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Greg & Amy McLogan | Cape Coral, FL | 239-945-4583
ON
THE BRINK OF DISASTER Some of you who are about to read this may know me. Others may know of me from my stories of happy, healthy life with the DoberBoys. Those who said "just wait, it will happen", I thank you for trying to help me see the light. Those who maintained faith and said that it could be dealt with, I thank you for your faith and optimism in me. And, if you have absolutely no idea who I am, then just keep on reading! It all started in January 1996 when I brought home a darling little red show male with a nice pedigree. According to the breeder, FLEX was going to be a stunning dog, and he was as close to a spitting image of her JORDAN as she had ever come. Well, that was all I needed to hear. Jordan had been the apple of my eye since November 1994 when I first saw him, and I had wanted a red boy from that time. I already had one male in my house, and as a novice, did not think of nor was I warned of any complications that may arise from having a second one. When FLEX was about 15 weeks old, I took him to see Carolyn Irvine (Royolyn Dobermans) for some corrective ear taping. She lectured me about having two males, and warned that one day my two boys, no matter how friendly they were as young dogs, would develop a deep hatred for each other. She encouraged me to place one of the boys immediately. Carolyn warned me that she had seen many other dog owners go down my path before, and that none of them had been able to live happily ever after with two males. I laughed at her, and said she just didn't understand: Oakley and Flex loved each other and played for hours on end. She didn't take to my story though any more than I took to hers. Time passed and the boys still were getting along a year later. Each show I went to, Carolyn would ask how things were. I would state quite proudly that they were fine. I was very proud that I had two *intact* males living together happily, and I really didn't foresee any problems developing. I was making this work! In April 1997 on a trip to visit my mom, things started to heat up between Oakley and Flex. Thankfully, I had a friend with me. Driving in my vehicle with both boys seat-belted in the back seat of the Honda Civic, we left Calgary. Not 10 minutes from the house, the boys began to snarl and growl at each other for infringing on the other's space. It was a crowded little car, and neither dog really had adequate space. We had to pull over in rush hour traffic, correct the dogs and start out again. What was normally a two hour drive turned into four. We had to stop every 20 or 30 minutes to let the boys cool off. They would be fine as soon as we took them out of the vehicle, but loading them back up always brought new sparks. With my friend driving, we finally resorted to seat belting Flex in the back seat and having Oakley sleep on the floor of my front seat. Although more cramped for Oakley, this was always one of his favorite places to travel. We arrived at my mom's house, and the boys were fine. They were romping and playing together much like they did before the trip. I attributed the incidents to lack of proper space. On a walk in the woods that weekend, Oakley lunged for Flex, challenging him for a deer leg bone that Flex had found on his journey. Flex was on leash and I managed to hold him back while my friend grabbed Oakley and pulled him away. This was not before Flex could bear the brunt of a wound to his side. We walked the remainder of the hike with both dogs on leash and me fuming at Oakley. The boys didn't look at each other and neither seemed to challenge the other, but we kept them on leash just to be safe. We got back to Calgary and kept the boys separated by baby gates for a couple of weeks. They were beginning to get more frustrated with each other, but the tempers only rose when they were close enough to touch. Baby gates were safe enough separation for the time being. I worked with the two males every day, trying to get them back to being friends. It was hard work, and it took many long hours of obedience and attention training, but I did it. I got them to the point where they could run off leash together and play with each other in a civilized manner. At the slightest sign of dominance or aggression, I would give a "watch" command, and the boys would seemingly freeze and focus on me. It was almost hypnotic what great attention they developed. Enter one pretty little Dobergirl named Passion. The situation suddenly became complicated again. The boys lasted about three weeks until the challenges started again. Luckily, I was always close by when tempers flared. The day that I made the decision to permanently separate Oakley and Flex came none to soon. The boys were playing in the living room when one of them got a little upset at the other. I grabbed Flex and my friend grabbed Oakley, (both dogs trembling in anger at not being able to get at the other one) and they have since been separated. I am thankful that I made the decision to separate the boys before they really began to fight. Now, they live totally separate lives. It