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I think I might be crazy to even consider this..; Another dog? Picture included.
Topic Started: Apr 6 2010, 04:08 AM (720 Views)
kady05
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Delia
Apr 6 2010, 08:58 AM
As for prey drive, our adopted hound dog has an intense prey drive, particularly for raccoons and cats. Last year he killed 2 raccoons in our back yard, and when we first got him I have no doubt that he would have offed our cat if given the chance. It took a lot of work, but after about 6 weeks he was about 80% reliable around our cat, who also isn't the type to correct. After 3 months he was 90% reliable, and now -- a year and a half later -- they sleep together. Any other cat, however, he still considers fair game, so we have to be alert when walking him b/c there are lots of friendly indoor/outdoor kitties in our neighborhood.
Yeah my two now DO have a prey drive, but they know full well that they better not TOUCH one of the cats! I did have to use an e-collar (which I have NO problem using, they are great tools when in the right hands) on Wilson at one point when that drive kicked in a bit more and he would chase Brody when he would run around. He has been a star since.

Like I said, this dog doesn't seem to have much of a prey drive, but you never know til you put a dog and cat together. I'm working with the Pit Bull group now to see if someone can pull some strings and let me foster him to see how it goes. We shall see!
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OpticalIllusion
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Kady, you probably know more about pit bulls and training them then 99% of us on here. As long as you think you can keep your kitties safe, and you dont mind having three large dogs in your house, then go for it. Worst case, he doesnt work out and you can find him a new home where he is happy.
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kady05
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OpticalIllusion
Apr 6 2010, 09:34 AM
Kady, you probably know more about pit bulls and training them then 99% of us on here. As long as you think you can keep your kitties safe, and you dont mind having three large dogs in your house, then go for it. Worst case, he doesnt work out and you can find him a new home where he is happy.
LOL, thank you. They are actually one of the easiest breeds I've ever worked with.. super smart, catch on quickly.

At least this dog is a lot smaller than the last one I was considering fostering.. he was a Mastiff cross that was about 110lbs. But he was very dominant with other dogs, so no go there!
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Onelanerode
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I think I'd go for it if I had the room/could afford it. :) You already have a plan B if he doesn't work out, and at any rate, any time he spends with you will be more training than he has now, and that is always a good thing. I concur on the neuter immediately if not sooner thing though!

As far as introducing him to the cat, we introduced our dogs to our kitten through a closed door. They could smell her and hear her and get used to that aspect, and we could monitor their level of interest. Winston, the pit mix, wasn't as curious about her as Truman, the hound mix, was, and his level of self-control was much, much better. He's also bottom of the pack and pretty submissive toward people, so he had an easier time learning about appropriate interaction with Elinor.

My hound ended up wearing a basket muzzle for about a month as we gradually introduced him to Elinor. She isn't really one to defend herself violently, but she'll hiss/pop if Truman gets too friendly (which almost always involves nose up her butt). Initially we would let kitty out and keep Truman leashed and muzzled with us or crated (crating actually worked better at first, because he could see her and watch her and sniff her through the crate, but his crate was his happy place, so I think in many ways it was the best way for him to get used to her). When he was leashed he had to be in a down/stay, and good behavior/calm interaction was praised highly. We also worked on doing basic commands while kitty was being crazy as a way of reiterating that Truman still needed to listen even when distracted.

I think his deal with her was intense curiosity and poor self-control ... he wanted to interact with her SO MUCH and couldn't figure out how to do so more calmly, so we didn't let him interact with her if he was being a crackhead. After a while, he got more accustomed to her antics, and it wasn't as exciting when she did a butt scooty through the house. ;)

Now, most of the time they're lying together on the front carpet in the sun, or she's batting at his tail, or he's trotting after her as she gallops around the house, etc. They play frequently, which is fun to watch. I don't leave them alone in a confined space, like on the screened porch, though. Neither dog has been aggressive toward her, even when she sidles up to them as they're eating (yes, I do chase her away), but still ... not going there.

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kady05
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I actually just found out that Jake was pulled from animal control by a rescue last night right after I left! So, I emailed the rescue that we're pretty sure pulled him to see if they do indeed have him. At least now I can find out if he's ok with cats (since all independent rescues cat and dog test) and all of that. I will update with any new info. :)
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Witchy
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vxf111
Apr 6 2010, 05:27 AM
Didn't you have a little bit of an issue introducing a dog before? I find there's a delicate balance in houses with multiple pets. Hate to be a downer but I would think you really run the risk of tipping the balance/causing problems if you add another adult dog. It's been my experience that 2 dogs is one thing but 3 really becomes problematic/difficult/expensive/a balancing act. Especially with the boyfriend's allergies and the cats in the box. Sorry to be the naysayer but you have a good thing going right now. I wouldn't risk changing that.
You are right on. Two is great, three kind of stinks. Tons of them are fine. When you have three, one always gets left out of the fun or gets picked on. I've done the three dogs thing a bunch of times and it never worked out as well as the two.
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Boston
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Firstly, he is absolutely gorgeous, I love him. Secondly, I think you should go for it (are you surprised?). Fostering would be a great way to go about it, I think. That way if it's not working out it's not going to be a huge deal.

