Fighting is uncommon within a well-established group of dogs. A key factor for a socail harmony is the stability of the group. The memebers of the current group of dogs *milly and checter* have developed a hierarchical structure of social organisation.

It is traditionally held that pairs of dogs form complementary dominant/Subordinant relationshipd, which are the building blocks for the dominance hierarchy of the entire pack.

Rank is thought to be established during agressive encounters, whereby one dog dominates the other and by so doing establishes its superior position in the hierarchy. *Chester feels that Bruse is trying to take over his rank as the superior ranking dog in the pack*

The highest ranking animals of each sex are termed the alfa-male and alfa-female. Males are generally dominant to females. *Chester is dominant over Milly*.

The main predictors of fighting are the sex, age social rank of the animals concerned. Male dogs are more apt to fight then females. In over 90% of the dog fights, the participants are both male.

In the wild, there is usually some uniformity in size, conformation, behaviour and temperament of group members. As a result of domestic breeding, domestic dogs come in a myraid of shapes and sizes and vary greatly in terms of behaviour and teprament. This situation may have an unsettling influence on the development of social stability.

Letting dogs work out their differences can be a main factor to a stable household of domestic dogs. This allows dogs to understand the basics of dominance.

I recomend that you place a muzle on Bruse and let your husband hold him tight. While you let Chester go. Chester will be agressive at first but soon will relise that with no dought Bruce is Bigger and is higher rank and IS the alfa male. If Bruce cowers, this is also a good sign, Chester will be giving the satisfaction of being alfa male in the group.

Good luck.