Ok, here is the story. Last night My boyfriend and I were in the back yard with all 5 dogs. Everyone was having a blast, running and playing. They rediscovered an old toy in the yard and Zoot scored it and was running proudly with it in his mouth. He got to the bottom of the hill and dropped it. Sunshine Bear made a grab for it. Zoot defended it. It first seemed like your average fight over a toy, but it escalated into a full blown dog fight in a matter of seconds! It was HORRIBLE! The worst dog fight ever at my own home. There was blood all over Zoot and we could not get them to stop. No way I was reaching in there!!! I finally yelled, get the hose!!! And boyfriend sprayed them in their faces until they were still, but Sunshine would NOT LET GO of Zoot's neck. Somehow we got them apart, and I washed the blood off of Zoot to find a slice in his ear that was causing all the bleeding. Both dogs ended up with quite a few scratches but no puncture wounds, thank Heavens.
I think I have still not fully recovered from the stress.
So for those who don't know my dogs, Zoot is a 4 year old neutered male I have had since a puppy, and Sunshine Bear is a foster, neutered 12 month old male, who I have had for about 3 weeks. They have never been like this towards each other before, but I am suspicious that Zoot is starting to wonder just how long this guy is going to be around. Do you think the fight was caused by male energy, Zoot being jealous of another male in the home or is it just a matter of it being two dogs that aren't willing to back down? Would the same fight have broken out if Sunshine were a female with dominance issues? I have never had male and female dogs at the same time so I don't know if they are more or less inclined to fight each other. I was starting to think I should not foster any more male dogs after this, but perhaps I could foster a submissive one?
Sorry this is long-winded but I am trying to figure out a way to prevent this kind of thing from happening again. Zoot did a similar thing with Nigel after he had been with us for 3 weeks or so, and now they are pals.
Advice?
Insight?
Other experiences?
thank you.....