My two English Springer Spaniels, Tag (had since puppy) and Harley (adopted 2 years ago) are having issues. Back in May they both got into a fight in the house that my wife broke up rather quickly. Since then there has been a few times when they start at it again, but quickly broken up. In the last two weeks it has been very BAD! Seems the fights start when we are around and Harley lets out a grumble. Harley also has some problems with seizures and has medication. When he grumbles Tag leaps in as if to protect us, and the fight begins. Both are Males and soon will be 5 years of age.

It was two weeks ago that this happened and we could not get them apart. I came home from work in the morning and opened the bedroom door where the boys were in bed with my wife. They both jumped out of bed to greet me, but Harley left out that grumble as if awakened suddenly and Tag went right into protect. Tried spraying water on them and getting a chair in between. They broke it off with injuries to both. Did not know about the legs and turning at this point. Took both to the vet and they were treated. Two weeks went by and on my Birthday before going out, I wanted to check the wounds on Harley. He came out from under the table and a grumble. Once again Tag jumped as if to protect. Our Vet said to try whistles and air horns to break up the fight. We tried! My wife kept telling me keep my hands away from them which I know to do! While my back was turned she got her hand in there and was bit, but not on purpose by Harley. She got the vet on the phone as I was trying pepper spray. Used a full can and no response. They finally got tired and left go. Only after getting blood in every room of the house. Harley was rushed to the emergency clinic as my wife went to the ER. Tag stayed home as per the vet and then when I returned I called the vet again gave him the extent of his injuries. Puncture wounds to the face. Cleaned him up and he went the next day to get checked.

Today, Harley is at the vets office, with wounds to the back legs. Tag is at home with facial wounds. Wife has a few stitches. The Question Is?? When they are alone at home there is no problem or evidence of a problem. In between these attacks there is no problem as they play. Separation of the two is the now solution. My wife wants to get rid of Harley so he does not get hurt again in these attacks. I feel Harley has a medical condition that causes the grumble at times and Tag just too protective. I do not want to see anyone go and make this work out, as it did for 2 years with never a problem.

Sorry this was long, and I kept it short. Just looking for help and seeing if anyone else ever went through this. Harley is a sweet dog, always calm and good around people. Tag is my hunting companion, but always protective and does not take to other people right away. Only thing I did notice in the past two weeks Tag does walk around Harley with his tail up high. Thinking of using his hunting collar as possible correction when I see this body language. Don't want to loose one of my boys and try to work this out.

Please read Ed Frawley's articles on dog-dog aggression, how to safely break up a dog fight, and having a two-dog home:

http://leerburg.com/2dogs.htm
http://leerburg.com/introducingdogs.htm
http://leerburg.com/dogfight.htm
http://leerburg.com/dogpacks.htm

These dogs don't need to be around each other, EVER.
They're both old enough to spend time in their kennel, and be seperated.

Be thankful one of your dogs isn't dead, and/or your wife wasn't severly injured (even little dogs can give some really nasty bites).

If you aren't willing to make some SERIOUS changes in the way you are living with these dogs, then I would suggest finding a new home for one of them. If I had to choose, I'd say Harley would be the better candidate, since he probably has lost some trust in you.

If by hunting collar, you mean an e-collar, that's probably a bad idea during a dog fight. The dog misinterprets the shock, or "stim", as coming from the other dog, and it makes him fight even harder.

Edited by (08/04/2008 05:47 PM)
Edit reason: add

This is not what a pack leader allows to happen. A pack leader protects his pack.

Separate them.

Having dogs separated is not undoable, or even very hard.

I'm not trying to be harsh. This is a straightforward answer.

I think your wife's right. A whole can of pepper spray couldnt stop them!

If they are fighting this badly, your options are to separate them or to return the new dog. Period.

And this is coming from someone with an ESS. I know how snarky they can be when provoked. As you have learned -- a POed Springer is not to be underestimated!