We have owned labs for years. They are amazingly wonderful pets. Several months ago, DD3 brought a puppy into the fold- a Catahoula/pit mix. I am very leery of pits and their tendency for aggression.
Our labs and the pup have been just fine together until last weekend, when for some reason- we think one was playing and the other was protecting the hub to begin with, the older male lab (10) and the pup got into a fight- ending with staples and antibiotics. Then, they were fine again. Playing and enjoying each other.
Today, the pup went to play with the hub and the lab took it as a threat and they went at it again...only this time, in his effort to break the fight up, the hub ended up at urgent care with two nasty bites needing 3 and 7 stitches. He will also have to take 7 days off work- which is unpaid. :/ All together, that's about $2500 in bills and lost wages. OUCH.
Darn dogs. So now we have to make a decision about the pup. We definitely don't want this aggressiveness with grandbabies around- and its clear that these two don't share well when the hubs around.
Thankfully the dogs are ok this time. DD3 was also bit, but it didn't break the skin- is just gonna leave a nasty bruise.
Again, darn dogs.
Expensive dog fights
September 14th, 2015 at 12:45 am
September 14th, 2015 at 03:41 am 1442202095
Out of curiosity, does your homeowner's insurance cover your dogs? Ours would not cover a pit, Rottweiler or Doberman. I've only had good experiences with Rottweilers, but that's what our homeowner's policy stipulates.
September 14th, 2015 at 03:55 am 1442202920
September 14th, 2015 at 11:40 am 1442230859
I hope your DH and DD recover quickly. {{{hugs}}}
September 14th, 2015 at 12:06 pm 1442232372
September 14th, 2015 at 02:28 pm 1442240894
Sometimes pets need a long time to adjust to a new pet in the home, but if you think they will never get along, put the pup up for adoption while he's still young. It's much easier for a pit mix puppy to get into a loving home than an adult pit mix.
September 14th, 2015 at 07:15 pm 1442258104
I am a pit mommy... I currently have two pit mixes who are amazing. But I do know that dogs are animals... and sometimes stuff happens. I hope you are able to make a decision that's best for everyone involved. I am so sorry you have to deal with medical/vet fees!!
September 14th, 2015 at 10:52 pm 1442271145
Because we loved them both, we kept them seperated the rest of their lives, even making two trips to move them to Ga. seperate. They were never together again and that made things tough! I will be thinking of you.
September 15th, 2015 at 12:56 am 1442278571
The hubs hand is SWOLLEN tonight- but is on the mend. The dogs were extremely docile today. I think they are both hurting a little too.
Getting rid of the younger dog isn't a viable option right now- it is DD3s 'baby' and she is pretty attached to him. Of course she feels bad about everything, as we all do...
Thankfully, we have two big separate pens as well as a dog run. The pens are each about 60X60- so plenty of room. The younger dog will be by himself and the two older labs will share a pen as they always have. It just means the younger one, who is very social, will be lonely- but better lonely that rehomed for DD3.
Whatever the cause, it cant happen again and this is the best solution right now.
Again, thank you for all the concern and the advice. I appreciate all of you!