BigGameHoundsmen.com

Worst fights I've ever seen were at bear trees with too damn many dogs. Most times it happens when a fresh group of dogs is packed in on a chase and the bear pops right up. If that happens you have a recipe for a problem.

Good Ability will cloud judgement, meaning I've seen some exceptional dogs that were bred, that shouldn't be because they could get edgey at a tree. I think this mentality is more prevalent in plott guys than others. I know of one well known dog that was sold because he was owley and the new owner pumped out a bunch of pups because of his ability.

Just some food for thought, most lead dogs I've ever been around have at one time been in a squabble of sorts. It's most likely rare, but it will happen. But I guess when you have a dog for a decade in all sorts of situations, it's bound to break loose at some point. I think some of it is the lead dog mentality while the rest is just a dog being a dog. It's darn tough to pull out all the ancestoral traits of being a canine. Many times it pops up when a potential girlfriend is close by.

ive never seen a fight any where other than in a dog box, and it didnt take long to put an end to it. first time they growl or anything they get their a-- lit up

I've seen several dogs get worse about fighting when they get shocked for it in the box esp. with a cattle prod. Most guys I see who use a cattle prod are scared to reach in there and grab an ear. Gave up the cattle prod 15 yrs. ago. Dogs were eating them and they cured very little. Maybe I wasn't using it right.

works for us, we get them before they even start fighting. i hear a growl and that dog gets it

Great discussion, i have to jump on the band wagon of it's not a particular breed but how the dog is bred. All breeds have fighting ancestors to pass the gene on some more so then others. Besides the bloodline of the dog I think it is all in the handler. it generally starts as a puppy even as early as growling littermates off of the food bowl. My dogs from weening age get handled daily and i don't have any problems. I also think dogs that have a lot of grit will be more likely to get growly with each other but this all stems back to the handler not doing his part while they are pups. I would have to say a dog that is old enough to hunt that is growly or an alligator can thank their handler for allowing them to be that way. For anyone who cares, the way I keep my dogs from getting to this point are as follows: as pups socialize them with other dogs daily, monitor them while feeding out of a community feed pan and let them run free as much as possible. Everytime i handle dogs i have a suitable stick such as a hog bat or riding crop. Anytime a dog growls, snarls, barks at another dog, etc. I use only the force necessary on all parties involved from ages 6-12 weeks is all it takes to make them understand when a dog growls at or tries to instigate a fight/argument they are to back down. When they are the dog growling it is usually a dominance thing and by showing you are the dominant one they tend to quit trying to show any dominance. Just what works for me, I could go on for days on this subject

My favorite thing to hear is I cured tree fighting Or box fighting. Unless you culled that dog he is still a tree fighter he will just wait for you not be around. As many hounds that are out there do you need to have a tree fighter. Even if you stomped him into submission. The greatest tree fighter I know is ME. People find out in a hurry if I show up at a tree and find Your dog beating on my dog. My dog doesn't have to fight he has me to do it for him. His job is to put game up a tree period. If you allow a tree fighter to attack my dog my problem is with you. Never doubt your dogs cull them if you do! I cull for aggressive behavior at a young age. That is about all I cull for at a young age.

it most certainly is a people problem because most people lack the guts to do what needs to be done. but they come in all sizes and colors just like people.

i agree with slow and easy. i've been eating crow for a week now due to dogs and my opinions. needless to say my comments will be any size any color and any breed is capable of most anything good and bad.