Anybody live with multiple Pits?

[Kim ~Thebomb~]

I have a male, he is 8 years old, I have owned him since his birth. I also have a female, she is 3, also owned since her birth. I brought home another male about 7 months ago, he is just about 9 months old. When I first brought the puppy home, all the dogs got along fine. My adult male mostly stayed away from the puppy, but showed no signs of aggression. Then one day my male growled and attacked the puppy, the puppy was sitting right beside me and I was able to separate them quickly. Due to some other close calls, growling and attempts to dominate the puppy, I keep the two completely separated. Is it possible to train my adult male to live peacefully with the male puppy? I have already gave him up once, but in following up on the new owner learned she lived in an apartment and in checking on her, I saw that she left for work and didn't even take the pup outside to go poddy before she left, so I got him back before the probationary period was over. Am I being unrealistic to think that these two males can live in the same home?

Recently

[WOLFSENT]

First off, is your adult male fixed? Because now that the pup is getting a bit older, the adult male is letting him know really quick who runs the roost. What most people don't see is the body language that dogs are giving each other. It can be as sly as a quick look and the challenge is on. I had wolves as my best friends for more than 20 years, and believe me, I learned how to speak canine very well.

[Kim ~Thebomb~]

Sounds like you know about pack structure. If I make it clear that I am the pack leader, not either of the males, will that fix the problem? The adult male is not fixed. I have been told by several people that since he is so old it will not help that much if any to have him fixed for an aggression problem. The hormones are already in his body. A dog should be fixed before he actually starts to produce the hormones, or very shortly after if you want the male to become max size. I was considering having him fixed as I believe he may on occasion be having prostate problems (enlargement). I am planning to have the puppy fixed. It was suggested I wait about another month.
I know my dogs body language very well. He will lower his head a little, a lifted lip sometimes, or a growl. I do not even let him look at the puppy. I tell him that is my puppy.

Thank you for your response

[Melissa]

I think if you try showing them both attenion at the same time and talk to them at they same time telling them they are your good boys and play with bothe with one toy and another toy so each one has his own and try that for a while and try to have them get along that way if it dont work I dont know what eles to tell ya.

[Chris Miller]

Male dogs need to establish who the Alpha male is going to be. It's a natural behavior in hierarchy. My guess is your older male is trying to let your puppy know that he is the dominant one (Alpha male) and they pup is not. Females will show the same behavior in establishing who is Alpha Female.

I believe the two can live in the same home provided your older male only wants to establish status. I would suggest observing what you are doing and where the puppy is when he is displaying that type of behavior. Your older dog may very well be jealous and nothing else.

[keari elizabeth hood]

Are any of your dogs spayed/nuetered? According to Ceasar Millan, if you're going to have more than one pit in the home, they have to be spayed in order to alleviate their natural aggression. Especially if you have a female in the same home. The older male will naturally be aggressive in order to claim his rights to mate.

[Cheryl aka Purr]

Kim I would recommend neutering your adult male now, as others have said the hormones are there, and yes take time to dissipate, but thats not to say they will be there forever. The pups 9 months old, old enough to neuter as well. He is entering the teen stage, feeling his oats. How about the female? If she has not been spayed, they can both pick up when shes in heat, and see the other as competition. I beleive that is true of all breeds, not just pits.
I would definately keep them separated while working on training before and after they are all altered.
How has the adult male been with other dogs when you walk them? If the answer is you dont know, you never walk them, I would start there walking and training, to meet their energy need along with knowing your boss.
I am sure you will get answers from others that specialize in this beautiful breed.

[Melissa Nunez]

I have an all white male that we have had since he was born, a female that we have had since she was 8 weeks, she is going to be 18 months, and we just got a blue pit a couple of weeks ago that is now 9 weeks old. Our boy Ghost is 7 years old, not fixed, and when Chaos is with Ghost, which is all the time, we let Ghost know to be nice to the baby and encourage him to play with the baby. We do the same with Lexi. Chaos will jump in her kennel while shes eating and start to eat with her. Again, we encourage her to be nice and play with the baby. So Ghost and Lexi know that Chaos is a baby and doesn't mean any harm. It always worked with us, but not every dog is the same. Maybe it will help you by playing together with them together and showing the oldest one that the pup is there to be his friend, not take his place.

[Mallory Bilderback]

I have 2 females and recently just got one male.....due to 2 bad fights the females have to be seperated at all times =o( it is a pain but has to be done.

[Kristen Bonner]

The pack order is important. We have 2 males. Gef is 6 years old and not fixed and Johnnie is about a year and neutered. We give Gef extra priveledges over Johnnie so they know Gef is higher in the pecking order. For example, Gef stays out when we are not home and Johnnie goes in his crate. We make Gef go through the door in front of Johnnie to go outside, come in, get in the car, etc.

For the first month, Johnnie wanted at our cat badly. To break him, we would leash Johnnie to our bed and let the cat walk around. Whenever Johnnie stood up or tried to lunge at the cat, we would tell him to "be nice," sit down, and calm down. Eventually we were able to let Johnnie off the leash and whenever the cat came close, told him to "be nice" and sit down. Now they are buds.

Our dogs get along well now too. They sleep and play together. We still have problems if they have bones. Johnnie thinks they should all be his and tries to take Gef's. Gef will snarl to stand his ground. We just yell and they stop. We seperate Johnnie so he knows he was wrong to challenge the Alpha dog.

Hope some of these ideas can help your house live in harmony!

[Strega]

I realize this post is a little old, but the one thing I can say, from much experience with pit bulls and aggressive dogs in general, have both males fixed. It may or may not help a lot with the older male, but NOT doing it you are just asking for trouble- and you WILL get it, no doubt.

[Helene Goldberger]

Pitbulls and other breeds do not always do so well in same gender households. I assume your adult is neutered? If not, that should be a priority for all your dogs. You are good to rescue the puppy but it will become an adult and then you may have your hands full. I strongly suggest that while the puppy is still young that you look to a responsible rescue to place him. Much easier to place a puppy then an adult. Two pitbulls is a lot of work - be content with your two originals that live compatibly. If that is not an option, seek out a respected positive trainer who can help you but chances are you will always have to highly "manage" your household by separating dogs, etc. Not particularly fun way to live.