we have to australian shepards. They are sisters about 9 months old. One is deaf. We have had to move twice in the past month,but are currently settled for awhile. The dogs are both female. They have always gottten along pretty well with just a minor tussle here and there over a bone. Since we moved the hearing dog is being cery aggressive towards her sister. She growls every time she comes around, wont let her eat, or play with anything, she cant come near our bedroom without being chased away, last night they got into a scuffle and the deaf dog hurt her paw. The scuffles only last for about 1 minute at most, but I am afraid theyare escalating. Are they just trying to figure out who is dominate in the new house? Will they ever figure that out or will they continue, is this a losing battle? I dont want to give either of them up.

They are becoming of age where a pack leader/dominance is being established.

Are they fixed? Spaying them would greatly help reduce their aggression towards each other.

you should be the pack leader not 1 of them but like angeeleeta said they should be fixed.

I should clarify, pack leader/dominance between the two of them.

Of course the owner should always be in charge and top of the pecking order, that goes with out saying.

I disagree with 'fixing' them in order to control the dominance thing going on.
I recommend obedience class for both dogs. With obedience class you will also receive socialization skills due to the dog being in a class with other dogs. Also, the teacher will be able to show you in person how to handle aggression and with obedience training the dogs might listen to you more.
If you have not done this already, make sure you have separate eating areas for each dog.
As for the bedroom problem. For now place both dogs in their own crates. You can then have both crates in the bedroom. It is possible that when the dog is 7 years old the crate will not have to be closed but for now think crate training both dogs.
I have seen where 2 female dogs would fight but we kept both dogs in spite of that.

Keep in mind though that many trainers will not allow an agressive dog in a class with other dogs; they require private lessons.

Unless you are a legitimate breeder, there is absolutely no reason not to have your dogs altered.

Not doing so is selfish, cheap and irresponsible.

I would like to clarify my statement about fixing dogs of both genders. I feel that fixing a dog for bad behavior is the wrong reason for fixing the dog(s).
I do agree, that for various health reasons and to keep abusive over population of dogs under control that "fixing" is the way to go.

quote:

Originally posted by bocch:
I would like to clarify my statement about fixing dogs of both genders. I feel that fixing a dog for bad behavior is the wrong reason for fixing the dog(s).
I do agree, that for various health reasons and to keep abusive over population of dogs under control that "fixing" is the way to go.

It's a proven fact that spuetering reduces aggressiveness in dogs. Without the urge to breed, dog lose many of their territorial, and undesirable behaviors.

Not fixing a dog causes bad behavior.

Like I said, unless you are a reputable breeder, all dogs need to be fixed.

I have researched a few spay and neuter websites.
Most websites suggest the health reasons for spaying and neutering. Naturally,spaying is to prevent unwanted litters.
However,I did not find too much in regards to behavior.
They do mention that neutering controls the sex drive and wandering. In that regard where aggression was a result of a sex drive issue spaying does help. However, where aggression is from fighting for food or property, I could not find where spaying corrected that kind of problem

I thought that neutering your dog calms them down; if not a lot, then at least a little. I have been told that it not only helps with unwanted litters and pups in the world, but it relieves tension within the dog that often causes fights and what not. I'm not sure about spaying females, because I've never had a female before she was spayed to be able to tell the difference.

I believe in spaying and neutering - I think it is easier on both human and dog. In the sense that the dog doesn't have that desire to mate, and the owner doesn't have to worry or anything.

Spaying and neutering IS both easier on dog and humans. When females go in heat the males go crazy and start getting stressed. Spaying and neutering really calms them down.