Hi, I have a 9 mth old blenheim bitch and a 7 mth old tri dog.  The problem only started a few weeks ago.  However recently when they both have a chewie, my little dog sits there barking and whining, terrified that the bitch is going to steal his chewie, even when she has no intention whatsoever and is asleep in the chair!  He really does make a strange "coo-ing"/"whining" noise.  She gets so fed up in the end after he's woken her up, she just comes along and pinches it, and then they have an almighty scrap!!  Is this normal behaviour??

I'm not an expert on this and I know dogs can have the odd fight but I don't think it's normal behaviour. Maybe your bitch hurt your dog a few weeks ago while fighting over the chewie and since then you dog may be afraid of it happening again. My advice will be to prevent the bitch from stealing your other dog's bone. Let your little dog stay somewhere else like in a different room or somewhere he feels safe, like his crate while he eats his chewie and praise him when he's quiet as his barking/whining is obviously irritating your other dog. If the bitch tries to pinch his chewie, say no firmly and take her to a different room. Don't let it get to the stage when they're fighting but if the worst comes to the worst squirt water in their faces from a spray bottle to separate them and watch them carefully for the rest of the day. If your bitch stops attacking your dog and he has a safe place to eat his chewie where your bitch can't get him, then gradually your dog shoulds feel a lot safer.

Good Luck :-)

Actually it is the male who is starting the aggressive behaviour(well food guarding to be correct)I would remove him or the chew so that there is no confrontation

I have one male cavalier who does a lot of threatening & he has his treasure removed when he starts & the younger two only have something to chew when they are separated, this prevents any problems..The older two don't bother with others treats or biscuits etc

There are some dogs who will guard treats & some who don't so avoiding problems is better than having to stop them. It is quite normal for a dog who food guards

If it only happens when they have chews - why not seperate them for the duration of the chew?  It doesn't do dogs any harm to be seperated occasionally, and can be positively beneficial :)