when 2 dogs go to war

[justmetoo]

how can I stop my pregnant bitch attacking my other non pregnant bitch, it started off growling.........its full on now, Im worried they will kill each other.....its allways the pregnant one that starts it.....

[andy-hughes]

Your pregnant bitch is establishing a secure territory in which to birth her pups. In the wild - and that is where these instrincts come from - the other bitch would re-locate, leaving your pregnant bitch to birth in peace.

You need to separate them - ideally re-homing your non-pregnant bitch until after the birth, and the pups are off to their new homes.

This is not going to resolve itself - they will simply fight until injury or death separates the issue, so act now, and get them apart. Once the birth and homing are done, you can gently re-introduce them to each other, but not before.

[justmetoo]

Thanks for that, it does explain alot, she has totally changed her personality, shes more bossy but quiet as well........

[andy-hughes]

No problem.

Yes, her personality will change as her mothering instincts kick in. She will defend her unborn pups, and be even more defnsive when they are born. This in turn could provoke your other bith to re-asert her territorial instincts by killing the pups if she can get to them.

A I said, best to move the non-pregnany lady out of the scenario, for everyone involved.

[justmetoo]

Thank you so much you have been really helpful, I am trying to find a home for my non pregnant girl, but its proving difficult, I live in rural Spain and all my dogs are rescue, they have all been " done " apart from this one, who when I took her to the vets he discovered she had a heart murmer, and wouldnt survive the op, I did get her ingected to stop her season, but she became alergic to that, and then the local goat herd dog came on the seen, and this is the result.............oh well..such is life....thanks again....any other advice would be welcome....

[lankeela]

Fighting could also cause damage to the pups and she could even reabsorb them, or miscarry. Separate them now for both their sakes, and also for the puppies. Bitches are far worse than dogs, they hold a grudge and just wait for the next opportunity to get the other one. Dogs however are more prepared to fight and forget (till something else sets them off). Hormonal bitches are even worse, and will be trying to protect their unborn pups from any interference from another female.

[andy-hughes]

It's a pleasure.

A difficult situation - I hope you get it sorted out.

A x

[justmetoo]

Thanks guys, I appriciate that, still trying to rehome the non pregnant one, which is a nightmare, no-one can take her, shes a big dogs as well which dosnt help, luckily we have a yard and land so they can be seperated, its not ideal, but for the moment its the best I can do...........