Fighting Females!! Need Help - YorkieTalk.com Forums

blyorkie · 02-20-2005, 07:42 AM

I have several females/1 male. A newly purchased (1 yr. ago) female is fighting with another female who was born here and is my oldest female. The new female is in heat. She fights with the older female every chance possible. I have to leave the house with 1 always with me. This has been going on for approx. 2-3 weeks. If I separate them in the house they scratch at the doors..that is not an ideal situation. If I kennel then the new one barks...the older one is better behaved but I don't want to make her life miserable. Is this a permanent problem I'm experiencing or a temporary...please I need some suggestions. I am a holistic feeder...all my dogs are very healthy..there is plenty of food to eat. They live inside my home...even an electric blanket on top of their bed for chilly mornings. They have plenty of chewey's for all. All suggestions/help greatly appreciated...

fasteddie · 02-20-2005, 05:33 PM

Are they fighting over the male? Is the new female ready to have a litter as well? I think there may be jealousy issues if both are in heat, or the new one senses a difference in the older female. Is the fighting initiated only by the newer female?

Perhaps another male may satisfy the situation? Or if the newer female gets in heat and has a litter, that may possibly help? Just some suggestions I could think of, I'm sure some breeders may have more insight into this matter, welcome aboard blyorkie!

blyorkie · 02-21-2005, 06:37 AM

OK...My newer female was purchased same time as male. Everyone has gotten along in the past. Todo the older female and Gabby the younger have gotten along in the past. Gabby is in heat...not Todo. They only fight with each other...the male doesn't seem to be involved...except it takes time away from his job. I had another female the died from a dog flu Jan 1, 2004 and the same problem erupted between her and Gabby. I normally keep Mom and pups separated in another room anyway...before she delivered she and Gabby would fight...I don't mean growling..I mean all out killing each other..biting ears..feet...some scenerio as today. I am a holistic feeder and have used flower essences, etc. I did not have a lot of success except with Rescue Remedy. I try to keep them separated until I know how to cure this horrible problem. Thanks blyorkie

CC's · 02-21-2005, 02:40 PM

I wish I had better news for you but its a very real possibility they will have to be separated from now on. When they first come into season they can fight. Also sometimes when they are pregnant. Hormones set it off a lot of times. Yorkies are terriers and can be quite aggressive to each other in a breeding program in a home.

Generally it seems once they start its very hard to stop. You can try after the heat is over, but be prepared to get bitten when breaking them apart if you have to.

They can and will kill each other if left alone to fight so I would never leave them alone again even if you think they have worked it out.

You can try a few things once the heat is over. I wish you lots of luck.

Some things you can try.......

leashing them, or crating in the same room just out of reach until they are comfortable with each other. (never worked for me)

Muzzling them so they can't do any damage and give up. (some success here)

The "nothing in life is free" type program making you the alpha. (probably your best chance, its on line if you search yahoo or google)

Lots of gates to keep them in opposite sides of the house.

blyorkie · 02-21-2005, 05:18 PM

CC...Thank you for your imput. I have several gates. I have a large bedroom and a very large bath. If I put the gate between and put a blanket, etc. over it to block the view...do you think that will work while I am gone??? I suppose I should do it while I'm home to see if I have success. My dogs are not particularly jumpers...don't know about how aggression plays into this plan. Thanks...I've only had you and fasteddie give me any suggestions thus far. Thanks again. Laura

Harbinger · 02-21-2005, 05:30 PM

Sorry no advice but just a heart felt good luck. and I hope you can work something out. My only advice is I guess if it comes down to it you may need to find the younger female a good home. A Yorkie or any dog/cat for that matter should be happy in their home. I hope you can sort this out between them and I'm sure it hurts you as you must love them both.

CC's · 02-21-2005, 05:41 PM

When your not there you have to put them up in either crates or rooms with closed doors. They can get over a gate, even if they have to climb it.
Gates are only for when your there.

I hope you don't have to place one, if it gets bad its a possibility as well.

I'm sure you'll get more advice. I know I only hit posts here and there. So many to read so little time.

