I have two dogs, both female. They fight all the time.

[Lisa1983]

The fights are generally provoked by food; perhaps a bit of dog food or a biscuit will wind up on the floor and the young female will make sure she gets it by peremptorily attacking the older. Sometimes, however, it seems to happen for no apparent reason. When the fight ensues, we can't get them apart. We scream and yell and pull and push and eventually they break up. We've done everything we can think of to prevent these altercations. We've even taken the younger female to training classes. No real effect. Now we're thinking about a shock collar. Has anyone heard of the success rate of them or is it just plain cruel to use one of these on her?

[Illyria54]

If I was in your situation and I had tried other options (I would never ever use a shock collar), I would seriously consider re homing the younger bitch, you may never sort this out if she is that dominant, what is she like when she is around other dogs? even if you were to muzzle her around your other dog she will still attack though obviously she would not be able to bite, I find that muzzles can actually have the opposite effect though, in as much as they can make a dog more aggressive, so your only option at the end of the day might be to re home her as an only dog. I can appreciate how hard this would be but you have to consider your older dog.
Good luck.

[kita1]

I had two GSD girls that fought (and I mean fought badly). A shock collar would have no effect on them whatsoever. I am not just saying this from a cruelty point of view, although I do think they are cruel. Dogs/animals do not feel any pain when fighting, they don't hear anything either. No amount of training will work either.

If the fights are really bad then I would agree with Illyria it may be best to rehome one of them. That way both dogs can be happy and not constantly on edge and you can relax and enjoy being a dog owner.

I never managed to stop the fights between my two, all I could do was watch them constantly for a trigger and try and seperate them (it cost me lots of money in vet bills). It is very distressing seeing the two animals you love trying to kill each other (and believe me bitches will fight to the death) and there is also the drawback that you could end up being bitten when you try to pull them apart (I was). The best way to stop a fight is either throw something over them (like a blanket) and/or grab a tail each. Don't go for the collar or you could get bitten.

One other thing - I had to seperate them whenever I left them - I was terrified of coming back to a seriously injured/dead dog.

Rehoming one would be the best solution for everyone.

[lankeela]

Males will have a scrap and then make up and forget it, females with just wait until the next opportunity to get the other one again. I have never known females go back to being friendly with each other after they have started fighting.
One word of advice, definitely do not shout and yell, it is the worst thing you can do, as it excites them and makes them more keen to attack, try to stay calm and if you can get hold of one and go through a doorway, closing the door (gently) on them then trying to shut the door with one either side. I had a collie and a gsd bitch who had a couple of nasty scraps, and they were always waiting for each other after that. Eventually I had to rehome the gsd (she was a rescue and last one in) after she jumped out of a car window open about 8 inches onto the back of the collie.

Chucking water over them can sometimes make them come apart, but what happens then is that one or other of them gets a better hold than they had before, as they will not let go once they get a hold, and often haven't got a very good grip in the first place.

Sad to say I think you will have to rehome one, and it is better to think about this now that wait until one of them is badly injured or you get badly bitten, as they do not stop to think about anyone or anything.

[Snappy]

I agree, i think rehoming one would be best. Bitches fight over space to reproduce, meaning they wont stop until the offender has been removed. Bitch fights are often very bad and i think they are obviously building up to a very bad situation for both you and them. I would get in and separate a fight. Sadly it wont get any better, only worse.

[kita1]

The other thing about using a shock collar to try and stop a fight is this:

Dogs start to fight, dog receives a shock/pain - what does it associate the pain with? Other dog! Therefore it now thinks: other dog = pain. Now it will attack the other dog even more.

Also are you going to leave the dog in the collar 24 hours a day? Some of these collars have been proven to have given a shock when the microwave oven goes off, or be affected by other household appliances.

Please don't waste your money or your time on these devices, they will not improve matters and in all probability will make things even worse.