is only on a very rare occasion that I will even travel to a show or a friend's home with both boys. At the mere sight, sound, or scent of the other male, Oakley and Flex both go haywire. They will growl and become very angry at the other male. Their kennels are in different rooms, they have separate dog runs outside and even separate doors to enter and exit the house. Oakley has his own bedroom in our house, and Flex and Passion have their kennels in another room. All dogs get plenty of outdoor time and free time in the house, but we are *very* cautious. If one male is loose, the other is in his kennel, and the door to that room is closed. Our house rules are that no visitors ever alter the location of one of our males. Even trusted friends, family and fellow breeders are not to move a dog. I am the only person in the house that handles the boys to move them from room to room, to outside or to their kennels. I always double check that one male is in his kennel before I move the other one. I have not had an accident since implementing this strategy. If I continue to be over cautious, I believe that each of dog will live a long, happy, healthy life. Not a day goes by, however, when I don't worry that maybe, just maybe I have made a mistake and let both of the boys out. I would prefer to be without that worry and the stress of having to double check every kennel and door, but for now this is how it has to be. I have contemplated placing one of the boys (which would obviously be the easiest thing to do for safety sake), but at this time it is not possible! Now as a breeder, I can say from experience, that I would neither sell two males into the same house nor sell a second male into a house where there was already a male living. That is a tough thing to say for me, as had I not been allowed to have FLEX, I would be without a very special dog. Having been through some stressful times and incidents with two boys, I think it is easier on an owner and breeder to do without the wonder and anguish of what may happen next.
Updated June 14, 1999 In May of 1999, while at a dog show I met 2 wonderful people in Medicine Hat, AB. They had previously owned Dobermans and were looking for a new dog to adopt. They had considered a new puppy, but preferred an older dog who had some semblance of training. I liked them instantly and considered the option of offering Oakley to them. I thought about it a little and then proposed this to them. Things at home were simply becoming too stressful. I walked on eggshells wondering if everything was closed up properly. I hated having to have one of the boys behind a closed door for half of the day. Dobermans are people dogs who thrive on attention and interaction with their owners. I knew it was not right to continue to have the boys live like they were. I dreaded the thought of them becoming old dogs, living like they were. It was not fair. It was such a hard decision to make, yet so simple. I knew one of the boys had to go to a new home for his prosperity and longevity.
It has only been a short while, but already I am seeing noticeable changes in Flex. He is a snuggly dog now, not the reserved, aloof character he used to be. He is coming out of his shell and really filling the space that Oakley used to fill. I do talk to Rochelle and Jarrod often and see how Oakley is doing. He does appear to be adjusting very well to his new family. I am very happy that I found him such a wonderful home. Had I not, the boys would have lived a life of separation (from each other, and from me). This was truly the hardest decision I have had to make since owning Dobermans. Placing a dog who you loved and nurtured from 8 weeks of age is no easy task, especially when that dog has become an integral part of your life and your everyday activities, when he is completely healthy and happy. It was VERY hard. To do it again would kill me. My advice to anyone considering having 2 males, be the dogs intact or not, is quite simple: DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES TRY IT. It may work for a while, but when it stops working, you live on edge and you eventually part with one of your dogs. It is not fair to the dog to change homes, and it is certainly not easy on you as the owner. Please, if you are considering purchasing a second male, do not do it. I am speaking from experience and telling you that it simply does not work. It is not worth the risk.
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On
June 8, 1999 Rochelle and Jarrod Biffart adopted Oakley.
It was so sad for me... I cried tears of sorrow and joy
for Oakley and his new family. I will never forget the look on his
face as I loaded him into Rochelle and Jarrod's vehicle. Oakley
looked so sad, as if to wonder where we were shipping him and why.
I cried the most part of the 2 hour drive home. Deep down I knew
it was best for Oakley and Flex and for me too, but I could not
stop the tears from flowing. Oakley had been a part of my life for
four years, and now I was without him. I knew he could not
possibly understand why I was doing this to him, but I hoped he
would fall deeply in love with his new owners and they with him.