dog fight..

Question
here goes.. my two youngest 7 and 4 got in a fight today. The last fight they had was two years ago. Both instances happened right outside the back door. I have a dog door and sometimes I lock them out. I was coming outside and there was no toy and I didn't even see a stare or anything it happened right under my legs. The 7 year old has a very high energy chase the ball and bring it back a hundred times. the other loves to bark at the wind laid back but has spurts of play. they have played together since the 4 yard old was 6 mths old. I jumped in the middle of both fights and broke it up. The first one madison 7 got a hold of abby 4 paw pad and it had to be sown back on. Madison gets started and you cannot stop her.. she triggers just like she does when she is chasing the ball she cannot stop. This fight abby got a couple staples. and now I am having to keep them separate even though it happened just today abby really isn't wanting to have anything to do with madison. growls between glass and I am afraid I am going to be hit with a bigger decision if I don't figure something out. I love them both but this is so very stressful. Even just deal with a cone on the head and juggling dogs for 10 days. that is just so much already and to even not be able to have them in the same room has made this even bigger. I am at a loss of what to do. I am very aware of behavior as I have taken a million classes but when its your own it becomes a different ball game. I cannot figure madison out. any help or advice is appreciated.

Answer
Especially if these are females, and are injuring one another that severely, you may have to "crate and rotate" or keep them separated permanently.  Females have been known to fight to the death if they hate one another, and by allowing them to keep "triggering" one, you are increasing the likelihood that Madison will eventually want to finish what she seems to be starting.  Allowing them to "growl between glass" is also a predictor that they will escalate.  Before I would suggest that you rehome one dog, I would say that you should consult with a behaviorist.  It's costly, but you will get a better picture of whether your situation is salvageable (I'm not optimistic, due to Madison's poor bite inhibition).  You can find a behaviorist at either the Animal Behavior Society or IAABC web site, or from your nearest college of veterinary medicine.