Heat Cycle’s

Reuben, I’m curious how the altercation between the two cycling gyps has altered your opinion on which one to breed to? By that I mean what was the determining factor that made you second guess your decision? Did you not like the one that was your first pick being submissive?

As a kid I had a uncle (a turd that’s now disowned from the family) that always raised bulldogs and taught me the little bit that made me think I knew more about dogs than I really did. He was always big on wanting the most alpha/dominant puppy out of a litter. These dogs weren’t working dogs although they have made pretty decent catch dogs here and there, he just kept them as pets/yard dogs. What I found after messing with them for a few years was that the alpha dogs usually gave me the most problems. In recent years I have started to pay more attention to the slightly more submissive dogs. It seems like they will mind their own business and worry about hunting more instead of trying to dominate the other dogs around them, and are less likely to get in to fights. I have friends that go to both ends of that isle, picking either the baddest meanest puppy of the bunch, or the little runt in the corner. I find myself liking someone that’s sort of in the middle.

I agree with you on YOU being the alpha. I will let young pups (12 weeks and younger) scrap it out with very little intervention because I think that’s necessary for their social behavior and establishing a pecking order to prevent more serious fights as they age. Once they get older, I don’t tolerate any scraps at all and I will give out the pain to both parties equally. I was told years ago that if you only correct the problem starter, then you embolden the weaker dog and make them think they should be winning the fights. I’ve not had a real dog fight on my yard in years, and I think it’s because of the way I break them. I will get very very hard on one for fighting because they only get 1-2 chances before I cull them and be done with it.

Sorry to sort of derail your topic, I was just curious on your thoughts with the breeding decision and behavior correction. As always, good discussions are fun!

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