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Do you have a male and female dog? Has the female dog started attacking the male dog? If so, you may feel as if everything is chaos and out of control in your home! We understand! Household dogs that are fighting can be horrible and scary to deal with. It can even be difficult to figure out what’s causing them to fight.
However, there are some common issues that can cause a female dog to attack a male dog. Let’s take a look!
Do Female and Male Dogs Fight?
If you’re reading this article and have you’re dealing with a female dog fighting a male dog, then you know the answer to this! Yes, female dogs sometimes go after male dogs. There are common reasons for this problem.
Common Reasons Female Dogs Attack Male Dogs
Here are some of the most common reasons a female dog may attack a male dog:
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1. Environment Has Changed
Has there been a change in the dogs’ environment or in the home? If so, the dogs may feel uncomfortable and feel like the environment has become unstable. Anything can cause a change in your home environment, such as the addition of a newborn baby, moving to a new home, and more.
2. Fighting Over Resources
Female and male dogs may fight over resources in the house, especially if they feel resources are threatened in some way. The fighting could be caused by a living space that’s too small, only one water bowl (or food bowl), sleeping areas, and more.
Another common problem is food guarding. The female (or male) dog may become overly protective of their food and water, not allowing the other dog to come near her and her resources. If the male approaches, the female may attack the male to protect what she feels are her resources.
3. Territorial Fights
Females and males may also fight over territories. This is usually the case when a new dog comes into your home. The female dog may become aggressive and try to protect what she views as her territory. This may even include members of the family.
4. Fighting for Attention
Another common between female and male dogs is that one becomes jealous of the other. That can happen if one dog seems to be receiving more attention than the other. The one feeling left out may attack the dog she perceives is getting too much attention.
5. Additional Reasons a Female Dog May Attack a Male Dog
There are too many reasons to list here on why a female dog would attack a male dog. However, some other common problems include:
- Illness
- The female’s heat cycle (especially if the male is not neutered)
- And more
If you’re having trouble with your female dog attacking your male dog, then it’s a good idea to consult with the vet. Both dogs may need a checkup to ensure they’re not suffering from underlying health issues. If both dogs are healthy, then the vet may recommend spaying or neutering both dogs if they suspect the female’s heat cycle is to blame.
Solving the problem can sometimes be done at home; however, if you’re still having trouble, then it’s best to consult the vet. They may also suggest using a professional canine behavioralist to help solve the fighting problem between your female and male dogs.
Kim
Kim is a talented author, who loves animals especially dogs. She engaged in writing books and articles relating to animals a decade ago. Kim resides in Chicago with her husband and son. The family is the proud owner of a dog and a parrot (Jack and Lily). Kim wanted more than these two pets, but her husband put his foot down... She often visits elementary schools to talk to the kids about what she learned about pets and how they could learn from them.
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