I have heard and read (however answers weren't reliable) that alpha bitches can, in some cases, release pheromones that either prevent other bitches in the pack from getting pregnant in the first instance or absorbing foetuses if they do.

Is this true? Has anyone else experienced this?

I have a dominant bitch and 2 others. If I do decide to have a litter, it will most likely be one of the other bitches. They all live together but the dominant one can become jealous at times as she 'owns' my husband in her mind. We treat them all as equals and are the alphas in their eyes.

Hopefully someone here will be in a better position to advise.

It is a very interesting subject IMO I wouldn't go as far as to say that pheromones cause this, but it is well documented that stress can and does cause absorption in bitches, a strong alpha can absolutely give out body language to cause a lower ranking female to absorb her litter, just by her daily stance, glare and body language it is extremely powerful and lower ranking females can be and are intimidated and stressed enough to cause this.

It generally happens when there is a 'real' pack consisting of dogs and bitches, having 3 bitches the genetic instinct is not quite the same so the alpha's instinct to only produce herself is not as strong, although there can still be friction and it can happen, but in having females only and as long as the alpha does not harass a bitch in whelp it should be ok, but it does depend on the dynamics and characters of the 'pack.'

If your other bitches are intimidated by the alpha and they really are held down by her, then there could be absorption, in which case you could give her a 'holiday' somewhere whilst the future pregnancy is over.

Often with man made packs there isn't that really strong alpha, the fact that one girl 'owns' your husband doesn't mean she is a true alpha, she knows your husband is not a dog so it is not the same, we are the authority figures not the pack alphas, an alpha dog is in charge of the packs breeding and territory, neither of which apply to us, we are not part of the pack and should not judge a dogs hierarchy by how they are with us. :-)

Thanks carrington.

My male is really laid back. There isn't enough friction between the girls for him to sort out  so he rarely gets involved -even in play fighting, though I understand that bitches are more dominant than dogs.

The reason I ask, is that on the rare occassion we allow one of the girls on the sofa, the dominant bitch will glare at whoever it is and whine at my husband if its not her turn. He usually gives her a firm 'no' which shuts her up but doesn't stop her staring. My youngest bitch is the other bitch's daughter and although she hasn't had a season, I am seeing signs of her turning into the dominant bitch's 'mini-me'. We are nipping any unwanted behaviour in the bud and giving each the same attention, training time, treats and fussing.

Would it make any difference in which of them was bred from first?

My male is really laid back. There isn't enough friction between the girls for him to sort out

Males don't sort out female hierarchy, the girls sort that out between them, so he will not get involved, that is good that there is no friction, sounds as though they all get on well then. ;-)

the dominant bitch will glare at whoever it is and whine at my husband if its not her turn.

Your breed is extremely one on one and a guarding breed, no doubt it is very hard to share their human, but that is a breed trait, not necessarily an alpha stance, she will stare and be upset of course, especially if she bonded first with your husband, if she were a true alpha no doubt the other bitch on the sofa with your husband would feel very uncomfortable and move away showing signs of submission, lower ranking females do not go where the alpha does not want them.

With man made packs, we choose the pup from a litter not necessarily because it has the intelligence, braun and instinctual want to be an alpha, but because the pup fits in with what we want to breed, often foundation bitches would not be the natural selection from a litter for this role, they can be much more laid back and forgiving, even though a hierarchy is often manufactured and formed, often it does not have the characters to cause any problems.

Treating your 3 girls all the same is good to start with, but I would never interfere with a natural progression, if the younger should have the push and need to become top bitch you need to allow that to happen, you need to read that body language correctly.

As for breeding, we choose the bitch that fits in best with our breeding programme, the bitch which is going to carry genetic qualities that we are aiming for, breeding from the younger may well if she is so inclined, give her the push to feel she is now the alpha, for a day a week or forever, whether that is first bred or second, your elder having a litter first does not guarantee anything, if it is meant to be, it is meant to be, you can't fight a dogs character, alpha's IMO are born not made. :-)

>Treating your 3 girls all the same is good to start with, but I would never interfere with a natural progression, if the younger should have the push and need to become top bitch you need to allow that to happen, you need to read that body language correctly.

I think this is an extremely important piece of advice.  Unless people are really dog mad and studying canine behaviour, like a lot of us on CD, it's fair to say that a lot of problems could have been avoided if owners didn't interfere so much.  Many pet owners who have multi dog households can end up having to keep dogs in separate rooms.  I'm amazed how often I hear this.  A bit of understanding of the natural hierarchy can help so much.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm watching their behaviour with interest. Oddly, the second bitch has tried humping her daughter today - trying to assert dominance I believe. Will watch to see what happens.

> Oddly, the second bitch has tried humping her daughter today - trying to assert dominance I believe.

I am not sure why people believe this.  98% of the time it is excitement.  My elderly Bearded Collie sometimes does this when she gets all unnecessary.   She usually waits until I am at the kitchen sink, up to my Marigolds in suds.  Only she hasn't quite got it right!  She places her paws on my shoulders and hasn't got the thrust right.  It's more of a Tigger type bounce.  :-)

I have never yet seen this used as asserting dominance.  (Even when done to a dog, as opposed to its owner.) 

I believe I read it somewhere jean. I may be wrong, as I say, I am always trying to learn and understand. Thankfully, none of mine have tried to hump me - I'm not sure I'd get over the embarrassment if they did it outside!

Also, perhaps, a way of dissipating excitement and calming back down again. When I had two bitches fairly close in age, they would have made play sessions mainly in the evening. As they were becoming tired and play was winding down, they would hump each other in turn, stand around looking weary, then settle down for a sleep. It was almost a way of restoring their companionship after a hard play fight.