Litter mates fighting only on walks

[GC7]

Hello! New here, read a lot but finally decided to post to try to fix our problem. We have two females about 5 months old that get along great in the house, they have their moments when their play fighting gets a little rough but it doesn't last long. They do great in our fenced in back yard, play fighting every now and then as usual. However, any time they get put on a leash they just go nuts towards each other. Fighting/biting/etc at each other, sometimes it lasts for a minute or so and they're done, other times we just put one back inside and walk them one by one. While walking alone they do very well! We just had a private lesson with them about this problem but of course they wouldn't reproduce it in front of the trainer, we signed up for a class as well and have been working on what the private lesson taught us. This has made their walks alone so much better but still has not changed while they walk together.


Any suggestions on how to get them to get along on walks together!? Please tell me if you need more details or specifics!

[catz]

I've read in many places that females (especially littermates) can have many problems when housed together.
What kind of structure do you have in your home?
Do you sperate them for feeding, training, sleeping ect.?
What classes are you in with your pups?

I think getting into classes would help and walking them seperately. I dont want to worry you but this aggression could increase as they begin establishing dominance so the help of a professional is needed. Female fights get ugly very quickly. There is a saying on here; Males fight to breed, females fight to breath.
I hope someone with more experience chimes in soon.

[chelle]

I have basically less than limited knowledge here, I'll say that right off the bat, but I did have my pup and his littermate together for a short time.

Never, never, never again would I do that. It wasn't by my choice, though, but that's another story.

Anywho... I'd walk them seperately and get them bulletproof on that before even wasting time trying to walk them together. They're quite young, so "bulletproof" may take some time.

I'd train them seperately as well.

You'll have your hands full with two females most likely. Focus on your bond with each one individually via the walks, training, etc. And.. get ready for the bitch fights. They're not fun.

[NarysDad]

First off I have had littermates here living side by side, but I from the beginning made them understand that I was the " ALPHA " . They are only 5 months now and if you don't get this nipped in the but now you are only in for a lot of heart ache in the future as they begin to mature. It is very important to have them understand that this behavior is not allowed. Good luck with your girls

[Lucy Dog]

Two female littermates just about to reach sexual maturity at the same time and are already starting to fight. Wow are you brave.

I have no experience with this type of situation, so I don't even want to begin to give advice. I Just hope you take this very situation very seriously before it gets any worse.

[GC7]

Originally Posted by catz

I've read in many places that females (especially littermates) can have many problems when housed together.
What kind of structure do you have in your home?
Do you sperate them for feeding, training, sleeping ect.?
What classes are you in with your pups?

I think getting into classes would help and walking them seperately. I dont want to worry you but this aggression could increase as they begin establishing dominance so the help of a professional is needed. Female fights get ugly very quickly. There is a saying on here; Males fight to breed, females fight to breath.
I hope someone with more experience chimes in soon.

They are fed together, trained together and separate, and they sleep together.

We are taking a basic "puppy manners" class where they are supposed to learn to respond to other dogs and us as owners.

Like I said though, they are fine inside and out in the back yard, rarely do they get in any rough fighting, puppy play fighting sure, but never like they do when they get a leash on them and we try to walk them. We will continue to walk them separate for the time being, hopefully with this class and walking them separate they will improve and be able to be walked together eventually!

[Emoore]

I don't know what breeder in their right mind sold you two female littermates at the same time. That's a recipe for a blood feud right there. You may beat the odds, but GSD female littermates that get along are by far the exception, rather than the rule.

There's a very common saying: "Males fight for breeding rights; bitches fight for breathing rights." It's likely that one of these days that "rough puppy play" will turn into a serious bitch fight.

I would separate these dogs immediately. Feed them separately, crate them separately, have them sleep separately. DO NOT leave them together unsupervised. Ever.

Not trying to scare you, give you a heads up on what a lot of other people have experienced.

Good luck!

[LaRen616]

Originally Posted by Emoore

I don't know what breeder in their right mind sold you two female littermates at the same time. That's a recipe for a blood feud right there. You may beat the odds, but GSD female littermates that get along are by far the exception, rather than the rule.

There's a very common saying: "Males fight for breeding rights; bitches fight for breathing rights." It's likely that one of these days that "rough puppy play" will turn into a serious bitch fight.

I would separate these dogs immediately. Feed them separately, crate them separately, have them sleep separately. DO NOT leave them together unsupervised. Ever.

Not trying to scare you, give you a heads up on what a lot of other people have experienced.

Good luck!

I completely agree.

IMO it is a very bad idea to continue to keep them both.

2 females the same exact age is asking for some serious issues and it doesn't matter if they are siblings or not.

I wish you the best of luck but you have to always be on your guard.

Once females fight they will continue to fight.

[catz]

I would read through the link below and decide if having two puppies is the best option for your family. Honestly, I am not trying to be negative but there are very few cases when raising puppies together actually works out. You girls are going to reach sexual maturity and thats when the problems start. Its better to make this decision now while your pups are young.

Should I get TWO puppies/dogs at once?

[Lilie]

To the OP: Regarding your original question about walking your pups together at the same time. Can you explain how you are walking them together? Is one person walking them holding two leads? Are there two people walking, each holding a pup?