Female Dog Aggression

[pomerleaus1]

Im new to the board and seemingly have a problem. I got 2 beagle puppies, they're sisters and 13 weeks as of today. We've had them for about a month or so and a week or so after they arrived they fought like female dogs, wanting to hurt the other one badly. Now its even worse but they only do it when other family members are home. Im pregnant and stay home they're with just me all day and are fine! Also when you try to break them up its just worse and they're accidentally nipped myself, my husband, and my father. Is there anything I can do it stop this? Do you think they need behavioural training? Our family has had several types of hounds but Ive never personally had 2 puppies that are hounds at the same time and house dogs, it would be different if they were out side pets. They are a stubborn breed and I want to end they're aggressive fighting. At first I was hoping that one would become the dominant one but it doesn't seem like they've really figured that out yet? Any suggestions and do you think that when its time for getting spayed that they'll calm down and cool it with they "cut throat" fighting?

[rstowe]

Spaying may solve the problem. Also, you may be right in that until one becomes the "alpha" you may have this problem. They may just be playing but haven't figured out how "rough" they should be with each other. We are going through this with Storm, she is only 18 months old but acts younger than that and sometimes she can be too rough with Chelsea (the dominant but smaller).

[pomerleaus1]

They play fight a lot but this is different, its more like attacking. I think they just haven't figured out who is gonna be on top yet. I thought that the more dominant one would be the runt of the litter ( we have the runt and a big block of a dog) and the runt seems to annoy the bigger one but the runt always comes up on top. The weird thing about them fighting is when they get right in to it after we separate them (which isn't that great to do but they'res blood invovled sometimes) after about 10-15 minutes of separation we see how they're doing and when the meet its like they check eachother over to make sure they're ok.. I just don't get it.

[RAFF01]

I also have female Beagle sister pups. Mine are now 5 months old. They also "play" the same way. It sounds like they are going to kill each other. What I've tried to do is if they get too out of control I shush them and its seemed to work. They also do hurt each other and will cry. Thats usually when they both stop and with everything I've read they are learning how to play. If yours are getting too crazy and you try to break them up and do nip, then have whom ever they nipped, say "ouch" really loud. I have a feeling they will back down.

Its a try?

[pomerleaus1]

I hope something will work otherwise we're going to have to get rid of one. They are both wonderful dogs and thats the only problem Im having. No more accidents in the house (we built a fence and leave the door open so they can go in and out as they please) from the get go they haven't had a problem in the crate at all they actually sometimes go in willingly. I'll have to try something!

[BrinkleyBing]

I would suggest you to break these fights whenever you can. They need to know that 'fighting' is not the way to prove being an Alfa. Have a squirt bottle filled with water...or 5% vinegar. Vinegar is more effective. Squirt them as soon as they start fighting and don't stop until they give up. You are the Alfa in your family.
The pups can figure out who is better than the other from other things...other than fighting. Do not give them the choice to fight. Stop this behavior NOW, when it's just a start.
I hope this helps!!

[rstowe]

We use the spray bottle on Storm and she is seeming to get the idea that too "rough" is bad. It may take awhile depending on the dog. Don't recommend vinegar though, you don't want to get it in their eyes or ears. The water works just fine. We spray it near Storm's face and she backs off. We also say "back off" when we do it. This is the command we use to get her to back away from something.

[RAFF01]

If they are still crated together, think about getting them seperate crates. Also try to do things seperately with them. Mine get crazy and I've noticed since they are getting older they are fighting a little rougher. I do break them up and make the stand a few feet away from each other. Then they are fine....

My thinking with sibblings is they will fight (just like kids) and sometimes being seperated isn't a bad thing.

[BrinkleyBing]

Vinegar works fine with our dogs. 5% is mild enough to give a tingling effect and does not harm them. Dogs, in general, do not like the taste of vinegar..and it stings their eyes for a while.
Water on the other hand ...startles them. but doesn't bother them. Dogs tend to ignore water when they get used to it.
This is just my opinion...and our trainers. There are hundreds of different techniques to correct dog behaviors. Whichever works best is the technique for you!!

[rstowe]

I agree Brinkley. If it works stick with it.

I wouldn't use vinegar myself, but that's my opnion.

[pomerleaus1]

I think I might try the vinegar/water mix myself, just because they need to know not to do it. I had a 1 y/o dobie who was 120lbs and we used "mean" so to speak ways of training him, the only thing that he would be bothered with was a shock collar... so I think I'll go the vinegar/water route... thanks so much!

[Jennicat]

I also just wanted to throw in that 13 weeks is a bit early to start throwing around terms like "aggression" and "dominance". They're puppies. Puppies tend to play pretty roughly, and some dogs play more roughly than others.

I agree that you definitely need to work with them when they get especially rowdy, but part of learning that the puppies go through is learning bite inhibition and proper "pack" behavior.

[pomerleaus1]

Well Im pretty sure that what Im seeing is aggression and dominance, but thats just my opinion and Im sure you're welcome to yours. Beagles are a pretty stubborn breed.. so it has to be something. Also when they "play fight" that shouldn't involve blood should it? No...

