I have a question about dominance between a new puppy (Mika, 12 weeks) and an older dog (Hunter, 3 y/o neutered male). I recently posted about how they should interact, and was given (and am taking) advice to keep them separated. The male is only crated when I am not at home, and the pup is either crated or on a lead, so they are within view of each other, and occasionally get close, but there is no playing/ interacting. My puppy keeps trying to 'attack' my older dog (or maybe she is just trying to play tug with his fur), she will throw herself against the lead barking and growling to try to get him. She has shown some resource guarding (from him, not me) when he is in view. I am wondering if she is being dominant, or just being a rambunctious puppy. Is there something that I should be doing differently?

I have read that when one dog is dominant it is important for us to respect that, in that the dominant dog should be greeted first, fed first, etc... Is this 12 week old baby really dominant? Should I, at this early stage, be acknowledging that? Up until now Hunter has been fed/ greeted first.

BTW, the older dog has never been anything but meek with Mika (hehe) and has only reacted by yelping when she bit him (I know, that isn't acceptable. I've been much more careful since). They have NEVER been alone together, and the puppy does not act fearful, just fascinated. Is it just play-crazed behavior?

She actually barrelled out of her crate this morning and jumped on him while he was sleeping. The potential disaster of that moment has not escaped me.

Thank you for any insight!