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Old December 9th, 2006, 04:12 PM
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Possibly testing boundaries?

The man and I ran out of the house for about an hour yesterday afternoon and left the boys out of their crates. They had been getting along so well, that we didnt think it would be an issue.

Well we came home and the boys had gotten in a fight. Poor Phoenix has a gash on his leg from landing on a glass candle holder, and a cut under his chin from Atti. Both wounds needed stiches. Atti needed some stiches in his toe and his neck as well. The ER vet did a great job, and both boys will be ok. They did hit an artery when stitching phoenix, so they had to clamp it and put a drain in, which made the wound even bigger. They also shaved everywhere the poor guy had a scar, old or new, so hes looking bald right now.

I contacted where we got Phoenix from to let them know we had a problem. They said they were just testing who was alpha and that this fight most likely worked everything out for them. Either way, we both feel awful, and will never be leaving them uncrate again, no matter how well they are getting along.

They both get stiches out in 10 days, and the drains in 2 days.

I'm just glad they are both going to be ok. They are both sleeping now, and when they are awake, they are respecting one anothers space, so hopefully everything will be ok.
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Old December 9th, 2006, 04:16 PM
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Where did you get Phoenix from?And who is Atti?
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Old December 9th, 2006, 04:18 PM
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OMG!! that sounds awfull....that's one of my worse fears....

Give atticus and Phoenix a big kiss for me... i hope their wounds heal fast and without any complications...
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Old December 9th, 2006, 04:19 PM
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Phoenix is from Kentucky and Atti is my dane.
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Old December 9th, 2006, 04:24 PM
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I can't believe the rescue said that "they've likely worked it all out now"! Our boys "test boundaries" all the time--and there's never been a scratch or a puncture on either of them! This sounds like it could be more than just that to me...

You'll have to be always vigilant now--are you confident you'll be able to break up another fight if it gets started? Wow...that's scary....

for a quick recovery
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Old December 9th, 2006, 04:26 PM
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Originally Posted by hazelrunpack View Post
I can't believe the rescue said that "they've likely worked it all out now"! Our boys "test boundaries" all the time--and there's never been a scratch or a puncture on either of them! This sounds like it could be more than just that to me...

You'll have to be always vigilant now--are you confident you'll be able to break up another fight if it gets started? Wow...that's scary....

for a quick recovery
We're just going to not leave them together when we are not here. They are fine while we are around and when they are outside. They are both crate trained and dont mind being in their crates so thats where they will go if we have to leave them.

His foster mom said they were testing boundaries and that both might think they are alpha.
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Old December 9th, 2006, 04:26 PM
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Wow, scary indeed! How do you know for sure it was Atti who did it?

for a speedy recovery.
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Old December 9th, 2006, 04:29 PM
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Wow, scary indeed! How do you know for sure it was Atti who did it?

for a speedy recovery.

It may have been Ozzy, but its doubtful. Hes so much smaller then both of them and didnt have any cuts. Other then that, its the chihuahuas.
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Old December 9th, 2006, 04:32 PM
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I'm so sorry ! I feel very lucky that it never happened in my home . I hope the doggies can get this behind them and wish for no more incident.
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Old December 9th, 2006, 04:34 PM
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Do you think having two alpha males in your home is safe?
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Old December 9th, 2006, 04:35 PM
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Testing boundries?

I doubt it. If both dogs felt that they were alpha, then they wouldn't wait until you left the house - there would be squabbles when you were home.

I am surprised that you would leave 6 dogs alone, lose in the house. I guess it is a good thing that Pheonix got the worst of that then one of those chi's of yours.

I wonder about that rescue group you got Pheonix from.
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Old December 9th, 2006, 04:36 PM
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I'm so sorry ! I feel very lucky that it never happened in my home . I hope the doggies can get this behind them and wish for no more incident.

