interactions with new puppy

When we got Coke I took away all the toys, bones, chews....any "possession" that Kenya could potentially decide to claim.  Instead of seeing whether or not she *would* guard her things, I just took them out of the equation altogether.  We only had toys out when we (the humans) were playing with a dog and they only got a chew or treat if they both got one, usually in their crates or their own preferred "den" areas (Kenya's is under the table, Coke's is between the couch and the wall).  Now we are at a point where the toys and chews are always available and the dogs often play together with them, but it wasn't that way at first.  I wanted Kenya to adjust to having a new dog without complicating it with possessions and I wanted Coke to settle in without having to try to claim anything.  Like you, I fed Kenya first and let her on the couch and bed as usual.  There were a few times that she would show teeth or nip at Coke if he got in her face, but after a few days neither dog needed personal space.

I would take the toys and things away and play with the dogs one at a time.  We did some "crate and rotate" the first few days, just so we could interact with one dog without having to have eyes on the back of our head. She needs to learn that those toys are NOT "hers" to begin with, they are yours and you will decide who gets them and when.

ABSOLUTELY what Liesje says.  Do some reading on "nothing in life is free".  You will have to use Zoe as "the role model" -- teach Zack by what she does BUT at the same time, keep everyone down **on the floor** and be very very mindful of who gets attention when and where. 

Keep the supervision SO close that literally you don't give them room to really tussle.  Let her teach him with simply a 'look' to leave her alone when she wants down time, but ultimately YOU are in charge, not her. 

So to a degree you let them settle it, but a) you control the situations so nastiness just doesn't have a place to happen and b) YOU ultimately step in and resolve things.

When you give toys, bones, etc. -- either do it separately in crates OR physically separate them and make them respect each other's space. 

When I feed -- I put down 3 bowls always in the same order (they do well with regimen) but then everyone keeps his/her nose in their OWN bowl.  When Luna gets done she's not allowed to go to Billy's bowl or Kee's bowl and try to push them out ... nor is she allowed to investigate their empty bowl .... nope.  done and it is picked up.  "NOT your bowl!!" means OUTA there.

Same thing with other things. And don't tolerate possessiveness of a human.  Absolutely not.  She does NOT 'own' you ...

Thanks for the informative repsonses.  I have done what you guys suggested, and there has been a drastic reduction of her being possessive of humans.  She is still possesive of bones so I took them away altogether. One good thing now is that they play together!  I am noticing  that when they play, Zoe is often on her back, belly up.  From what I understand, this is submissive behavior.  Does that mean that Zack has gained alpha status?  Why does she submit during play but still guard things?  Zoe still nips him when he oversteps his bounds, but he is learning now and doesn't harrass her so much.

jenns

One good thing now is that they play together!  I am noticing  that when they play, Zoe is often on her back, belly up.  From what I understand, this is submissive behavior.  Does that mean that Zack has gained alpha status? 

 No, being on her back is indicative of play behavior between an adult and a pup.  Zoe is teaching him what is acceptable and what is not acceptable when interacting with her.  Nothing more, nothing less.

Keep observing their interactions, you're going to notice a bunch of tiny little signals and it's going to be a very, very enlightening process.

jenns

Why does she submit during play but still guard things?

She's not submitting, she's playing. 

Xerxes had a HUGE friend that he played with while he was a pup.  This dog (Ozzy) weighed 120lbs at least.  Ozzy would always lay down and let Xerxes beat him up...all in play.

Xerxes also loves little pups.  I've got a video of him lying down so they could climb all over him and beat him up.  He's not submitting, he's just relaxing so they can do what they will.

Video
 

Thank you for explaining that Xerxes, it makes a lot more sense now.  So I guess pack order won't really be established until the puppy is older?

 What an adorable video!