Fights between female canines over breeding rights and rank can turn very damaging for the two parties leaving them severely injured. You trying to stop a clash that’s underway will only leave you with a bite or two from the raging canines. It’s best to quickly consult an animal behaviorist in case your two females are at loggerheads with one another or your female pooch tends to get aggressive with the neighborhood females. A behaviorist will assess the dogs’ behavior and possible triggers for aggression. Certain toys, dog treats and bones could be responsible for frequent clashes between pooches living in the same household and the professional will advise you to remove them from the scene.
The blog editor of Pets World is a pet aficionado and fervently follows her pet-obsession. A pet parent to animals big and small for the past two decades. The sum of all experiences gathered is an amalgamation of useful knowledge and research.
The two females you own are around the same age and compete for breeding rights: In a wild setting two female dogs of the same age will never be part of the same pack. However we tend to ignore this and keep two female pooches almost the same age together in our household making it like a forced pack in domesticity. When female dogs reach social maturity which is between 12 to 36 months of age there is a competition to win breeding rights especially if there is a male dog around or living in the same house. Heat cycles and pregnancy affect hormones and intensify the odds of such fights even between two previously friendly females. In a natural environment a particular female breeds with one male and the other female will accept this breeding right humbly or move away to form her own pack with another male.
Behavioral problems could also be a result of hypothyroidism. Therefore arrange a veterinary examination of your pets to rule out this medical condition responsible for confrontations between dogs that were earlier amicable.
Unfailingly following such a routine will yield positive results. Patience and consistency on your part will lead to progress. The goal is to prevent any possible clash from occurring. A behaviorist will also be able to guide you towards understanding warning signs preceding a fight in order to prevent it from ensuing. Negative behaviors such as guarding food, toys other resources and staring need to be watched closely.
Signs Dogs Are Stressed Or Fighting
Dog body language can also tell you when a dog is getting upset, anxious, or aggressive. Signs a dog is stressed and might begin fighting soon or is already fighting are:
It’s important to remember that just because a dog’s tail is wagging doesn’t mean they’re happy or relaxed. Dog’s tails can wag when they’re fighting, but they will be more upright and swing differently. You know your dog best, so if you notice they are becoming tense, it’s always best to check on the situation to ensure no dogs get hurt.
The best way to learn how to stop dogs from fighting in the same household or dogs fighting at the park is to create a safe play environment. Here’s how you can cultivate safe play for dogs.
Your dog’s body language is the first sign that they’re happy or stressed. As we’ve discussed, when dogs are stressed, they can start fighting other dogs. Additionally, you should know the warning signs to look for in other dogs your dog is playing with to ensure your pup doesn’t get hurt trying to play.
Dog parks aren’t right for all dogs.1 If your dog hasn’t been properly socialized, they can easily become stressed in situations where there are multiple dogs instead of just one. If your dog is properly socialized and can handle all the activity and other dogs at parks, you can take them to a park and see how they react before letting them off-leash.
If your dog isn’t ready for the dog park yet, you can have them play at home either with another household dog or a dog they know well to help them start socializing and learning proper behavior. Some breeds might be naturally more territorial or protective than others, so not all dogs are meant for the dog park, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
Even the friendliest dog can start resource guarding around other dogs because they’re afraid their toys, treats, and food will be taken away. Dogs can become incredibly territorial around dogs they’ve never met before. By removing toys, food, and treats, neither dog will have anything to resource guard.
If your dog is having fun, it can be easy to get distracted and look away. However, it’s always important to supervise your dog while they’re playing with another dog so you can get them out of a situation that could be causing them stress. For example, your dog might be having fun playing with a dog that’s a similar size, but a large dog might cause anxiety, which can lead to a fight. Since you know the warning signs your dog is becoming stressed, you can remove them from a dangerous situation before anything happens.
Dog fights can break out at any point during play. Even if both dogs seem to be enjoying themselves at first, it can quickly get out of hand. If you allow your dog to play with other dogs, it’s always important to know how to safely break up a fight and prevent future fights from happening.
Can two female dogs get along?
You don’t want to leave them together, unattended, until you’re certain they are getting along. Even if they seem to hit it off from the start, resentments and territorial spats can arise even months later. Everything likely will be fine, but it’s always good to be prepared.
How to Prevent Fights Between Sibling Female Dogs
If the two dogs used to get along and now they are suddenly fighting, it does not hurt to see if there is anything physically wrong in one of both dogs. At times, an older dog may be getting weaker, ill, or deaf, and the other dog may perceive this weakness, which is why fighting may start.