Hi,
I need help, I have 2 female dalmations one is 14 months ( not neuterd) the other approximately 5 years (unknown due to getting her from a rescue centre) and is neuterd and they have started fighting. Both dogs live outside in a large kennal and interact with us whilst in the garden or out walking, they don't fight all the time, most of the time they get on perfectly well walking together, running about together, the problem starts mainly after they've eaten, they are fed at the same time but in seperate places, after that it's a lottery to whether they'll fight or not!

I have changed their food, lowering the protien with, I must admit some great results. They were fine for a while but now and again it kicks off all over again and is normally instigated by the youngest one, the fighting is a frightening experience very vicsious and can last up to 5 minutes. We used to break them up but were advised not to, and let them sort themselves out and when it's over bite their ear to afirm my dominance over them and displeasure at the fighting(wasn't quite sure about that).

This has to stop it has resulted in a £400 vets bill already, I would prefer to keep them both but it looks like one could have to go!!

All adivce greatly received.

How long have you had each of them? When bitches fall out it tends to be permanent and, if not dealt with, has been known to end with serious injury or even death, so be prepared to have to rehome one of them, for the happiness and wellbeing of both.

And don't take the stupid advice to bite them to 'assert dominance' - unless you want to get bitten yourself, of course.

Hi I've had Megan the youngest from 8 weeks old, Ive had mollie 2 1/2 years they were introduced straight away and got on really well mollie actually seemed to mother her a bit, not had any problems until may/ june this year when the first sort of growl/ scuffle happened. The serious stuff is more recent. After their fight session they will happily curl up together in the kennal as though nothing has happened!!

Has Megan been in season recently?

For a start why don't you feed the dogs completely seperately?  After they've eaten remove the bowls, give it an hour or slightly longer and take them for a little walk then put them back together.

I do agree with dogs sorting things out themselves but not when that turns into a fight!  You could end up with a dead dog.  Also please stop biting your dog on the ear, this will get you no-where except maybe A & E.

Sounds like your younger girl is maybe pushing her luck and finding out her position with the other dog, best to curb this behaviour now or you may end up having to seperate them 24/7.

Please don't leave them together in the kennel when you aren't there - you can have no idea if an outside stimulus might start a fight.

> Please don't leave them together in the kennel when you aren't there - you can have no idea if an outside stimulus might start a fight.

Good point - can they see out of the garden?  Could there be something out there that they want to get to?

Redirected aggression/border aggression can easily cause fighting in dogs (and has resulted in handlers being bitten too).  Basically, the dogs see something they want on the other side of a fence (or kennel/run bars), they get frustrated that they can't get it, so they go at each other.  I've heard of it in a pair of dobe bitches (they reacted to passers by with one attacking the other but were fine otherwise) and have personally had to break up a fight between an akita and a GSD because they couldn't reach dogs on the other side of their paddock fence in kennels (they were absolutely fine afterwards, so long as we had no other dogs in fields when they were out).

Maybe a cat is crossing your garden?

In reply to most comments megan had her first season in march this year no problems or aggression between either of them at the time in fact mollie tended to mother her more as though megan was unsure of what was happening to her. during the day they have full run of the garden/ drive they're only locked up at night. i'm home quite alot of the time in the day and there isn't any fighting it all happens at evening meal times if it's gomig to happen, but on a morning they are fine at breakfast.