Obligatory puppy picture of Jake :
It's only been two weeks since they've seen each other. Jake reeeeally wanted to play with Jazz right off the bat, play bowing, barking, yipping, and dancing -- all while trying to climb up my leg to lick my face, he's quite agile.
Jazz, on the other hand, decided that instead of engaging he was going to snarl, snap, growl, and generally act like he'd never seen this guy in his life (and how dare that other dog touch HIS mom). My ferocious little hellion spent about an hour and a half being kind of a jerk while poor Jake tried so hard to play nice. Now, Jake does outweigh Jazz by at least 2.5 pounds, but by the time the tussling was over, Jazz had asserted his dominance. Every time Jake tried to come up to Jazz to play thereafter, there was a lot of paw licking involved for His Highness, The Winner.
My mom was pretty concerned about the initial snarling/growling spats, but I thought it was mostly normal.... except that Jazz is the puppy who will love on everyone and try to play with every dog we see at the pet stores, out on walks, at the vet's office, and so on. I've never seen him act so territorial about me in particular, or be so reserved about playing or saying hi. His little ears were pinned back, his tail tucked under, and his body pretty tensed up. It was obvious he was stressed until he had convinced his "big" brother that he was the boss.
I just thought it was interesting behavior for such a gregarious little guy. Anyone else have a Clash of the Titans moment with their dog that was unexpected?
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Remember each of them is having different experiences each and every day, and learning from those experiences. They will spend the next year or so getting their status worked out between themselves, as well as all the new dogs and people that they will come in contact with each day. They are "practicing" their body English and vocal interaction....just let them work it out.
In my defense, I moderate a board with the edit button in a different place and it's so similar in looks to this board that this one just never popped out at me! And, I've been posting for months. Silly me!
before asking me a question. 
