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Bonding two female dogs

Ok...well I adopted Honey, 3yr old female staffy about 9 months ago. She was a perfectly happy, excitable dog, loves my kids, etc. Recently we moved to a bigger house and thought it might be a good idea to adopt another pooch seeing as we have a larger space and get a companion for Honey. A few days ago I adopted Casper, a one yr old english bull x staffy stray (she would have been put to sleep if no body gave her a home) she is so timid and caring and she absolutely loves playing with the kids.on first greeting the 2 females got on ok...they sniffed each other, wagged tails etc. We walked them through to the garden and out of no where they were fighting! And it wasnt just a play fight, Casper had pinned Honey in the corner and was biting her ear!! Since then, we kept them on leads, they sat quite comfortably with myself and my partner in the living room. Today, they were both in the garden and they started fighting again! How do I stop them fighting and help them bond??


Asked by Member 985803 on May 7th 2010 Tagged fight, fighting, females, staffy, enligshbullterrier, help, aggression, bonding, scared, bitches in Socialization
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Jack

First, no fight ever happens for no reason. There are plenty of reasons, we just don't see them because we're people and dogs have very different and much more subtle ways of communicating with each other so it just seems like it comes out of nowhere.

As for the actual fight, it could have been over anything but seeing as how you have just had Casper for a few days, it's probably a territorial or resource guarding thing. There may be something happening in the garden between them that sets them off. Honey might be feeling tenser out there than in the house and Casper may pick up on that and .....boom! Fight.

I would consult a trainer or behaviorist. There's nothing close to having someone who knows what they are doing seeing your dogs in person while they are interacting with each other. They will likely be able to help more than anyone here since they can tell you exactly what it looks like is happening.

Until you can get someone out to see them, keep them on leash and separate.


Jack answered on 5/7/10. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Dieta

Most females don't get along. Or perhaps the new dog already had dog aggression before coming to stay with you that is most likely why she was in line to be uthanized.
You can do some training to stop it but it may not work.
Females are nortorious about fighting.
I have two but due to their opposite personalities they get along about 95% of the time. One is extremely submissive and they don't squabble over much except me. or their favorite spot to lay down.
I would keep them seperated. It is always good to have 2-3 meetings at the shelter before bringing home any strange dog. If they get the chance to meet on neutral ground it is better. You just never know with girl dogs.
It takes a special blend sometimes. Females are also very serious about fighting.


Dieta answered on 5/7/10. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Guest

My dogs were like that at first, just keep socializing, when they start to accept reachother take off the leads, have fun with ur dogs!


Member 769709 answered on 5/7/10. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


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