02-20-2005, 07:42 AM	#1
blyorkie Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Berkeley Lake Posts: 18	Fighting Females!! Need Help I have several females/1 male. A newly purchased (1 yr. ago) female is fighting with another female who was born here and is my oldest female. The new female is in heat. She fights with the older female every chance possible. I have to leave the house with 1 always with me. This has been going on for approx. 2-3 weeks. If I separate them in the house they scratch at the doors..that is not an ideal situation. If I kennel then the new one barks...the older one is better behaved but I don't want to make her life miserable. Is this a permanent problem I'm experiencing or a temporary...please I need some suggestions. I am a holistic feeder...all my dogs are very healthy..there is plenty of food to eat. They live inside my home...even an electric blanket on top of their bed for chilly mornings. They have plenty of chewey's for all. All suggestions/help greatly appreciated...

02-21-2005, 06:37 AM	#3
blyorkie Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Berkeley Lake Posts: 18	Fighting Females OK...My newer female was purchased same time as male. Everyone has gotten along in the past. Todo the older female and Gabby the younger have gotten along in the past. Gabby is in heat...not Todo. They only fight with each other...the male doesn't seem to be involved...except it takes time away from his job. I had another female the died from a dog flu Jan 1, 2004 and the same problem erupted between her and Gabby. I normally keep Mom and pups separated in another room anyway...before she delivered she and Gabby would fight...I don't mean growling..I mean all out killing each other..biting ears..feet...some scenerio as today. I am a holistic feeder and have used flower essences, etc. I did not have a lot of success except with Rescue Remedy. I try to keep them separated until I know how to cure this horrible problem. Thanks blyorkie

02-21-2005, 05:18 PM	#5
blyorkie Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Berkeley Lake Posts: 18	Fighting Females CC...Thank you for your imput. I have several gates. I have a large bedroom and a very large bath. If I put the gate between and put a blanket, etc. over it to block the view...do you think that will work while I am gone??? I suppose I should do it while I'm home to see if I have success. My dogs are not particularly jumpers...don't know about how aggression plays into this plan. Thanks...I've only had you and fasteddie give me any suggestions thus far. Thanks again. Laura

02-20-2005, 05:33 PM	#2
fasteddie *YT 6000 Club Member* Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 6,238	Are they fighting over the male? Is the new female ready to have a litter as well? I think there may be jealousy issues if both are in heat, or the new one senses a difference in the older female. Is the fighting initiated only by the newer female? Perhaps another male may satisfy the situation? Or if the newer female gets in heat and has a litter, that may possibly help? Just some suggestions I could think of, I'm sure some breeders may have more insight into this matter, welcome aboard blyorkie!

02-21-2005, 02:40 PM	#4
CC's YT Addict Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 402	I wish I had better news for you but its a very real possibility they will have to be separated from now on. When they first come into season they can fight. Also sometimes when they are pregnant. Hormones set it off a lot of times. Yorkies are terriers and can be quite aggressive to each other in a breeding program in a home. Generally it seems once they start its very hard to stop. You can try after the heat is over, but be prepared to get bitten when breaking them apart if you have to. They can and will kill each other if left alone to fight so I would never leave them alone again even if you think they have worked it out. You can try a few things once the heat is over. I wish you lots of luck. Some things you can try....... leashing them, or crating in the same room just out of reach until they are comfortable with each other. (never worked for me) Muzzling them so they can't do any damage and give up. (some success here) The "nothing in life is free" type program making you the alpha. (probably your best chance, its on line if you search yahoo or google) Lots of gates to keep them in opposite sides of the house.

02-21-2005, 05:30 PM	#6
Harbinger Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Toronto Posts: 371	Sorry no advice but just a heart felt good luck. and I hope you can work something out. My only advice is I guess if it comes down to it you may need to find the younger female a good home. A Yorkie or any dog/cat for that matter should be happy in their home. I hope you can sort this out between them and I'm sure it hurts you as you must love them both.

02-21-2005, 05:41 PM	#7
CC's YT Addict Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 402	When your not there you have to put them up in either crates or rooms with closed doors. They can get over a gate, even if they have to climb it. Gates are only for when your there. I hope you don't have to place one, if it gets bad its a possibility as well. I'm sure you'll get more advice. I know I only hit posts here and there. So many to read so little time.