Hi we just adopted two cute Shiba Inu/Chow mixed puppies. They are sisters and sometimes fight. My boyfriend is worried that we shouldn't be keeping them together because they do fight. How can we tell playing around from the real thing? Is it a good idea to separate them?

[CorkyMax]

Originally Posted by ShibaChowMix

Hi we just adopted two cute Shiba Inu/Chow mixed puppies. They are sisters and sometimes fight. My boyfriend is worried that we shouldn't be keeping them together because they do fight. How can we tell playing around from the real thing? Is it a good idea to separate them?

If they are not hurting each other, it is prob. just playing around!! Haven't they been together 'forever??!!' I don't think it would be good to separate them (unless they are killing one another) Pups need the socialization with one another! Are they maybe vieing for your attention and one is jealous of the other? Best to not interfere and let them decide for themselves as to what to do. And (if you can help it) prob. best to ignore them and not give them the attenton that will just 'add fuel to the fire'--so to speak! Besides if you separated them--they would prob. miss each other--best to let them work it out! Also don't know how long you have had them--They prob. are still adjusting to their new environment--give them some time--It should all work out. Separating them would be a big 'hazzle' for you too in the long run.

[Kingsbridge Cav]

Dogs are pack animals and they decide who is top dog. Hopefully the people in their lives will fill the top dog space, but they will vy for second, third, fourth position within the pack. I'm sure this is what they are establishing and once established it will determine who sleeps in an elevated spot ( higher in the pecking order) and who eats first, etc. It is best not to interfere except to let them know that you get the bed, they sleep on a lower surface than you, maybe the floor, but definitely at the bottom of the bed and not at your head, you eat first and never feed them from the table. If they are fighting for food or if one gets a majority of the food not letting the other one eat, feed them in separate dishes or at separate times. The key is to let them establish who is highest in order.
Thurid Rugaas has writtena good book; On Talking Terms With Dogs; Calming Signals. You may find this book helpful. I bought a copy on Amazon new for around $6 and it was a quick read of only a few hours. It may be worth the price to understand your dogs and even communicate with them better.

[Popcorn]

I hope things go well with your decision to have the 2, but it is a well proven fact that having 2 puppies from the same litter, causes great problems later on,

1 It's double the training
2 double the toilet training
3. you will have to walk them seperately at times to learn them to walk to heel properly as you can't do this with 2 at a time.
When getting 2 from same litter, they often do play fight just like any other puppies, but are you going to be prepared for the time when one of those puppies want's to be top dog and they are fighting all the time, they will never be able to be left on there own together in case this happen and your not there to stop any fight.

I would seriously re think taking the 2 as it is very heart breaking to have to give one up further down the line when things go wrong. Most responsible breeder will not sell 2 puppies to anyone because of this.

[Kingsbridge Cav]

Top dog isn't bad.
Just be sure you are the top dog. There is a natural order to a pack and they will settle it. Once it is settled, they'' be fine and won't vye for the position again until one thinks she can outdo the other. This happens from time to time, but they settle it quickly.
The concerns about two from same litter are correct, though as a breeder, I would sell two to same owner. I would just give them the info and let them dedcide. It is tough to be training two pups at the same time and takes extra effort. Kinda like having twins! That is the choice you made and you should be supported in that and given the tools to help. That's what this forum should be about. Helping each other not ostracizing each other.
Get some good info and good luck!