Need Opinions (very long - maybe too long)

[Guest Anonymous]

Here is my dilema.

I have an Aussie/ Brittany mix named Cody. I adopted him from a shelter when he was just 6 weeks old (he'll be 3 Oct 17). He is a very serious and intense type of dog. He has had 2 years of agility training (he's quite good) and is very obedient. He is kind of touchy with our two other dogs, and prefers to be near people. He is extremely smart, and even seems to know what we are thinking. He is also an excellent watch dog which is something that just came naturally to him. Cody is the very first dog I have ever owned.

I wanted to purchase a purebreed Australian Shepherd from a reputable breeder. We got Jesse when he was 8 weeks old (pet quality and just turned 2 on Aug 30). My breeder asked several questions about Cody before she decided on which pup would be right for me. She decided that Cody would not do well with a pushy dog or dominant dog, and she recommended a more laid back pup for my situation. Jesse has been wonderful (his only fault? he's a beast on the leash :-? ).

My plan was to purchase another pup from this same breeder for showing in conformation, but my plans were foiled when I heard about this Aussie/Border Collie mix that needed a home (he was in a kill shelter). Well I flew him up from Texas. Now enter Harley. He was a stray and had been in the shelter for 3 months. I was told he was a very adoptable dog and they wanted to delay putting him down for as long as they coould, but his time was running out. He is a young dog, and my vet says he is not over a year old.



Harley is a very pushy dog, and Cody dislikes him very much. Jesse and Harley love each other and play, sleep and run together quite nicely.

Now for the dilema. My breeder has contacted me with the blue merle male (with the right temperament for my situation) that I had been wanting (and was suppose to be dog number 3).

What should I do now that I have 3 neutered males with these types of personalities? Will an intact male cause problems and/or fighting (my breeder says no), would I be better off getting a female, or would I be better off not getting a puppy at this time.

My husband and I both work full time, although he is a fireman so he works a 24 hr shift and has 48 hrs off (quite nice). My 21 yr old son still lives at home while he is in college, and is home usually between 2:00 and 3:30 in the afternoon.

I would welcome any and all opinions 8)

Thanks!!

[usmcbyrd]

thats a good question but unfortunately i cant even begin to answer it. i too am having a problem with a dog of mine being mean to my other. i have my two acds. one female spayed and the other male not spayed. the female is a eighteen months old and the male six months old. when we first got bruiser, the male, we had mckinsey for about three months or so. when bruiser was about four months we left one day for about two hours or so with those two in big room by themselves. when we got back bruiser was tore up. we had to take him to the vets to get 22 staples. then yesterday my wife left for awhile and when she came back there was blood all over the house. so much blood that when i got home there was blood on my back porch and started acting like a cop and marine at the same time. im sure i looked like the swat team in my back yard. anyway, it turns out that all it was is mckinsey bit bruiser in the paw and just got an artery. luckily the little guy didnt bleed to death. i would have been extremely angry. im not sure what to do about mckinsey. i dont know if she is being overly aggressive or just trying to prove a point. anyway this is your post. im sorry i cant help.

[Guest Anonymous]

Oh my, that sounds serious!

Where did McKinsey bite Bruiser the first time when he needed the staples?

When Mckinsey bit Bruiser on the paw, was it just one tooth mark? Hopefully, that was just an accident.

When Harley first came to us he he bit Cody's upper pad on his front paw and he bled too; he also bit Jesse on the ear and drew blood. I think he was just being over exuberant in play since I haven't seen blood since.

The other problem I have with Harley is that he vicisiouly guards his bones and chewies. He has attempted serious dog fights with Cody and Jesse over chewies, it was especially bad when he first came here. I now keep Harley separated from Cody and Jesse when we are not home (Cody & Jesse get the run of the house, while Harley is penned off and only has access to the kitchen and my son's bedroom). I think it is best to have Harley under supervision when the three are together until I know for sure that I can trust him

I have learned to recognize Harley's posture before he "strikes", and now am able to distract him and call him off. I will not allow Harley to get away with that kind of behavior, and maybe he just had to learn the rules of the house. He has settled somewaht since we rescued him this past July. -- It may have also helped that Cody has put him in his place on some of these occasions (and all without blodd letting). :P

Maybe you could try separating the two dogs when you are not home. This will probably give you (and Bruiser) peace of mind (it certainly eases mine!).

There are a couple of wonderful books I purchased that have really helped me alot.

Feeling Outnumbered (forget authors name, sorry)
The Culture Clash by Jean Donalson
Dogs Are From Neptune by Jean Donaldson
Ruff Love by Susan Garrett (although it is impossible for me to follow this whole program)
Calming Signals (and companion video) by Turid Rugass

I'm not sure that you are into reading, but I thought I would share

[Guest Anonymous]

Mei Mei,

I really like your idea about about contacting the breeder to see if the pup can come over for a couple of weekends. That certainly would give me a a better idea of what I am getting myself into :wink:

Thanks for the great advice :D :D !

[usmcbyrd]

mckinsey bit him just above that top pad on the back of his front paw. kind of a weird spot. but yes it was just one tooth mark. i hope this behavior doesnt continue because bruiser is getting to be twice her size and im afraid that one of these times he is going to get sick of her always roughing him up and let her have it. as far as your seperating idea we are currently using it. the problem is we only have two baby gates that seperate the rooms between them. bruiser is very strong for his size and likes to get a running start at them to knock them down. he is a little beast. we will figure something out. i dont want to just shut him in room by himself because he still likes to chew and ruin things. i figure that as long as he can see her he will be a little occupied with figuring a way to get to her. i dont know, if i figure it out i will let you know.