My brother and his wife have allowed their two dogs to fight numerous times to settle the rank issue. Now they are going to have a baby. What should I do?

I really hope you can answer my question, as I am very concerned about a potentially injurious situation involving my brother and wife's newborn baby and an alpha female German Shepherd (age 6). I've read through your site but didn't find anything that COMBINES dog aggression with people aggression. Does a dog aggressive dog imply a people aggressive dog? Do they distinguish between the two? Could there be a problem if a new baby is seen as a threat? What would make this happen? Please help!



History:
Two female spayed dogs, Comet, a shepherd mix from the pound (she was adopted first) and Cupid, a German Shepherd (who was purchased about 3 years later.) The two dogs often fought for the dominant position and even though Comet was physically weaker she would never back down and would fight to the death. She was injured very badly on at least 3 occasions and required surgery. The vet said Comet had permanent nerve damage to her shoulder area.



Both dogs were raised to be treated equally (from what I read this was part of the problem since no pack leader was clearly defined) and they were routinely fed at the same time, given treats together and taken for walks together. Cupid always had to be in front of Comet. On walks, both dogs would pull on their leash hoping to charge at other dogs. While walking Cupid once, she suddenly had a small dog's head lodged in her mouth (the attack was unprovoked) and she swung it around at the neck---she seemed very calm and methodical as she did this. In general, Comet would growl and have a "let me at 'em" tough guy exterior while Cupid would exhibit a calm queenly type of silence. (Outside the house Comet would provoke other dogs and Cupid would be passive and then would "show who's boss.") After going through MANY bloody fights between the two of them (usually involving food or being left in the house alone together) it was decided that it would be best to separate the two and Comet was given away to another family.



Problem: My brother and his wife are expecting a baby soon and given Cupid's jealous disposition (that usually offers no early warning detection) can she safely be kept in the same house as the new baby? She was never socialized with other dogs---she was raised in an apartment with the other dog and now lives in a house with a yard. She routinely jumps on your chest and squeals/whines for the first 20 seconds or so after you enter and I imagine she'll continue to do this with a baby in arms.