[Tigs-rific]

I have trained and raised Beagles and personally do not see them to be "stubborn". As a whole, Beagles are easy to train and eagered to please. Their stubborness only comes into play when it comes to scents because they are scent hounds and have to be trained not to follow curious scents. I have also raised/trained larger breeds all the way up to Great Danes. When it comes to understanding and training any puppy, it helps to first be a knowledged owner. Seek professional help before assuming that they are fighting and wrongfully discipling them. Puppies have to learn how to play, and in my experience, a firm command is much better than vinegar. Just my opinion from years of working with this breed and others. Dogs can not be equal in ahome, one must be dominant! You can safely help with this process but it is their choice!

[Lehi]

I had two Australian Shepherds (sisters) that I got as pups. I got them spayed when they were three years old. They never fought until then. I know it didn't have anything to do with spaying but it just seems odd since you always hear how spaying calms them down. Anyway, one time they got in a fight and Sadie put a cut under her sister's eye and I had to take her in for stitches. They made up just fine and got along great until about two years later when they got into a couple knock-down-drag-out fights two days in a row. I'm sure it was a challenge to Sadie's dominance but Sadie wasn't ready to give it up. It cost me another $200 at the Vet and they weren't making up this time. Since I'm gone so many hours at work I couldn't risk more serious injuries. I was sad to have to do it but fortunately I was able to find a good home for Sadie's sister. That was a year ago; I still miss her.

[Husky06]

it seems that female dogs seem to have more of a problem getting along with each other, most of the time, good luck with them though

[zig zag zoey]

I had two Australian Shepherds (sisters) that I got as pups. I got them spayed when they were three years old. They never fought until then. I know it didn't have anything to do with spaying but it just seems odd since you always hear how spaying calms them down. Anyway, one time they got in a fight and Sadie put a cut under her sister's eye and I had to take her in for stitches. They made up just fine and got along great until about two years later when they got into a couple knock-down-drag-out fights two days in a row. I'm sure it was a challenge to Sadie's dominance but Sadie wasn't ready to give it up. It cost me another $200 at the Vet and they weren't making up this time. Since I'm gone so many hours at work I couldn't risk more serious injuries. I was sad to have to do it but fortunately I was able to find a good home for Sadie's sister. That was a year ago; I still miss her.
this sounds like what was going on with my ants dogs 1 labrodore retrever dog the other a red blud coonhound dog both mails my ant was in bed 1 morning and she herd bair (the lab) crying and duke barking and growiling she woke up and saw blud all over duke had cut bairs ear open so she got them fixed but the fiteing only got worse until the therd time duke attacked my ant then she desided to put him down becouse she didnt want him biteing eneyone els but some how she decided to tiy him up outside 1 year latter she brought duke back in to see if he would be anay better but he allmost tohe my ants hand off becouse she wouldnt let him bite bair

[Tigs-rific]

Hey Lehi. My heart goes out to you. One of my babies at home is a black and tan coon hound. I've had her since she was 8 weeks old. She is the sweetest thing in the world. We also had a male pure bred B&T Coonhound. He was so laid back when we first got him. Then all of a sudden he became extremely dominant. He would attack my girl while she was eating and draw blood on her. We let them go at it for about a month to see if the dominance order would be established. It was very obvious that he was dominant but he would still attack. We have our first baby on the way and can not take a chance owning any dog that has any type of aggression or dominance issues. I will let you know that he was a rescued dog so it's not clear the type of home he came from. He was uneasy around some men but was an angel to me. I had to eventually give him back and I cried for days. I felt like I had failed him and it broke my heart. Some dogs just do not want to be around other dogs and there's nothing wrong with that. In those cases they just need to be in a home where they are the only puppy so they feel safe and loved. He was the only dog I ever had to let go of.

Of course this is much different than two 13 week old sisters going at it. That will just take time and close monitoring from the owner. Plus, these dogs need to have seperate everything. Crates, toys, dishes. If they have to share, it may incline even more battles.

[Lehi]

Hey Lehi. My heart goes out to you. One of my babies at home is a black and tan coon hound. I've had her since she was 8 weeks old. She is the sweetest thing in the world. We also had a male pure bred B&T Coonhound. He was so laid back when we first got him. Then all of a sudden he became extremely dominant. He would attack my girl while she was eating and draw blood on her. We let them go at it for about a month to see if the dominance order would be established. It was very obvious that he was dominant but he would still attack. We have our first baby on the way and can not take a chance owning any dog that has any type of aggression or dominance issues. I will let you know that he was a rescued dog so it's not clear the type of home he came from. He was uneasy around some men but was an angel to me. I had to eventually give him back and I cried for days. I felt like I had failed him and it broke my heart. Some dogs just do not want to be around other dogs and there's nothing wrong with that. In those cases they just need to be in a home where they are the only puppy so they feel safe and loved. He was the only dog I ever had to let go of.

Of course this is much different than two 13 week old sisters going at it. That will just take time and close monitoring from the owner. Plus, these dogs need to have seperate everything. Crates, toys, dishes. If they have to share, it may incline even more battles.

Thanks. It's upsetting but I guess in some cases giving them up is the only logical thing to do. I was worried about finding a suitable home for her because I didn't think very many people would be interested in a five year old dog even though she had a lot of training and a great personality. Thank goodness I had a co-worker who took her.