Fighting is common in Multiple dog packs, but...
I've notice that if you help establish the pack order, by always addressing the Alpha first it less a problem. When I visit my friend Jeff, he has two male Rotties one is 9 years old the other is about 1.8 years old, except for the 1st time they met there has been no aggression (young one tried to steal, food out of his bowl).

The older male has been well socialized and is very well trained, $k of dollars worth of training (he had a rich wife).

The younger one was introduced when he was 6 months old (not well trained but learning) and was Kennel, while the older dog lived in the yard/home and the young dog was occassionally let out until they were able to play together.

My females were introduced in the same way and rarely is there any, aggression. And when they do growl at each other my presence or the male dog stops this action, they back away from each other. The girls live in separate make shift kennels, until play time.

I was told I couldn't raise multiple terriers together. All depends on who is boss. Been doing it for years, no serious problems. My biggest thing was never to get an adult dog because "the pack" will accept a puppy easily. Also I don't interupt the earlier squabbles because this builds frustration about who is the boss and next time will be worse. I also try to stay aware of status changes in the pack. This WILL happen with aging dogs, etc. I then restructure who gets petted, fed, etc first. It's always worked for me and I've had multiple dogs for over 40yrs.

I have multiple dogs here too - no problems - I actually can only bring in adults - large breeds - a pup or small dog is not a good idea with one of my dogs. First dog was about 1 1/2 male, brought in a 5 year old female, then a 11 or 12 year old female- last one in was 1 year old approx male. Depends on what you can work with, and the dogs themselves - and what kind of control you have in my opinion.

I have always had a 2-dog household, different dogs and the only problem I have ever had was with one female malamute who would literally bite the face of my GSD to get his food while eating. Now, I have only had the female/male combos, never the same sex combo. My current combo is a female cocker, male GSD and the cocker is the alpha. We have never even heard a growl out of either one of them regarding toys or food.

I'm having an interesting time now with my terriers. I have a female JRT that I have hunted with for some time, and I now have purchased two Jagd terriers- both female.

Due to the nature of these breeds I don't let them fight it out. I have been very pro-active with the establishment of rank, and setting the rules. No major problems yet.

Both females were 12 months when I brought them into the group.

Obviously every situation is different, Laureen I would think older dogs would have a more dominate nature and cause friction in a pack. But Strong human Alpha presence does mean something in the human/dog pack structures, you have formed.

I've experienced more of the same thing that Earthdog stated, in that puppies are more excepted by the pack an adult male or female will be aggressively sized up, unless I intervene.

Here the female Rott/Pit will still pick at the adult dog until I really let her have it.

To no surprise after I tell the GSDs to leave it, or stop, leave her/him along. If the other dog is not aggressive then it stops. In my presence I don't see any aggression. I do occassionaly see teeth mark on the head and back of the females.

Or they play fight each other or they double team the Male. When he gets a little upset the female GSD stops, the other bitch has to take a couple bites, before she will stop. Again if I step out of the door the aggression stops and they come to me. I don't get involved unless I feel it going past the point of proving who is alpha.

Most of the struggle that exist, is 2.5 yr.old the Rottie/pit letting the 18 month old GSD know that she the alpha female. Jocking for postion weather walking or getting the truck.

What is a Jaguar Terrier? Or Jag Terrier?

Jagd Terrier is a German hunting terrier. The two I have were imported from Hungary (Czech lines).

J-A-G-D

Kennel rules
Rule No 1 - I am the alpha
Rule No 2 - If there are any questions refer to rule No 1...
We like to keep things kinda simple - for the simple minds at our place <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

My situation is probably not the norm, my 6 year old female can't stand pups or small dogs. I have done emergency fostering and it's just not a good idea in my house. All 4 of my dogs are GSDs. And when adult GSDs come in on occasion, a female is readily accepted, by my 2 females and 2 males, males are a tougher go with one of my males, but doable. Mine are all house dogs and all eat, play and sleep together.

I have a 2 dog, male-female home. They get along really well together, frequently playing and wrestling. I do not allow competing for my attention, or fighting for any reason. However, I don't intervene in petty little things, like when the bitch pushes the dog around, AS LONG AS she is not being overbearing. I decide when she's being overbearing.

I think the more dogs you have, the more in control you have to be. I'm perfectly happy with the level of control I need to exert in my current situation, so I will not be adding to my "pack" any time soon. Plus, if I want to stay married, I can't get another dog! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />