Robbie is now 16 weeks old and he and bailey got on fine a lot of play fighting but now its getting more serious. Today the pup drew blood from bailey and he never wants to give up even when bailey gets really annoyed he still comes back for more is it better to leave them or to step in right away? Bailey is 2 1/2 castrated (both westies). Majority of the time there is no problem and they play fight fine hopefully its a one of.

It would help if you can keep an eye on them, and step in BEFORE one has to get really annoyed.  If this is allowed to continue it could lead to serious dog agression issues with other dogs, as he will learn this is a way to stop other dogs doing what he doesn't want them to :(

i was told by an experenced breeder that they have to be left to sort it out themselves. if you step in one or the other will think they have won and it will make more problems later.
stepping in will lead to more agression, just like if you pick up a pup to protect it if another dog runs up the pup snarls down at the other dog and becomes agressive. dogs have their own ways of sorting out who is more dominant in the pack.

This doesn't sound like 'dominance' issues to me, as I understand it, they start playing quiet normally, but the younger dog won't back off when the older one says 'enough is enough'.  Dominance issues usually don't start with playing.......

I'd agree with Digger, it would be best to keep an eye on this and step in when needed :)

Lindsay
x

I agree with Digger as well.  We never ever let our puppies annoy the older dogs too much.  If we think things are getting too rough we step in, distract them both and give the older dog "time-out" from the puppy.  After all the older dog was there first, think how he / she feels in this situation. 
Neeva

Hi Dedlin

In some breeds if you leave (older) dogs to sort it out amongst themselves you will end up with only one dog and/or a very large vets bill.

so what happens in the wolf pack? anyway, i was only being guided by a more experianced person than me.

>>so what happens in the wolf pack

if neither wolf backs down then its a fight to the death im afraid. :(

I agree with digger too - imagine leaving a 10 year old kid to play with his 5 year old little brother every day, all day - I think they could murder each other!!!!!!  Perhaps you should try to find some other pups for Robbie to play with, because they might want to play as much as he does and it would be good for his bite inhibition.  Just make sure that all play stays equal and that NO PUP BULLIES OR IS BULLIED!!!!!

They have been great today no fighting just playing around and when i go out they are separated the pup stays in the kitchen alone and bailey in sitting room they can see each other and i always feed them on their own aswell as pup trys to eat baileys dinner. The pup gets very jealous when bailey gets a cuddle but i make sure he is last to be petted when we have visitors now. Will def keep an eye on them though. Thanks for all your help.