Dog housemates love a good tussle. Cats too; I have sibling males, and they have a rousing bout now and then. Rarely do I have to intervene. They do give their aunt a bad time, and we have to work at shielding her, despite her feisty nature. We think it's about us. On their own, they seem to do okay. When we are away, we come back to all three dozing peaceably together, and they look sheepish, like they've been busted.