Call the shelter. They likely have a behavioralist who can help you with the introduction, and make a recommendation based on what he/she observes.

Good luck OP. I would keep them separated during the day when you are not home just to be safe if the initial meeting goes well.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Since you don't have a full grown man to lay on the one dog, what is the safety plan if it goes badly? Where is the dog now? If one attacks and the other defends, both could be badly hurt and they may attack a person trying to intervene. What is the plan, OP?

Safety plan: When dogs fight, grab their hind legs and pull their legs up and them away from each other.

Op here. Yes, this. Also, a technique known as “whistle and missile” is very good for breaking that focus of a pitbull, or a German shepherd, or any dog on the dangerous breed list.

Yeah, the hind legs thing is not great advice. High likelihood the dog can spin around and bite you. Most trainers recommend choking out the dog. Pits have insane prey drive, so if they're latched on, no little water spray or yelling or butt touch or leg grab works- they're not going to just release. If you can cut off air supply, that's the best way to break up a fight. Godspeed with all of that though; I've had to break up a fight like this before and I would not willingly sign up for it in pretty much any circumstance.

Either your daughter breaks her lease and moves somewhere that allows the dog or you euthanize the dog.

I'm sorry you have to make this choice. But aggressive dogs are not living happy lives.

Depending on how reactive the dog is, we've had luck taking the dogs on a walk together before officially introducing them. This allows them to get used to each other's presence before interacting more directly.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry that you are in the position of risking your own dog's life or fearing estrangement, OP. This was all your EX, putting the kid in this position. If the apt did not have a breed restriction it would still have been a phenominally dangerous idea.

Are you saying he died to stick her with the dog?

If the dog doesnt like dogs that is really normal. Do you like everyone you meet? Aren't you suspicious of those who seem that they do?

There are lots of animals who only want to be the only. People have unrealistic expectations in animals. Dog is 10. Let him live out his life with the dd.
Most of you only deserve plush dogs.

Dogs are pack animals and most of them do not attempt to attack other dogs on sight. This dog is a much bigger problem than a dog who doesn’t want to live with another dog. This dog is a potential threat every single time there’s another dog in its vicinity.

Dogs that are fearful or anxious do! You must have little experience. I meet lots of people who say their dog doesnt like other dogs!

That’s simply not true. Most dogs who don’t like other dogs bark or growl or show their teeth or use other body language to signal “back off!” They don’t bite other dogs unprovoked. That’s crossing the line into aggression. That’s the kind of dog who isn’t rehomable.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry that you are in the position of risking your own dog's life or fearing estrangement, OP. This was all your EX, putting the kid in this position. If the apt did not have a breed restriction it would still have been a phenominally dangerous idea.

Are you saying he died to stick her with the dog?

If the dog doesnt like dogs that is really normal. Do you like everyone you meet? Aren't you suspicious of those who seem that they do?

There are lots of animals who only want to be the only. People have unrealistic expectations in animals. Dog is 10. Let him live out his life with the dd.
Most of you only deserve plush dogs.

Dogs are pack animals and most of them do not attempt to attack other dogs on sight. This dog is a much bigger problem than a dog who doesn’t want to live with another dog. This dog is a potential threat every single time there’s another dog in its vicinity.

Dogs that are fearful or anxious do! You must have little experience. I meet lots of people who say their dog doesnt like other dogs!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Since you don't have a full grown man to lay on the one dog, what is the safety plan if it goes badly? Where is the dog now? If one attacks and the other defends, both could be badly hurt and they may attack a person trying to intervene. What is the plan, OP?

Safety plan: When dogs fight, grab their hind legs and pull their legs up and them away from each other.

Op here. Yes, this. Also, a technique known as “whistle and missile” is very good for breaking that focus of a pitbull, or a German shepherd, or any dog on the dangerous breed list.

Good luck, OP. I hope it works out. Sounds like it could be a stressful way for you to live, but, dog is 10 already. I understand your desire to shield your DD from more pain. That there have not been bites of humans is good to hear.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry that you are in the position of risking your own dog's life or fearing estrangement, OP. This was all your EX, putting the kid in this position. If the apt did not have a breed restriction it would still have been a phenominally dangerous idea.

Are you saying he died to stick her with the dog?

If the dog doesnt like dogs that is really normal. Do you like everyone you meet? Aren't you suspicious of those who seem that they do?

