Sisters fighting

[Wagtail]

We have two Chihuahua sized JRTs that are full sisters from the same litter aged 9 and a half. They used to get on well and even share the same bed. Even now, they are the best of friends when they are alone. They go out hunting rats as a pair and don't like to go without the other. You can also safely leave them in the house together. We often arrive home and see them sharing a windowsill together. However, when any of the humans are in the room it is a different thing completely. They fly at one another if they get too close and blood is spilled. I am now nursing a bleeding knee after I had to pull them both apart by the scruffs of their necks and grabbed one of them away. I retreated but her sister flew up trying to get at the one I had hold of and sank her teeth in my knee. She has drawn blood through my jeans and it hurts! I am really fed up with it. This is not the first time it has happened! Neither would normally dream of biting a human, even a stranger or a vet sticking a needle in them. They are the friendliest dogs you could wish for. Would never normally snap at a person. It only happens when one is trying to get at the other. Problem is, it is getting worse. The fights are getting more serious. Have stopped all feeding from the hand, Have tried telling them off, throwing water. They are completely oblivious.

 

[Spring Feather]

You need to take control of your little ones. You have a pack, so to speak, and they are obviously fighting because of the human aspect involved. I have 6 dogs; 3 giant breed dogs, 2 large dogs and a small border collie. I keep on top of my dogs always. I know the pecking order and I abide by it. I pay attention to what happens at all times, and I can see immediately if something is brewing between a couple of them and nip it in the bud straight away. I am very kind to my dogs, I love them terribly but I do not allow anything to get out of hand and because I'm with them all the time I do spot the nuances that a lot of people may not.

Pay particular attention to how you treat your dogs. Is one a favourite? Does one think that the other might be favourite? When you give edible treats, what order do you feed them? And are you sure the dominant dog is the one you think it is? Are both dogs healthy and with no ailments? Has something changed within the household? Has someone in the household started treating the dogs differently? Sorry, loads of questions, but relevant to help you find the cause of their behaviour.

 

[Teaselmeg]

I would also have them checked over by your vet, but if they get the all clear then get a qualified behaviourist to come and see them and assess what is going on. A sudden change in behaviour, especially when they have got on for so long, needs properly assessing. Make sure it is someone who does not want you to be Pack Leader, as it is nothing to do with leadership, they have got on for a very long time, something has changed, it might be medical, it might not be.

In the meantime, I would keep them separate in any situation where they have previously fought.

 

[Wagtail]

Thanks, both. They have always had squabbles but they have been short and harmless. Neither is strongly top dog, though Winnie always wins the fights because she is heavier. Eddie is the same size but much lighter. Winnie has had some awful things happen to her. She hates all other dogs and I have to keep her separate from the pyreneans as the bitch would kill her. Once she picked her up and shook her resulting in two collapsed lungs and a life and death rush to the vets. She also got caught up in the ride on lawn mower. She was down a rabbit hole at the time and my husband did not know they were out and must have ridden over it and she came backwards out of the hole the same time. It was just awful but again rushed to the vets and she survived, regained the use of her back legs and can now still jump and run. But I think the aggression is worse from her than her sister and it has got worse since the mauling from the large dog. I can't help it but she is my favourite dog. However her sister is favoured by my husband and two sons. They are not fed from the hand. Winnie gets her food first.

I think a behaviourist is a good suggestion to help understand what is happening between them.

 

[AmyMay]

When we got our pup I really wanted to bring two home - but the breeder wouldn't sell me a second, exactly for the reasons you describe. Sibling rivalry and the liklihood of fighting.

 

[Wagtail]

When we got our pup I really wanted to bring two home - but the breeder wouldn't sell me a second, exactly for the reasons you describe. Sibling rivalry and the liklihood of fighting.

Yes, I would never buy two from the same litter again. I think bitches are worse too. Our Pyrenean bitch is a rescue who ended up in the kennels due to fighting with her sister. My parents have two sisters (JRT x chihuahua) and they are really good together though.

 

[ace33]

When we got our pup I really wanted to bring two home - but the breeder wouldn't sell me a second, exactly for the reasons you describe. Sibling rivalry and the liklihood of fighting.

This to an extent, raising litter siblings is not easy and much more work than raising 2 pups. I find that bitches can hold a grudge too so prevention for now is key.

I would ask your vet to do a full bloods including thyroid test. Here's and interesting article that may help http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/8_6/features/15723-1.html

 

[Wagtail]

This to an extent, raising litter siblings is not easy and much more work than raising 2 pups. I find that bitches can hold a grudge too so prevention for now is key.

I would ask your vet to do a full bloods including thyroid test. Here's and interesting article that may help http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/8_6/features/15723-1.html

That is very interesting. Winnie is definitely the most aggressive of the two and we have struggled to keep her weight under control. Her sister is slender and looks like a one year old she is so sleek. They both are neurotic during daylight hours. They spend the whole day shaking. Bird scarers, shooting, aeroplanes, wind, rain, you name it and they are terrified, There is never any fighting during the day. Then they stop being scared at night unless the weather is bad outside. It is in the evenings when the fights occur. When the family is together.