[Trashman'sDOGS]

I have read that having two females together that they will fight and not get along. I have also read that if there is some age difference between them then there should not be much of a problem. Which is it? Does it just depend on the temperment of both dogs? I have a 1 year old boxer/lab mix and a 5 1/2 month old boxer.......both have been spayed and seem to get along fine so far..........

Thanks........
Robb

[Amitiel]

it will help if both are fixed - but as long as at least 1 is a submissive then they should do fine - be ready for the occassional "dust-up" - just watch and make sure no-one gets hurt, they will work it out usually

I had a Bichon & mini-poddle mix, both females, 6 months apart in age, they life-bonded - when I had to put the Bichon to sleep (after 13 years) the pooddle mix nearly greived to death (I had introduced another dog into the house about 1 year before, only thing that kept her alive I think)

[Trashman'sDOGS]

Thanks.......

[sheltiemom]

I've been wondering about this too. I have two males, two weeks apart in age, and I've heard different things. One breeder told me to get a male/female pair to minimize problems, but other breeders I talked to were reluctant to sell me a male/female because of problems they've had with people trying to breed them. Mine get along fine now, in fact, they are inseperable, and I plan on neutering them when they are old enough, but I am slightly worried about future problems since neither one seems particularly submissive. One does let the other eat first - is that a sign that one is submissive?

[sillylilykitty]

Originally Posted by sheltiemom

I've been wondering about this too. I have two males, two weeks apart in age, and I've heard different things. One breeder told me to get a male/female pair to minimize problems, but other breeders I talked to were reluctant to sell me a male/female because of problems they've had with people trying to breed them. Mine get along fine now, in fact, they are inseperable, and I plan on neutering them when they are old enough, but I am slightly worried about future problems since neither one seems particularly submissive. One does let the other eat first - is that a sign that one is submissive?

I dont know if that means one is submissive. I think it more likely means one dog is more dominant than the other.

[Amitiel]

Originally Posted by sheltiemom

I've been wondering about this too. I have two males, two weeks apart in age, and I've heard different things. One breeder told me to get a male/female pair to minimize problems, but other breeders I talked to were reluctant to sell me a male/female because of problems they've had with people trying to breed them. Mine get along fine now, in fact, they are inseperable, and I plan on neutering them when they are old enough, but I am slightly worried about future problems since neither one seems particularly submissive. One does let the other eat first - is that a sign that one is submissive?

does that 1 give way willingly? - if so, then that is the more submissive - if things get out-of-hand then you become the dominate and make them both submissives

I have 4, 1 small female & a small male, 1 large female and a larger male - the smallest female is the dominate, if she barks they all snap-to

[Curbside Prophet]

IMO, it's more important to spend your time controlling your dog's resources. You can try to play the hierarchy/dominance game with them, but more often then not, we humans fail to read exactly what's going on. Dogs tend to have issues when resources aren't controlled and when there's too much of the good stuff around, whatever that me be.

I believe you can have any kind of paring in a dog group, so long as you do your job in practicing NILIF and controlling resources. However, i you start to have problems, it's usually because you've read dog speak wrong. This doesn't mean you're incapable of solving the problem, but it may mean using the resources of a certified behaviorist is needed. So I would consider this before venturing into adding another dog, because you may have to do this, and it's not something I would put on a list to overlook.

Just don't confuse the dog by doing something you're unsure of, like using dominance tactics.

Dog Scouts of America - Some Thoughts on Letting go of the Dominance Paradigm in Training Dogs

Can you pair two females together with balancing temperaments? Absolutely, and you should. Just keep in mind that things can change once under your control and when in a new environment. The honeymoon can end quickly if you're not dog savvy. So please judge your savvy before getting another dog, regarless of sex or temperament.

[sillylilykitty]

Ok I have an idea of what NILIF is, and I have briefly read the website. But can you summarize it for me? What is it? You just dont do anything your dog wants when you want it, just when you want it?

[Curbside Prophet]

Originally Posted by sillylilykitty

Ok I have an idea of what NILIF is, and I have briefly read the website. But can you summarize it for me? What is it? You just dont do anything your dog wants when you want it, just when you want it?

The simplest way I can put it is, your dog must earn what's valuable to them through you. These are the dog's resources...food, shelter, attention, play, social time, etc. If you give these things freely, our dogs will take advantage of it, and soon enough they'll expect resources without effort. Leaders need to teach our dogs what we expect from them in order to be fed, to play, to sleep on the bed, etc. Some call it being the "Alpha" and claim alphas use dominance to rule. This IMO, is a bad way to look at it. Being the human Alpha means being a teacher first to our dogs (show them what we want), then being the leader (giving them a life that's fair and light handed). Dominance concepts come from the wrong point of view, IMO.

Sorry, a bit off topic, but I hope it benefits the OP as well.

[nrhareiner]

I have always had dogs that are all diferent ages and genders. I also have 2 females that are with in 3 weeks of each other a female that is 4. 3 males that are all over the age of 10. The females especailly the ones that are 3 weeks apart are the best of freinds and even the older female gets along fine with the younger ones. The males just chime in and enjoy it all.

I run the dogs just like I run the horses. I am boss and if they do not like it toff. They learn real fast that what I say goes and if they want anything it comes through me. I also let them hammer out their pecking order too to a large extent. However, if do not like how it is going I will set the order my self.

Heidi

[Maril]

Originally Posted by Trashman'sDOGS

I have read that having two females together that they will fight and not get along. I have also read that if there is some age difference between them then there should not be much of a problem. Which is it? Does it just depend on the temperment of both dogs? I have a 1 year old boxer/lab mix and a 5 1/2 month old boxer.......both have been spayed and seem to get along fine so far..........

Thanks........
Robb

Robb, I have 9 and 6 year old Boxer bitches, 9 & 6ish dog and bitch Dobies, 5 year old Bloodhound bitch, middle aged Beagle bitch, ancient Yorkie, and until recently a very elderly Brittany Spaniel lady. All these dogs get along great; loafing, playing, greeting us like insane lunatics, outside, inside. All but one are rescues, so they came together at different ages and times. They eat together, each has his/her dish, I dish the food in, they know to eat their's, and not mess with anyone elses, regardless of what order they're fed. The two barn dogs don't interract with these dogs much, but no problem if they do. The exceptions are my Jack and AmBull, who get along fine with the others, but not each other or the Dobie dog. I don't think you should have any problems, as long as you learn to understand the psychology of the species.

[Lorina]

My inlaws have two females, a Corgi and a Dachshund, that get along great. They're about 2 years apart in age, both spayed, and both acquired as puppies.

[Trashman'sDOGS]

thanks for all of the replies........
Robb

[suzysmitt]

I have 5 girls all fixed, and one little man also fixed. They get along very well except for a scuffle every now and then. When that happens the offender gets to days on the back porch, and that puts an end to the fight.