Your situation sounds very much like the one between two of my girls. And I believe that it did start when Harlie went into her first heat. BUT it did not improve when the cycle was over.
They too have a love hate relationship. The agression only happens when I am present and only when they are in an excitable situation. Otherwise they will eat together, lay together and play with each other.
This has been going on for several months now. It gets bad, I have to break them apart and the other night I even got bit accidently
So I have started watching them. Ollie will aproach Harlie in a very tense manner and even block her path, Harlie will then put her feet on Ollie, just to show her that she is not going to be pushed around, and if Ollie does not submit, the fight is on.
So I have started watching for the situation and intercepting it before it escalates.
I've watched a lot of dog whisperer and have learned what body language to watch for and as he demonstrates, catch it before it escalates. Now I just step between them if I get there soon enough, if not I grab Harlie off from Ollie before the fight starts. then I put one on either side of me and watch them and snap at either one when they start to look at the other one.
As you pointed out, it starts with the LOOK.
so far that has helped. As soon as both are behaving submissive, relaxed body, ears down and not trying to make eye contact with the other, I walk away.
So I know I am the trigger and an excitable situation such as letting them outside, will set it off. |