My older dog and younger dog got into a fight. How do I reintroduce them again?

Good morning. I have a situation that I need help with please! I have 2 female dogs. The dominant one is Spanky (lab and Dalmatian mix) who is 12 years old. She has osteoarthritis in her hips and does have pain. She isn't aggressive at all to people but she has increasingly become grumpy and jealous with my other dog and the cats (just growls at the cats and they walk off). Sophie who is 4 years old (Great Pyranees & Australian Sheppard). She is a big baby and just loves everyone. She has always be submissive to Spanky as Spanky's tolerance has shortened while her problems have been brewing. Sophie will lick Spanky's mussel when she gets nervous or knows that she is not happy with her and Spanky has bit her lip in return and growled / stood over her etc. Sophie showed aggression in return at one point approximately 3 months ago and ever since, there have been a lot of close calls. I usually can redirect if I am close and get one or both interested in something else.

The other evening I was outside in the back yard with a friend and I pet one then the other came over and Sophie started licking Spanky's mouth and the fight was on. It was serious. We did manage to get them apart (not knowing how to correctly do it) then Spanky jumped on her and the second round was on. I did get bit in the outer thigh as she was running to jump on her (I was glad that I was a wound nurse). Spanky her tooth in the top Sophie's mussel and they were locked mouth to mouth. Sophie cried terribly but they were almost locked and neither could get loose.

After it broke up I have kept them separated and when they did sniff through the door crack, Spanky started growling immediately. I took her to the vet to restart her on medication for her arthritis and pain. It has been 3 days and I am wanting to know how to reintroduce them. The younger dog (who is bigger) is also on antibiotics and is heartbroken. She is depressed and not herself. She sniffs under the door and lays on the other side of where Spanky is. I understand pain is a big factor but due to our home environment it is difficult to keep them apart but I am very concerned about the possible reoccurrence of the fight.

Thank you for your time. I look forward to getting your response.

Cindy's Answer

If I had a 12 year old dog with this kind of pain, I would protect her from the other dog at all costs. She is showing aggression and fighting with the other dog because you are not controlling the situation (in Spanky's eyes). She needs protection from being accidentally hurt and as you have found out she will defend herself if necessary.

If these were younger dogs with simple leadership issues, I would suggest you retrain both dogs. I think in this case its most fair to protect the older dog by keeping the younger one separated from her at all times, either with baby gates or kennels or leashes.

Personally I would not reintroduce them, I would figure out how to manage them separately out of respect for the old dog. We have an aging dog here and if she gets to the point of being touchy and needing to be protected from all our other dogs I will do the same here.

With all this said, you need to have some type of control of the younger dog so you can teach her to stay away from the older dog. As for her attitude at being separated, she will get over that. Spend quality time with her, training her and establishing yourself as her leader. It sounds to me like she is more bonded to the other dog than she is to humans and that will cause her a lot of grief when the old dog passes away.

I would be using our groundwork program with her. It will give her something else to focus on and improve the relationship you have with her. I know you say it will be difficult to keep them separated but in my opinion it's your best option.