Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

^^Sorry to hear that. We literally just had this happen with a foster my in laws took in. Our American Bulldog (he's 8 now) is very fearful of new dogs and can show aggression towards them, he was attacked multiple times by intact, bigger dogs when he was younger, one of them he did bite back and ended up we paid 50% of the bills for the dog's surgery (bit him in the leg but it was an intact Doberman unsupervised at daycare who mounted Chad and nipped at his ear).

My in laws took in an American/English bulldog mix to foster temporarily while looking for a new home for him about 8 days ago. They have a 5 year Golden Retriever mix who basically goes with the flow for everything, they live approx 5 mins down the road.

The foster was actually impressing me as he was very calm on the walk with our Chad (who was even more impressive, no fear aggression towards him once he "had a purpose" on the walk", never introduce 2 new dogs face to face), and obviously exercise is the first part of balancing your dog. The foster hadn't had much previously, and he was living on a farm alone for first part of his life. With exercise during the week, he was fairly balanced, but obviously any other dog's dynamic can change the situation easily, and at approx 2 years old he is still in his formative years and needing obedience.

We noticed that the foster Bulldog would not be as excited when he got home but does want to play, and play rough with the Golden. He is trying to assert himself as top dog in the pack (which is why he couldn't live with us because Chad does not take well to someone trying to take his position atop the pack, as Chad is the senior dog and alpha male, while I assert myself as pack leader even though he is our only dog), and this morning got a little too rough for comfort with the Golden. My wife is taking him back to boarding now. He will get a home eventually and honestly he is a really good dog, but he needs an active family to drain his excess energy and has a high prey drive so no small animals or cats. And he also needs a committed pack leader to take him and teach him proper obedience.


Sorry about the stitches bro, so your Shepherd bit you? It sounds accidental for sure, but definitely something to figure out. Most aggression problems can be solved with proper balance and exercise and discipline.

At the end of the day these are animals, we try our best to keep them balanced so they do not do things like this, but especially since the dynamic of the pack has changed, so might your Shepherd's anxiety level (most likely her energy level from you being gone all day translated into excitedness which triggered the fight between the 2 dogs). Heal up, and hope all works out in time.

Both dogs are fixed correct?


Tiag I normally agree with you on many things but I wouldn't be shooting my dog in the woods just because I got bit, unless you are Michael Vick.

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

Agreed on the above except for the last statement. You can bring aggressive adult strays and/or dogs with prior abuse and neglect, BUT you have to have the proper calm assertive energy and dedicate yourself to being pack leader and give 100% commitment to an hour or more of daily exercise a day to "fulfill their needs" and to reinforce positive behavior.

Problem is most people don't do the above, they think they are doing a good thing rescuing a dog who was abused but then they just expect them to be over it and never show negative behavior.

Its a lot more than just giving a dog a home. e30, hope all works out with you and yours. Give it some time and hopefully the pack works itself out. I doubt your Shepherd wanted to injure you, they live in the moment, she is probably sitting on your lap licking you now.