penny's dad
Boxer Pal
Hi everyone I'm a little discouraged today reading my email from boxer world members. Do 2 females always fight when they reach maturaty.
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No they don't always fight. Some bitches can get along perfectly well together. It helps if both are spayed at an early age, if you are a strong leader that doesn't tolerate infighting in the hierarchy below you, and if there is a vast differential in the relative "dominance" levels of your two bitches.
But the reason such a big thing is made of it is that this is the combination that is more likely than any other to have issues. And *if* issues occur, then it can be very serious. You have to be prepared for that eventuality - which in itself will help you to avoid it happening in the first place (because you'll be on the lookout for early signs and addressing them at that stage). But also to realise that in a few cases people end up either having to play musical dogs (one loose, one crated at all times) or to rehome one dog.
But the reason such a big thing is made of it is that this is the combination that is more likely than any other to have issues. And *if* issues occur, then it can be very serious. You have to be prepared for that eventuality - which in itself will help you to avoid it happening in the first place (because you'll be on the lookout for early signs and addressing them at that stage). But also to realise that in a few cases people end up either having to play musical dogs (one loose, one crated at all times) or to rehome one dog.
penny's dad
Boxer Pal
both spayed
They are both spayed and both at about 7 months old.But the question of fighting I don't know but they play all the time and when or if it gets rough we interveen and we let them know it's a no no !! So all in all I believe we are doing greatly. I understand the combination is more likely but what I want to know is what is the percentage roughly of course is it really higher or just insignefantly higher
They are both spayed and both at about 7 months old.But the question of fighting I don't know but they play all the time and when or if it gets rough we interveen and we let them know it's a no no !! So all in all I believe we are doing greatly. I understand the combination is more likely but what I want to know is what is the percentage roughly of course is it really higher or just insignefantly higher
It is really higher.
I don't think that anyone has ever done the sort of studies/polls that could give you a percentage of risk. I don't believe it is the majority. But the problem is common enough that most rescues, for example, will not adopt a bitch out to a home that already has one... Some breeders will not allow two bitch puppies to go to the same home either.
A lot of it can come down to management too - how well you fill the alpha role, how often if at all your bitches are alone together, and how good you are at reading early posturing signs and putting an end to it at that stage. But you've obviously read some of the previous threads on this site about bitch fighting. If it starts, it is an extremely difficult thing to stop. Versus dog fighting which can be solved relatively easily. That, as much as frequency, is why it's an issue that gets stressed so much.
Anyway. Trying to work out what the level of risk is isn't really going to do you all that much good. It is by no means a certainty that your girls are going to end up fighting. But, you have to know that it's a fairly high risk. Use the knowledge to your advantage and be sure to run your household in a way that is most likely to avoid issues occuring in the first place. Be sure to take your girls to training classes, and to provide them with strong leadership that will help to deter them from fighting for supremacy in the first place. A NILIF regime is always a good one in any multi-dog household (plenty more about that on the forums). And *if* issues start to occur further down the track, don't delay in getting a qualified behaviourist in to help you deal with it.
I don't think that anyone has ever done the sort of studies/polls that could give you a percentage of risk. I don't believe it is the majority. But the problem is common enough that most rescues, for example, will not adopt a bitch out to a home that already has one... Some breeders will not allow two bitch puppies to go to the same home either.
A lot of it can come down to management too - how well you fill the alpha role, how often if at all your bitches are alone together, and how good you are at reading early posturing signs and putting an end to it at that stage. But you've obviously read some of the previous threads on this site about bitch fighting. If it starts, it is an extremely difficult thing to stop. Versus dog fighting which can be solved relatively easily. That, as much as frequency, is why it's an issue that gets stressed so much.
Anyway. Trying to work out what the level of risk is isn't really going to do you all that much good. It is by no means a certainty that your girls are going to end up fighting. But, you have to know that it's a fairly high risk. Use the knowledge to your advantage and be sure to run your household in a way that is most likely to avoid issues occuring in the first place. Be sure to take your girls to training classes, and to provide them with strong leadership that will help to deter them from fighting for supremacy in the first place. A NILIF regime is always a good one in any multi-dog household (plenty more about that on the forums). And *if* issues start to occur further down the track, don't delay in getting a qualified behaviourist in to help you deal with it.
It is really higher.
I don't think that anyone has ever done the sort of studies/polls that could give you a percentage of risk. I don't believe it is the majority. But the problem is common enough that most rescues, for example, will not adopt a bitch out to a home that already has one... Some breeders will not allow two bitch puppies to go to the same home either.
A lot of it can come down to management too - how well you fill the alpha role, how often if at all your bitches are alone together, and how good you are at reading early posturing signs and putting an end to it at that stage. But you've obviously read some of the previous threads on this site about bitch fighting. If it starts, it is an extremely difficult thing to stop. Versus dog fighting which can be solved relatively easily. That, as much as frequency, is why it's an issue that gets stressed so much.
Anyway. Trying to work out what the level of risk is isn't really going to do you all that much good. It is by no means a certainty that your girls are going to end up fighting. But, you have to know that it's a fairly high risk. Use the knowledge to your advantage and be sure to run your household in a way that is most likely to avoid issues occuring in the first place. Be sure to take your girls to training classes, and to provide them with strong leadership that will help to deter them from fighting for supremacy in the first place. A NILIF regime is always a good one in any multi-dog household (plenty more about that on the forums). And *if* issues start to occur further down the track, don't delay in getting a qualified behaviourist in to help you deal with it.
I don't think that anyone has ever done the sort of studies/polls that could give you a percentage of risk. I don't believe it is the majority. But the problem is common enough that most rescues, for example, will not adopt a bitch out to a home that already has one... Some breeders will not allow two bitch puppies to go to the same home either.
A lot of it can come down to management too - how well you fill the alpha role, how often if at all your bitches are alone together, and how good you are at reading early posturing signs and putting an end to it at that stage. But you've obviously read some of the previous threads on this site about bitch fighting. If it starts, it is an extremely difficult thing to stop. Versus dog fighting which can be solved relatively easily. That, as much as frequency, is why it's an issue that gets stressed so much.
Anyway. Trying to work out what the level of risk is isn't really going to do you all that much good. It is by no means a certainty that your girls are going to end up fighting. But, you have to know that it's a fairly high risk. Use the knowledge to your advantage and be sure to run your household in a way that is most likely to avoid issues occuring in the first place. Be sure to take your girls to training classes, and to provide them with strong leadership that will help to deter them from fighting for supremacy in the first place. A NILIF regime is always a good one in any multi-dog household (plenty more about that on the forums). And *if* issues start to occur further down the track, don't delay in getting a qualified behaviourist in to help you deal with it.
Twohlgemut
Boxer Pal
We have two females. We had one for a week and notice how lonely she was so we got her a "sister". Same age different litter. They we both fixed at the same time. We have never had an aggression issues at the house. They just keep each other busy. They would go nuts without the other. They are now 4 and have never fought with each other or any other dog.
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