litter mate rivalry

nsuch · #1 07-11-2001, 06:25 PM

My 2 boxer females are 8 weeks old and I have had them 10 days. They are being crate trained and are doing fine. Except when they go out - they are wild and aggressive towards each other. They bite , growl, hold each other down to the point of crying out. Should I correct and how or what? Any suggestions, please. I am at wits end.

Saywinboxers · #2 08-14-2001, 06:26 PM

Its all perfectly normal, it may look rough and painful but thats all part of learning, their puppy teeth are very sharp and that is the bad side to this, if it seems to be getting out of control I take the bully by the scruff of the neck like the mother would and take he or she off the other pup and say no. then give them a new toy or something to distract them. They will work it out. good luck 2 is fun and twice the work........................Cindy

muttersley · #3 08-15-2001, 09:22 AM

I was told that if they are going to live together let them sort it out as one has to be the "alpha" dog, and the other more submissive. Belle was like how you said every time we saw her brother at puppy class. I was told a firm no and a yank at the collar would do the trick and it has. The noise thing is just play. When Tess and Belle play together it sounds really aggressive but it isn't, and they love it.

Tulsa-Dan · #4 08-15-2001, 09:58 AM

My two girls do this too on our walks. And when they play in the house. It is a constant battle with them (not violent or hurtful) sorting out who is Alpha female of the two of them. Susie is definitely the more Alpha of the two most of the time but, Maggie continually tests her and tries to "take over" as Alpha. It is cute most of the time.

This is the relationship that the dogs need to work out. I let my girls do their thing and work it out on their own, unless I think they are getting carried away or too rough (they sound like they are killing each other, but it is really only play biting and noise and posturing - humping and taking the other one down like a wrestling move, standing over the other one, etc.). I then use the "ENOUGH" command and they stop, shake it off and resume play again. I've never seen my girls actually hurt one another in this sort of dominance dance. I just watch their eyes, mostly and if one of them gets too much "white" around and their eyes get BIG, I know someone is about to get angry, so I then put a stop to it, they take a little time to chill out and all is fine again.

I have resigned myself to a lifetime of this because I chose to have two females in the household. But, it is their relationship to work out, not mine. I'm only the referee.

I'd say watch them closely and separate them if necessary (no scolding as this is a natural order of things), and let them work out their own status relations. I can pretty much guarantee you they won't seriously hurt one another. They are littermates and they do love each other. It is natural for them to work out their pack order in this manner. Not to be too worried.

Good luck.

nsuch · #5 08-15-2001, 05:07 PM

Dan from Tulsa -
Many thanks! Since I sent that thread, they are now 13 weeks old and after reading so many books suggested here, I have let the littermates 'Have at it". You are so right! They are mostly noise and have only accidently hurt the other one a few occasions. I tried separating them to learn pottying as they don't seem to get it together. That was a mistake! They are totally lost without the other! It is so amazing to see the things in the books come true with my own babies. They need each other and look out after each other. I was afraid I would have to give one up because they would not train together. But I finally see progress and know we are all 'lifers'.

You guys at Boxerworld have been a real blessing to me!

Many Thanks!

Laura

Dixie - my heart 09/04/90 - 04/16/01
Casey - brindle female 05/16/01
Carly - fawn female 05/16/01