[M_Marked]

I'm still doing research for my two strays, mom and daughter (Molly & Maggie) and getting some really good information on this forum! We love these girls and await their spay appointment on Aprl 19. I still don't know how both will interact with my four smaller, neutered males, but I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will work.

When we watch tv at night, all four are usually up on the couch with us. After doing some reading here, I don't know if we will ever be able to incorporate the girls into this routine. Has anyone been successful with a mixed pack socializing in this manner? I want to keep the girls, but I don't want to put the males at risk. I get that I can't leave them together unattended, but I guess I'm looking for some hope that we can have some "normal" time together as a pack.

Also, I've read about the crate & rotate. I understand the purpose, but it seem so anti-socializing to me. Has anyone had luck with a mom & daughter getting along -- or should I expect the worse? Dare I expect a more mellow pair after their spay?

And finally, maybe a "sticky" would work here -- but could someone explain some of the abbreviations used on this forum. Sometimes I can figure it out: PTS=put to sleep; but sometimes I just sit here perplexed at what a particular abbreviation means -- such as "DA," (dominant-aggressive?).

[IvJlNwum]

Sounds like you're taking a lot on. 4 dogs is already a 'pack'. Incorporating 2 more dogs into it may be more than you can handle (not saying you can't, but 6 dogs is a lot for most people). I would also check your local ordinances to make sure you're allowed to have that many animals.
I've never owned that many animals, so I'm not sure how you would necessarily introduce them to the pack and routine, but I WILL say that you need to introduce each animal individually (2 dogs at a time), because if ONE of your males doesn't like ONE of the females, and they're all in the same place, you have a 6 dog brawl that you probably won't be able to break up. Allow them to meet in a neutral place, preferably not nose to nose as that can cause a fight.
Crate-rotate is not anti-social. This breed needs PEOPLE, not other dogs. As long as each dog is allotted proper time with you, I see no problem with it. If it's possible, you may want to look into proper chain set ups if the case arrises.
Regarding abbreviations: PTS= put to sleep, DA= dog aggressive, HA= human aggressive, there are more but those are the most common, and usually linked together like "it's natural for this breed to be DA but any HA animals should be PTS".

[M_Marked]

Sounds like you're taking a lot on. 4 dogs is already a 'pack'. Incorporating 2 more dogs into it may be more than you can handle (not saying you can't, but 6 dogs is a lot for most people). I would also check your local ordinances to make sure you're allowed to have that many animals.

No problem here, located in unincorporated rural part of county where there are no restrictions whatsoever.


I've never owned that many animals, so I'm not sure how you would necessarily introduce them to the pack and routine, but I WILL say that you need to introduce each animal individually (2 dogs at a time), because if ONE of your males doesn't like ONE of the females, and they're all in the same place, you have a 6 dog brawl that you probably won't be able to break up. Allow them to meet in a neutral place, preferably not nose to nose as that can cause a fight.

Yes, as I read about pit bulls in general I've learned that they are aniti-dog dogs, never knew that about them. As I said in my original post, these girls are strays that wandered onto our property, probably a dog-dump, which is common in these parts. They are so sweet, we just adore their disposition. It's my other smaller dogs that we worry about. I would like to give them a home, but I don't know if I'm ready for the risk--six dogs, no problem; two of which that don't like other dogs....problem.


Crate-rotate is not anti-social. This breed needs PEOPLE, not other dogs. As long as each dog is allotted proper time with you, I see no problem with it. If it's possible, you may want to look into proper chain set ups if the case arrises.

Pretty much what we're doing now, the girls are kenneled together (don't know how long that will last, as I'm reading how two same-sex pits won't get along) in a portable 8x8 kennel in the garage, and the boys are inside. My goal is to bring the girls inside and, hopefully, co-exist with the boys. Each group has outside time and time with us. I'm hoping we can get them all together as one.

What are "proper chain set ups," how are they used and under what circumstances?

Regarding abbreviations: PTS= put to sleep, DA= dog aggressive, HA= human aggressive, there are more but those are the most common, and usually linked together like "it's natural for this breed to be DA but any HA animals should be PTS".

Thanks, that clears up a few things from my readings! I guess we haven't determined yet if one or both of the girls are DA, especially since Molly (mother) is currently in heat. However both seem to love humans, us and those encountered during their vet visit. For now, the girls play together, though sometimes roughly, which is why I was asking if anyone has ever had a mom and daughter pit bulls that got along and didn't fight. It would be really, really terrific if I got that lucky with these two! Is there anything I can do to help deter any aggression between the two?

[IvJlNwum]

Keep them from getting into their first fight. Many dogs show DA after they are attacked or get into a fight, even with a dog they've known for years. This means 100% supervision, so separation when unsupervised.
Regarding chain set ups, here are 2 stickies:
Chaining Info - General Dog Discussions
How to make a chain setup - Products Equipment