I need some dog help, with my two catahoula's.

[savin yours]

I have two girls(sisters) that are a little over three months old, and have been together since birth. They seem to be great dogs, smart, loving and sweet. But they fight each other like crazy! And it's not one single thing that triggers it, food, jealousy or anything specific like that. Sometimes they walk by each other and stare the other one down until the bell rings for round one. I had to separate them three times yesterday, and the last time I almost couldn't get them apart. So are they trying to establish dominance or what? Do I let them fight until one wins? I don't want them hurt or pay a vet bill. Not sure what to do?

[Brhibler1]

Do they sleep and eat together?

[savin yours]

Do they sleep and eat together?

Yes

[Storm]

They have a pecking order and by what you say they are going to settle it. You may end up giving or selling one for piece of mind.

[Brhibler1]

Change that fast!
I have 2 boys that are coming up on 5 months. They used to have some major issues. One was a bully, the other timid coward.

I finally started feeding them separately in 2 kennels. They sleep there too.
But throughout the day they hang out in an outdoor pen.
The bully has calmed down and the timid pup has a lot more confidence.
Try it for a while and you'll notice a change.

[savin yours]

They have a pecking order and by what you say they are going to settle it. You may end up giving or selling one for piece of mind.

I was thinking about this last night. I really don't want to give up either, but I'm not gonna put my kids at risk because of two dogs.

[savin yours]

Change that fast!
I have 2 boys that are coming up on 5 months. They used to have some major issues. One was a bully, the other timid coward.

I finally started feeding them separately in 2 kennels. They sleep there too.
But throughout the day they hang out in an outdoor pen.
The bully has calmed down and the timid pup has a lot more confidence.
Try it for a while and you'll notice a change.

I may have to try this, thanks.

[Storm]

Remember that you are the leader of the pack so you need to set the rules of the pack. The next time they fight break it up in the roughs way you can and make them submit . Out of all the dogs I have owned they never fought each other.

[Brhibler1]

Has one created dominance yet?
If and when that one does, start leash training, independently. After a while try walking the dominant female one the leash with the other by your side. It will teach her that over all your the master.
Then you can leash train together.

Work them dogs hard, that's what they were breed for.
When they are left alone and become board, they get into mischief!

[savin yours]

Has one created dominance yet?
If and when that one does, start leash training, independently. After a while try walking the dominant female one the leash with the other by your side. It will teach her that over all your the master.
Then you can leash train together.

Work them dogs hard, that's what they were breed for.
When they are left alone and become board, they get into mischief!

Yes, the black one is dominate but the red one is not very timid.

[Brhibler1]

It took me till 4.5 months to break the dominant bully.
I was told by a dog boarding schools owner that the separation when sleeping and eating is the key. That they need to be as comfortable with no stress what so ever.

[systemnt]

I wasnt able to stop the girls from fighting for dominance..especially when the young one realized she was as big..
Even with seperated kennels, feeding stations etc..
We eventually had to give the older one a home somewhere else.

Now ..there is one technique ive read about on tbh..that i never tried but hear it works for just about evrrything...
Do a search for "hump it till it pees".

[Palmetto]

I don't have any ideas for keeping them from fighting, but I do know his to separate them during a fight.

Take an old lariat rope, and cut it down to about 6' long, maybe a little longer. You just need it to be manageable. Now u have a all-in-one choke collar/leash.

When they start fighting, build a decent loop, slip it over the dominate ones head. The lariat rope is stiff enough to stay open, and keeps your hands far enough away to not get bit. Now you have control! Yank that *%#%€ up, and drag her to the pen. Or tie her in back of your truck if that's all u got.

I have separated some pretty intense fights between my male catahoulas this way. Sometimes the other dog will latch on when your dragging it off, so watch out for that.

Good luck.

[GarGuy]

Save some time and hump them till they pee and it will be over.

[roysmoke]

If you need to break up a fight you should build a few breaking sticks out of a plastic cutting board. Owning Pits for years you had to have them around. You should be able to find this on the web. Dragging them around while latched on will only give you a bigger vet bill.