Dominance between my two females... Help?

[sashadog]

I'm hoping to get some ideas to help curb some issues that we're having between our 4 y/o female GSD and 5 y/o female Cattle Dog mix. We adopted the GSD about two years ago from a family that just couldn't handle her energy level and intensity. For a couple of months the girls were fine, establishing boundaries and whatnot. Then Sasha, the shepherd, within two months put three holes in Scarlett, the cattle dog. Since then, we've been on high alert on the time and have been able to head off potential conflicts before they start. The fights were always over food or a correction gone too far so they've been pretty predictable. However, now Sasha has taken to randomly posturing over Scarlett and kind of trying to "set her off," which unfortunately, usually works. Scarlett will get grumbly and try to sulk away but thats when Sasha will take the opportunity to really start something. So far, we've always been there to head it off but it's continued to escalate to the point where Scarlett has had enough and will snap at the air to try and get Sasha to back off and Sasha will go after her.

I'm assuming that this is a struggle for dominance between to two bossy girls but I'm also hoping that there is something that we can do to calm things down besides rehoming Sasha to an only dog household. I've talked to a couple of trainers and a behaviorist and they all said that the most we can do is to just be on top of them all the time. Is that really the life we're destined to with two females in the house? This is our first GSD so any input would be greatly appreciated!! Please help restore our house to peace!

[Samba]

I have females who can never be together if someone is going to live. This is not uncommon in strong bitches within the breed. Cattledogs are another such breed sometimes.

Some females can be together. I have had a few, but certainly not all of them! Bitch fights are horrible and it seems they never forget once they have crossed one another.

[chelle]

I have two females that did eventually bond beautifully, but two other females (one of the above-mentioned) that CANNOT be unsupervised around the other in the house. At any time, for any reason. Granted we have work to do to attempt bonding that hasn't been done.. but as it is now, they must be separated when in the house together and I have accepted they will likely never be able to be together. Outside the home it's fine... but not inside... there would be eventual bloodshed, no doubt.

My problem is the instigating dog is 20 lbs, trying to be a bitch to the 65++ lb WGSD. The WGSD deals with it for awhile, quite awhile, but eventually, she can't do it anymore. She will pin the little bitchy girl down, but not hurt her, not break any skin, not do anything other than pin her down and hold her. ****, the WGSD would put the other girl's ENTIRE HEAD in her mouth. Scared the crap out of me the first time that happened! I learned a lot of respect for the WGSD with those experiences. She could have crushed that little girl's skull! But she didn't, she just said HEY little girl, quit it already and I'm gonna hold you here 'til you quit.

But I don't/won't chance my luck with that stuff and just choose to keep those two completely separate when indoors.

[sashadog]

Thank you so much for your input! Hopefully this is something that we can figure out as sometimes they're are totally fine with each other. I am so thankful there is a place like this!