I have had 5y/o Staffordshire Terrier, spayed, since she was rescued as pup - loving dog. About year ago I rescued a 2 y/o
Pit mix, neutered- history of abuse & abandonment - don't really know much of his history. He has been very docile & loving, however out of the blue, 2x he attacked my Staffie. He's always "sorry" after and they get along great. He also gets along great with my 2 older neutered cats. Tonight I brought home a rescue puppy - about 6 months old, female. Excited when first introduced, then put 2 adult dogs outside, when brought them in (was only going to bring in 1 but both got in), the 3 y/o neutered pit mix viciously attacked the puppy -- took me and my son both to pry him off puppy -- luckily just minor bites. Now my son says I must put the 3y/o dog down. I am so torn & confused why a normally calm dog would all of a sudden be so vicious - I understand he is affected by over-stimulation, fear, and anxiety... but now I don't know if I can ever trust him with others outside the home. This is very difficult for me.

'About year ago I rescued a 2 y/o Pit mix, neutered- history of abuse & abandonment - don't really know much of his history'

There's your answer - his history is surfacing on occasion. You can't assume that when you introduce a new pet that he is fine just because it all seems OK at first. He doesn't know that the puppy isn't just a small intruder like a rat or weasel and he needs to protect the household. Also puppies tend to be obnoxious, nipping at ears and lips, all around the face, and later the back, trying to be taller and bigger.

All my dogs have been rescues of sorts, and even my sweet docile golden retriever had 3 moments in his long life when he attacked another dog out of the blue. One was a pit bull, who locked onto his neck and punctured it as pits are won't to do.

I don't know what to tell you what to do. You could read books or get training on being alpha dog with this dog, but it's not easy if you don't have a feel for it.

I once read an article when I first started getting into owning pitties that stated that this breed, as lovable as they are, should never be trusted alone with another dog at any given point. At first I thought that was crazy.. It's all in how you raise them, right? WRONG! Pitties are bred to do one thing.. and that is to fight other dogs. It is as much of a natural instinct to them to fight and attack other dogs as it is a hunting dog to hunt small critters. Not every pittie is like this, some are more docile and relaxed and wouldn't hurt a fly. Others are more tenacious.

I don't think this is a case of "Alpha" and "Dominating" over your dog. In fact, I absolutely hate when people suggest that.. Owning a dog is a partnership, not a dictatorship. Some dogs need a heavy hand, others don't.. but it's till a partnership. I think you need to read more on the pittie breed, both the good aspects and the bad aspects, and learn what you have. Understand that pit bull mixes are known to be more aggressive than the purebreds and that maybe if you plan on keeping this dog, know that you cannot bring in any more dogs into your home. I own a purebred American Pit.. and I've brought in many puppies and she just simply doesn't want to put up with them. She will bite them and bully them around.

Pitties and their mixes are, most of the time, not beginner dogs. Even intermediate dog lovers/enthusiasts find this breed to be difficult to handle and deal with due to the dog aggression. There is no such thing as training a dog to NOT be dog aggressive.. you can train them to tolerate other dogs around them, to not lunge and snap and growl... but you cannot train a dog to get along with others. If your dog doesn't like other dogs, you need to recognize it and deal with it and not bring new dogs into your home. It's as simple as that. And if you're one of those who is either a foster mom for a rescue or likes to bring in new dogs into your home, than he should be rehomed or euthanized.

And as for the "abused and negelected" thing.. dogs can survive bad situations and live a carefree life.. Its humans who play the whole, "You were abused so therefore I'll let you do this..." thing.. Treat him like a dog that is being naughty NOW.. don't worry about his past... It's the PAST!

'Treat him like a dog that is being naughty NOW.. don't worry about his past... It's the PAST!'

Lucky, isn't that being alpha, at least in the sense most of us think of alpha - in charge?
Why do you hate the idea of being alpha? So many people are totally wimpy and whiny and conciliatory with their dogs, and the opposite to me falls under some umbrella I call alpha, even when not called upon to act it very often.

I cannot stand when people tell others that they need to "dominate" over their dog or that the dog is Alpha and the people need to become alpha.

The majority of people do not understand this term and think that the dog is going to eat them at night or that they need to go to drastic measures to ensure that they are alpha.

Becoming the pack leader and dominance training are two different things, but most people, even those experienced with dogs, think that it means the same thing.

