Ot- Shaken Up

[1 morejump]

What a day!  Our neighbor's dog Maggie came over today to say, "hi" which isn't unusual she is very friendly and gets along with Cheyenne very well.  Cheyenne got excited and ran off to the back of the house and Maggie came up to me. Cheyenne came up behind me mere seconds later and gave Maggie a bark.  Nothing aggressive but Maggie crouched down and the fur on the back of her neck went up while snarling.

Then she lunged at Cheyenne! She knocked her onto her back and started biting at her neck! Cheyenne fought her way up and they started going at it again.  I know not to sick my hand in a dog fight to break it up and I had my big rubber boots on so I started kicking Maggie, trying to push her off.  I was really scared for Cheyenne as she isn't known to be the bravest thing.  My brother came running out, he is a lot bigger than I am, (about 6'4") and pulled Maggie off.  Then Cheyenne blew us all away and bit Maggie's flank!  They started again and then my brother pulled Cheyenne off, I grabbed her collar and Maggie left.  

We brought Cheyenne into the house and mom who is an E.R. nurse gave her the once over and found no blood, thank goodness!  She kept trying to go out to where we were to make sure Maggie had left.  Maggie is normaly very friendly and we are really confused by her behaviour.  Cheyenne on the other hand has stayed close all night, I can't decide if she is scared or protecting us.  I am just a little nervous about leaving her alone now.  Our land isn't fenced in at the moment and Maggie is never at her house.  I think it was a one time thing but I am just shaken over all this.   :(  

[Torsornin]

Oh dear! Is the other dog up to date on her vaccinations? Even if your neighbor is the nicest person in the world I would insist that they tie the dog out rather than let her roam if she is attacking other dogs

I hope your dog is ok. And I hope that there is nothing wrong with the other dog such as rabies.

Your dog is up to date on her vaccinations right?

[drummers mum]

I know how you feel, they make you feel sick to the stomach, its the noise thats so awful!

I have figured that although they sound horrendous they, there seems to be alot less blood than you would have thought!!  

I have an evil terrier that fights and he no longer gets let off the lead :( I think he is protecting me! Its sounds like Cheyenne was saying "get off my mum" to Maggie and she retaliated.

[Dark Cloud]

Yep, it sounds like a classic case of one up man ship there, Poor old Cheyenne, Maggie was like "Nup, she (you) thinks I'm better/more worthy on th pooch scale" and thought she'd fancy her chances.
I really wouldn't worry too much about it, maybe its best to organize a meet up on neutral ground and just doggy interaction, not pats from you. If you keep the ground rules clear, ie pat Maggie after your dog and don't give them treats around each other, it may actually help next time Maggie visits you to completely ignore her so that Cheyenne will not have to worry about the directions of your affection and Maggie will have nowhere to aspire to. They will in all likelihood just be dogs together and forget about being favorite.

[sandpiper]

It may have been a one-off in that Cheyenne might have been protecting you but now they have fought I would keep a very wary eye.  Apparently bitch fights can be worse than dog fights!  I wouldn't be happy for a dog like your neighbour's to be roaming free ... even with dogs who generally get along okay once they have fought I think that the risk is always there.

I know what is it like, I have two small male terriers who have a go at each other periodically and once they have gotten hold you could smash them over their heads with a frying pan and they wouldn't feel it.  We've had many trips to the vets!  Once I came home to a total bloodbath - don't know how long they had been at it but they were both shattered and covered with wounds!  There was blood on the walls, carpet, TV, furniture - it looked like the Texas Chainsaw Massacre  :ouch: .

Generally they get along well but it is sometimes just a look and certain body language that sparks it off again, and we always have to be vigilant and not leave them together when we go out