Our situation ....Should we rehome? :(

[edmontonboerboel]

Hi there, I have a bit of a situation I would like some advice on. We currently own two dogs. A two year old neutered male french bulldog whom we've had since a puppy and an 8 month old 120 pound Boerboel Mastiff. A few times now, they have gotten in vicious fights. A few cuts here and there but thankfully nothing major. The majority of the time it is over food and once there playing got a bit rough and turned into a fight. We also have a two year old son. I work at a vet office in Edmonton and have spoke about my problems with the vets and techs here and they have pretty much distilled fear my in mind saying that either my son or our frenchie could be killed by our mastiff. What are my options? We are moving into a new house in a few weeks where the mastiff will have his own area in the yard and sleep in a heated garage. Our frenchie rarely goes outside, only to do his business. As of right now, they do cohabitate but we never leave them together while we are not there to supervise. Our mastiff has never shown any aggression otherwise. Only when the frenchie initiates it. Should we just stop trying and look at re homing our big boy? I know in the back of my mind I will always have the fear of something happening. Is there a way to work around this? I am so lost and anxious about the whole situation and loose sleep every night.

 

[Smokin45]

Sounds like the small dog is the one with the issues. Why rehome the boerboel?

 

[cinnamon roll]

What exactly is happening when the fights start?

 

[BlackShadowCaneCorso]

I agree more info is warranted but your likely best bet is to contact a behaviourist in your area, having them come in and evaluate the situation, both dogs and what is going on. You might be surprised about some of the things they can point out that you might not be thinking of as issues. As it stands I would keep the dogs separated, especially when your son is in the area, not because I think they will intentionally hurt him but if they get into it the last thing you want to worry about is your son getting in the way.

 

[musicdeb]

Good advice given by Mary. More info is needed to help you out. I will say that the Boerbel, which I assume is a male, will feed off of your fear.

 

[DennasMom]

I think a trainer/behaviorist would be a good investment.

It sounds like the Frenchie is starting it - and as an indoor dog who was there first, he might feel "entitled" to protect his domain. Unfortunately, the bigger dogs normally "finish" the arguments.

Training the Frenchie to allow the big dog access and to share would be one step. A second step would be making sure the mastiff knows "leave it" and will defer to you to control the little dog (which means, you have to show that you can control the Frenchie, too).

Vets and Vet Techs often see dogs at their worst - in pain and fear - which can filter their perceptions in a negative way when dealing with this sort of thing, so try to look at the two dogs with an open mind - are they happy?

Would the mastiff be happier if he could live with a family that allows him to live inside with them?
Does the mastiff have a job that he needs to stay outside for?
If not, living outside - even with access to a heated garage - always away from his family, is a very unhappy existence for a dog, IMO.

 

[CeeCee]

I agree with Mary and Tina. I suspect there is a lot more going on here than you're seeing. The behaviorist is going to be able to get a 3D view while we here (and your coworkers) are only getting a 1D view.

In the meantime, be aware that your anxiety will most likely only feed negatively into the situation. I know it's tough to do, especially when you've seen the fights, but if you're unable to get yourself in a calm, confident, and positive place, I would not have the two dogs together in the same space- instead do a crate and rotate until you can meet with a behaviorist.

 

[Bailey's Mom]

Would the mastiff be happier if he could live with a family that allows him to live inside with them?
Does the mastiff have a job that he needs to stay outside for?
If not, living outside - even with access to a heated garage - always away from his family, is a very unhappy existence for a dog, IMO.[/QUOTE]

Yes. As much as you are committed to the Fench that you've had since a puppy, he will be the one that is the shit disturber. Guaranteed, he is the problem. Wifey (I'm one) may want her indulged and superior lap puppy, but, if I lived in Edmonton, I'd want a ton of dog guarding my family. Got a two year old, protect him, get rid of the dog that is most likely to feel so privileged that it can take a nip out of him. Bet he has already, hasn't he?

It will be easier to rehoming the little manipulator than the large mastiff.

Honey, if that Boerbel was vicious, that French would have been toast within the first week. A few scratches...? Hells Bells, you've been had...you've been played.

Honest, I love small dogs....I just don't trust them.

 

[DMikeM]

I am assuming the BB is also a male? Did the BB come in as a young puppy or was he an older pup? If the BB was actually being aggressive you would have already known it. The BB is probably defending himself and yes they can be food aggressive. Both of mine are to some extent but you just have to manage them. Have a trainer or behaviorist look at it but they are going to tell you the BB will need to be the Alpha dog in your home and if the Bully doesn't like it you will always have an issue. Keeping a BB away from humans or penned up is a very bad idea. It will stop being a BB at some point and just become an aggressive junkyard type of dog.

 

[HayleyMarie]

Question? I know of a good behaviouralist in that area. I am originally from Edmonton. I also own a BB. What breeder is the dog from?

I agree that there is some underlying stuff that you probably don't see.


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