Soooo... if you're looking for someone to talk you out of it... it aint me!!!! :teehee:
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kady05
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Boston
Apr 6 2010, 02:31 PM
Firstly, he is absolutely gorgeous, I love him. Secondly, I think you should go for it (are you surprised?). Fostering would be a great way to go about it, I think. That way if it's not working out it's not going to be a huge deal.

Soooo... if you're looking for someone to talk you out of it... it aint me!!!! :teehee:
LOL, from you? No I am not surprised ;)

I contacted the rescue, they do have him, so he is safe :clap: He's being evaluated now and already has an application! I'm a firm believer in what's meant to be will happen, so I told them that if this application falls through, to contact me. I hope he gets a great home though, he is such a sweet dog.

I'm going out to lunch tomorrow with the a friend, and the adoptions manager at one of our other shelters who apparently has a 5 month old pup that needs a foster home. My friend volunteered me (she knows I'm a sucker for a Pit Bull pup) LOL. So keep checking back, there could possibly be puppy pictures on this thread soon!
Edited by kady05, Apr 6 2010, 02:39 PM.
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SadiesMom
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Late to the party, and of course, I would say definitely get him, but now he might have found another home. Hopefully, he will have a wonderful home and you can help save another one, Kady. You are one of my heroes and as far as bully breeds and training them goes, you are top-notch. So, of course, you could try 3 dogs. I haven't been on TOC for a while, but I see you on FB alot and watch your videos and there is no question in my mind that you will do what is bets for all of the dogs concerned. I introduced Sadie (GSD) and Bindi the Bunny through the kennel at first and now Loki the cat and Sadie just consider Bindi another member of the family. Good luck and keep us updated!

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kady05
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SadiesMom
Apr 6 2010, 05:22 PM
Late to the party, and of course, I would say definitely get him, but now he might have found another home. Hopefully, he will have a wonderful home and you can help save another one, Kady. You are one of my heroes and as far as bully breeds and training them goes, you are top-notch. So, of course, you could try 3 dogs. I haven't been on TOC for a while, but I see you on FB alot and watch your videos and there is no question in my mind that you will do what is bets for all of the dogs concerned. I introduced Sadie (GSD) and Bindi the Bunny through the kennel at first and now Loki the cat and Sadie just consider Bindi another member of the family. Good luck and keep us updated!

Aww thank you! Really, I'm just a girl who enjoys training dogs (ok, REALLY enjoys it) :yes: I'll have to post a video of Wilson's newest tricks soon.. he's doing play dead now when I make a gun out of my hand and say "Bang!", it's rather funny :teehee:
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SadiesMom
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Sadie does that one - "Bang, bang"! I have figured out that I cannot train her with food - she goes bonkers for hot dogs. I'll say "bang, bang" and she sits, then down, then plays dead and then rolls completely over (another trick she knows), all in about 2 seconds - "Just give me the hot dog, pleeeeeze". So I just train her with praise and hugs. She stays a lot calmer and can focus on what I'm trying to teach her and not the food. Can't wait to see Wilson "playing dead".

It always amazes me how quickly dogs pick up things - especially when you compare it to training horses :innocent:
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incentive
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Kady, I'm constantly amazed by your big heart.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think fostering is a great idea. :rose:
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Fish Cheeks
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Late to the party, but just wanted to say I have three dogs and for me that is a good number. When we had Barley, Kenya, and Pico, everyone got along just fine - Barley and Kenya had been together for many many years before we got Pico. None of them really loved other dogs - they were more interested in us - and we never had any problems. Barley and Kenya passed on and so Pico was solo dog for a while (which I'm sure he loved!) and now we have the two Puppy-Uppies in addition to Pico. It is great because Pico is very bonded with us and the puppies have each other to play with so they don't bother him much. When Pico goes (he has lymphoma), we will likely NOT get any more dogs, as two active puppies are a lot for Mr. Fishy to deal with when he's working from home all day.

On the dog-chasing-cat front, it took my Weim (who is gone now) FOUR YEARS to not go nutso for one of the cats. We were able to keep them separated in the house during the day and at night the cats got to roam freely. But after four years, they finally got it settled and everyone got along just fine.

I'm glad to hear the pupper got picked up by the rescue! It sounds like fostering is in your future, though! ;)
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AstonMartin
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Kady,

Can you send me your facebook link? I'd love to see Mr Wilson's tricks! You can PM me if that is easier! haha.

I was going to say get him if you have the time / money / patience to train. But if he has another potential family, maybe this opens you up to another fostering type situation. Good on you for having such a big heart for these gorgeous puppies
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kady05
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AstonMartin
Apr 6 2010, 08:22 PM
Kady,

Can you send me your facebook link? I'd love to see Mr Wilson's tricks! You can PM me if that is easier! haha.

I was going to say get him if you have the time / money / patience to train. But if he has another potential family, maybe this opens you up to another fostering type situation. Good on you for having such a big heart for these gorgeous puppies
http://www.facebook.com/kady05 anyone here feel free to send me a friend request! Makes it easier for me if you put who you are on here when you send it :)
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