Hi there
Definitely stick with whatever Debbie has advised you. I also consulted her when my two boys started fighting at pretty much the same age. Don't expect any overnight solution though, you have to persevere. My two went on Zylkene and I was told to face the aggressor (in this case Jagger) and chase him off every time he bullied Hendrix which would end in all sorts of hissing and growling and general nastiness. I didn't separate my two during the day, mainly as they are allowed outside during the day and have different schedules so I think they pretty much avoided each other. I still have feliway plugins - in particular I now have the new 'Friends' one and that did seem to make a difference. Debbie also told me to spritz my hands with the feliway spray and rub both of them straight away to get their scents the same etc.
When there was unpleasantness between them I would step in very quickly and separate them both into different rooms for 10-15 minutes, no fuss or attention to either, just separated them so they could calm down and when the tails stopped lashing I would open the door and if they didn't start again, they'd get treats. Right now, I can't remember when I last had to do that.
I'm sure Debbie gives her advice very much tailored to the problem so definitely keep doing what she's told you if it is different to what she told me.
It has taken a year, and gradually we started to have more and more good times than bad, and then at the start of this year, a full truce seems to have been made and they get on really well again. Obviously there is the occasional disagreement but they get over it quickly and are soon firm friends again and are now get up to mischief together again - its lovely!! I love watching them chase each other round the house again now and not have to worry about it ending in a fight!
I swear they reach their stroppy teenage years and all hell breaks loose, and then finally they get past it and learn to co-exist again!
Good luck!
_________________ Clare Hendrix and Jagger, Brown Marble Boys (born 18 August 2013) Hampshire, UK
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