2 dogs not getting on very well

[shivvy]

We have had a female rescue dog (Bella) for over 3 years and about 3 months ago we added another little rescue dog (Lola) to our household. They didn't get along well at the start and when I asked numerous people about this they all advised that it would take time for them to settle down together.
However it hasn't settled much. They are definitely more used to each other but still don't seem to be very fond of each other.
My question is - is there anything I can do to make them happier together or to like each other more? eg are there specific games or training that I could do to help with the situation?
(Some other info that might be useful - There is no doubt that Bellas nose was out of joint when it became clear that Lola was staying. They are both female and spayed. Bella is approx 4 years old and Lola is approx 2 years old. Both are very definite crossbreeds but both have a bit of terrier in them.)

[lankeela]

Sorry, you won't like what I am going to say. Bitches that don't get on can be a real nightmare. They will wait for an excuse to have a go at each other, and never forget. Males will have a set to and then be mates again but the girls will just wait for the next opportunity. I have known many people have two bitches that don't get on, sometimes you can put up with it and manage the situation but I know plenty more who have eventually rehomed one of them for everyone's sake.

[bednobs]

the problem is that if you have girls and boys that don't get on, thre will be argy bargy and eventually the girl will come out on top. Because you have 2 girls, they will always both think they are going to be top and it might not ever resolve

[divegirl]

Have to agree with what has been said above and am a little shocked that a rescue gave you a bitch when you already had one! Bitch fights are worse than dog fights, with the 'ladies' often fighting to the death.
I would go back to the rescue for help here.

Lisa x

[RATTER15]

Well, you learn something new every day, Ive never actually 2 bitches together apart from Mother and Daughter, I thought two bitches would have been fine together.

Maybe next year we will possibly having two bitches together but again that will probably be a bitch from our own breeding.

Women!!!

[andy-hughes]

You could possible help to calm things down by reassuring Bella that her pack position is safe - since she will be the one feeling pushed out.

Try and spend some time with Bella on her own, out of sight and hearing of Lola. Make a big fuss of her, and talk to her, play with her favourite toys, take her out for a walk on her own, and so on.

You can do the same with Lola, so she feels welcome and accepted, and with luck, if both of them feel more secure, they won't be pushing for a superior position, which is what the fighting is all about.

It's worth a try, and if it doesn't work, you are where you are now, and may have to look at re-homing one or both of them.

[ladybirder]

Dogs will sort the pecking order out themselves and that is the way it should be. Human intervention is rarely a good idea IMO and in the opinion of experts.

[divegirl]

I'm not saying that it can't be done. I have three bitches together, mother and daughter Yorkie combo and a Great Dane. BUT I have seem many times that once a problem occurs there is little that can be done to reverse it. I work for both a Great Dane and Akita rescue and as a hard and fast rule we only allow different sex re-homings.

Lisa x

[lankeela]

Unfortunately ladybirder dogs sorting out the pecking order themselves often ends up with serious injuries to one or both or even the owners - I do know owners who can keep bitches together that don't get on, but in many cases one day it will result in a serious fight. I have two litter sisters that were ok for the first five years but one day out on a walk one pounced on the other and pinned her down, and since them I have to keep them under my strict control. I would not leave them alone in a room together and one sleeps in a cage on a night. It is no use trying to make a fuss of the more dominant one, as that makes them think even more that they have the right to bully the other. Strange this is with my two is that at home the smaller one is 'boss' but when out on walk the other one is the bully! I would never let anyone have a young bitch if they have an older one, no matter what breed.

[ladybirder]

Lankeela , << It is no use trying to make a fuss of the more dominant one, as that makes them think even more that they have the right to bully the other.>> I agree, that is exactly what I meant in my post when I said about not intervening, ie don't try to change the pecking order. I didn't mean let them kill each other. It was more in response to andy's post. I would certainly not keep two females together and sadly I think shivvy may have to take Lola back to the Rescue and get a male instead. Glad it's not my decision, it would break my heart.

[bednobs]

we have two dogs who sorted themselves out quite quickly. We introduced a bitch puppy a few months ago. the dominant dog found it quite difficult to accept he's not top dog anymore, but he really isn't. He stood firm for a few weeks but has now just capitulated to her. I agree with lankeela re injuries though - while they were sorting out, i had 2 trips to the minor injuries unit for me and one to the vets for him.

[shivvy]

Oh my goodness this seems to be really bad and sad news.
I had done research on what would make a good match when adding another dog to the family eg reed, sex, size etc and although some said that it would be best to have a male/female mix, not one person said not to have 2 females.

The rescue centre was utter cr@p. In fact we were told that lola was a male and it was only when we had her microchipped and ready to take home that we noticed that she was a female. The dog warden had marked her down as a female and we didn't notice because we weren't allowed to take her out of the kennel before we officially adopted her.

I would hate to think of giving her up now. I'm a bit flummoxed as to why you think I might have to give them both up andy-hughes??

They haven't been viscious towards each other but there is no doubt that Bella isn't too happy about her being here and I think is tending to 'bully' Lola. Lola doesn't seem interested in starting any aggro. The only thing we had a problem with was food when we first got her. But I think it was because she was just so skinny and hungry that she was possessive of any food. She is much much better now that she knows that she doesn't have to panic re food.

I have contacted a dog behaviourist who is coming out to see us in a couple of weeks so fingers crossed for that.
Surely there is something more I can do to try and make it work. They are both real sweethearts.

[shivvy]

OK - couple of typos in my last post!

reed = breed
viscious = vicious
Also, the dog warden had marked her down as a male - not a female.

[bednobs]

it is possible, so don't lose heart. if the bitches get on it can be good, but the problem is if you have 2 bitches that don't get on (as you've found out)

[ladybirder]

Well I really hope it works out for you I really do. Make sure the AB is qualified and if recommended even better. BTW I think it must be a slip of the cursor with andy as I can't see why he would think both need to be rehomed. Good luck and please let us know how you get on. X

[andy-hughes]

My apologies - what I meant was, you may prefer to re-home both dogs rather than have to make a choice between which of them to keep.

[shivvy]

Thanks everyone. If you do think of anything I can do or try then please feel free to let me know about it.

Andy - I'm still a bit confused! It would be a heartbreak to give up Lola (who we have only had for a few months) but if we did, then giving up Bella too wouldn't make things any easier! I think I must be misunderstanding you.

[andy-hughes]

No - I probably didn't explain very well.

What I meant was - if you can't decide which dog to re-home, it may be easier to re-home both, but from the sound of your post, your older dog means the most, so you should look at keeping her and re-homing Lola, which will still be a wrench, but better for you - and for Bella - in the long run.

Apologies for my garbled messages!