Female dogs don't get on

[unique78]

My two female chihuahua cross dogs have never been particularly friendly with each other, but lately it has spilled over into agression. They are both 2 (8 months apart).

They stare at each other and growl from afar, then the younger one will go over and they do this kind of wierd hierarchy dance until the growling becomes pretty ferocious and they fight. It's pretty nasty, but no blood drawn (yet).

If I try to subtly move one out of the way it escalates the situation. Picking one up guarantees world war three.

What is going on? And how can I prevent it? One is spayed, the other will be spayed in Jan, I don't know if hormones are playing a part here. We also have a male 3 year old, he has been neutered and doesn't get involved. He is very bonded to the younger female.

There’s no guarantee that spaying will solve it, you may have to rehome one, but not to another home with bitches.

Littermate syndrome.

Dogs don't have to be from the same litter or even the same age for it to occur.

In my experience when bitches fight, they don't stop and they can (and do) fight to the death.

Dogs fight until dominance, bitches fight to the death.

Sadly once it starts, it’s very difficult to stop. You probably need professional help to try and manage it.

My two (spayed) females have always been absolutely fine together - until now ages 4 and 6. No blood drawn, as in OP's post, but three proper, full on fights in the last two months.
Including one where they got jealous of H's attention when he was in between them. That was full on and we've developed a new evening routine to avoid them sitting near either of us in a pair.
They've always had "play" fights when they get the zoomies but this it totally different: genuine aggression.
I remember reading somewhere that previously friendly bitches can turn on each other later in adulthood out of the blue and I'm pretty concerned.

Ahh the joys of having girls!

Get professional help!

Or if you are very experienced and know your dogs very well, you can sort it yourself.

Watch them closely. Their body language will tell you their mood or if they want to pick a fight. Often it's tension & staring at the other dog. Or a little circling and then go into a watch and stare position. This can even be in a down position with head on the floor.

The targeted dog will 100% react to the challenge but this can be very subtle....
Once you see the singn, move the aggressor to a different spot- preferably where they cannot stare out the other dog, but still in the same room. A sharp No or leave can also help.
Best way to deal with this is to have 2 separate beds in different corners of the room, not to close and not dead opposite. Maybe some furniture in-between so each dog feels safe, eg either side of the sofa.
If tey do it while sitting with you, just move them away ot tell them to go to their own bed.
Basically you need to let them know, that you don't tolerate such behaviour.

Whatever you do, don't leave them on their own together!

Thanks for your messages everyone. Unfortunately things took a turn for the worse and they had a very serious fight yesterday morning which ended up with the older bitch being injured by numerous bites, not serious enough for the vets, but she was in a sorry state and pretty traumatised. In fact, due to the fact the neither were giving up (had to separate them, which was difficult as the younger one was clamped on), I think it may have ended very badly as she was clamped onto the others throat.

Currently, the younger one (who was unharmed pretty much), is with my Mum.

She is my everything and I'm devastated, such a gentle soul but finally snapped after continual threats from the older one. The older one is extremely nervous (has been since day one, long before the younger one arrived), and is not a good option for rehoming with Mum.

My male dog is pining, I'm just gutted (the whole family is)but it really isn't feasable to keep the bitches separate for God knows how long.

Anyway, thought I'd update.

So sorry, that sounds really traumatic for all :( I had no idea two bitches together was so risky. I'd always presumed I'd get a second girl but very much rethinking that plan. I hope your mum can keep the younger one so you can still spend time with her.

I'm really sorry OP.

Unfortunately it's a lot more common than you'd like to think - some bitches are fine together but once they start fighting it's sadly very difficult to stop them.

I hope there's a happy ending somewhere.

The saying (as PP said above) is males fight for dominance but bitches fight for life.

Obviously some bitches live together quite happily but once they begin to fight then the safest thing is to separate and find one a new home. They can (and do) fight to the death whereas male dogs will fight until one "wins" and then that tends to be it.

Now this has happened they won't be able to live together again. It would be too traumatising for the older bitch. Can your Mum keep your younger bitch? That way you can still see her and take your male dog to see her too?