[manymuddypaws]

Deb makes a really good point. Dogs are Dogs- regardless of age, breed, size or whatever. My female shepherd is confident in being the queen of the house, but the two corgis still aren't too sure of the rest of the order and it only takes a lifted lip, a forgotten chewy or a favorite toy and you have a war going on in your living room! My two do fight, but not very seriously and if I tell them to knock it off it is forgotten and they go back to playing.

When I first got Sam- I had him maybe two months. I was staying at a friends house (she breeds shepherds and has out door dog runs) I had put them in the run together and walked back to the car to get the rest of our stuff. All of a sudden all I heard was a high pitch screaming followed by growling and yelping. I ran back to the run and Wicca had gotten her jaw stuck in Sam's collar and couldn't get it out. He thought she was trying to kill him and was fighting back!!!! It was horrible and after I pried them apart and made sure there was no serious injuries I sat on the ground and cuddled the two of them. It was very scary for them and me!
This is a good example of how a small thing can escalate because Dogs, think like Dogs, and unless they fully understand the body language there is going to be problems!
(Note* I have since never left collars on my dogs unless they are on leash.)

It is very sad for the owners of those two dogs though. I wonder if they had past history of fighting?

-amanda