My older dog won't accept the new dog.

[Kirstix]

I don't know if you will be able to help me but here goes. I have three dog's, I have a 10 year old springer spaniel, a 6 year old lurcher and a 9 month cocker spaniel. My springer spaniel accepts the cocker spaniel and try's to play with him as much as she can but she's getting old so get's tired easily, but my lurcher will not accept the cocker spaniel and if he goes near him he starts to growl at him and sometimes snaps at him as well. He just will not accept the cocker spaniel and he doesn't even have to be that near to him to upset him now. But the odd thing is that when we go on a walk the lurcher will try and play with the cocker spaniel. We have tried treating them all equally, but the lurcher is very grumpy and will not accept it, and it has got to the stage now where they have to be separated at night. What should I do?
Kirsty

[Kirstix]

Thank you for your advise, yes they are two males, the lurcher isn't the dominant dog the springer spaniel is, we have to separate them at night because the lurcher makes an awful noise (which keeps the whole house awake)  and sometimes snaps at the cocker spaniel they won't fight because the cocker spaniel isn't like that all he wants to do is be friends. And no I haven't consulted anyone about this. Many thanks.

[Margot49]

Well, you could do a google search on some of the dog behavior/training sites to get some information possibly.
Sounds like these are two males?  That may be a problem right there as more times then not, dogs of the same sex won't get along? Are they neutered?  I take it the lurcher is the dominant dog. You now have a pack of dogs.  You don't say why you are having to separate them at night.Fighting?  Without being there, or knowing the dogs, it's hard to give advice. Sometimes, if the problem isn't aggressive but just warning signs, you might let them work it out themselves until the younger ones learns his place in the pack. Of course, *you* have to be pack leader over the 3.  Sometimes, separating them can actually make things worse.  Have you consulted a trainer or behaviorist?