First of all: I am new to this forum, and frankly am new to the entire concept of forums and posting..but am out there trying this!
I have two dogs; one, an 8 yr old mini-schnauzer, that I have had since she was a puppy and two, a five month old doberman puppy that I purchased the end of December. My doberman comes from a working lineage and has tons of energy! My question comes from my puppies behavior toward the schnauzer. My schnauzer essentially dislikes all dogs but thus far has been all noise. My doberman has started "pinning" the schnauzer against a solid object, such as the couch, a wall, the shower door, etc. The dobe will just lean until she has "pinned" the schnauzer and then they both get quiet and just stand there...... at first I was amused, but now am certain there is "dog language" at work here, but am not sure what that is! Can anyone help?

it doesn't bode well, suggest crates and kennels

Have you considered separate your doberman from Schnauzer? Have you kept the dobie on leash all the time? Why did you let your dobie pins the schanuzer? It sounds like the dobie is correcting the schanuzer. I will never let any dogs or my dogs pin each other for correction.

 Quote: Lindsay Janes

Have you considered separate your doberman from Schnauzer? Have you kept the dobie on leash all the time? Why did you let your dobie pins the schanuzer? I will never let any dogs or my dogs pin each other.

http://leerburg.com/pdf/introducingdogs.pdf

Exactly. Why would you allow your senior dog to be bullied? This is bad enough as it is, but as Dennis says, it also bodes ill for the future.

It's your job to protect the members of your pack. You are failing the senior, the way things are now.

Having the Dobe on a drag line whenever he is not crated or tethered to you would be a good start.

I actually feel like I crate too much.... Doberman is crated at night beside my bed. She does great - quiet until 6a - at that time we get up go outside, potty, play a little, come in and play, eat and then she stays in the room with me and her toys until I leave for work - back in crate - home for lunch, potty, play - back in crate - home from work, play, train for small amounts of time, play, eat, potty, etc - back in crate for night. We live for weekends! Schnauzer, pretty much has the run of the house during the day but at night she is put up and doberman has "us". Do you think the dogs will "mellow" with age and time together? I hate to think they will never get along, but have certainly thought about the possibility.

They can get along, if you start making some serious changes now.
Even in dogs, first impressions make a big difference.

All it takes is one nasty fight, and the future of both dogs will be irrevokably changed. Not only will they despise each other, but your pup may spend the rest of his life aggressive towards other dogs.

This should help you get started in a better direction:
http://leerburg.com/pdf/introducingdogs.pdf

Renee,

The schedule sounds fine. Is this schedule for both your dogs? Are you interacting with them together or individually? I understand the Schnauzer having the run of the house during the day; she has probably earned that privilege. And you are very right to keep the Dobie crated and separated when you are not home.

But in reading your post it sounds like the Schnauzer is being ostracized when you are with the Dobie and not getting any attention from you for herself. I agree separating these two is the correct thing to do while you work on pack structure and obedience but you need to balance your interaction between the two. Having the run of the house during the day amounts to nothing more than time for the Schnauzer to wait for you to come home.

As far as getting along; I suggest creating balance in your dealings with them. Fair and consistant with both. If I'm interpreting your post incorrectly, I apologize.

Alyssa - Thanks so much for the link to introducing dogs. It had much helpful information. I appreciate that!
Sheila - Thank you as well for your reply. You actually hit the nail on the head! I am guilty... I have ostracized my schnauzer in the evening for the sake of trying to ensure I allow play and training time for the puppy. I, as well, feel frustration (I realize unrightfully so) at the schnauzer for not accepting the puppy, just because I do. I will "tweak" my schedule and allow for some one-on-one time in the evening with the schnauzer as well. Actually this time of evening is prime, since the puppy is shutting down by now. I will back up on my time frame and not allow so much interaction that it gives the puppy an opportunity to "pin". She wants to play so bad and the schnauzer just wants to "chill". I will continue to read and learn and go slow, and hopefully will have a success story! However, as stated in the article I just read.... I am prepared to separate to keep two happy and healthy dogs.
Thank you ladies again.