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Pits and pit mixes do tend to have dog-agressive tendancies...as do most terriers breeds and crosses (though my lab/APBT cross thankfully gets along with other dogs fine). Did you randomly bring home Sonic, or did you introduce him to Lucy first to see if they got along? A lot of problems like this can be prevented by introducing the dogs and observing how they react. However, sometimes problems do develop even when things seem okay at first. How old was lucy when you got Sonic? She was about three, right? i'm not sure if it's the same for mixed breeds, but with the pittie breeds, their true personality doesn't really surface until about 2 or 3 years. A dog that may have been good with other dogs in the past may become a little less friendly towards them. A dog that was fine with cats may chase them once they 'grow up'. Socialization and altering can help to curb that, but it's not 100%

Usually, with breeds that tend to be dog-agressive, they reccomend that any other dog be of the opposite gender. Sonic is male, right? Hrm...it's sad you have to give a dog up. Do you know what may be causing the tension? It might be a problem that can be solved...or if not that, helped. But then again, I like to make sure I've ruled every possible option before getting rid of a dog. But if Lucy is attacking Sonic, it's not as though you have a lot of time...what a tough situation. sad

-Jani

Perhaps try and balance the attention between the dogs. Show Lucy you still love her just as much. Is Sonic a fairly dominant dog too? Maybe try and keep them separated when you can't supervise them. Hrm, i'm not sure what else to suggest.

Perhaps talk to a vet or someone who does obidience classes to see if they have any ideas on if this can be fixed or not.

Aw, I'm sorry. It's a pity the attacks are so frequent, sometimes asking a vet or specialist can make a world of differance. Do you have a good home where she can be the only dog? Ideally, you could find a place where you can still visit her. It's always a pity when dogs don't get along. =( *pats*

Well, if your grandmother is home a lot and is willing to give Lucy the attention she needs, that might work out. Less active dogs are good for older people...just make sure she's willing and knows what she's getting herself into (aka, what Lucy is like) so that she won't have to find another home.

yeah try to get your grandma to take her....cause not only will she make a good friend to her, you wont have to worry about your grandma being home alone, she can have a protector just incase someone trys to get in her house uninvited!

Good luck though, sorry about her not working out for you.....but you can always get a 3rd dog. I know it wouldnt be the same but believe me that it does help!

My mom has a dog that is extremely dog aggressive (Australian kelpie). Unfortunately it's instinctive in many cases and isn't something that can be trained out of them (contrary to what that abusive @$$ the "dog whisperer" might say). With proper introductions Isis, the kelpie can get along with dogs, though she is still somewhat snappish around them after a few days.

It also stresses her out. She feels like she has to protect all her things, dishes and the like, "just in case". She never relaxes. Well, herding dogs rarely relax, but it's more than that.

She doesn't get to go to dog parks, or even on walks without her gentle leader (not even a collar), and taking her on walks stresses OTHER people out, because she might lunge on the leash for dogs across the street or whatnot. Now, she's completely under control because she's on a gentle leader, but the other people don't know that.

Honestly, I don't think it's fair to expose her to other dogs, because it causes her such high anxiety. She's much happier at home or in her backyard without any other dogs and just her people, whom she loves very very much.

She is completely gentle with humans, cats, bunnies, etc. She's just dog aggressive.

I had a dog trainer who had two Siberian huskies. She was a KICK TAIL dog trainer, who used positive methods only, and also did mushing, sledding, and skijoring. Definitely not a novice dog owner. She now works at a huge doggy daycare as well as having her own training business. However, one of her huskies was dog aggressive (common in huskies too; many times even within a working team, if the lines tangle, the dogs will fight, etc.). Because of this her two dogs were never in the same part of the house together.

Sounds extreme, yes, but she just used barriers to give each dog it's own part of the house. They went out either in runs, or took turns in the yard.

Dog aggressiveness is an instinctive behavior, often, and knowing yours is part pit, that might just be the way it has to be for him. He's probably much happier and less stressed as an only dog.

Your first dog feels she must defend her position as the higher member of the pack anytime you give the other dog attention without giving her attention too. make sure if you give attention to the new dog it's in a seperate room where she won't notice.