Sibling rivalry

[OzBoxerFan]

I am having issues with my 10 month old boxers fighting aggressively. They are male and female, both desexed from the same litter. This has been going on for about two months. I resolved at that time that one would need to be rehomed, but I just couldn't do it. I did some research on siblings and found NILF. Things improved somewhat fot the past couple of weeks when we started to separate them at feeding time, play time, walk time etc, but I cannot have them separated 24/7. Most of the time they get along fine but something will trigger them off and they are at it like they will tear each other to bits. After they are separated and put into time out in separate yards for a while they will calm down and be all "lick, lick are you ok? what was all that then?"
They had a huge fight tonight and she has a small gash on the underside of her ear that took some time to stop bleeding. I'm grateful that the damage was not worse. They are now all curled up on the mat together like butter wouldn't melt in their mouths.
It seemed like a good idea to get two pups at once to keep each other company but the downside of bringing up two siblings has got the better of me. The research I have done leads me to believe that getting sibling pups was a bad idea. I have resolved to rehome my boy to someone who will love him as the individual he should be. I'm not rehoming him because I love him any less, just because I think his personality will cope better with leaving us than what she would.
I think I've known for weeks it had to come to this, but no one in the family wanted to part with either of them. I feel like a failure for needing to give up one of my babies, I only wish I had done my research well before I brought them both home. Wish I had thought to look and found BW sooner.
Thanks and sorry, I just needed to get this off my chest.

 

[ELubas]

I am so sorry this happened to you. Please do not feel like a failure-you sound like a very responsible person who is looking out for both dogs. Sometimes a two dog house does not work and it is not anyone's fault. Have you gotten outside help? I am sure you have. At any rate I wish you well in your decision and many times siblings do work so I do not think you should beat yourself up over this. Dogs will be dogs and we can not begin to understand all the dynamics. Hope things work out no matter what you decide. Take care.

 

[Lola's mum]

I agree, sometimes dogs like people just don't get along. I think somewhere along the line we forget, me included that they are animals :o
I don't know if it makes any difference even more so because they are the same age so coming into puberty at the same time but it might be one of the reasons.
You have made the right decision I think and are giving them both chance to be happy dogs.

 

[cynthia rolfes]

Ozboxerfan,

Have you considered getting professional help? You could call your vet and ask for guidance. Your vet can help you find a reputable animal behaviorist.
Understanding the pack mentality may help you.
http://cesarmillaninc.com/tips/pack_mentality01.php

 

[garvinsmum]

If they like each other when they are not fighting, there is still hope.

The problem with dogs is often people feel they need to treat them equally, like children, but it doesn't work that way. They are at an age now when who is boss is being worked out.

Have you thought about getting in a behaviourist? They can help you to sort a lot of these issues out. Since they get along most of the time you might find you can work through it.

Dogs fights are scary and living with the constant fear of one breaking out is tiring and no doubt leads to a tense atmosphere which leads to more fights.
Letting go of a loved family member is probably worse though, so professional help might be worth a go, even though it's not cheap.

Here is a listing of veterinary behaviourists in Aust
http://www.deltasocietyaustralia.com.au/behaviorists.htm

Here is an interesting article too
http://www.geocities.com/Augusta/2525/multidogs.htm

Good Luck. If you do have to rehome him though, I'm sure your local Boxer Club has plenty of people waiting. In our neck of the woods there are plenty more people looking than Boxers waiting.