I have a year old bitch who is going into the third week of her season. She has started attacking my 10 year old bitch for no apparent reason, they have had a few fights last week was quite a bad one then on friday she went at her seemed really bad, neither of them was hurt but I tried to split them and got bitten on the wrist. There is no warning she just flies. I split them up over the weekend but have now got them back together. I'm hoping its because shes in season and the hormones are upsetting her shes normally fine, the older dog is a bit nervous of her and is staying outta her way and wont play with her, cant say I blame her really! I'm planning on having her spayed as soon as possible and hope that once her season is over everything will return to normal. Any advice? I'm trying to treat them normally but am constantly on guard, dont think I'll sleep tonight!

This, sadly, is not uncommon with bitches living together particularly at the time of a season. Chances are they will continue to do so now it has started. Spaying may be the answer but it may not.

I have a year old bitch who is going into the third week of her season.

She has started attacking my 10 year old bitch for no apparent reason

I'm hoping its because shes in season and the hormones are upsetting her shes normally fine

looks like you have answered your own question....in other words, a very apparent reason?

if they were ok before hopefully they will be ok after.

can you just keep them separated/supervised until its all over?

I find, that the heat cycles make my two bitches, seem completely different dogs.  They do fight, while in season, but not usually in between.  But they are also very dominant females. 

I just keep them seperate, and start the countdown till the season is finished. 

I have 6 adult entire bitches plus my male dog living with me and I have never experienced this type of behaviour.  Although my daughter does take the dog away when any of the bitches are in season to avoid little accidents!!  Can you shut them in different parts of the house tonight so you can get some sleep?  It will be interesting to hear other peoples experiences of bitches living together when is season.

I did manage to sleep last night but only because after she started growling as soon as lights went out i shut her in a dog crate, felt really mean but she slept most of the night as did I and my other dog, who is very nervous of her which is understandable. I will keep a close eye on them keep them seperate when no one is home and just hope that as soon as her season is over, which I hope is soon, that things will go back to normal. They got on so well before. :-)

I really hope that doesnt happen as i would not want to get rid of her as she is a lovely dog and we all love her very much. I will be having her spayed and well fingers crossed. Please dont take this the wrong way but I really really hope you are wrong. :-)

Donlou, if you were replying to me then I too hope I am wrong, I have had the problem and nothing would turn the clock back. Hope you have better luck but take no risk by leaving them alone together.

They've just had another fight each one seems a bit worse, she has actually drawn blood this time, Lilly has two puncture wounds so I have taken her to stay with my nan. Am I right in thinking that the season lasts 3 weeks? If so I think that this should be Dotty's last week, but how long to I leave it before bringing Lilly home?

A season lasts about three weeks but in my experience the psychological effects can last longer. YOu are going to have to just test the water and see how it goes under direct supervision. Unfortunately once some bitches start having fights they dont seem to stop.

May hve missed this bit but what breed/breeds are they?

Is this your young bitches first season,why im asking is because we had a bitch years ago that was fine with the others until her first season then she went off the rails and never stopped fighting after that ........Ive also had a bitch that was aggressive only on the run up to and during her season ,i suppose it takes all sorts ,just like people. Is she in good health normally?may be worth getting her checked out as well

You may be able to bring the situation under control when her season is over but you may be in for a hard time when you bring the other girl back into the house.  They will have bigger differences to settle now not having been made to behave previously around each other.  From experience an argument between bitches can be very bitter and may never be forgotten.  On the other hand everything may return to normal.  Personally i would not send the girls away although I may send the boys away.

I am guessing that your younger girl is doing what nature intended and is trying to suppress the other girl, who will start to have season in sync with her if she is still full, so that she will not breed.  Happens all the time in multi mix kennels.  In the same way you see females mounting it establishes the pecking order.  One bitch only would breed in nature so its natural during a season for one to try and drive the other away. 

In your home you are the boss you have to step in and be in charge there is nothing else for it. I have no experience of spayed bitches but given that the aggression is most likely a suppression tool it may well stop when the hormones stimulating it are removed.