There are lots of animals who only want to be the only. People have unrealistic expectations in animals. Dog is 10. Let him live out his life with the dd.
Most of you only deserve plush dogs.

Dogs are pack animals and most of them do not attempt to attack other dogs on sight. This dog is a much bigger problem than a dog who doesn’t want to live with another dog. This dog is a potential threat every single time there’s another dog in its vicinity.

*Likely* threat, not “potential,” given the dog’s history.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry that you are in the position of risking your own dog's life or fearing estrangement, OP. This was all your EX, putting the kid in this position. If the apt did not have a breed restriction it would still have been a phenominally dangerous idea.

Are you saying he died to stick her with the dog?

If the dog doesnt like dogs that is really normal. Do you like everyone you meet? Aren't you suspicious of those who seem that they do?

There are lots of animals who only want to be the only. People have unrealistic expectations in animals. Dog is 10. Let him live out his life with the dd.
Most of you only deserve plush dogs.

Dogs are pack animals and most of them do not attempt to attack other dogs on sight. This dog is a much bigger problem than a dog who doesn’t want to live with another dog. This dog is a potential threat every single time there’s another dog in its vicinity.

I hope you post back, OP. I'm curious how it goes.

Also, if it goes poorly, here's one more plea to put the dog down yourself. She's owed a peaceful death with family, not however long in a strange scary place. Your DD is old enough to understand that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Since you don't have a full grown man to lay on the one dog, what is the safety plan if it goes badly? Where is the dog now? If one attacks and the other defends, both could be badly hurt and they may attack a person trying to intervene. What is the plan, OP?

Safety plan: When dogs fight, grab their hind legs and pull their legs up and them away from each other.

Op here. Yes, this. Also, a technique known as “whistle and missile” is very good for breaking that focus of a pitbull, or a German shepherd, or any dog on the dangerous breed list.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I’m not going to lie to my daughter and have her dog euthanized behind her back. I’d rather let a dog be unhappy for a week than destroy my relationship with my only child.

We are going to introduce the dogs for a second time tomorrow to see how it goes. If it doesn’t work, I will gently explain that the dog will only think she’s going to sleep, and that will be the end of any stress. Losing her dad is her first major loss in life. I don’t think she will agree to it, but I’ll try again.

Best of luck. You've had almost 100 responses telling you this is a dangerous and poorly thought out idea, helping you get some rational feedback to counterbalance the emotional decision-making. I hope this works out safely for you, the dogs and the community around you. Again, condolences to your daughter.

Well, to be honest, I am less stubborn and have more training tricks up my sleeve than my ex. I’m not dumb enough to do the introduction with a leash and collar, instead of a harness. I can control my dog. If his dog is receptive to the same methods, it shouldn’t be dramatic at all. If it isn’t working, it should be obvious in a few minutes.

My concerns about the dogs being together in a home was primarily when I’m not on guard, or when I’m at work. I am not concerned about a meeting.

Many of the responses here have been overly dramatic, and not reflective of reality. Did you expect those to be compelling?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry that you are in the position of risking your own dog's life or fearing estrangement, OP. This was all your EX, putting the kid in this position. If the apt did not have a breed restriction it would still have been a phenominally dangerous idea.

Are you saying he died to stick her with the dog?

If the dog doesnt like dogs that is really normal. Do you like everyone you meet? Aren't you suspicious of those who seem that they do?

There are lots of animals who only want to be the only. People have unrealistic expectations in animals. Dog is 10. Let him live out his life with the dd.
Most of you only deserve plush dogs.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I’m not going to lie to my daughter and have her dog euthanized behind her back. I’d rather let a dog be unhappy for a week than destroy my relationship with my only child.

We are going to introduce the dogs for a second time tomorrow to see how it goes. If it doesn’t work, I will gently explain that the dog will only think she’s going to sleep, and that will be the end of any stress. Losing her dad is her first major loss in life. I don’t think she will agree to it, but I’ll try again.

Best of luck. You've had almost 100 responses telling you this is a dangerous and poorly thought out idea, helping you get some rational feedback to counterbalance the emotional decision-making. I hope this works out safely for you, the dogs and the community around you. Again, condolences to your daughter.

DP. The Pets Forum is one of the craziest forums in DCUM and is pretty strongly anti-pet. I wouldn't call this a place for rational feedback or a good place for advice.