Pup aggression towards another pup

I have a springer spaniel x beagle pup (female) that is 6 months old,
have had her since she was 2 months. Got another pup (bull terrier
x)(male) 2 months ago (now 4 months old and only a quarter of her size).
Anyway, most of the time they get on together but if the terrier gets
in other pups way or is eating or basically when the female pup feels
like it, she attacks him. Usually its just a growl or a nip but
occasionally it's like she bites and tears at him.

Apart from keeping them separated is there anything I can do to stop
this behaviour? I am now having to stand outside while they are eating
so the female doesn't steal the males food (have tried feeding them on
opposite sides of yard but she just races between dishes so she can
control both bowls).

Is this something that will be grown out of as they get older?

I have a springer spaniel x beagle pup (female) that is 6 months old, have
had her since she was 2 months. Got another pup (bull terrier x)(male) 2
months ago (now 4 months old and only a quarter of her size).

wow, 2 puppies at the same time! you are much braver than I am.

On Sun, 19 Feb 2006 22:46:33 +0000, becs_ethereal_melody wrote:

Anyway, most of the time they get on together but if the terrier gets in
other pups way or is eating or basically when the female pup feels like
it, she attacks him. Usually its just a growl or a nip but occasionally
it's like she bites and tears at him.

I don't have any advice for your specific situation. But I'll point out
that it is important you act as the leader of the pack and immediately
squash any undersired behavior. Do seek the assistance of a professional
canine behavioral specialist. Your local humane society should have
someone on staff who can help you or recommend someone who can.

I currently have four dogs in my pack. All were at least five months old
when they joined my household. They currently range from three to nine
years of age. By date of addition: border collie male, german shepherd
male, chow-shepherd female, american staffordshire terrier (pit-bull)
female. All are second-chance dogs adopted from the local shelter. Each
was given up for behavioral problems. The terrier female in particular
had severe aggression problems.

The terrier female joined my pack as a six year old foster care dog
awaiting adoption (she wasn't eating while in the animal shelter). The
first day there were two fights between the terrier and the other members
of the pack that resulted in minor wounds. She was adopted out but returned
to the shelter due to agression towards other dogs. She was perfect with
people and I felt I could correct her behavioral problems so I adopted
her. Over the next two years there were several fights between her and
the other three members of my pack. Some of which required sutures to one
or more dogs. Note that the terrier often received injuries as, or more,
severe than the other dogs despite having initiated the fight.

There hasn't been a fight in over a year. I attribute that primarily to

a) supervising all their interactions (the terrier is segregrated to the
upstairs when I'm not home),

b) dealing swiftly with any aggressive behavior (including even a hint
of aggression such as a growl),

c) providing positive reinforcement for good behavior, including
encouraging positive play and participating when appropriate,

d) walking the entire pack a minimum of three miles each day (a tired
dog is a happy dog :-)

Good luck.