Having 2 female dogs in the same household.. Does it usually work?
- Thread starter Fran101
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I think it sometimes has to do with certain breeds, and a dog's personality. Kiba doesn't get along well with my friend's female Mini Schnauzer, and is kinda iffy with another friend's Standard Schnauzer. She has did not like Lizzie at all (spitz) in Texas. But funny enough she is fine with Tsuki. I think its the in-your-face type females she's not a fan of.
Stryder likes everybody. As do the poodles... LOL
Stryder likes everybody. As do the poodles... LOL
I brought home my cousins Mini Pinsher (shes 4 pounds) to test out kenya with female small doggies and she did very well 
There was a little jealousy when i had the tiny dog on my lap when i was on my computer she started whining, jumping on my bed, putting her head in my lap ect.. but other than that she did great
It also was a CLEAR reminder as to why i will never ever have a mini pinsher! ahh that dog was so yappy and jumpy and shaky and needy!
I kept the dog out of her crate, that is her "room" and hers and thats pretty much all she needed lol She picked up her cuz and brought it in her crate like "this is mine" and after that she was fine.
She played very gently, layed down to play tug and watched where she stepped and even didnt eat the lil thing when it kept biting her feet and ankles lol
There was a little jealousy when i had the tiny dog on my lap when i was on my computer she started whining, jumping on my bed, putting her head in my lap ect.. but other than that she did great It also was a CLEAR reminder as to why i will never ever have a mini pinsher! ahh that dog was so yappy and jumpy and shaky and needy!
I kept the dog out of her crate, that is her "room" and hers and thats pretty much all she needed lol She picked up her cuz and brought it in her crate like "this is mine" and after that she was fine.
She played very gently, layed down to play tug and watched where she stepped and even didnt eat the lil thing when it kept biting her feet and ankles lol
The failure rate of multi-bitch combinations is higher than any other (male/male or male/female). I'm not saying that it never works - in many cases it does, but the risk is very real. I think it does depend on the breed, their personality and most of all age. Bitch fights rarely start before adulthood. Meaning that even if you adopt the older Pap, it will be almost a year and a half before you might see any problems.
Bonding or how well they get along before they hit the 2 yr mark is not a factor in knowing if they will continue to get along. This is not a puppy thing and very much a mature adult thing. And if they start fighting, it's extremely difficult to get them to quit. Bitch fights are notoriously about taking out the other bitch. Unlike dogs who generally just fight for rank and cool down once that's sorted out, bitches don't give a d*mn about who's the boss. They're fighting to kill the other bitch. You break up one fight, they'll have another one tomorrow and again next week, and next month. Unfortunately, that is the real heartbreaker about bitch fighting...if it gets to that point, usually your only options are either rehoming one of them or rearranging your home so that they are seperate at all times.
Like I said before, it's not a given, but it is a risk you definitely need to consider.
Bonding or how well they get along before they hit the 2 yr mark is not a factor in knowing if they will continue to get along. This is not a puppy thing and very much a mature adult thing. And if they start fighting, it's extremely difficult to get them to quit. Bitch fights are notoriously about taking out the other bitch. Unlike dogs who generally just fight for rank and cool down once that's sorted out, bitches don't give a d*mn about who's the boss. They're fighting to kill the other bitch. You break up one fight, they'll have another one tomorrow and again next week, and next month. Unfortunately, that is the real heartbreaker about bitch fighting...if it gets to that point, usually your only options are either rehoming one of them or rearranging your home so that they are seperate at all times.
Like I said before, it's not a given, but it is a risk you definitely need to consider.
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I was actually very nervous when we first decided to foster Tilly because of Kassie. Kassie's such a bossy female and she's so tiny that I know she wouldn't put up with another female like her and due to her size and no matter her will to dominate the other female she'd be the looser.
Tilly is so submissive, thank God, that it works. We've had a few incidents with Kassie and Tilly but they weren't due to bossiness, but due to food. That's pretty manageable.
Now if it was Kiba, Mericox female schnauzer, and Kassie together, that would be a different scenario. They are too much alike...lol They look at each other and snarl. lol
So I guess it all depends on their personality. If it works well then is perfect, if not then it's hell on earth.
Tilly is so submissive, thank God, that it works. We've had a few incidents with Kassie and Tilly but they weren't due to bossiness, but due to food. That's pretty manageable.
Now if it was Kiba, Mericox female schnauzer, and Kassie together, that would be a different scenario. They are too much alike...lol They look at each other and snarl. lol
So I guess it all depends on their personality. If it works well then is perfect, if not then it's hell on earth.
Posturing is usually your first signal BEFORE the fights start. I'd keep a close eye out.
Thanks for your concern though, but I know what to look for.
ETA: FWIW - I don't leave them alone unattended. Personally, I think it's smart not to do so, especially with intact bitches.
you will likely be fine. And as long as they aren't alone together you should be able to keep an eye on them.
Bounce (whippet) called out Dekka a couple of days ago. (baaaad move) They normally get along great but for what ever reason Bounce decided Dekka shoudln't be sniffing her bum.
Dekka ended up with swollen cheeks (looked like a little chipmunk) And Bounce ended up on metacam and antibiotics for some major puncture wounds in her leg. (tho Bounce is very un weenie like and is totally sound and happy today even though there is still swelling)
It can happen you just should be aware that even though it isn't likely it is possible.
Bounce (whippet) called out Dekka a couple of days ago. (baaaad move) They normally get along great but for what ever reason Bounce decided Dekka shoudln't be sniffing her bum.
Dekka ended up with swollen cheeks (looked like a little chipmunk) And Bounce ended up on metacam and antibiotics for some major puncture wounds in her leg. (tho Bounce is very un weenie like and is totally sound and happy today even though there is still swelling)
It can happen you just should be aware that even though it isn't likely it is possible.
I have no problems with my bitch, but she will let outsiders know who's in charge. Of course, I don't leave them unattended without supervision. I think it depends on the breed and IMO if they are intact or not.
But like I said, once my girl establishes the fact that she owns the joint, it's no problem...even with girls she just meets. The boys, oy, now that's a different topic all together.
But like I said, once my girl establishes the fact that she owns the joint, it's no problem...even with girls she just meets. The boys, oy, now that's a different topic all together.
My females have always been much worse than my males. Which I think may be why I prefer male dogs.
But female corgis are the more assertive of the sexes. But my husky is also much better with males. Our lab foster could care less. But even my corgi has some female dogs she has loved like my beagle that passed last year.
Sad thing is I have an intact male dobe who has been with so many of our fosters and he is like the intro dog. I always watch mostly to make sure the other dog doesn't react but hes always calming to them. My females don't get to go around fosters unless they are here long term
But female corgis are the more assertive of the sexes. But my husky is also much better with males. Our lab foster could care less. But even my corgi has some female dogs she has loved like my beagle that passed last year.
Sad thing is I have an intact male dobe who has been with so many of our fosters and he is like the intro dog. I always watch mostly to make sure the other dog doesn't react but hes always calming to them. My females don't get to go around fosters unless they are here long term
We have been a multiple dog household for years and years and ours (both females & males) have always gotten along once top dog was established. You might find the short book titled: Feeling Outnumbered? How to Manage and Enjoy Your Multi-dog Household by Patricia McConnell, Ph.D and Karen London, Ph.D. It is just a short book with a lot of helpful tips for making it all work.