Hello folks

I am looking for help with an ongoing problem that has me more than troubled. I am hoping that you all can point me toward some resources I could use to gather information and increase my skills. I'll try to be brief.

We have 3 GS Pointers. Male, age 7; spayed female, age 6; spayed female, age 4. Over the course of the last 2 years the females have fought approximately 6 times. These are serious fights that draw blood.

I am now trying to rehome the middle female. But we will need to keep her while the rescue attempts to locate a new home.

When this first started we were advised that separating them was not a good idea. Instead we were told that playing together was desirable. I'm beginning to think that wasn't constructive. Right now we are careful to avoid congregation at potential trouble spots which for us are often doors. Now when one goes out the other has to be crated first.

Any advice about behaviour management techniques, books, or videos would be appreciated. I've had dogs before but always just one at a time.

Many thanks

 Quote: Sharron Eukers

Over the course of the last 2 years the females have fought approximately 6 times. These are serious fights that draw blood.

When this first started we were advised that separating them was not a good idea. Instead we were told that playing together was desirable.

That was incredibly bad advice.

http://www.leerburg.com/dogtrainingpodcasts.htm

I would start with number 7 and number 8 while waiting for these videos to come:

http://www.leerburg.com/302.htm

http://www.leerburg.com/301.htm

Hi Sharron,

If you haven't already looked at this, you might want to do so:

http://www.leerburg.com/introducingdogs.htm

There is a lot of information there that may help you until you can rehome the female. I do realize these dogs are not new to each other but I think Ed's advice will help your situation.

Good suggestion, Sarah.

And to the O.P.: Please don't forget that it's your job to protect both dogs. It't up to you to stop aggression and attacks in your pack and your home.

Thank you for the links; they look very helpful.

sounds to me like your two females are having a difference of opinion on just who should be the alpha. If you are seeing the conflict when they are walking through the doors, my guess is someone is going out first when they aren't supposed to. The alpha female should always be going out the door first. When I walk outside, down/upstairs I always have my dogs behind me, as I am the alpha female in this house However, there is no doubt that me female BC ranks alpha among the boys. There is a reason that the term bitch has been adopted to human females as well, lol! Let's face it, even with humans having two women in one household is difficult. Although, the breeder I bought my dog from has many females and just a few males. The females pack and on occasion you will see some rank changes. I'm guessing those rank changes aren't too pretty sometimes. However, the breeder is a behavior specialist and I guess can handle it. I'd be a nervous wreck. I wonder if she has her vets personal cell phone number, lol!

 Quote: robbinmann

sounds to me like your two females are having a difference of opinion on just who should be the alpha.

I agree with this and I also am of the opinion that having more than one female is more of a challenge than having males.

My females are really touchy around each other, and I do not have them together very often, UNLESS, I am there to watch them. They are never left alone together.

Since your dogs are getting up there in age, has there been any changes in either of the females? Ie...arthritis, low energy ect... a change like that can cause pack stucture to change....

Are you rehoming the dog due to the fights only? There are things that you can do to "fix" it without having to rehome if you really want her to stay.

The links provided are excellent.

 Quote: RobbinMann

Let's face it, even with humans having two women in one household is difficult. lol!

Oh yeah! I'm totally on the same page

Had the same problem, the only thing that worked was to put them in kennels while I'm gone, excercise them vigorously when I get home and control the toys