Sheltie dynamics question

[pogopup]

I'm just curious and I know I can get some wonderful answers here.

In my rescue, we have a playful 3 mos old female. She is being fostered in a house with two older dogs-male and female. Why is it that the older female is depressed over the puppy in the house? At least that's what her mom says. No illness or anything like that with the resident female dog-she's not mean towards the puppy, she's just very very sad.

I hear this a lot when a younger female gets introduced into a house with an older female resident dog, not so much with boys-I wonder why that is as well?

 

[take4roll10]

Hmm I have noticed that too.

My maltese was two years old when my first sheltie passed away. She acted very funny. Would hide her treats around the house.

A few months later, my family bought a chihuahua puppy and she's been depressed ever since. This was 5 years ago! She used to be a hyper and friendly dog. Now she's lethargic and barks at everyone. There's nothing physically wrong with her. I guess she just never got over the lose of our sheltie.

 

[BarbV]

Believe it or not, from what I've heard, females can tend to be more territorial than males, especially with another female.

They are most often the pack leader, so she may be out of sorts because she believes another female is "moving in".

 

[mbfrench]

We have seen that here with two females in foster.

And some real nerve racking fights between the two. I remember one time,that I just happened to be outside watering flowers, and the two had been fine all day,then all of a sudden the largest one,(chocolate lab) took down the smaller female (chow/aussie mix) and had her by the throat.

I sprayed them with the water hose to get them apart and off one another. Fickle..cause 85% of the time,they bedded together and played nicely,but if one got the notion,to pick a fight,they went at it.
At the time,it was the two females,and Earnhardt as the only male. Both females were spayed.

 

[Strider]

My daughter just took in a pitbull mix out of foster care. Karma is the sweetest gal you'll ever meet. She's 5 years old and is amazingly attached to Brittany.

She will bring Karma over for puppy play dates and to watch Dexter with us. 99% of the time all three dogs get along fine. Every once in a while Karma gets mad at Darby because he likes to lick her face but heck.. I'd get mad too if a person 1/20th my size was licking me..

 

[Justicemom]

I hear this a lot when a younger female gets introduced into a house with an older female resident dog, not so much with boys-I wonder why that is as well?

That's because they're B***hes.

Believe it or not, from what I've heard, females can tend to be more territorial than males, especially with another female.

They are most often the pack leader, so she may be out of sorts because she believes another female is "moving in".

I think this is it. It is territorial/pack thing. I've found sheltie boys are generally more easy going and sheltie girls take things more seriously. I noticed it can be different with other breeds, Malamutes and Rottweilers for example the boys really do not like other boys, girls are still b***hes. But dog aggression is common in these breeds. Or so my friend tells me.

When I got Diva, I think Ember wanted to drown her in the pond out back. She was not happy. No aggression just looks of disgust. I ignored it and she got over it or so I thought. In Aug, Diva's co owner took her for a couple weeks for some shows. Ember was almost giddy. So was so happy that I had wised up and gotten rid of the little demon. Man, was she ticked when she came back. Problem is I think Diva is going to be the alpha female. Poor Ember.

 

[RetiredProf]

At one time, I had 4 Dobies--3 females and a male. Two of the females were mother and daughter, then along came Dee, a rescue. Seemed like there was a constant bidding war among the girls. And, yes, they could be sweet as pie for weeks and months, then--out of the blue--it was a horrific fighting match! And, trust me, you do NOT get between two female dobies!

On two occasions, I grabbed a nearby water bowl and threw it on them. Once, all I had was a cup of lukewarm coffee and I used that in the moment. When I talked to the vet about this, she told me always have access to water--a hose, a water bottle, water dish, etc. They can literally kill each other in minutes.

Harley, the male, was never involved and pretty laid back.

I read this thread with interest. As some of you know, Dee is now in her final months and I'll likely get another pup for me and Gus when the time comes. I had thought about a female Sheltie but, after reading these posts, I wonder if the dynamic might be better with two boys.

 

[BarbV]

I think this is it. It is territorial/pack thing. I've found sheltie boys are generally more easy going and sheltie girls take things more seriously. .

I've always had boy Shelties. They just seem to be bigger sucks.

Last January, I brought Ginnie home - a 3 year old female. She was used to be queen of the pack at the breeders, but all of a sudden she was faced with a 10 month old, unneutered male (spoiled brat). She did not cope well at all, and 1 week, we decided to bring Ginnie back to the breeder and take Indy home instead (another male, same age as Bacca).

Ginnie is now thriving, as far as I know, as single, top dog with an older couple with no kids.

Indy and Bacca continue to take turns being Alpha.

If (??) I ever get a third, I'm not sure what sex I would get. Probably a girl, if a pup. If not, probably another male!