VanCamp
You never cease to amaze me. I have hunted behind a few Jagd terriers. Most are to big for natural earths in the states but they are fantastic dogs. Most I have seen have been pretty laid back until the s#!+ hits the fan. Also the very nature and use of terriers has seemed to breed out a lot of threat display. With two terriers, there isn't alot of "I'm badder than you" energy lost. When the switch is hit, the fur flies.

We live with seven dogs, shelties and a GSD in the house. Two are male, and one of those is neutered. Two of the bitches are spayed. (The entire male sheltie and the female GSD are both reasonably high drive dogs.) I really haven't found any problem with increased numbers of dogs as long as they know you're in charge and you deliberately maintain the natural dominance chain. You can really stuff it up if you try to change the pecking order. All but one (the youngest) are obedience trained which helps a lot. When I start working with a different dog to the one normally working, things can get a bit charged but it soon settles down again. I don't break up a fight unless it gets too serious - when I do, it's the underdog I tackle otherwise they'd fight again as soon as they were out of sight. :rolleyes:

Laureen and Tiggy2,
I do that with clothes and SAR gear! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I don't think it would work with dogs, though!

As far as breaking up dog fights, Ed has a good Article on that. When I taught Ob classes, we kept a tupperware with a large beach towel in it that had amonia water in it. When thrown over the dogs heads, fight was over. BE CAREFUL! If the towel is to wet, or the concentration is to strong, it would be rough on dogs eyes.

I've had a multi dog household for many years that presently consist of labs, border collies, shelties, besenjai mix, wirehaired terrier and german shepherd. All are well mannered, obedient and have a firm understanding that I am in charge.

I also use common sense with food (never leave it out for free choice), various groups rotate outside for play to avoid personality clashes, and when all are within the house; the number one rule is no fighting, no rough play within, lay down and chill out with chews and/or play/socialize in a mannerly orderly atmosphere. If a couple of "best buddies" begin to get too physicial with their play within the house; I remind them of the rule(s) and they either obey or are sent to their crates for "time out".

Just as not all people get along 100% of the time..the same is true within a multidog household. The two smallest shelties have a love/hate relationship and will square off everyday making snake faces at the other; yet, they will curl up together in a chair to sleep.

The general personalities and dispositions are compatable within the pack. Since the passing of my old GSD August 01 (who was Alpha) and the untimely passing of my Husky/Shep mix in March 02 (was 2nd in command under the Alpha); the elder Sheltie has assumed Alpha position with the elder Lab as 2nd in command. My GSD pup; now 8 months old is slowly moving up in rank status within her group of buddies (enters first, drinks first, has the choice of chews) but remains submissive and respectful to the elder leaders.

I make it a point to spend individual time and play with each of them so no one feels slighted or ignored.

Multidog households can work by using common sense as to integration (slow is best), breed trait compatability, and a working knowledge of behavior combined with seeking out and learning more.

I don't have to worry about burglers'..you'd have to be a damn fool to try and enter my house without invitation.

Even hubby couldn't convince my dogs that it was okay to come thru the window when he had locked himself out of the house.

One of the problem with Multiple dogs in a household is feeding time. Some people don't feed them in the same area/room. I feed them all together and on command they are all down in front of their bowl and won't eat until released.

I've heard of sqabbles during feeding time, but I don't have any real problems. On rare occassions if I leave the Alpha is in someone else's bowl I'll open the patio door and he immeadiately goes back to his bowl or comes to me if his bowls empty. If the doggy door is open, she will come get me, if he being bossy.

Some dogs have vicous fights dealing with food we don't allow that here. No growling, no back biting
at each other.

I have 3 dogs of my own (GSD/Male/7 mo., Lab/female/2 yrs., RottieLabX/Male/6 yrs)and occassionally 1 foster dog for now. Current foster dog being an 8 month old female malinois.

At feeding time my gang are normally fine-the alpha (rottiex) doesn't generally bother any of the others at feeding time and they know not to venture near his bowl. I feed the foster in a totally separate area.

As far as fighting goes, w/ my 3 I have not had any fighting issues thus far. Both males tend to gang up on my female during play but never turns to anything serious.

I have not fostered since I brought home my gsd pup and was amazed at Oscar's (rottieX) behavior when I brought home the Mal over the weekend. Both Mal and GSD are around the same age and have been playing quite a bit. If the Mal makes any sort of noise during play-Oscar comes running over and get's onto her for it. It's very interesting to watch. Never fear-if he get's out of hand, he is quickly corrected by me. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Goodogu,

You may not have any problems feeding your dogs together and that's cool but it should be mentioned that it's probably not the best idea...especially for newer, less experienced multi-dog owners. I would always recommend feeding seperately. Feeding together can be an invitation for a dog fight. Again, if you have no problems then cool, keep up the good work.

Chuck, thanks for your concern

Again thanks for the advice, but I've raise them from puppies they seem to know the routine. I know that this is one of the most touches of times for dogs. And that if they didn't know me or the rules a fight could happen. But as of yet, in 2 and half years no fight has occurred.

Some times my dogs will play fight this is alot of growling, rolling and pushing down, it sounds quite serious but they are playing because if I say "stop" or throw a ball out, they stop and all of them try to get the stick/ball. The Alpha gets the stick most of the time, but if he is a little slow getting it back to me one of the female may try to take it. The girls usually will bring it right back and hand it to me or drop it at my feet. Sometimes he has to be "outted" off the stick/ball, my hand in on the ball in his mouth.
Never been bitten by him or the girls.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

I have been told by many doberman owners that you cannot keep two doberman males together as they will fight to the death. What they tell me is that it may not happen today, next week, or next year but it WILL happen eventually.

Is there any truth to this or is it just one of these old wives tales?

Gwen