my bull terrier puppies are fighting ......?

Question

Kept two of the puppies that my english bull terrier gave birth too. They are now 17 weeks old and obviously have been together since birth, one is slightly bigger than the other, they are both males, i know that it is not ideal to kept more than one male bull terrier in the house as they are competitive, but i have another bull terrier in the house but the puppies seem only to be going for each other, i am not sure if this is to see who rules out of them,when attacking each other they are rather argressive and are trying to hurt each other, I am now think of parting with one as if they are doing this the now what am i suppose to exspect in months to come, any ideas that may help as i do care for the both of them and would not like to have to choose between them but also would not like to see either one of them to get hurt

Answer 1

At 4 months they are play fighting but this is also a trial of strength to see who will be top dog, so its getting out of hand. You need to step in now and be the pack leader. Decide who's is second and third in rank and firmly enforce the new rules.
The top dog should have its food put down first, have its lead put on first, walk through the door first, and get more attention than the other.
Don't think you can give the underdog more attention 'to make up for it' when the top dog is out of the room; you will just encourage it to make a bid for a higher rank and the fighting will start again.
The underdog also must be neutered as soon as the vet says its OK. And don't feel sorry for it! Dogs don't think like we do, they are happy to live in a secure pack as long as they know where theire place is in that pack, it gives them a role and a feeling of security. Its better than the stress of constant battles for leadership!
If that doesn't solve the problem you'll have to rehome one. Two dogs of the same sex that are very close in rank are more likely to fight; and the fights are more likely to be serious. A high ranking pack member can relax and play with a low ranking one because the leadership problem has been settled and there aren't any problems.
Dogs can't be equals. In the wild, the survival of the pack depends on each animal knowing its place and its role; fights for dominance waste time and energy. Its in their make up to think this way.

Answer 2

At 17weeks its doubtfall that there attacking each other.Bull breeds when play fighting looks alot more aggresive then your average puppy plays as bull breeds were bred to fight and hang on to there enemy untill death.Bull breeds have very thick skin and as long as your pups arn't screaming out in pain or running away terrified then its all natural puppy behaviour.It would have been wise though to rehome at least one of them at 8weeks old as 2 pups living together from birth can pose problems for you in the future.Your pups will have a very deep rooted bond with each other and to them your 2nd best,training and socialising will also take much longer and as they both reach adolecence things could get worse with either the 2 males fighting each other or that they just wont listen to a word you say.My advice would be that if your keeping both brothers to neuter one at about 5/6months and train and socialise seperatly to develop your bond up with both dogs.Good luck.

Answer 3

I read that it is not good to keep bull terrier siblings together, though I cannot find any references to that now. I have a friend who got one at the same time as my OEB so I was researching it.
I have definitely read that male Bull Terriers if not fixed should not be around other unfixed males because of dominance problems.
They are sweet dogs, and I wish you much luck

Answer 4

Only one can be the boss, this is the only way they can sort it between them. Best to get one of them another home before fighting becomes the norm, it may also make either or both aggressive towards other dogs, then you could find yourself in real trouble.

Answer 5

I had the same problem and unfortunately had to separate the two boys from eachother.
They used to fight for everything : food , attention , chewing toys . I guess they were fighting for the ultimate " king of the house " spot .

It was a tough decision but I had to separate them. Luckily for me the separated bully still lives in the neighborhood and they see eachother very often. And guess what ? They don't fight no more . Now they are good buddies .!!! Everyone is happy now .

Answer 6

I would never sell two pups to the same home unless the new owners were very knowledgable dog owners. Two is much harder than one and they tend to bond more with each other than the owner.

Being you are asking questions here tells me you are a novice. Place one in another home, it will be better for you and better for the pups.

Answer 7

I really wouldn't worry although it sounds like they are fighting this is only play, My 2 bull terriers one being a pup fought and at times she used to hang from his throat and pull at his mouth but these dogs have such good temperament, I wouldn't separate them as they are still puppies.

Answer 8

dogs r pack animals and there always has to be a leader of the pack firstly this is u then the older dog now these little babies r tryin to find there place in the household it,s not a bad thing it,s wot dogs do it prob sound like they,re ready to rip each other from limb to limb but it,ll be cool 1 o them will give up u,ll soon find out who is leader out o them 2

Answer 9

Sometimes puppies of the "Bully" breeds play pretty rough. My adult French Bulldogs will be playing and sound like the are trying to kill each other, but they are not hurting each other at all. They also may be trying to work out the dominance between them.

Answer 10

we have staffies. we bred our dog & kept one of his sons. both dogs are whole but on occation will fight for no apparent reason. we just dont leave them on their own together and intervene when they start or sound like they are going to have ago at each other. At the end of the day we are the pack leader and they know it.