My fiance and I have male and female welsh terrier puppies. We got the pair when they were about 8 weeks old and around week 10 they started getting in major fights. The male dog clearly dominated the female in the first fight and injured her pretty badly. We seperated the dogs immediately and gave them each their own pen. For the last 8 weeks we've tried to let them play together while we can supervise but everytime we do the play ends up leading to an argument that seems to be initiated by the female. It seems like her only purpose in life is to find the male and scrap with him. She is fixated on him and wants to be the alpha; however, things get serious a she ends up pinned to the floor with her neck in his jaws. We've broken up several fights and are starting to think these dogs will never be able to co-habitate together. Can anyone offer any advice on how to treat this situation. We are having a hard time finding anyone who has seen this type of agression between male and female puppies of this age.

Could getting them fixed helped the situation.

Thanks,
Jon

First of all it's the worst thing to do (having 2 littermates). I have 2 myself (Westies) and I've got away with it to a point but I still have trouble from time to time. They 'were' so into each other at times it was as if I was invisible and now thanks to many people on this board I have crated them separately and am starting all over again with GW, basic OB etc so they know that I am 'top dog' and have to mind me at all times. They have got into scraps and what seemed like nasty ones (in the past) but I left them to it and their was no harm done (lucky me). They're 4 years old now and I couldn't contemplate ever giving one up no matter what. However if you could while they are so young it would probably be for the best (for you and your dogs) and then if you really want 2 dogs get one in a year or so when you've got the basics done with your first.
If you can't let one go then I would do EVERYTHING separately with them until you have them minding you and there's no reason why they can't sleep,eat etc alongside eachother (in separate crates)
This is only my experience and the help I have received from other members and I'm sure more experienced and knowledgeable members will reply to your post with some sound advice. In the meantime you could read Ed's thoughts on raising 2 pups at the same time.

Raising 2 pups at the same time -Why it's a bad idea.

Good Luck! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Jon
I am not a pro and don't train dogs seriously like most people on this board but this was what worked for me. I had two 40 lb dogs that faught. I was not willing to give one up and was sick of people telling me to do so. I went back to basics. This took about 1 year all in all but my dogs were older. Your pups may take less time. I took away all priveleges, no free run of the house, no sitting on furniture, no doggy door so they could run outside and get into a fight over seeing a squirrel, installed baby gates, put crates in every room, and had leashes attached to furniture legs in every room so I could tether dogs while I was in the room if needed. NOTE: I dont leave the dogs tethered unsupervised as they can choke.

Now they seemed to have forgotten they hated each other. I haven't heard a growl or seen a dirty look in over a year. They walk together, sit on their seperate beds while I work & watch TV. At first I thought my god, is this they way I have to live the rest of theif life? I had multiple dogs before with no issues so I didnt realize how important training was. But actually I like this way of life better. My house is always quiet and my windows are cleaner.
Have you purchased Leerburgs DVD on Basic Dog Obedience? It may help you with ideas on how to live with 2 dogs. Ed Frawley's idea about only having 1 dog loose at a time is a good one. I you dont want to go to all this extreme I would at least install baby gates.
Best of luck to you. I hope you can make this work out.
Vikki

How are they with other dogs besides eachother?

If it were me, I would probably always have leashes and collars (perhaps a prong if thats what it takes) on the two and if they start scrapping, shake up their world. Remind them who is truly boss and that they have to live together peacefully. I would never let my dogs get away with any sort of growling/hair raising towards someone elses dog so why let them do it to eachother? To me it just sounds like pack hierarchy needs to work itself out and that means you expressing your dislike for their behavior as alpha of the pack.

Just my 2 cents. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />