Old dog, meet the new dog... is this normal?

Hi folks,

Displaying much ignorance here:

Brought home a new male Boxer pup last week, 9 weeks old today.

My 4 year old male Boston (neutered) was not thrilled, pretty agressive and even bit the pup at first.

I've been letting them socialize under controlled conditions every day and yesterday we got to the point that I put them both unrestrained in the same area and just stood by.

Well, they are not really aggressive to each other anymore, but the Boston wants to mount the pup. The pup wants no part of it so just tries to walk away.

This went on for some time, it wasn't a casual "look where I happen to be" but more of a decisive approach. Pup moves, Boston regains his position behind him.

Finally I separated them since the pup became irritated (can't blame him).

Is this normal behaviour, and if so does it stop by itself (just a "hello, I'm the boss" kind of thing) or do I need to make it stop?

Thoughts?

Thanks!

[Jade]

Granted, I don't have dogs, but this sounds entirely normal to me. My older female chinchilla sometimes mounts her female cagemate, I assume as a 'I'm boss' guesture. I would think that as long as neither is getting hurt, you wouldn't need to separate them. But again, I don't have dogs, so I'm guessing based on other species.

[Crittercall]

This is absolutely normal and nothing to worry about. We are in the act of choosing pecking order, and the Boston is asserting himself and saying "Look, I've been here longer, I don't know you, but I am the Alpha dog and don't forget it". As soon as the boxer either submits and says okay, be the alpha do OR fights back and says not you, buddy, I'm Alpha you'll be okay.

The situation in my household is totally opposite. The Cavaliers are so docile that they never even discussed among themselves which would be the leader. Then I brought in this strong-willed, smart talking little shihtzu who thinks she is going to be Alpha dog over everybody and everything in the house - including me and Bubba! No mounting (that I've seen!) but I've never had such a dog. She knows that she has me wolfed (just like my African Gray does),but she isn't quite sure what Bubba might do to her. I've spent the past few days working very hard on helping her understand that she is not at the top of the pecking order and needs to learn her place!

Good luck, Dan. It'll all work out and probably sooner than you think.

Critter

Thanks!

By now they've had several long sessions by themselves (meaning unrestrained and uncoached). Longest has been for almost 1 hour.

The Boston is relentless, the pup doesn't care much but fights back at times. I end it when they start getting carried away and become more aggresive.

I was kind of hoping that they would "do their thing" and move on.

Instead I get the feeling that this would go on all day long, the Boston just never tires.

I suppose eventually something would change, if anything because the Boxer grows by the day and will probably not put up with this too much longer.

Oh well, patience.