Dogs bickering

[MrsElle]

I have five dogs, two Weimaraners, one Rhodesian Ridgeback, a Standard Poodle and a Staffy.

One Weim is a dog, the rest are bitches and usually get on very well. However, today our Weim bitch had a go at our Staffy who retaliated resulting in a couple of puncture wounds in our Weim. The Staffy was fine and we are just pleased that we were there to separate them - goodness knows what would have happened if we hadn't been.

Has anyone experience of their dogs doing this? I am worried that this will escalate resulting in us having to rehome one of the dogs

ETA: The Weim bitch is top dog in the little pack, could she be feeling threatened by my Staffy who is just two years old and therefore just mature?

 

[mattilda]

I had exactly the same problem. I have a rr bitch who is 10, a rottie bitch who is 3 and a rottie dog. When ther rottie bitch was 2 she had a go at the rr and has done so seceral times. We were at a loss as to what to do, the rr never retaliates and they both get on in between spats. It is attention related and usually when someone comes in the house ie a visitor.
I found the best way to deal with it is to really dominate the aggressor and prevent the situations arising. The rottie also wears a remote training collar. I've used it twice and now she just needs to hear the audible warning.
I don't think I will ever stop it completely but have learnt how to manage it better.
Dogs mature between 18 and 36 months and therein lies the problem I think.

 

[CAYLA]

Agree wit Matilda, bitc fights are a nightmare, u can only reprimand the aggressor and be dominant, give a clear message, that whilst you around teir will be serious consiquence for their actions, and I would think about crating atleast one when u cannot be there, with 2 good breed sizes like that, u are loking at serious injury.
Hormones/maturity can play a part in bitch fighting, maybe worth neutering if not already done so.
Must say I have never had problems with dog fighting dog or bitch and I always have an equal amount, 5 of each at present

, but have know many a household hat has the dreaded bitch fight issue.