I have a friend who recently adopted a male pit mix from their local shelter and they are not having issues between the new dog and the other house dogs. If you know of any good trainers in Phoenix Arizona area so I could help point her in the right direction it would be greatly appreciated.

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I have sent her the groundwork article from here which she has been working on implementing. Along with how to break up a dog fight, dealing with the dominant dog and the power of training dogs with markers. I have encouraged her to join the forum as well. She is looking for a trainer in her area but wants to find a good one who can help her.

Chad Hunter at Hunter canine in cave creek would be the best in the area I think....

 Quote: Gabrielle Meyer

I have sent her the groundwork article from here which she has been working on implementing. Along with how to break up a dog fight, dealing with the dominant dog and the power of training dogs with markers. I have encouraged her to join the forum as well. She is looking for a trainer in her area but wants to find a good one who can help her.

Good! In addition to referring her to the many resources right here on LB in the form of articles, videos, online courses, etc., I was also going to suggest that your friend consider joining this forum and asking specific questions. We have a number of members with experience in multi-dog households, adopted dogs, etc.

Likely this poor dog ended up in shelter because of its behavior. Without modification, it may end up returned.
Have her join the Forum. SO many wise folks here, so much experience.

More people need to know that bringing a new dog into a house with an established dog need to do it gradually and NOT at the home of the established dog.

That in itself can create a "This is MY house" issue with the existing dog(s).

A bit more info on the temperaments of all the different dogs in the house could help.

What manner of control do the new owners have over the existing dogs?

Having a "pack" of dogs ABSOLUTELY requires a leader of the pack so to speak and that should never be any of the dogs.

Some dogs, of any breed or mix, can be genetically wired to be dog aggressive but there are many Pits that absolutely adore their canine house companions.

The VAST majority of our dog's problems are OUR lack of understanding dog behavior.

I'm not familiar with your area but I would put my money on someone Kelly suggests......and the folks at this forum of course.

I do keep pushing her to join the forum to get more specific help with her pack.

From what I understand the pit mix that she adopted was returned twice before she adopted him. He has dominant issues along with be food/toy aggressive with other dogs.

There are four house dogs to include the new pit mix. The biggest issues have been between the male pit and the female husky mix who also is now showing dominant behaviors. The other two house dogs are mutts, very laid back and don't really have any rank drive.

She has come to realize how lucky she was in not having any issues before now with the three dogs she had previously. As she just was able to bring them into the home without an introduction period or anything.

To quote Bob Scott, "Having a "pack" of dogs ABSOLUTELY requires a leader of the pack so to speak and that should never be any of the dogs."

Over the years, I have worked with people of good hearts and wonderful intentions, who have taken in dogs to rescue them from bad environs. Indeed, I would like to count myself among them.

But. It is my philosophy that I am the leader of the pack, though my wife makes sure I am only talking about the dogs.

My rules are not negotiable. I don't like disharmony. So, I do not tolerate it. I don't need a dominant dog in my world, so, I don't tolerate dominant behavior between dogs. I want harmony, so, I nurture it. But the dogs understand that I will act decisively if a situation arises.

Which brings me to a question. Is the person who has four dogs gone one dog too far? It sounds like she may have had a dominant dog and two submissive ones, and she introduced another dominant dog to the group. Did she tolerate the husky's dominant behavior in the past, if there was any? If so, she has two dominant dogs to deal with. A big challenge.

Is she up to the challenge? I know from experience that the harmony of her pack starts with her backbone and willingness to assert decisive leadership.

Good intentions pave some roads. Two dominant dogs in the absence of a decisive leader will not get better, at least that is my direct and personal experience.

And, no matter the training help a person is able to procure, in the absence of the demeanor to lead and act decisively, issues between the dogs will not be effectively resolved. Personally, I do not enjoy living in an explosive atmosphere.

If your friend is up to the challenge, good. If not, she has some soul searching and decisions to make.

I am usually the pessimist in the room.

Two cents.

 Quote: Mike Arnold

To quote Bob Scott, "Having a "pack" of dogs ABSOLUTELY requires a leader of the pack so to speak and that should never be any of the dogs."

Over the years, I have worked with people of good hearts and wonderful intentions, who have taken in dogs to rescue them from bad environs. Indeed, I would like to count myself among them.

But. It is my philosophy that I am the leader of the pack, though my wife makes sure I am only talking about the dogs.

My rules are not negotiable. I don't like disharmony. So, I do not tolerate it. I don't need a dominant dog in my world, so, I don't tolerate dominant behavior between dogs. I want harmony, so, I nurture it. But the dogs understand that I will act decisively if a situation arises.

Which brings me to a question. Is the person who has four dogs gone one dog too far? It sounds like she may have had a dominant dog and two submissive ones, and she introduced another dominant dog to the group. Did she tolerate the husky's dominant behavior in the past, if there was any? If so, she has two dominant dogs to deal with. A big challenge.

Is she up to the challenge? I know from experience that the harmony of her pack starts with her backbone and willingness to assert decisive leadership.

Good intentions pave some roads. Two dominant dogs in the absence of a decisive leader will not get better, at least that is my direct and personal experience.

And, no matter the training help a person is able to procure, in the absence of the demeanor to lead and act decisively, issues between the dogs will not be effectively resolved. Personally, I do not enjoy living in an explosive atmosphere.

If your friend is up to the challenge, good. If not, she has some soul searching and decisions to make.

I am usually the pessimist in the room.

Two cents.

LOL: I like to call it 'REALIST", Mike, and I typically AGREE