Own a Female Dog? What to Look For If You are Adding Another Female to the Pack

Most females can get along nicely with each other. If fighting does occur, however, female-to-female aggression is far more serious than male-to-male aggression.... and sometimes even fatal. This is primarily because while males naturally compete for status and resources, females often compete for total control. Riverdog trainers recently attended a jam-packed aggression seminar by Trish King, renowned author and Director of the Marin County Humane Society, who suggests that if you already have a female dog and are planning to add another, choose your new pet by thinking 'different': Different breed, different age, different needs. Often, the same or similar breeds want the same things (e.g., two retrievers want the same ball, then fight over it.) Choosing the new pet from a different breed, different age group, and even a different sex can reduce the chance of your dogs fighting (e.g., one retriever wants the ball, the new terrier wants the squeaky toy, no need to compete or fight.) So choose your next female wisely. And don't forget to consider bringing into your home....an adorable male!