If you understand anything of how packs work, you would know that to every alpha, there is a beta. Beta has a lot of responsibility and will step up if the alpha is not around. Most people mistaken this as the dog trying to take control.

As far as people allowing their dogs to create mayhem... well, that's 100% on the owner.

*standing up on soap box*

So many people are treating their rescue dogs like they are glass because they are a rescue. And of course, a rescue dog HAD to have been abused in its past life. If the dog is being unruly, not listening, causing an issue.. than correct the problem for what the dog is doing today, and not over the fact the dog was abandoned 2 years ago and was a little hungry. I think rescue dogs are probably the most ill-mannered and neurotic dogs due to the owners treating them like they are going to break.

I also think *Pure opinion* that personalities clash and there really isn't anything anyone can do about it. You can't tell me that a soft-spoken, mousy person is going to be in charge of an overly assertive, semi-aggressive dog. You can hire the most intense trainer out there, and that particular person will not be able to become alpha to that particular dog.

But I do not like using the term "alpha" or "dominance" with a good majority of people. They just don't understand what that means and how to fix it.

I probably overly answered your question.. but that's just how I feel.

I think I get what you are saying about how this isn't a case of being alpha, or dominant, or disciplined, or rigorous about training. A pit bull will exhibit pit bull traits despite all that. (Correct me if I'm paraphrasing wrong.)

But am still not sure what is hateful about the term alpha aside from people throwing it out too much.

(I don't know, maybe this is similar to how I feel about the term closure, which I 'hate' or at least am bothered by greatly. I think it is a simplistic artifice created by psych people to try to wipe out horrible memories, when they are better being acknowledged and incorporated into who you are.)

I don't think you will ever be able to trust the dog again. If it were myself, that dog would have to go, one way or another.

I'd like to know Grady White's background before I address his post. In fact, I have questioned his answer "Good idea. I know what it's like having a dog that is not well. Best of luck with the pup." to a question about an air conditioning unit - https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/heating-air-conditioning/safe-739432.html

I don't entirely agree with the "alpha" post - I've had dogs with a great need to be in charge; I've had dogs that didn't want to be in charge; I've had dogs that didn't care one way or the other. My "puppy" (who is now a year old) is the top dog. Call him alpha, whatever term is least offensive, but he runs the show where my other dog is concerned. It works because my GSD is older and has never really cared. He's not cruel, not mean, doesn't push her around - but he makes all the decisions about going out, coming in and so forth.

In the house I am alpha or in charge or whatever I am.

He's just an "in charge" kind of guy!

I have always had multiple dogs and there has always been a pecking order, sort of. And mine have all been rescues.

But I have never had attacks or fighting, never. Maybe because I watched them and if something was shaping up I stopped it. Maybe it just wasn't on the "things you can get away with" list. I don't know.

And I agree - rules are rules, rescue or not.

I cannot stand when people tell others that they need to "dominate" over their dog or that the dog is Alpha and the people need to become alpha.

The majority of people do not understand this term and think that the dog is going to eat them at night or that they need to go to drastic measures to ensure that they are alpha.

Becoming the pack leader and dominance training are two different things, but most people, even those experienced with dogs, think that it means the same thing.

If you understand anything of how packs work, you would know that to every alpha, there is a beta. Beta has a lot of responsibility and will step up if the alpha is not around. Most people mistaken this as the dog trying to take control.

As far as people allowing their dogs to create mayhem... well, that's 100% on the owner.

*standing up on soap box*

So many people are treating their rescue dogs like they are glass because they are a rescue. And of course, a rescue dog HAD to have been abused in its past life. If the dog is being unruly, not listening, causing an issue.. than correct the problem for what the dog is doing today, and not over the fact the dog was abandoned 2 years ago and was a little hungry. I think rescue dogs are probably the most ill-mannered and neurotic dogs due to the owners treating them like they are going to break.

I also think *Pure opinion* that personalities clash and there really isn't anything anyone can do about it. You can't tell me that a soft-spoken, mousy person is going to be in charge of an overly assertive, semi-aggressive dog. You can hire the most intense trainer out there, and that particular person will not be able to become alpha to that particular dog.

But I do not like using the term "alpha" or "dominance" with a good majority of people. They just don't understand what that means and how to fix it.

I probably overly answered your question.. but that's just how I feel.

All great information Lucky. It should be a 'sticky'