days the food hasn't been an issue. My husband fed them the last three times like we normaly used to do, in bowls side by side in a raised feeder, and no problems at all. They have still been sleeping squeezed into to the same crate. I was told not to separate them with different crates and to not treat either of them differently, that could actually make things worse. It will actually show the other one that it is okay to be dominant. Training is pretty upsetting for me (a lot of it relates back to me being attacked by that dog at the shelter and suddenly I'm a big freaking chicken!) Its much easier with two people but they both wear head leaders, of his own design which are pretty cool. Then we have to antagonize Baci by petting Dolce and the minute she starts to stare her down we say no and pull eye contact away. Its amazing how great these leaders work when they fit properly. My dogs hate them and wont move a muscle. I can control a 60lb dog with my pinky. He said that these situations are not as bad as people think and to actually need to separate the dogs because they absolutely can not learn to tolerate one another is very rare. He said he has actually only seen 2 or 3 cases of this happening and I know he has been in business at least 8 years (I know its been longer but not sure exact time)

My husband still feels that we can teach them to tolerate each other but are they going to be happy. I think he sees how upset I am and thinks it will be easier on me if they are separated. I know I have to work on my behavior as well. I am not scared at all that they will hurt me in any way (even the behaviorist said they were great dogs) its just that noise when they fight just clicks my subconscience to when I was bit and I freeze and I get scared. The though of having to antagonize my dogs makes me really upset (well its just petting them at the same time that will do it, its not like i'm poking them with a cattle prod or anything). Looks like I need my own behaviorist as well. I'm sure I will be fine once I take control of myself.

[Jodi]

Dena, I'm glad the guy told you that it can be worked out! But I hate that you're feeling this way. It's completely understandable, especially after what you went through recently.

Keep your chin up hon. See how the girls do... hopefully this will all be in the past soon.

[capnsweets]

Ahhh I didn't see you posted how this went. So what do you want to do? Do you still feed the need to seperate or are you going to try and stick it out? God I can remember whn you first got them! I can't imagine how hard this has been on you, and to think they are not happy would drive me insane as well. (((hugs)))

[Chinchilla_Girl]

Dena...you may want to join http://www.pitbullforum.com/index.php for more help and support. Many of the people there have multiple pit households and should also offer some good advice as to what to do with your girls. I think it CAN be worked out to where you aren't pulling your hair out and the dogs are happy. It could easily just be a phase or linked to the miserably hot weather like I suggested before, but a forum full of pitty owners should have a lot more advice than I can offer. We have the occasional tiff with Kali and Orion, but it's never anything that I can't handle with the word "enough" Granted, we do have those days where picking on each other seems to be the only thing they do all day and that can drive you batty! Sometimes when that happens, I toss them both outside and let them work it out or go run around the yard with them to tucker them out to the point they have no energy left for spats. Big and call me if you need anything!

[Scarlette]

I am so happy that the specialist thinks that there is hope for them! I've been worrying about you guys! Hang in there Dena, you can do this!

[Dena]

Thanks for all your support guys and I will be joining that forum when I get a chance, thanks Mandie. It seems that they are getting better just not around me. They have had no problems with food and not too many problems around my husband, but me. I can't be in the room for 10 seconds before the monsters start. Still only barking no real biting. Still makes me a little nervous but I'm over coming that. I still feel so bad for Dolce though. She keeps getting pushed aside and sometimes she looks so sad but as I said we are working on it.

Mandie, I will eventually get a chance to call you I promise!

[Chinchilla_Girl]

We'll get this nipped in the butt...(no pun intended )

[blondie]

Dear Dena, I think that [quote]you should follow your heart.meaning you should do what's best for them that's all I can say.