Always Expect a Bulldog To Fight

This is more for those new to the breed, but everyone can benefit from a little reminder now and again. If there's one thing you can count on, it's that 2 Bulldogs will eventually get into a fight for some reason or another. . .

Background:
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Bella is my one year old APBT, she's fairly DA already.

Whiskey is my 3 year old rescue, probably some type of Bully breed, pretty cold but is reactive to the sounds of other dogs fighting.

Bella and whiskey have been together for 9 months, never had a problem, they share food, toys, bones, treats. Whiskey is usually submissive to her, and she has never shown aggression towards him under any situation and visa verse. Being into Bulldogs for over 15 years I am always aware of what could happen, as unlikely as it seems, just as it did last night.

Incident:
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My wife and I were sitting on the couch watching Dog Whisperer( I know, but whenever it has to do with Pit Bulls I watch it) about 2 Pit Bulls that weren't getting along because one was DA. Bella was on the other and of the sectional and Whiskey was sitting at our feet on the floor. The whole show they kept replaying footage of the 2 dogs engaged in a fight. About half way through they had a scene in his complex where a fight erupted between about 6 Pit Bulls. I'm sitting there telling my wife that I cant believe Ceaser or any of his crew don't have break sticks then my wife said how glad she was our 2 didn't fight. (Of course) At that point Bella got up and slid off the couch and walked over to Whiskey and there was an explosion. Whiskey had Bella by the top of the head and neck, Bella was frantically trying to get a hold on the bottom of his neck, but couldn't quite reach. I grabbed both collars then my wife went around and got Whiskeys collar and I had Bella. Whiskey would not let go(which is really not like him) and Bella was still struggling for a hold, I kept he just out of reach of his neck. I yelled for my son to get the break stick from the kitchen and by the time he got to us, Whiskey let up for a second and we got them apart, but Bella managed to tear a hole in his ear in the process.

After an hour of cleaning up blood and wounds, I was still amazed at Whiskey being the aggressor in the situation.

If they were alone together, or we weren't prepared and Bella got a good hold, I'm sure we would be less one dog today.

Moral:
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Always expect something to happen, and it will usually happen over the stupidest things, like the sound of dogs on a TV show, even if it has never happened before in 9 months or 9 years, IT WILL EVENTUALLY HAPPEN. If it happens, be calm, have a plan, and have and know how to use a breakstick. If you're prepared and expecting it, damage will usually be minimal, if you're not, it can be deadly...

 

Thanks for sharing the story Tat! I had a fight once between Bronson and Nick over a ball laying in the yard which I did not put up.

For those of you who happened to watch the show he is talking about, whatever you do don't be a fool and grab your dogs and pull! That whole episode made me want to puke! Honestly, anybody that ever wonders why real dog people don't like his teachings........well last night was a prime example! When he returned that dog to them folks, they were still scared of it, and not in the least bit prepared for an incident in the least! Get the break stick and learn how to use it as Tat has suggested!

 

Great post Tat.....deff a lesson for folks.

 

Thank you for posting Tat. Glad the dogs are ok. Kisses to them both.
We watched it, too. I said the same thing when they kept playing that footage...why don't they have a *&%$&*) break stick?!?!

 

gawd, i had apollo out on his leash the other night, and a boxer walks up, well my bf panics and grabs apollo by the collar, i can not stress enough, DO NOT do that!!!!!!!!!! it only makes your dog more aggressive, he was just sniffin her, tail up and wagging, not a good sign, but we could have escaped a confrontation by handling it in a calmer matter. DO NOT grab the collar!!!!

 

I , too think this is a great post. I'm glad your pups are doing OK. I watched that Dog Whisperer episode & IMO they should have taken Caeser's advice & traded dogs with him. I love Daddy & it was terrible seeing him attacked like that !

 

Good post, Tat. Very true, indeed.

Sorry about the fight though.

I agree. When I was the episode yesterday. I said to Stan, "Where are their break sticks?"

 

Sorry megs but I have to disagree with you here. High strung dogs should have a collar with a traffic handle on it if you're going to have them around other dogs. This way the dog can be easily controlled by grabbing the handle. Grabbing under the collar is also effective and the best way to gain control of the dog quickly. The point of the handle though is your collars should always be snug......only 2 fingers fit under it. If 2 dogs do get together the first thing you do is grab the collar and straddle your dog.

 

Tat.. great post. And nice way to inform those folks on here that are new to the breed. I know I've had a few yard scrapes here.. and it is AMAZING how fast it can blow up and how its over nothing alot of the time. One of mine of course cost me a dog... but you live and learn. We've all heard that saying "Boys will be boys." Well the same goes for this breed. "BULLDOGS WILL BE BULLDOGS!"

 

good post tat2stuff

 

Great post tat.

I had a small incident last night while I was cooking. Both the dogs were in the kitchen with me...under foot since I had chicken I was shredding. Anyway long story short a piece of chicken fell on the floor and all hell broke loose as both Indy and Jesse (labradoodle) went for the chicken. Luckily I was able to put myself between them pick up Indy and kick the chicken away and that was that...(probably not the best thing but I was home alone at the time.

Anyway my point...I don't have a break stick yet. I know stupid of me. But I'm fixing that as soon as possible...in other words Boogie...I'm sending ya a PM.

 

It wasn't my intention for another dog to walk up to him.

 

I have owned pits that get along their entire life. But the fact of the matter is that for no apparent reason all hell can break loose. I never realized this until Diesel and Stubbs got into it. They were brothers and it is the last thing I thought would happen. I drove a truck for five yrs and both dogs were in the truck with me traveling and doing just fine. They made lots of canine friends along the way. But one day while we were at home they got into a horrible fight.I was home alone and ended up getting bit pretty good. Not the first time or the last considering my profession. And both dogs were extremely ashamed. You know the look.
My point is that I would have never expected it and thank goodness that I have vet training. I would have never known what to do. Not even sure that I handled it right anyways but both dogs survived.
Anyone who is considering owning a "bully breed" should be required to at least read a book about trouble shooting behavior. Unfortunately any six toe'd idiot can own a dog!!!

 

Great post, sorry about the wounds, bless their hearts. I am happy you posted this and I too need to get a B-Stick and start learning to use it. Maybe I can pick one up at the NC event.

Though we only have the one for now we will be getting another maybe this spring when Rocky is out of his bratty puppy stage. I have done told my hubby that since I am the main person who is home with Rocky all day and when we get another that I will keep them apart when I am alone.

I would be the one stand on the couch crying not knowing what to do and I want to learn before ever getting another APBT or any dog for that matter so thanks.

 

Good post, it's all too familiar!

 

Really Good post Tat!! Thanks for sharing with us. Hope everyone is okay now

 

Great post. Can someone provide a link to more information about break sticks?

 

ask and you shall recieve There is a user here by the name of Boogieman he makes and sells them if you want one just PM him to get the details

http://www.pitbull-chat.com/showthread.php?t=1513