My almost 2 years old female and my almost 4 month old pup are not getting alone. I am very surprised because she was never dominant with other dogs, never confrontational unless she had no choice. Even when dogs would try to attack her she would still go to them wagging her tail trying not to fight.
Well, she hates the pup. She bugs him all the time trying to dominate him. She pushes him to the ground and takes his neck in her mouth checking him. He is not the one who likes to be dominated so he fights back. If she leaves him alone he starts with her trying to hump her, jumping on her, trying to push her to the ground, etc. They don’t fight over toys, my older one is happy to give him toys she is not toy aggressive. The even drink from the same water dish, even though they have separated; she moves away if he comes when she drinks. I feed her first, take her out the crate first, since she was there before. When I feed them I give her food in her crate but she doesn’t eat until I give him food and look him in his crate, than she would come out check if he is eating and only after this she would go an eat her food. Very strange, why does she care if he eats first? I would thing if she wants to be dominate she would want to eat first. Any suggestions? I am afraid that they will never get alone, or she will give in to the pup when he will be older.

Thanks!

We have gone through a similiar situation with a 3.5 year old female GSD and a 9 month old male GSD. Despite Heidi being here first and being older it is obvious that Krieger is taking over the dominant position. We have not encouraged this but we aren't stopping it either. To some degree we support it. If Heidi is given a treat first, Krieger takes it and Heidi allows it. It makes more sense to just start with Krieger. We do make a point of some individual time for Heidi since Krieger takes all of the toys if they are together. If your male has the more dominant personality being younger isn't going to stop him from being the higher ranking dog.