Are they both the same age? and are they nearly a year old? if so Think of them as kids of about 14. One of them has probably started challenging the other's place in the pack. Although it's quiet I bet one of them has been "eye-balling" the other and then the other one says "that's enough, buddy!"
In the first instance, I would go in and to them and say "bah" or something really loudly and angrily at them to try to get them to stop. That's kind of saying "I don't know what you're fighting about because I'm the boss."
I wouldn't try to get in between it physically because you may only end up bitten. And i find that trying to intervene physically can actually make dog fights worse. Generally dogs won't go to the point of actually hurting one another, only until one or the other backs down. They'll sort out the pack hierarchy eventually.
Dogs are constantly assessing their place in the pack and if one has decided that she has a chance to take over from the other there's no rationalising to her I'm afraid.
I'm sorry to be not much help. But may be read the Dog Listener by Jan Fennell which talks alot about dog pack mentality. |