Kennel Rotation – One Year Later
Kennel Rotation – One Year Later
Some of you reading this may have read my previous article about kennel rotation. I’ve still been doing kennel rotation – one year later. My two female dogs don’t get along, so this is the only way they can live together in harmony. It’s made for a stress-free environment, along with a more harmonious relationship between them. Over the course of the year, I’ve heard a lot of comments from others as to why I keep my dogs separate. Some people have even gone so far as to recommend that I re home one dog versus simply rotating them.
Kennel rotation isn’t hard thought, it’s simply a new routine that we had to get accustomed to. Once we did it for a little while though, it started to come naturally to time them. I try to make it fair for each and ensure that each dog gets equal time out of their kennels. So, many of you might be wondering, “Why does she rotate them? Isn’t that hard on you?”
There are so many reasons, but mainly one reason.
Why Do Some Dogs Act More Feisty?
I have two female dogs who are the same breed and same size. Many dogs, even dogs in present days, have a hierarchy
within their packs. Yes, dogs have packs even in human homes. They have an inner wild demeanor, even in their domesticated state.
Not all dogs however, are prone to fighting. Some dogs, like Golden Retrievers are very domicile, so fighting is rare. Mine though, are Pocket Bullies and they can still have that fight in them. Most will read that last sentence and claim it’s how they’re raised. I’m here to tell you, I’ve been raising and training dogs my whole life. Some dogs just simply have that bit of feist in them. Mine most certainly do.
Why Did I Start Kennel Rotation?
About a year ago is when I even decided to start the kennel rotation. It started one afternoon after I was done shopping at the store and was putting groceries away. A day like any other, but it turned to a fight when I wasn’t looking. Suddenly, I heard guttural growls, barks and an all out fight as I was putting noodles in my pantry. I came around the corner to my two females tearing into each other.
I attempted to break it up, but was very unsuccessful. One, neither were wearing collars. Breaking up dogs when they’re not wearing collars is next to impossible. Not only that, but breaking them up when you’re the only one home? Also impossible. This was not the first fight, nor would it be the last.
The Fights Continued.
After the first fight, it seemed like it just kept going after that. Atlas and Muse fought in total, nine times. Each fight starting faster and over silly things. They would fight over toys, a nudge, possibility of food, anything really. When we had COVID and were quarantined, they fought five times within a three-week time frame.
I felt at a loss, unsure what to do to stop the constant fighting. Also, they kept hurting each other, though no fight was really serious or required a vet’s help. All superficial. That didn’t mean that it wasn’t stressful though, not just on us, but to them as well.
In total, my dogs have fought at least nine times. All on different occasions and all for very different reasons. Fighting isn’t good for dogs and can even them to live a stressful life. In fact, I found that each dog would constantly watch the other out of the corner of their eyes. Often, I would think that that can’t possibly be healthy for either dog.
We Even Tried Professional Training.
After the third fight or so, we decided to put them in professional dog training. While the training did help them with following commands and being better dogs overall, it still didn’t stop the dog fighting. The dog trainer we used was a great
trainer. She mentioned that the dogs most likely would continue to fight and was the main reason for choosing to kennel rotate in the beginning.
She mentioned that most dogs that are the same breed, same size and both dominate to the pack would fight. It is in the natural hierarchy of pack life. Makes sense when you think about it. The main female in any pack would rule over the females. Basically a police-woman for dogs.
So, we got two kennels are started them on a routine. At first it was difficult. Any change to a routine as an adult is hard on us though, even if it’s something so simple as taking a walk every night. There was even a time when I had to time it for the dogs because I would forget how long one was out.
Kennel Rotation – One Year Later Comes Naturally.
Here we are, one year later after we’ve been following this routine. First off, the dogs now live in harmony. Each dog gets their own, undivided attention. There’s no competition anymore, there’s no fighting over who gets love and attention first. No competition over toys or anything else. While I do hear the comments of people saying that they would get rid of a dog versus kennel rotating them, you can’t get rid of a dog that you love just like that. Both dogs are loved equally and they’re both so special to each of us.
Not only that, but I’m a huge believer that once you bring a dog into your life, that dog is yours for the rest of his/her life. Dogs that are older don’t always get adopted when they’re in the shelters. Often times they wind up being the first to be put down because people don’t choose the older dogs first. They want puppies.
In our family, kennel rotation comes naturally and easily. In fact, we don’t have to time it anymore, we just rotate them throughout the night. When one dog cries or whines longer than usual, we’ll switch them out sooner than normal. Generally, they whine or cry when they have to go to the bathroom or are very thirsty. If I just switched them though and it’s still the other’s turn, I’ll put them away after.
All in all, the kennel rotation works very well and has created a very safe and stress-free home for all of us.
