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**Jellowstrom** · 05-07-2011, 09:07 PM

As long as you are both aware of the potential for, and willing to, crate and rotate if they end up not getting along, then by all means go ahead and get another dog. If you KNOW you don't want to live like that, if you KNOW you would feel differently about her (want to get rid of her, or put her down, or get rid of the other dog) if she attacks, hurts, or even kills the other dog, then no. You shouldn't get another dog.

Good post by Gator... I agree completely.

I have 6 dogs of various breeds. We adopted Bella when she was 3-4 months old, and Mollie was 4 yrs old. Slow introduction, but they got along wonderfully and were best friends..... for 2 years. Then slowly, I started noticing how Bella was getting snarky with Mollie. I was always right there and would intervene... but one day, I wasn't as fast as they were. Small scuffle, lasted less than 60 seconds... started watching them more closely, stricter supervision, then another spat less than 60 seconds. Then, they were separated all the time, and Bella no longer was allowed to sleep in the bed. Mollie got dibs on the bed because she had seniority rights

. The last scuffle, I thought Mollie was outside, someone had let her in and I didn't know it. Bella saw her at the exact instant I saw her, but she was faster than I was. That scuffle lasted less than 2 minutes, but Bella ended up having to have a few stitches in her leg, more from the actual fight being broken up (pulling Mollie back when she had a hold on Bella's leg) than the actual scuffle. Now, I triple check to make sure where everyone is before anyone is let out, in or anywhere in between. Crate and rotate has been a part of my life for about 4 years now, Titus (my Lab/Husky mix) is the most dog aggressive dog I have and hates everyone with 4 feet and a tail. The other Lab mix, Zoey, is very submissive, but tends to get "picked on", so she is only allowed out with certain other ones. Cooper, the pit bull I'm fostering, was great with Bella and Zoey, until the neighbor kid came over and tried to reach over the fence to pet them, which caused Cooper to redirect on Zoey, and Bella decided to jump in as well. That scuffle lasted about 2 minutes tops. Now, Cooper and Bella only go outside solo. Titus can go out with Zoey, as can Mollie. Gizzmo can go out with Mollie, Zoey, Bella and Titus. It can be tricky, which is why I never let anyone else take care of my dogs, but once you get the routine down pat, it's as normal as breathing.

Any dog can get into a fight with another dog, it doesn't matter what breed they are. Read up on crate/rotate, invest in a break stick and learn the proper way to use it, and you'll be ok. Just don't be afraid to crate and rotate. Trust me, your dogs can lead a happy, healthy life on the crate/rotate regimen, and it will be a lot less stressful for you, if it comes down to that. Just never leave them unsupervised, like don't put them outside to potty while you run inside to take a shower, vacuum or anything like that. And when you do go outside with them, always have your break stick in hand. Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.

Pit Bull Rescue Central has great break sticks, and instructions on the proper way to use them.

http://www.pbrc.net/breaksticks.html

05-07-2011, 09:07 PM	#15
Jellowstrom Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 564 Senior Member	As long as you are both aware of the potential for, and willing to, crate and rotate if they end up not getting along, then by all means go ahead and get another dog. If you KNOW you don't want to live like that, if you KNOW you would feel differently about her (want to get rid of her, or put her down, or get rid of the other dog) if she attacks, hurts, or even kills the other dog, then no. You shouldn't get another dog. Good post by Gator... I agree completely. I have 6 dogs of various breeds. We adopted Bella when she was 3-4 months old, and Mollie was 4 yrs old. Slow introduction, but they got along wonderfully and were best friends..... for 2 years. Then slowly, I started noticing how Bella was getting snarky with Mollie. I was always right there and would intervene... but one day, I wasn't as fast as they were. Small scuffle, lasted less than 60 seconds... started watching them more closely, stricter supervision, then another spat less than 60 seconds. Then, they were separated all the time, and Bella no longer was allowed to sleep in the bed. Mollie got dibs on the bed because she had seniority rights . The last scuffle, I thought Mollie was outside, someone had let her in and I didn't know it. Bella saw her at the exact instant I saw her, but she was faster than I was. That scuffle lasted less than 2 minutes, but Bella ended up having to have a few stitches in her leg, more from the actual fight being broken up (pulling Mollie back when she had a hold on Bella's leg) than the actual scuffle. Now, I triple check to make sure where everyone is before anyone is let out, in or anywhere in between. Crate and rotate has been a part of my life for about 4 years now, Titus (my Lab/Husky mix) is the most dog aggressive dog I have and hates everyone with 4 feet and a tail. The other Lab mix, Zoey, is very submissive, but tends to get "picked on", so she is only allowed out with certain other ones. Cooper, the pit bull I'm fostering, was great with Bella and Zoey, until the neighbor kid came over and tried to reach over the fence to pet them, which caused Cooper to redirect on Zoey, and Bella decided to jump in as well. That scuffle lasted about 2 minutes tops. Now, Cooper and Bella only go outside solo. Titus can go out with Zoey, as can Mollie. Gizzmo can go out with Mollie, Zoey, Bella and Titus. It can be tricky, which is why I never let anyone else take care of my dogs, but once you get the routine down pat, it's as normal as breathing. Any dog can get into a fight with another dog, it doesn't matter what breed they are. Read up on crate/rotate, invest in a break stick and learn the proper way to use it, and you'll be ok. Just don't be afraid to crate and rotate. Trust me, your dogs can lead a happy, healthy life on the crate/rotate regimen, and it will be a lot less stressful for you, if it comes down to that. Just never leave them unsupervised, like don't put them outside to potty while you run inside to take a shower, vacuum or anything like that. And when you do go outside with them, always have your break stick in hand. Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it. Pit Bull Rescue Central has great break sticks, and instructions on the proper way to use them. http://www.pbrc.net/breaksticks.html
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