Not meant to be a dig at you only what I have observed and learned the hard way. My kennel is pretty harmonious even with 6 girls and 2 boys but at season time it does get tense, just got to be on guard. I hope it is all okay for you.

Unfortunately, IME when two bitches fight it sometimes does not end when the 'season' does.  Bitches in particular can and will fight nasty, often doing more damage to each other than two males ever would.

All you can do is carefully monitor the situation and be prepared to keep them separated if they don't adjust to living with each other in a more friendly manner.

The younger one is a collie cross westie and the other is a wesite/bearded collie jack russel mix.
I have spoken to a vet who recommended they were split up which I have done Her season should be over now and I have noticed her behaviour returning to normal, she has started palying again which she wasnt doin before. I am concerned that she wont let the older dog back in or that the older dog will be so scared of her that that in its self will cause problems just guna have to keep my fingers crosses as i am about to collect the dog, on the advice of the vet i am going to take the younger one with me.
So wish me luck, Thank you all for your advice will let you know what happens.

I had a similar problem with bitches but it was when I had mated a bitch she wouldnt allow my other girl into the living room with the family I decided from that moment to separate them as they had been the best of friends up until then , it was a nuisance having to bring one in to sit with us and then the other but I didnt want any confrontations , I walked them together which was fine and they played together in the garden but as soon as they came in they immediately seperated themselves it was very strange it was definitely territorial inside the house .This was our routine right up until the puppies went then we took a short break with both girls and the puppy we kept, in the cottage they were fine but still we kept them seperate during the night , when we arrived home we carried on as normal in the home but they slept in different rooms at night everything went back to normal I would say they have never become as close as they once were and that it took months for me to feel completely relaxed . for the second litter with the same bitch completely different atmosphere didnt have to seperate once.
As far as seasons go I have 3 bitches never had a problem  the two I have just been talking about have had thier seasons together with no problems.
I do notice they are very clingy to my hubby and my son wanting to cuddle with them on the sofa and licking them but this happens every season.

I would suggest walking together and short periods in the house with both on leads to see how the land lies it will take a long time for a more relaxed atmosphere but you will need to be vigilent even 2 mins trip up the stairs for instance you will need to seperate to be safe.

If your bitches do get on ok after reintroducing them then I would seriously consider having the youngest neutered. If the behaviour problems (fighting) has only occured because of her season then the answer, surely, would be to get rid of that problem so that her hormones don't take over again. If they don't get on then I'm afraid you will have to keep them separate for ever. I had to rehome a bitch because she didn't get on with her older sister. Heartbreaking though it was, in the end it was the best thing. They both were a lot happier, and the atmosphere in the house was happy too.

I took the trouble maker with me to collect the other dog they were fine came home seemed fine for a few hours, we all started to relax, then I had there food cupboard open they were both round my feet and just started to fight. It didnt seem quite as bad as the others but.... They are in seperate rooms at the mo out of there own choice, trouble isin the living room with my partner and the older one is in the bedroom with me. Younger one keeps giving her the hairy eyeball so she wont go near her. I rang the vet and they said they would spay her next week if i want but it carrys a greater risk.I'm starting to think it maybe worth it if they will then be ok. Will try anythin, dont want them to hurt each other but want rehoming to be the lst resort. That said, if I have to then so be it, but it will break my heart. :-(

food can cause problems you are going to have to be more aware of what is going on . I have a dog food cupboard but never open it when all my dogs are standing around me even the friendliest of dogs will sometimes cause problems over food. I would never feed my dogs together (i know some people do and it works for them ) but I personally would not risk it... you never know !!

please be careful if they re in the same room put them on leads watch the body language if you are aware you can nip it in the bud before it gets out of hand you have to let them know this behaviour is unacceptable,  I only have to raise my voice and my girl run and hide, its all in the tone of the voice, if they have too many fights then unfortunately they may never accept one another again and you will have to re home for thier own safety as dogs can kill each other ...please take care.

Roni

can i ask the out come between the 2 of them after being spayed i may have the same problem!!