Best Way to Ensure A Doggy Love Affair

Gork

So I am on the verge of introducing two potentially aggressive dogs that I would like to get along; my sister's 80lbs boxer and my girlfriend's 50lbs pitbull. Both are not the most well socialized with other dogs (I was not involved with raising either!) and both have had problems with other dogs but both are crazy people attention whores and very sweet. Any tips on making sure they want to be BDFF (best doggy friends forever)? I was considering switching their beds for a week to get them familiar with each other's scent but maybe that would upset them.

Djeet

Sounds like they might be dog-aggressive. You can try the smell thing (switching beds and whatnot), but if they are each dominant and not used to other males (I'm assuming they are both same sex) that probably won't do shit. I would not let them meet without having at least one person for each dog who can pull them away from each other (handler should weigh twice or more than the dog they are handling).

If they start going at it, do NOT put your hands in between them (you'll get bitten and might lose a finger). Pull them away by grabbing something on them behind their ears (collar, shoulders, hips, back legs, etc). It would be prudent to have them each leashed since then you can pull them back without grabbing them. If you need to get between them put your body between them ad present elbows and knees.

They won't be BDFF until they work out whatever they need to between each other; this can look and sound violent. Your role (for dominant dogs that are not socialized) is to prevent them from doing too much damage to one another in the meantime.

Complicating factor is if people are tense when the meet, they will read off that and be tense as well. So you have to let them meet and not give a shit, but then be ready to jump in and prevent them from trying to kill one another.

Heffling

A couple more tips:

- Take command of the situation. Correct either dog immediately and firmly (but not cruelly). Confidence is huge when dealing with dogs.
- Introduce them in a nuetral area, like a park (prevents territorial tendancies).

DemonStacey

Things to think about:

Due to the fact that they are adults and dogs that naturally lean more towards dogs agression (not that they can't love other dogs, my pittie adores other dogs) and that they already show those signs will make things more difficult.

The older they are and they longer they have been this way the harder it will be to break.

It may never work but patience will be key.

And even if it does eventually work try not to leave them alone together and keep an eye on them when they are together. Old habits die hard and one doggie disagreement over a toy or piece of food could be a big fight.

Creagan

You might find these helpful:
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Basically, if the owners establish themselves as the dominant members of the household, behave as if there is nothing to be afraid of, and then are quick to correct any signs of aggression, you'll have a much easier time getting dogs to accept each other.

Another thing you could try is bathing the dogs at the same time, in view of each other. Then formally introduce them in a neutral environment where neither one has marked before. This will make sure neither one feels a need to defend it's "home turf" and the lack of scents will reduce marking (It worked on my guinea pigs.)

But whatever you do, make sure to familiarize yourself with aggressive-doggy behavior so you know what to look out for ahead of time and are able to separate the two before a fight breaks out.

zepherin

You can also put them both in an abedience class together. Sounds like both of them can use it and the trainer can work with them as a pair so they are familiar with each other, and bonus more obedient dogs. Other tips separate their feeding areas. So one won't deny the other food and water. Crate them at night so they can't be up to no god while you are sleeping.

ThatWingChunGuy

Patience is the key I'm afraid.