Fighting over toys

[PotterWatch]

My dogs got into a snapping, snarling scuffle tonight over a new toy. This doesn't happen often but it has happened once or twice before. Any ideas on what, if anything, I should do about it?

 

[Tala]

I do think they need to work things out themselves to a point. So long as there's no blood being drawn, and nobody's being bullied too harshly I tend to let them work it out for themselves.
After all, I don't speak dog and they do. That's the way they communicate to each other.
I do think it's good to allow dogs to speak to each other in the "warning tones" by snarling and growling or even snapping the air, because if you don't allow that then there is no warning before a bite comes.

It doesn't sound like yours are tearing each other up, just a little tiff over a high-value item. If it stays between the dogs I'd let it go. The REAL question is, can YOU take the high-value item away without being snarled at?? If not, then you have a problem.