When staffy pals fight.

I had Bunya, (female, desexed), from 8 weeks of age. When I got her I had 2 other dogs, cattle dogs as we call them here in Australia. Both the older girls died - one in an horrific accident and the other from old age. Bunya was 2 years old by then and because I think it's cruel for pack animals to be on their own I got another gorgeous 2 year old staffy cross girl from the pound. I named her Asti. When Bunya and Asti met at the pound they got on really well and there was no sign of trouble.

They has some fights over the two years they were together and I learnt not to throw the ball or Kong to either when the other was there. The only fights they had were over the ball or the Kong. They ate together happily, slept snuggled up together on my bed every night. They swam together, ran together and seemed the best of pals.

About ten weeks ago they had a fight, over food this time. Bunya went to Asti's end of the verandah to steal her biscuits and Asti went for her. They fought long and hard and I tried every thing I could to stop the fight. it was the worst day - I felt so helpless. Finally they stopped and by then neither could move. There was blood everywhere. I thought they would both die. I got them in the car and to the vet. Asti had her jaw snapped in half and was bleeding heavily, the decision was made to euthanase her. I was very distraught and at that stage the vet thought Bunya too would have to be euthanased. X-rays showed Bunya to be ok and she just needed cleaning up and was given a short lasting anasethetic for this. She had many bite injuries and took a couple of weeks to recover.

What I want help with from people on this forum is - do you think I should get another dog?  I still think dogs need  another dog in their life. Bunya seems to be pining for Asti - I think they didn't mean to hurt one another so badly. I feel very sad still and miss Asti so much, I sometimes hear Bunya whimpering and I think it's because she is sad and lonely. I think the problem was having two females the same age. I'm wondering if I got say, an older male dog, would they be less likely to fight? Or is my Bunya always going to be a fighter now? What would you do?

Very sorry to hear that. Two of the same sex can lead to issues. Given that Bunya has already been in a fight I think it would be best to have just her in the near future. I know plenty of people that have two dogs and have no issues but I believe in keeping the dogs separate if they are not supervised just to be safe. I would also advise keeping a pet corrector spray handy as well

Once fought always a fighter? no i don't believe that at all, in fact the worse thing you can do is keep them separate after a fight they need to get over it with each other or it can cause more problems, I am sorry for your lose, if your ever in a position like that again maybe even out on a walk the best way to get them apart, tie a rope or lead around the back end of one of the dogs and tie it off somewhere, you grab the legs of the other dog and you pull not hard just keeping the tension until one of them goes to readjust their mouth and pull them apart. I don't see why you shouldn't get another dog, i would however suggest a male, neutered, same sex dog can get in a rut sometimes but other times they can be fine, really depends on the dog.

Thanks for replies.
"Once fought always a fighter? "  That's what worries me - I'd be so upset if I did get another dog and Bunya fought it to the death.
I'm thinking not another Staff - Asti and Bunya both locked on to one another. My 2 cattle dogs had the odd fight but didn't do damage to one another.
Sometimes I think if I got a puppy it would always know it's place and not challenge Bunya.
As to breaking up the fight Amelie - thanks for that. I did the part of grabbing the back legs of Bunya and holding her up til they parted, but then Asti went straight back into attack. Now I know the other step - tie one up. I hope I never have to separate a dog fight again, but I think that would have worked.
JStaff - I haven't heard of pet corrector spray, I'll look into that.
I'm thinking of fostering a dog temporarily to see how that goes.
My feelings are that Bunya is sad and missing her mate and the fight was sort of accidental.

Hey there - god that sounds horrific I'm so sorry for your loss. It must have traumatised you and Bunya. I think you're right and they didn't mean to hurt each other but the fight was over something that every animal will fight for, food. It's instinctive for animals to protect food and in this case if Bunya went to get Asti's food then the envitable happened.

I think you should be very careful about introducing Bunya to another dog but if you are going to get another one make sure it's male and neutured, like the others have said above.

One thing I would say for future is never ever leave your dogs unsupervised, especially when there's toys or food about, even if you get a male, still don't leave them together with food and toys. Personally I would alway separate before I left the house or left them alone. It's not their fault they are doing what comes naturally but they WILL fight over resources, any breed will fight over it.

I am really sorry you went through this though, it sounds like you've had a tough time

Thank you Debs - you are right - it was very traumatic. I still get tearful if I think about it. I was actually right there when the fight happened, but in future, if I do get another dog, they will be fed on seperate verandahs.

Having just one dog now feels so wrong. I have seen some puppies for sale, staffy cross, and I think I'll get a little boy. When I had foster kittens from the RSPCA both my girls mothered them, so I think Bunya will like a puppy. I'll just have to be very careful and if they show signs of fighting later on I'll have to keep them seperate when I have to go out and so on.

Or just have one dog and accept that's how it has to be

What an awful experience really sorry you have had to go through this, it's really scary when they fight.

I've had my girl on her own for 3 years, due to not finding the right dog to match. Personally, I feel that it's more cruel to match with a dog that she isn't 100% with than leave her without a friend. Bug is totally happy, she has a few pals that she walks with 3-4 Times a week and has us to herself at home.

Agree that it needs to be a male, but take your time. The trouble is, when buying a puppy you never 100% know how they will turn out as an adult - I work in rescue and know only too well how many dogs are given up as adults because they aren't what owners expected/the dogs didn't get along. Would you consider a different breed if you don't feel another staffie is right for her?

Thanks Rachel. It sure is scary when they fight. Bunya whimpers a fair bit now, like she'll be lying on the bed while I'm on the computer and she just cries sadly and quietly. My gut feeling is that she is missing her mate, that she's lonely. These past few weeks, since Asti died, are the first time she's been an only dog.
It's sad seeing her by herself all the time and I'm going tomorrow to look at these puppies, the dad is a staffy and mum a labXborder-collieXstaff.
I agree with your advice that I should take my time to bring a new dog into the situation - the puppies aren't ready to go to their new home yet - but, for someone as impulsive as I am, these few weeks of thinking it through have seemed to be forever!  Lol.

Has she been vet checked again since the incident? The whimpering is definitely not due to pain?

Have the parents had a litter of pups before? If so, is there any chance that you could meet any of the pups to see how they turn out as adults? What are mum and dad like?

aww so sorry for your loss . hope u all get your happy ending

I didn't go and look at the puppies after all. But what I have done is become a foster carer for homeless staffy dogs here in Qld. They were in need of someone to take a dog straight away - so I now have Hugo, a 12 month old desexed male. He is a bit hyperactive and I'm keeping the two dogs mostly seperate. It's been 2 days so far and all is well. He's a good boy and learning fast. He isn't toilet trained and doesn't seem to have been on a lead much. I have a job to do now getting him ready for adoption and it sure takes your mind off your worries!
Thanks everyone for your kindness and your advice
I will take Bunya for a vet check next week Rachel - good idea, thanks.

So sorry to hear what happened about Asti. That must have been a horrible experience for you and both dogs. What a wonderful thing you are doing now! Hugo sounds great, and I'm sure you will get him ready for adoption and he will have a lovely home.