Puppy sisters fighting.

Frodobaggins

I wonder if anyone can help with my puppy problem. My daughter and I each have a !!!!! GSD puppy from the same litter. They are now 20 weeks old. When we first got them they spent a lot of time together even though they live in seperate houses and they got on really well.

Now however we meet up with them about once a week either in the park or on the beach. They are always really pleased to see each other at first and then they start having little fights. It appears to get quite nasty and then they play again. It is mostly my dog and she gets her sister often by the throat and gets her on her back. My daughter thinks we shouldn't meet up with them any more because she says my pup is a bully!

Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions please? Is this because they are from the same litter as they are not like this with other dogs they meet?

Fire_Fox

When are they being spayed? How are you allowing them to meet, are you just letting them off the lead, or walking alongside or one behind the other? Are you watching for subtle changes in body language before it gets to an actual fight and walking away so they can cool down?

Owain_Moneysaver

You may think it's nasty but if they play again afterwards, and neither seems aggressive towards or afraid of the other, it's probably all noise and bluster.

Presumably they're equally sized and able to give the other a nip if they think things have gone too far?

Owain_Moneysaver

PS 'girl puppy' is acceptable.

Frodobaggins

Thanks for your replies. My daughter wants her dog spayed in about 2 months time but I want to wait until my dog is around one as otherwise I believe they miss out on important hormones which can impact on their growth and development.

We walk them together on leads when we first meet but they are trying to get to each other to play. When weve been together about 10 minutes walking along side each other we let them off to play. The fighting happens intermitently when they are playing. The last time we met up it seemed at times particularly nasty and we had to put them back on leads. My dog still kept trying to get to hers at times after this. They are about the same size and weight. Not sure what body language to look for?

Thanks for the girl puppy tip lol.

Molly41

Sounds like play fighting to me. My two westies do this a lot and I can tell by the tone of the growling if it is getting out of control. I can stop it with a sharper command and they stop and lick each other

vicx

I agree it does sound like play fighting. I have two 13 month old Yorkies (boys) from same litter and I was a little worried at first when they were play fighting as it did seem to get out of hand although they never hurt each other. One good thing is that they learnt bite inhibition from play fighting with each other so they are very gentle.

Molly41

Yes mine have excellent bite inhibition and have never drawn blood:T:T:T They come away with very slobbery ears though - almost like they suck them:eek:

elliesmemory1

Gsds do play very rough at times. I think you would know if they really mean it, look for bared teeth, raised hackles and you will notice a differant tone to thier growling.
If it was me I would have them both spayed at the same time.
Also would walk them more on lead under control and not let the play get out of hand.

Mara69

It sounds very much like play fighting. My two do it every day, and I can tell when they are 'fighting and biting' (play fighting) or have really fallen out (happens very,very infrequently).

krlyr

Here's my two (GSD and GSD x Rottie) playfighting, it can look rough at times
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwKDAAb9p-8&list=UUeKcZKAvo8O5adknoOJbK7g&index=15&feature=plcp

However, I've also had a bad experience with two young !!!!!es falling out so I would be careful and perhaps err on the side of caution - they may need to learn a few manners from older, calmer dogs before being allowed to play so boisterously together, easier to prevent a grudge than fix one. Try finding an APDT registered trainer who offers socialisation walks with adult dogs who will teach both puppies (on separate walks) the correct body language, manners, play skills, etc. - http://www.apdt.co.uk