Thank you It was my fault. i should have known better not to leave them out, even for a short time. They are doing fine right now, and have a checkup at the ER vet tomorrow evening, then again at my normal clinic Monday morning.
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Old December 9th, 2006, 04:37 PM
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o my goodness :sad: so sorry to hear this. everyone will be fine
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Old December 9th, 2006, 04:37 PM
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i don't think that sounds right...i don't think they'll just resolve things that easily. Sorry to sound negative but there's bound to be more scraps.
some just never get a break. I hope the crating idea works

I hope healing goes fast

Last edited by jiorji; December 9th, 2006 at 04:38 PM. Reason: had to add something
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Old December 9th, 2006, 04:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Prin View Post
Do you think having two alpha males in your home is safe?
We are going to work with a trainer, and will keep them seperated at all times if needed.
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Old December 9th, 2006, 04:39 PM
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Originally Posted by LavenderRott View Post
Testing boundries?

I doubt it. If both dogs felt that they were alpha, then they wouldn't wait until you left the house - there would be squabbles when you were home.

I am surprised that you would leave 6 dogs alone, lose in the house. I guess it is a good thing that Pheonix got the worst of that then one of those chi's of yours.

I wonder about that rescue group you got Pheonix from.
The chis weren't left out. They stay in my room when I'm out.

We will never be leaving them out again.
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Old December 9th, 2006, 04:40 PM
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Were human and we sometimes make mistakes
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Old December 9th, 2006, 04:40 PM
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Originally Posted by jiorji View Post
i don't think that sounds right...i don't think they'll just resolve things that easily. Sorry to sound negative but there's bound to be more scraps.
some just never get a break. I hope the crating idea works

I hope healing goes fast
I agree with you. I dont think they are going to resolve things. I am not going to risk another scrap. They will be crated when we are out, and in the new house, they can have their own rooms if needed.
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Old December 9th, 2006, 04:41 PM
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You don't think he deserves to be an only dog in his forever home?
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Old December 9th, 2006, 04:41 PM
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Were human and we sometimes make mistakes
Thank you so much for that.
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Old December 9th, 2006, 04:42 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Prin View Post
Do you think having two alpha males in your home is safe?
No such thing as two alpha males if the humans are alpha. That would be if someone understood dog behavior and handled pack order properly. I think the person with six dogs knows pack order pretty well and will be able to train this new dog smoothly into the pack. Even the best dog owners dogs have fights occassionaly, most often when a new dog is brought into the pack. Adjustment takes time and crating them when alone is the most responsible thing you could do.

Good luck and I hope they all get better soon!
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Old December 9th, 2006, 04:42 PM
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If a dog is new in the home, chances are the human hasn't had any time to establish the pack order yet.
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Old December 9th, 2006, 04:43 PM
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Were human and we sometimes make mistakes
I hear you. I'm too chicken to ever get a dominant dog. All mine are submissive and now their places.
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Old December 9th, 2006, 04:44 PM
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You don't think he deserves to be an only dog in his forever home?
We only want what is best for him. My MIL is more then willing to take him if needed.
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Old December 9th, 2006, 04:45 PM
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If a dog is new in the home, chances are the human hasn't had any time to establish the pack order yet.
Are you responding to me?
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Old December 9th, 2006, 04:46 PM
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Well, you seem to be looking for a fight, so I guess so.
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Old December 9th, 2006, 04:46 PM
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If a dog is new in the home, chances are the human hasn't had any time to establish the pack order yet.
Once I got a foster who had a fight with Daisy (I posted it here) no injuries tough. I was told by a behavior specialist to leash the newbie and attach the leash to me so he had to follow my every move. It did work.
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Old December 9th, 2006, 04:47 PM
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Sounds very odd from the rescue,I didnt even know it was legal to have that many dogs in one home in Ontario.
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Old December 9th, 2006, 04:47 PM
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Were human and we sometimes make mistakes
Accidents happen, I am sorry this happened, we all learn from mistakes, glad to read it wasn't more serious. (I) think sometimes it takes weeks/months for the honey moon stage to be over, they are starting to feel more comfortable with eachother and their surroundings and will test boundries from time to time, (I) think working with a trainer is a good idea, plus when you get your new house(congrats by the way ) new house new rules!!!
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Old December 9th, 2006, 04:47 PM
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i agree with that pack order thing. In the wild when there's 2 alphas they fight until the death or until one leaves. And perhaps...I don't know i'm only speculating, the presence of 2 humans around 6 dogs isn't strong enough to dominate over an alpha dog, and chances are Phoenix too wants some reign in his new home. It's only fair for him, i'm sure he wishes for some pampering only for himself I'm sure. He's probably jealous. Who knows....
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