Fighting females

[xavierandrea]

A long time ago I wrote for advice on how to keep my girls from fighting and everyone gave great advice. The girls haven't had any issues for a very very long time. I have a problem again. I 4 months pregnant and since I became pregnant my girls are having major problems with one another. They are getting out of control. I have to crate them and never let one see the other while I am around. My male has no issues only the girls. The other night it was about 2 in the morning and I got up to use the bathroom and Free followed me there and on the way back Patti was waiting in the living room for us and all HECK broke loose. My son and boyfriend woke up to my screams thinking I was getting hurt. The girls were having an all out fight. Blood was fling and Asim was trying to help us break up the fight but nothing could break up the girls. Patti's ear is torn and Free has bite marks on her stomach. I have never seen 2 big dogs ever fight the way they did a few days ago. Well that was the last straw for my boyfriend. He wants to give away one of the girls ( Patti ).
I totally understand that this type of behavior is not healthy. My boyfriend is scared for when the baby is born. He says what is going to happen if the baby is caught in the middle. Xavier ( my son ) is old enough to move away from the fight but not a baby. I agree with him and his concerns for the baby but,,,,,, I don't want to give up Patti. I feel awfull. I feel like a horrible pet owner. I hate it when people "get rid" of a pet and now I am going to be one of them. What should I do?

[kendalyn]

It sounds like you think this aggression has something to do with you being pregnant? (congrats by the way!) I'm not an expert but I wouldn't be surprised if this is quite possible. If it is the case than maybe the aggression will stop after you give birth? (I have no idea, I'm just spitballing here...)

I have to crate them and never let one see the other while I am around.

Are they ok around each other when you are gone?

[Taurus and Jada]

Unfortunatly , I dont have any advice on your problem, as its something Ive never dealt with before, but I just wanted to add something.

I feel awfull. I feel like a horrible pet owner. I hate it when people "get rid" of a pet and now I am going to be one of them. What should I do?

I dont think that you should feel bad, or like your a bad owner. As much as we all love our dogs, our family will always come first. No one will think less of you for doing so... putting your family and your new babys safety first. The owners you refer to get rid of their dogs because.... they're stupid, or they shed too much, or they bark too much, or some equally stupid reason. You cant even compare yourself to people like this. It sounds like you've done everyhting you can.
Just my two cents.
Good luck, I hope someone can give some great advice and you can work through this with them
Kara

[abker17]

Quote:
I feel awfull. I feel like a horrible pet owner. I hate it when people "get rid" of a pet and now I am going to be one of them. What should I do?

I dont think that you should feel bad, or like your a bad owner. As much as we all love our dogs, our family will always come first. No one will think less of you for doing so... putting your family and your new babys safety first. The owners you refer to get rid of their dogs because.... they're stupid, or they shed too much, or they bark too much, or some equally stupid reason. You cant even compare yourself to people like this. It sounds like you've done everyhting you can.

I totally agree with this. Don't even think of comparing yourself to idiot's like that.
Sending good thoughts your way, I hope you can figure something out that'll work for everyone.

[xavierandrea]

Kendalyn you asked "Are they ok around each other when you are gone"
and your answer is yes. They are perfectly ok when I am not around. I am starting to wonder maybe I am causing all these problems between my girls. I love my fur babies and I just want them to get along. I wish they could understand me. I am so heart broken. I don't know what to do. :(

[courtnek]

X, are they neutered?

your pregnancy may well be the issue. They can smell the hormones your body is giving off, and the changes, and they can see the difference in your behavior, even if you cant. People, like animals, exude pheromones, and pregnancy almost triples that. This is just a guess, and I would ask your vet, but in a pack the next highest female from the Alpha will be chosen to tend to the puppies while the Alpha hunts. She will even develop milk to feed them if for some reason the Alpha cannot. Your pregnancy may have set off a "bitch wars" between them, to see who will be chosen as backup...especially if you make a point of not favoring one over the other. However, your boyfriends concern for the baby is very real, and should be taken into account. What you might try, just to see what happens, is pick the one that you feel is the more dominant over the other, and favor her. Set up a pack environment in your home, and see if the other chills out. Either way, if they are prone to aggression towards each other you have to take the utmost care when the baby is born.....
because on top of wanting to be favored by you, your attention to the baby could cause jealousy issues as well.

best of luck to you....

[mydogroxy]

whatever decision you make, don't liken yourself to bad dog owners. sometimes we are forced to make decisions we wish we didn't have to. keep in mind that dogs are quite easily adjustable when given the right environment. you wouldn't be "getting rid" of patti, but giving her a new home without the stress of dealing with a dog she doesn't get along with.

and sometimes, just sometimes, people need to come before dogs. you have one child and another on the way. rehoming your dog for her own sake as well as the sake of your family is not a horrible thing. good luck.

[xavierandrea]

Thanks everyone for your replies and support. I hope I make the right decision. I have alot to think about. I do not want anyone to get hurt, this includes my child(ren) and my furbabies. Thank you again.