WOW ... what a wonderful wealth of feedback!!! Some sources have been cited that I will definately follow up on reading....
Clarification:
Angelique - Dogs are not varying levels of maturity. Read previous post for specifics of each dog. Have 1 Momma and 4 siblings.... some say this is a recipe for disaster... but thats my pack and I love them.
Brattina88 - I dont think Jackie had anything to do with starting the first fight as he is usually under the covers with Kisses and the others dont want to be under the covers. I think he got thrown to the bottom of the pile during the inital fight. And yes, you are spot on, I think it could have been triggered by someone being startled awake. The other 2 fights started during pile ups at the window and fence. Jackie (still injured - mea culpa - see progress update) yelped during a bump/jostle and that set them off. There has never been any warning/stiff legged/growling type of escalation to a fight ... they have both happened during heightened arousal where a united bark has melted down.
Progress update:
Jackie is on the mend. Still tender in spots but healing nicely.
Jackie is seperated in another room while no one is home.
All wear collars 24/7.
Only 3 dogs loose in the yard at a time ... Daryl is never with Jackie in the yard. (more on Daryl later)
Have increased amount of walking - group and individual. Frequent smaller walks seem to be as beneficial as big walks - just getting togged up and going to the end of the drive helps to keep us happy.
Have installed 5 tethers throughout living room. Close enough so each dog can see eachother ... but cant reach. Use these tethers for feeding, to sort out dogs when organizing walks, and in case of emergency (came in handy during the last fight).
No barking or playfighting in the house. Nip the action in the bud (with squirt bottle - voice was not being respected - now all I have to do is say pssssst and they stop
and then substitue a behaviour ...
At this point all we have mastered is come and sit ... but I can make them do it individually -or- as a group. My trainer is coming the next 2 weekends and I will suggest we start working on down/stay.
We are back to sleeping in the bed together - BUT - I have put the mattress on the floor and ringed it with dog pillows. Dogs are starting to go to pillows by choice instead of being crowded. We can still touch each other, but have room to shift around. I am also working on making a dog "go to a pillow".
Daryl - has been exhibiting nervous/anxious behavior ... either its new or I just never noticed it before. Careful to keep him from "escalating", also have been doing TTeam and Rescue Remedy. Seen vast improvement in the last 5 days.
Alpha Dog:
Agree that I am over all dogs and am stepping up to give more structure and leadership. However, in watching the pack, it is clear that Fizz is over the other dogs. I wonder if this is because she is the mother?? None of the siblings challenge her reprimands....
NILIF
This philosohy has helped ALOT. I make them do something for anything ... sit for your leash, come to your tether, even a simple hug. They seem to love it.