hi i have 2 5 1/2 month old shih tzu's who are brother and sister and from the same litter and recently they have been fighting more and more. iam worried that this isnt a normal sign and that one of them is going to get really hurt?! can anbody help me and tell me if this is normal behaviour and any advice on what to do, and when they may 'grow' out of this. please any information would be very appreciated. thanks sarah x

This isn't uncommon, I'm afraid, when someone has two pups the same age, whether or not they're from the same litter. When they reach adolescence they start to vie for supremacy and the fights can be quite serious. It's more usual between pups of the same sex but opposite sexes can also have problems agreeing on their heirarchy; this is one of the reasons very few breeders will allow someone to have two pups at once. Once they've decided between them which is the 'top dog' (and it's usually a bitch!) it should settle down again, but this could take some time, and in the meantime there could well be injuries.

Have you made plans for keeping them apart when the bitch comes into season, which could happen at any time now (and could also be why she's fighting)? The last thing you want is for them to mate!

thanks for your information it isnt her who is starting the fights it is him. she is due to be spaded in 2wks as the mating doesnt happen is there anyway i can help prevent this or any advice on what to do?

As JG has explained it is normal heirarchy behaviour, if you have a bossy little boy it will go on for a while as already said it is most usual for the bitch to end up ruling the roost, he will eventaully learn his place.

You can't prevent it, it is all part of two pups growing up together, but you can minimize the effects, what starts the niggling and fights, food, toys, getting the leads, attention, or does the male just start play launching at your girl which then turns into a free for all? All can be solved by knowing what starts them off and distracting them from each other if you can be vigilant enough to read their body language, have a toy or game ready to help them to loose interest in each other, feed in different areas if this causes problems, and lead one whilst the other is busy, just learn to work around them.

Don't seperate for noises, snarles and teeth baring, only if a real bite should happen, try not to get too scared, mostly it will just be noise and body language very rarely will a dog and bitch actually draw blood, they need to have these little fights to find their pecking order. I know it sounds frightening, but if you check there should not be any injuries.

Only seperate if things get out of hand, as already said with age it will calm down, two pups together causes so many problems but with understanding you will get through it, and so will they.

thanks ever so much you have eased my mind considerably. he just lanches into play with her like you said but with your advice we should be able to distract them if it gets to much. i was just worried as they do get on when they are settled and quiet its just when he gets going and takes it "to far" but thank you for your advice. hopefull i should be able to move on from this now.

Also are you sure they are actually fighting?  Sounds silly but dogs playing can look ferocious, but they can play very rough.

I was going to ask the same as Barbara. My 2.5 yr old male shih tzu sounds like he's killing my 8 mth pug x (female) when playing. Alot of growling, teeth baring and snapping. She gives as good as she gets though and they are great pals.

i think iwas just worrying to much as it is very nasty sounding but the advice i have recieved has helped considerably thanks everyone x

If they both seem happy during these rough and tumbles with only the odd squeal if someone goes too far, which should result in the other easing up, then it sounds like they are having a ball being dogs.  Of course if it is getting too much it is good to teach them the word enough so they stop what they are doing, in the same way as you would stop over silly play between two human children.

Hi I have to shih tzu's both female and they often play really rough, so your two could be doing the same. They bite each others tails and ears,jump on top of each other, but they always end up laying together at the end of the play fight

xx