Hehe, I had also forgotten how much work puppies were before I got June (19 weeks old now). My Cash is 2.5 years old and he was an only child for two years. It was just him and me for two years and now, my sister and June lives with us, so it took a while for him to get used to the whole thing.
Puppies can be very irritating and although Cash plays with June a lot - they became friends very slowly, but surely - he also gets angry and snappy with her if she irritates him when he is sleepy. I don't interfere with them at all. My dog behaviourist friend told me not to.
So, all I do is watch out for tense moments when they stare at each other aggressively. When this happens (it hasn't yet), I just sigh, get up and walk out of the room. They should follow me and the tension will disappear.
Dogs have no sense of ownership, so stealing toys aren't a problem. Also, if he is eventually going to be the alpha (which it sounds like), you have to let them sort it out. If you interfere, the whole process will take longer and it will be much more stressful for them both.
I wanted to say a few more things, but unfortunately, I have to run. Good luck. I will try to post again when I have time.
__________________ Cash & Orio  RIP Beautiful Joni  |