I'm not sure what to do here figured you guys may have some better idea. Bella has been extra snarky and flat out bitchy to Jasper for the past two weeks I'd say. She usually takes her aggravation out on him but would back off if i stepped toward them, told her to leave it, or even if I had to pull her away for a minute she would calm. But lately she doesnt want to relent. I'm not sure what her problem is since Jasper lets her be the dominate one and he just doesnt care that she is, he is fine with her getting her treats first and all that jazz. But bella is always clamping down on his neck and biting him hard on his hind legs which has almost cased a few scuffles cause she hurts his leg. Even outside if they are excited bella will use jasper as aspring board and when hevocally complains or even snips at her she will grab him by the neck tug growl and let go or yell back growl and bite at his legs. They are usually aloud out of their crate for the night and after a ten to fifteen minutes play time Jasper would pick his spot for the night and go too sleep Bella usually finds something to chew on for a while, her bone a rope or plastic bottle and she will go to sleep when shes done. Heres whats bothering me though we had a fight over a toy within the last week at like 1am which I understood because Jasper was antagonizing Bella and kept trying to take the tire from her even though he doesnt like it. Its not acceptable to go after him but she did and needless to say they went at each other resulting in getting the toy thrown at them to seperate them enough so i could pull them apart. Bella was put in their crate and I checked Jasper out first because he had blood all down his neck, I thought he got torn open but he had no wounds so I switched out who was in the crate and checked Bella her bottom lip I guess it would be was cut either she bit it or Jasper did and she was bleeding on everything for a couple minutes. I left jasper in the crate because he had already laid down and was falling asleep and bella spent the night out. Bella now went after him again tonight because he wants to play and shes settling in. No blood this time and bella is teathered to the leg of the bed jasper is in the crate. I have taken toys away now and i think there going to be gone for the night for now on. Any other suggestions? Or has anyone got an idea about what could be bitchy bellas problem that might help me understand this better and try fixing it? Jasper is not fixed yet I'm assuming Bella is not either but we arent sure we figured she'd be in heat this spring but hasnt had any bleeding so not sure there. They do share a dane size crate right now because i was down to one 36" crate and got this one while looking for another 36" or bit bigger, they usually went in a crate together anyways so i figured it would be fine for now. They will have seperate crates come sunday as i just got another yesterday so I'm hoping this helps, and im thinking of seperating their crates from view of each other by putting a piece of plywood between them, i know i cant do a cover on the crate because bella will pull it into the crate ripping it in the process she doesnt like to be covered and jasper has already eaten, literally, one blanket so nothing its put over him either. Sorry this is so long just wanted to make sure i covered all the bases i could think of!

She could be in a silent heat, I've never experienced one but I've heard of them and you wouldn't know she was in heat. I would suggest getting them fixed, it might help to calm them down some. Everything else I was gonna suggest, you've already done so I hope someone else can come along to help out.

Definetly looking into spay and neuter, just have to wait until the local farmers markets start within a month because i'm sort of outta work til then, business will pick up then and they can go in. Our one neighbor was asking if i was going to breed them and that's a big hell no! Not something I want to deal with and I admitedly wouldnt rehome any pups, I'd end up the local husky hoarder lol. I just have to decide if I want to get them done at the same time or one then the other. I couldnt think of anything else to do and dont have experience wih two dogs bout the same age our dogs have always been years apart so i figured someone may have an idea on something i missed. Luckily the disagreement doesnt last their both sleeping upside down in their crate now.

Honestly, I would get them their own crates. If NEITHER of them are fixed, I feel like it's a ticking time bomb for an opps breeding.

Bella_Jasper wrote:

Definetly looking into spay and neuter, just have to wait until the local farmers markets start within a month because i'm sort of outta work til then, business will pick up then and they can go in.

This is totally off-topic, but do you go to the farmers market in Oak Park?

No just right around wheeling. I know my boss will be at the one in mt. prospect not sure if its saturdays or sundays, she used to do buffalo grove but i'm not sure about that one anymore because someone succeeded in banning dogs and we arent getting the same business out of it for that reason. People boycotted buffalo grove and refuse to go because they want to bring their dogs and get the dog treats, so they go to mt. Prospect instead where dogs are allowed. She also had to cut down because no one sells like she does and she cant afford the pay out for people to run a market for her anymore with out better income. I could let you know monday or tuesday what markets shes doing this year but i know she stays pretty local. She also does various arts and crafts shows over the summer i think, i know thats one of our fall and winter staples. She tried having me do a market last year cause she was desperate and it didnt go well....lets just say I'm not a good sells person, quiet withdrawn individuals who arent people persons shouldnt try selling dog cookies at a farmers market. I stick to behind the scenes and make and bake for her. I'm a bit embarresed to ask but whats around oak park? I'm racking my brain to remember how far it is from here and just coming up with a blank for some reason.

Its on the border of Chicago, directly west of downtown. Dogs are banned at the Oak Park Famers' Market too, but that doesn't stop people from bringing their dogs to the grass that surrounds the lot. I think dog biscuits would sell well there =) There are no vendors for dog treats yet.

Its a 20 mile drive from you, but there is a low-cost spay/neuter clinic @ the animal care league http://www.animalcareleague.org/low-cost-spayneuter--catsdogs.html
The cost goes up in June so I would make the appointment ASAP if you can

edit: or you can purchase a Spay/neuter certificate and bring it to a participating vet that is closer to you: http://www.friendsofanimals.org/sncert/instructions.html

Thanks! I was looking into another place in the city that I can get them fixed at for $50, you have to be a chicago resident and have a child on the state insurance but we have a friend that found out about it and said she'll bring them in since she qualifies living in chicago being unemployed and three kids on all care. Dont like to lie about it but I just cant pay the prices peolple are asking.
We were actually just down at Mozart park on avers today for the one tail event, got some easy walk harnesses and microchips for free on all three dogs, my two and my sisters pup, of course i have to go find someone to replace bellas clip already cause she chewed it right before we got home! But on a good note they all behaved much better then we thought had to keep honee muzzled because she is dog aggressive sometimes and i didnt want to chance anything. I didnt think about it i should have let you know about the event. Tyey have another one in october i think if your interested.
I wish i could convince my boss to try a market down there but she would tell me her fuel costs wouldnt be quite worth it maybe in the future she'll expand a bit. People bring the dogs to the grass area behind our tents at buffalo grove and they get some nasty looks from the coordinators and market helpers so a lot have just refused to go and it sucks because they have lost business for many other vendors as well.