I’m so glad you wrote this article because I have a similar situation and – like you – most people just don’t seem to understand it. I don’t do kennel rotation, though. I had a large area fenced off and keep my dog Greta (who cannot live with other females anymore) there. It’s a huge property, so the rotating is difficult for me. I’ve tried that and it still turned into a fight. It’s indeed incredibly stressful for everyone involved, for them and for me and for the other dogs.
Greta lives with the chickens and she is very happy. She loves my chickens and she looks after them and even protects them. I also take her out for walks and drives, and she loves her area. She has contact with the other dogs, but it is safer for everyone now. Sometimes she is nice to my other female dog but sometimes she growls at her through the fence. So, I keep her separate. She is happy, though, but people don’t see that when they come to my place. They see an angry Greta because although she loves me, she hates people. She hates people coming over for a visit, and so people get to see her angry and they have no idea how she bounces around like a puppy and grins and is happy when they’re not here.
So, I understand how you get people’s comments. People always like to comment and give advice when they don’t know the full story. I agree with you, a dog is for life. You can’t just give it away because it is suddenly “inconvenient.” Greta is my responsability.
I am sorry you have been going through this with Atlas and Muse, but I am glad that you found this solution for them.
Christine,
It’s no biggie for me anymore. It’s like second nature now to just switch them out. But, it does amaze me that people like to throw out their two-cents on the subject as if I would ever give one of them up. Not even a thought in my head for that option. Honestly, after all this time, they both seem happier overall as well. At first, Atlas would stand in front of Muses kennel and just whine. Not sure if she missed playing or was antagonizing her. Muse would whine around at first, but now Atlas doesn’t do that. I do keep them covered with blankets when they’re in their kennels so they can’t see each other. The stare downs used to set them off with fighting. I also don’t like the idea of someone losing a toe if they decide to still try to fight through the grates. Again, a year later, they live in harmony. It’s just so much better for them and us!
Thanks for stopping by and reading!
Katrina
This is a great way to deal with dogs that do not want to get along with each other. Kennel rotaion is a real thing if you want to keep your dogs in the same house and still keep the peace without rehoming your dogs.
This article is full of good techniques that we will use in the near future when we get another big dog. We have two dogs and they get along just fine right now.
Cheers,
MnD
MnD,
That’s great! I used to always have dogs that got along, but they were always different breeds and different sizes. This is the first pair of females that don’t get along. It was hard at first, but the fights were worse. And at first, I did think about re-homing one, but I just couldn’t part with either. They’re both family and very close to us. They’re family and they belong with us, no one else. Plus, they’re both very attached to us and just thinking about taking a dog that only knows one family and ripping that away from them? No way! Super scary and very sad. I simply can’t do it.
Our dogs are simply too close to our hearts.
Hopefully your dogs always get along and you don’t have to stress about it. But in case you do, it does work.
Thanks for stopping by and reading!
Katrina
Hey,
This is such an interesting article as I have friends who have dogs who don’t get along at all.
I don’t believe they do kennel rotation though and this article could be great for them. It could help them to relieve the stress they have with their dogs currently.
I am going to share this article with them and encourage them to comment. I will let you know if they do start using the kennel rotation technique as you describe.
Thank you for sharing and keep up the great work.
All the best,
Tom
Tom,
Hopefully your friends do come up with a solution. Many people will simply rehome their dogs versus trying for a solution at home, but I always encourage people to keep their dogs and not do that. The dog can’t help it and it’s so stressful for them as well. I’m glad you found this article for them and hopefully they see that there is value to it.
If they have any questions, I’m definitely here to help! I was a beginner at first, but now it works so well!
Thanks for stopping by and reading!
Katrina
It’s great to see that implementing a kennel rotation system has positively impacted the health and happiness of your bulldogs. It’s important to prioritize the well-being of our pets, and having a structured system in place is a crucial part of that. I can only imagine the stress you had to endure to get your dogs from fighting each other. Thanks for this article. It sure would help someone who has tried everything to stop their dogs from fighting each other. I learned something new and exciting from reading your article. Keep up the good work!
Femi,
That’s why I decided to write this one. I was kind of at my end trying to figure out how to keep the peace with my dogs and nothing had seemed to work at the time. Everyone kept telling me to rehome one of them and just save myself the stress, but once I get a dog, they’re for life. I have to admit that for a while I considered it….but I was hating that I was even thinking it, and considering it. Thank God I didn’t give in to the thoughts, because I love my dogs so much. And now, they’re at peace and we live in harmony with everyone. It definitely takes some time getting used to it, but it became part of our routine quickly. Now it’s like brushing teeth – just comes naturally.
Thanks for stopping by and reading!
Katrina