dog fights

Question
we have 5 dogs 2 golden/lab males 1 yro., a mini blue dapple dashund (female) 1 yro, shitzu 1 yr (female) and now a found female pomeranian about 1 yr. All the dogs grew up together as puppies and now our shitzu hates the pomeranian and contstntly gets into vicious fights w/ her even when she wants to play. we have now put the shitzu outside and alternate the inside time. How can we get them to get along, or at least stop the fighting? All the other dogs get along together great, except the shitzu with the pom. I really dont know what to do. and we want to keep all the dogs. Also when the shitzu and pom would fight( really just the shitzu attacking the pom(the pom doesnt fight back) the dashund would get involved first by trying to stop the fight but later joining in the fight. But when they are seperated the dashund and pom are Best friends. Help! What should we do?

Answer
A problem between female domestic dogs can become serious enough to cause severe injury and even death; often, this problem cannot be rehabilitated, and if it is so severe that the dogs fight on sight (as appears to be the case), there is little hope for the situation.  First, you have a large number of dogs all close to the same age, which presents a problem.  There is no maturity, not sufficient life experience and positive reinforcement training, and no clear leadership among these dogs.  Putting the Shih Tzu outside is a huge error if you allow the Pom to remain indoors, rather than alternating the two.  However, regardless of how you separate these two, the fact is they must be separated.  Additionally, this animosity is disrupting the relationship among your other dogs.  It may not be possible for you to keep this Pom in your household; this is not a question that can really be answered in this venue, as evaluation of all your dogs individually, and together, must be done, as well as in person observation of the Pom and Shih Tzu together (restrained and unrestrained with immediate intervention available should a fight ensue.)  It is possible that this problem is being created by you (inadvertently of course!) and can be rehabilitated.  You also seriously need some intervention in how to manage a large dog pack (which you certainly have.)  I suggest you find a certified applied animal behaviorist (Ph.D. or DVM) and make an appointment ASAP.  The money you will spend on veterinary care will be substantial if you don't bring in professional intervention.  Your other option is to rehome the Pom.  For this, you need the assistance of a bona fide, state chartered rescue organization, no-kill shelter, or SPCA.  Many humane societies will take a dog in your Pom's situation.  You might look in your yellow pages or call veterinary clinics in your area and ask for referral to legitimate SPCA or rescue societies.  Do NOT put that dog into the municipal shelter, where its chance of adoption is slim and where it might actually be put to death the day you relinquish it, as that is the policy of many municipal shelters.