Please Help!

[smjdye]

I have three dogs: 2 males (boxers neutered) and one female (german shepherd). These dogs have always gotten along and especially the 2 boxers loved eachother. Well recently our one boxer has been starting fights with our other boxer and the one who starts it ALWAYS ends up getting the worst of it. We've had to take him to the vet 2x's in two weeks.

My husband and I don't know what to do anymore. They got into a fight yesterday again and we cannot keep the boxer who keeps on starting the fights. With only me at home during the day, I cannot stop them by myself. I have been looking into shelters, but I cannot find one that is 'no kill' in NW Indiana. So if you know of a shelter that is 'no kill' or perhaps a boxer rescue, I'd really appreciate you letting me know.

[kfielder]

There was a thread on food aggression about a week ago that talked about some of the reasons dogs fight and some solutions. You should also get a spray bottle, fill it with water and put just a little vinegar in it. When they fight spray them with the vinegar water. (Dogs HATE the smell of vinegar.) It's a great way to break up a fight without getting in the middle.

[Scarlette]

This is the thread that kfielder is talking about, a thread that I started awhile ago. There's some very interesting tips in there.

http://www.paw-talk.net/forums/showthread.php?t=34276

Also do a Google search on Dog sibling rivalry. It gave me some ideas on how to deal with dogs fighting.

Good luck hon, I'm in the same boat but my girls are starting to get better.

[Scarlette]

I did a quick Google search on rescues in Indiana:

Central Indiana Boxer rescue:
http://www.indianaboxerrescue.com/

Boxer rescue page of links:
http://www.mvboxerclub.com/html/rescue_links.html

[smjdye]

I know it's an issue with dominance. I read up about it on the internet after the first bad fight, Max, the dog that starts the fight and always get the bad end though, had to get five stitches. He first mounts Ajax (the other male) to assert his dominace with a low growl and then when Ajax will not submit they begin to fight. Max has had to have approx. 15-20 stitches in all from two really bad fights.

This is the main problem. I am usually alone during the day with my 2 yr old son. If they started a fight with him in the middle, he would be dead and I cannot take that risk. What kills me is that my son LOVES all the dogs and the dogs are so incredibly good with him. In addition, Max was my husband and my first dog. I really don't know what else to do at this point. The last fight they had, I thought that Ajax was going to kill Max. I was screaming so much that the neighbors ended up calling the cops on me because they thought I was in trouble.

[kathydip]

Is your female fixed as well?

[jmb9101]

Im sorry you have to make such a hard decision. I hope you can find a wonderful rescue or home for Max.

[Elvis Lee Mommy]

I'm so sorry to hear about your furbabies fighting. How old are the boxers? Is the female spayed? Have you dogs been to obedience training? Perhaps that would help.

[sara8]

so sorry to hear about your situation, i totally understand about you worrying about your son's safety. one of our dogs just bit our son and it was one of the worst situations i have ever gone thru. good luck with your decision.