Tracey, I do understand why you posted here, but it kinda refocuses attention away from where it needs to be, which is on what Melissa, Barbara, Jenny, and Melissa are saying.

To the O.P., please don't think that separating them applies only to dogs with a neurological problem, or that there is no way to keep some dogs apart.

Tracy: Sorry you had to go thru the situation of having a dog with a problem in the line. Plus live with the pain of loosing a part of you.

My big boy Chico and my girl Carla has grown on me like I am their protector, which is the right way. I can feel your pain, wish you well with the rest of your pack. Dan

Thank you all so much for your replies. Honestly you gave me so much more great advice than I could have hoped for.

The differences in training styles of my parents and I is particularly important, as I've always been the trainer in the family. I'm basically the one who tells my parents what they should do in regard to their own dog, so I guess if anyone is the pack "leader" in the house it's me. This is definitely the case with my dog (Chloe), and their dog (Reagan) listens to me just as well as she does them, if not better.

My parents are on the same page with me in terms of what our game plan is, and right now it is- no more rambunctious play, supervision at all times, and drag lines to help reenforce the "enough" command, which will halt all interaction between the two of them.

The two dogs are pretty respectful of each other's "belongings" and we haven't seen any territorial behavior so far, but obviously we'll take care not to leave anything around and we'll be watching for any signs. In the past when there have been bones given to them they will each chew on their own for a bit and then switch. It never appeared to be an issue at all. Occasionally Reagan will trick Chloe into getting up and giving her bed away, but Chloe is very passive and just settles down onto the floor next to the bed with no fuss.

Someone asked what breed they are. It's really hard to tell but if I had to guess I would say Chloe is some type of pointer mix and Reagan is probably mainly Karelian Bear Dog or another similar herding type.

If you have anything else to offer I would love to hear it. You all are obviously extremely knowledgeable and I really appreciate your help.

Sorry Connie, its been a long day and this just sort of leapt of the page at me, you are quite right, I shouldn't have posted, it wasn't helpful to the op, my apologies.

Kind regards
Tracey

"The two dogs are pretty respectful of each other's "belongings" and we haven't seen any territorial behavior so far, but obviously we'll take care not to leave anything around and we'll be watching for any signs. In the past when there have been bones given to them they will each chew on their own for a bit and then switch. It never appeared to be an issue at all. Occasionally Reagan will trick Chloe into getting up and giving her bed away, but Chloe is very passive and just settles down onto the floor next to the bed with no fuss. "

They have no belongings. This is key. The dogs own nothing. Nothing (and chewies would top this list, along with food) is ever left in sight or access of more than one dog. JMO!

The scenario you describe of peaceful swapping of HV chewies, etc., virtually always accompanies the description of how the dogs who either almost or really killed each other "used to be."

Again, this is just bluntness, and it's not attacking you; it's for other readers who may be completely new to dog-group dynamics.

What would be ideal would be for about a thousand casual readers to see this thread and understand how quickly a bucolic vision of a group of dogs sharing (or respecting) chewies and toys changes to a violent and dangerous dog-fight.

Aside from the physical danger (to the dogs, the owners, and the other humans in the vicinity), you don't want to forever change the personality of the dogs who survive.

I just wanted to echo what’s being said.

I have 4 dogs of varying ages (3 mine, one a guest) and the dynamics between them are changing all the time.

As the young ones mature, they’re constantly learning from us and each other. Their personalities and bodies are developing and they're trying out new things, often testing and pushing the limits of others.

At one point we were going through a wonderful development opportunity with the baby and the oldest one. The teenager (for lack of a better term) was too rambunctious for the baby and irritated the older one, so he was separated when we weren’t around to supervise.

Supervision, which has been pointed out, boils down to the strictest attention to the smallest details – a look from across the room, ears/tails going up, lip curls are huge and many other little nuances you come to understand and appreciate. Supervision is large part of leadership.

As the baby got older and was more of a match for the middle guy, we started to allow them to play together. The middle one now also fully respects the older one’s boundaries. And this is nothing the older dog did. It’s what WE, the humans taught him to do.

The baby still wants to initiate play with the old guy, which we haven’t allowed for some time. So now the oldest and youngest are separated unless we’re there to reinforce the boundaries.

I too could say “…but they used to get along so well”. This is just the nature of developing relationships. And it’s not that they don’t like each other; it’s that they’re both at different stages in their life, different tolerances, different likes and dislikes.

If we choose not to hang out with older people or young children, that’s our choice. Often our dogs aren’t given that choice and it’s up to us to ensure the interactions go smoothly.

The guest pup has added a whole different dynamic. He’s older, yet still full of piss and vinegar and gets along famously with all of them - at this point. However this too could change at any time, which we are always extremely cognizant of.

To look at my pack, much like Mr. Arnold’s, many have complemented on how well they get along. And they do, there have been no fights. But when they are all together, regardless of what’s going on around me, my first and foremost attention is a close eye on what’s going on with them.

Dynamics can change in a split second and I’m always prepared to intervene should the need arise. I must be seen as having A.D.D. at times. I’ll often casually get up, mid sentence, to provide a distraction to an assertively approaching pup or intervene when play starts getting a bit too energized.

General overall health is a big thing too. Constantly having a good read on the temperature of the pack - who’s injured, who’s ill, who’s having an off day - all play a big part in our leadership role and again, changes daily.

It’s a lot a work leading a pack of dogs. Separating your two at this moment is the right thing to do. Stepping up your leadership role and teaching your parents what’s necessary and easily achieved will go a long way to providing peace in your home and as Barbara and Connie have mentioned, may even save a life.