sudden dog to dog aggression

[neetling]

We cohabit with my mother. We've been here for a year. We brought our pug with us when we moved in and all has been well until the past month or so. There used to be a third dog but the oldest and definite alpha passed away a few months ago. Both dogs are spayed females.

For the last month my mom's dog (MD from here on out) (a chihuahua/poodle mix) and our pug have been going at it. The usual aggressor is my mom's dog, although on occasion it's been the pug. They fight if someone comes to the door. They've fought over new collars or when one gets to go in the car and the other doesn't. MD is a month older than our pug. They've fought when I pick up our pug.

They oddly do not fight over food. Nor are they aggressive with the kids or other people, not even when we are physically separating them from fighting.

Is this a figuring out who the new alpha dog is thing? What can I do to help? My mom has been bitten and MD has a decent tear in her ear. They REALLY go at it. I may have to rehome our pug if I can't come to a solution. The fighting is getting more frequent. They do seem to "make up" after a fight. Licking each other, nice sniffing.

Any ideas are welcome.

[Ola_]

Two females, of about the same age? Oh my, you might have trouble. How old are they?

Read the thread in this forum called "The guilt". This is the most common aggression scenario next to two intact males.

[neetling]

One was born in January of 08 and te other in February.

[Sailor]

Dog aggression doesn't translate over to human aggression. So, it's common for dogs not to be aggressive towards you or the children, while at the same time wanting to beat the other dog in a death battle.

Keep them separate, 100% of the time. Get a behaviorist to come in and help you. Sometimes, two dogs can become friends with the right help. Often not. Separation is your best bet.

[pitbullrescuer]

Keep them separate! 2 females are worse than 2 males!!!!! Contact a dog trainer ASAP.
Never break up a dog fight unless you have been trained how to by a professional!!!!! You can get hurt (even by small dogs). Be sure that both dogs are up to date on their shots and have had their yearly trip to the vets office. Also ask your vet about the problem. They may also have someone they can tell you about. I rescue Pit bulls, apbt and other "bully" breeds. They can be a handful and of course with all the bad press dangerous. I never let any new rescue into my home until my dog trainer has done a temperment test on them (he tests for food agression, people aggression and dog as well). And I never leave my children alone with any dog (not even my lab who we have had for 7 years). ANY dog can hurt/bite a child.
I use airline crates and my fenced yard anytime I have to shower.
I have never had any problems with the pits and my kids (14, 5 and 2 1/2)
We have had a few small dog fights and 1 major fight between my lab female who is 15 and my blue pit female who is 2. My lab probably started it, and my pit finished it. My lab is old and grumpy and she tends to growl and snap at the other dogs. My male shepard just puts up with her. I guess the pit took it the wrong way. The lab is fine and only had minor cuts, but it was scary! I know how to break up dog fights and I had a tough time (they were under our porch).
If you need to break up a dog fight grab the dogs BACK legs and pull them away from the other dog. Always keep your hands away from the mouth area.
Best of luck. Keep us posted on how things turn out.