Two intact males growing up

[AnnNiran]

Hello,

I haven't posted anything for a while.
My two boys are growing up - Lucas is 11 1/2 months (103 lbs) and Vito is 8 now(71 lbs).

We had a few bad situations on the yard with the other dogs - there were a few not so socialized and behaved ones, and Lucas got into a few fights during the last few weeks - two times because a dog attacked the little one, and a few because some tried to dominate him. I am aware this is normal, he is growing up and generally speaking - the free ride is over.
Also, on the yard there are some fights between the dogs every day, and sometimes the atmosphere is not nice and I do not approve it.
They are both still sleeping, training and playing together, from time to time they eat from the same bigger cup together (for that I insisted to be done), and even drinking water at the same time from the same cup, taking pieces of food from each other's lips without any tension. They are protecting each other - Vito is also standing up for his big friend, so generally - their behavior towards each other has not changed, even though the bigger one started to make a stand.

But, since socializing doesn't mean contacting with other dogs at any price, even if they are ill behaved, I am planning to make our walks alone for a few weeks - only the two of them playing together. My concern is that I don't want them to have more experiences in such an environment, if they don't fight - the dogs around them fight.
None of them is growing with some kind of mean or super dominant character, they are relatively calm and do not get angry easy.

So, what is your opinion about taking them for walks and playing outside alone for a period of time, and if needed - for longer ?

P.S. I apologize for the long post, wanted to explain the situation thoroughly.

Thanks in advance

 

[AnnNiran]

 

[AnnNiran]

 

[Iulicris88]

I don't understand what you mean by yard. Is it like a park, puppy day care, or what? Anyway, I wouldn't take my dogs in places where other dogs fight, they might be pulled in and get injured. The situation can degenerate quite fast. What about the other owners? Do they allow this? Does no on ask for the perpetrators to be removed? If that place is not safe for your dog to play without biting/ being provoked into birthing other dogs, I would find a better alternative.

 

[Hector]

Are you talking about trouble at a dog park??

Dog parks are bad places to take your dog. Too many stupid owners making lame excuses for their dog's bad behavior and too many dogs that are out of control and won't listen. Your dogs are young, you don't know if their personalities will change or not. Usually around 18 months is when you see a huge change. Train your dog 1 on 1. Learn how to engage your dog. Use a reward system to teach skills. Focus on basic commands. Your goal is to have a dog that listens to you under all sorts of distractions.

 

[AnnNiran]

By yard I mean a park in my neighborhood, where a few people take our dogs to play together. The bad behavior is present in some of the dogs, even though most of them are under 1 year - yes, their owners allow this, claiming always that the other dog is aggressive, or feeling proud of how strong and dominant it is.

Last week I was even in a situation where a 9 month male shepherd attacked Vito and when I grabbed my both dogs for their collars, the other dog was intentionally left to continue bite them by the owner!!! She claimed that Vito was the reason for the fight, and when her dog fights - she always claims the other one is guilty.

The same situation is on another park for dogs - a lot of young puppies, but let to dominate, bite, and turning the play easily into a fight by their owners.
According to the law here, I don't have the right to take off the leashes outside such a park, so my thoughts are to walk them on leash and to take them to these parks when there is no other dog around.

 

[Hector]

Stop going to the park. It is not beneficial to your dogs or you. If you are concerned about exercising your dogs, look into a flirt pole, biking, swimming, backpacks. Play games with your dogs. Do long distance recall. Take them out on a long leash like 15-30 feet long. Find people that have well behaved dogs that your dogs may be able to play with and train with. Maybe find someone with a huge fenced in area and see if they will let you use it. Start thinking and researching what you and your dog can do together.

 

[BlackShadowCaneCorso]

This is crazy! Do not allow your dogs to play in situations like this before we see a situation on the news! Those owners have no clue about dogs and correct behaviour, they are lazy and relying on these types of parks to burn the excess energy from their animals. UNACCEPTABLE and someone is going to get hurt, especially if they try and break up a dog fight. You have two male dogs and it sounds like one it starting to find his temperament, if this continues and you aren't careful it could be your other dog getting the short end of the stick. Walk your dogs and work with them on obedience, dogs do not need to have social parties like people they are content with their pack and people.

 

[glen]

I would steer away from any park or area that allows such bad behaviour, like blacks had own says someone could get seriously hurt....either do some serious reading or get advice on what to do with your boys also, you've got 2 male dogs at the same hormone testing stages and you need to pick up on signs when and how to stop and challenge the behaviour you will have between them also, I've got 3 intact males in can be done but it needs work and they need plenty of training and exercise and they need to know your in charge, being around bad behaved dogs at the park will promote bad behaviour in your boys.

 

[I3rendanG]

You have a mastiff. Regardless of who started the fight at the park. Yours is always to blame.

The same rules don't apply to us. Going to a park with unbalanced dogs (and unbalanced owners) never pays out well for owners of molossers or bully breeds.

Don't set your dogs up for failure.

In the meantime. You have two intact male dogs undergoing adolescence. Be patient and consistent.

Adhere to the advice given in the thread. Intact males require extra guidance.


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[I3rendanG]

Adhere to the advice given in the thread. Intact males require extra guidance. As for the older male "protecting" the younger male - this may be true, but it could also be a sign of possessiveness or rank driven behavior. You're the pack leader. You protect the pack. Some would argue that responsibility relies with you, not the dog.

And as for the interpack dominance testing - where the bigger one is starting to retaliate to the younger ones testing - keep an eye on that and prevent escalation.

They are feeling themselves. Trying to get the lay of the land. Conflict seems inevitable. So remove any triggers and be swift with the corrections.


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[DennasMom]

I'd avoid that park if there were other dogs there, too. Those sound like people I would not want to be around - and unfortunately, dogs often resemble their owner's personalities.

I'd stay with on-leash walks for daily exercise, and, as you mentioned, only visit the park when it's free of the aggressive dogs.

Since you have two dogs, I'd say it's 3x as hard to visit an off-leash area. Not only do you have to keep track of both of them, and intervene when necessary (no matter who's at fault) - but they might gang up together against other dogs, feeling a need to defend each other (and defend you), which makes it much more stressful for everyone (especially for our protective/guardian breeds).

I like to teach my dogs how to walk away from bully behavior and shake off bad experiences... but in many cases that means we leave the area completely and don't go back. Bullies never acknowledge it could be them causing the problem...

We find lots of other fun things to do instead - we hike in the hills and explore new places without strange dogs around. We enjoy happier adventures that way, for all of us.

 

[AnnNiran]

Thank you all for your comments!
The boys haven't been in contact with other dogs during the last two weeks - I can tell they are calmer than before.

Thanks again!