I have a coworker whose parents have two 8 yr old Dobermans; it seems last thursday evening they got into a good scuffle and were taken to the e-vet for puncture wounds, etc.

I'm posting because I'm curious here- but where would you start looking for signs of what caused it? From what I understand they have lived together since they were puppies, have a solid base in OB, get plenty of exercise (a lot of swimming from what I gather) and are kept in their place as far as pack structure goes. They have never gotten into a fight before.

I did ask if they'd been checked out for some type of medical imbalance and she said that yes, they'd just been to the vet for a check-up and everything was normal (although they have a follow-up visit at some point in the near future).

I'm out of ideas, and I'd really like to offer her a few good places to look/go. Any suggestions? I think she said that it happened late in the evening when her mom was letting one dog outside to join the other. She thought at first that the dogs didn't recognize each other, but apparently they didn't stop when they got close. Obviously I don't have all of the details, but it seemed LB would be a good place to ask for advice!

Thanks

Her mom was letting them out... Is her Mom a respected pack leader to them, or was she just pet-sitting while the master/mistress was out? All kinds of things can pop up when the dogs sense a lack of leadership. Grandmas are known to be sentimental rather than authoritive. (My Mom is always giving out unearned biscuts, and letting the dogs set the schedule for affection time.)

My two dogs get along great at home, but when I leave them in someone else's care I ask that they be strictly supervised when together, or with any other dog for that matter. (Nevermind one is young enough it's strictly supervised whenever loose anyway.)