[Ringo1]

Both your dogs are adorable and there is not much cuter than a maltese puppy!

I don't think there is a lot you can do to determine alpha - that is something the dogs will have to work out on their own. You can 'reinforce' your yorkie's status by doing the things that you are doing . . . but as your Maltese grows olders . . they will determine their own status and you will have to be ok with that! I know it's hard.

Sometimes I think my little Lucy has gained the alpha status over my 15 lb - very rough and tough Westie.

I had a maltese and generally he was very mild. My westie can get very excited in play and then he will start playing too rough by pulling Lucy's ponytail . . exactly the things you were talking about. That's when I step in and re-direct their attention with a pull toy or a ball . . . anything to calm things down a bit. I can tell when she's had enough because she will be trying to hide rather than play and yelp a lot too. However, I note that she bites Ringo's face like crazy but she yelps like the devil if he would even think about trying that with her!

I would not leave them alone together yet if you are concerned that your new maltese is too rough . . you have plenty of time for that later. I think that they will become best of friends . . just give it a little time.