2 females

[martemchik]

Originally Posted by JennaMae

Did you read the entire post? I believe females can live together because I have females who do. I have one female who will fight with one dog. I clearly define who is top dog in my house. It me first, then the 8 year old. All the dogs respect this but Stella. Jenna the 8 year old is also 75lbs to Stella's 55lbs. Jenna gives a warning growl or bark and the other dogs know to leave her. Stella looks at it as an invitation to come closer.

She's one and is going to challenge the 8 year old. The 8 year old is aging, slowing down, and won't be able to "hold" the top position no matter how hard you try. This generally happens in female packs...a younger one will challenge an older one for top dog and will usually win. It also depends on their personality and it sounds like Stella's is stronger than Jenna's.

The other dogs don't really matter at this point...they're small. Of course they aren't going to challenge a GSD for top dog.

[JennaMae]

The 1 year old is intact due to having been malnourished etc. she will be spayed soon. She never does this if I am in the room. Only when I am not. It has happened 4 times since in about 4 months as she gets older. But you are right I have to work with this one everyday. She will often times ignore my command and I have to tell her it again. I do correct her before putting her in her crate with strong verbal correction. How would you correct her.. The crate is only for a very short time so I can examine if any damage was done to either of them. She is high energy. I do think she may be better off being placed. The energy it takes ti mirco manage her is a lot. Everyone coexist Very well. my shih tzus get into it now and then but you can verbally call them off and they listen stopping the behavior. Otherwise she is a great dog. She likes kids, cats, small and large dogs. she is super smart. But I see her desire to be top dog. Every dogs she meets she will put her head over their back/neck right off the top.

[Lucy Dog]

Since it only happens when they're in a room unsupervised (or you not around), stop allowing that. When you're not there, always have the younger one in a crate. No exceptions.

I wouldn't yell at the dog and then put her in the crate. You don't want to make the crate a punishment or negative place. It was your mistake if this only happens when you're not around. Just put the dog in there without the correction.

[JennaMae]

Originally Posted by martemchik

She's one and is going to challenge the 8 year old. The 8 year old is aging, slowing down, and won't be able to "hold" the top position no matter how hard you try. This generally happens in female packs...a younger one will challenge an older one for top dog and will usually win. It also depends on their personality and it sounds like Stella's is stronger than Jenna's.

The other dogs don't really matter at this point...they're small. Of course they aren't going to challenge a GSD for top dog.

I just bring up the other ones to show she is gentle with them and obviously has control. So do I let her be alpha then? I do agree that Jenna the older one does not have as strong of personality. I am leaning towards letting her be adopted through our rescue. That was the original intention. She was not healthy so she came here. Now she is very healthy and ready. I have a special needs 6 month old GS here right now so it may be best to let her go. My son who adores her wants me to keep training her in hopes it won't happen again. It happens about once a month now. But for me that is one time to many. I suggested to him that our next GS be a male puppy. He seemed happy about that. I generally do not take males because I garden in the summer and the males always pee on my vegetables"

[JennaMae]

Originally Posted by Lucy Dog

Since it only happens when they're in a room unsupervised (or you not around), stop allowing that. When you're not there, always have the younger one in a crate. No exceptions.

I wouldn't yell at the dog and then put her in the crate. You don't want to make the crate a punishment or negative place. It was your mistake if this only happens when you're not around. Just put the dog in there without the correction.

I just tell her No very strongly. We put her in a sit until she gets control of herself and self calms. Once she does that I put her in her crate. I stay there and give her a once over to make sure she is not injured, then go check on the other dog. By the time I check the other dog out she is fine and I let her out. She likes her crate and goes in it when the door is open. There is no negative associations there. But I fully agree I walked out of the room and was in the kitchen. They found a bone under the couch. I normally pick them all up because of the pup with mega esophagus. But being I have a child there will be times I walk out of the room. I have to trust her enough to do that and I don't. I heard it escalating and walked I to the room calling them off. But she did not listen. That is when it happened. I saw the older one with her head held as high as she could with the bone so the other one could not reach it. So what does she do, she bites the older ones leg, Jenna then dropped the bone and then they started rolling on the floor.

[Lucy Dog]

I'd adopt out the younger one if you can. It's really not fair to the older dog to be subject to this every month at her age. Monthly might turn into weekly very quickly.

For now, you really need to keep an eye on them at all times. If you can't watch them, keep them separated.

[JennaMae]

Originally Posted by Lucy Dog

I'd adopt out the younger one if you can. It's really not fair to the older dog to be subject to this every month at her age. Monthly might turn into weekly very quickly.

For now, you really need to keep an eye on them at all times. If you can't watch them, keep them separated.

They are being rotated right now and only together when I am in the room for short time periods just to keep them on friendly terms. But she knows something is up. The others are outside right now and she keeps pointing and motioning to the older ones pillow wanting to know where she is. She does enjoy other dogs. Perhaps her best placement would be with another male GS closer in age.

[Lilie]

Originally Posted by JennaMae

Did you read the entire post? I believe females can live together because I have females who do. I have one female who will fight with one dog. I clearly define who is top dog in my house. It me first, then the 8 year old. All the dogs respect this but Stella. Jenna the 8 year old is also 75lbs to Stella's 55lbs. Jenna gives a warning growl or bark and the other dogs know to leave her. Stella looks at it as an invitation to come closer.

Yes, I did read the entire post. A couple of times. As stated in my reply, I wasn't sure what information you were looking for. You hadn't had any replies and you seemed sincere in needing some advice. Therefore, I bumped your post by asking you to be a little more clear - and maybe someone would be able to provide you with useful information.

I myself have had several females (intact and not) in my household with out any problems. Therefore, I couldn't be of help to you.

[JennaMae]

Originally Posted by Lilie

Yes, I did read the entire post. A couple of times. As stated in my reply, I wasn't sure what information you were looking for. You hadn't had any replies and you seemed sincere in needing some advice. Therefore, I bumped your post by asking you to be a little more clear - and maybe someone would be able to provide you with useful information.

I myself have had several females (intact and not) in my household with out any problems. Therefore, I couldn't be of help to you.

Well thanks for responding regardless!

[Cassidy's Mom]

Originally Posted by JennaMae

Did you read the entire post? I believe females can live together because I have females who do.

I don't think anyone has ever said that females can never live peacefully together, just that the chance of a problem is much greater than with multiple males or a male/female household. Problems like the kind that you're starting to see, BTW. Even if it's just 2 of your dogs and the other 4 get along fine, that doesn't mean that "females can live together" as a general rule that people can count on, that just means that some of your females can live together, and some can't. And because it's more likely that there will be issues with multiple females living together, it's generally suggested that people avoid that situation unless they're experienced dog owners who are aware it could become a problem, and are willing to crate and rotate, often for life, if they need to.

Also, several of your dogs are still young - a 6 month old and two 1 year olds, so you really don't know how everyone will get along once they mature. They could be perfectly fine now, and in a year or two from now want to rip each other's throats out! I sincerely hope that's not the case, but management strategies before tragedy strikes would certainly be prudent.

I personally don't have any experience with more than one female at a time, and I don't intend to, so I don't have any advice for you. But from everything I've read about here on the board and elsewhere is that once fights start happening they only get worse, they do not get better.