As most of you know I have recently been blessed with a new Chow puppy called Thor.  He is a fantastic pup with a personality almost exactly like my Balto who I lost, basically really pleasant, calm, affectionate and laid back.

Baloo who is 7 and neutered had been getting on very well with him even playing with him (Baloo doesn't 'play' with anyone or anything), occasionaly giving him a 'scruffing' when needed but nothing serious.

The last few days Baloo seems to have gone off him, at 4 months old I guess he is starting to smell more male and Baloo is sniffing Thors groin alot and licking him. 

3 days ago my female pug told Thor off (she's a bit of a bossy boots) and Baloo just piled in, had him cornered, on his back and screaming in submision.  Normally this lasts about 3 seconds and I just let them sort it out but this time it lasted probably 10 seconds and I did break it up as calmly as I could.

This morning there was another incident like this, I didn't see it start but Thor was scared and pee'd a bit.  I guess Baloo is not trying to hurt him as there is never any fur pulled out and pup gets over it pretty quick.  Before this at breakfast Baloo tried to eat out off Thor's bowl, Baloo is not a foodie and usually leaves breakfast so I guess he was trying to make a point, I just put more in his bowl and guided him back and he seemed happy with that.

Now Baloo will not let Thor in the living room, as soon as he gets to the doorway about 15-20 feet from Baloo he lifts his lip and growls ever so quietly but it is enough to keep Thor out.

When Balto was alive Baloo was desperate to be top dog and told his brother off with this 'scruffing' every day and Balto used to let him.  Only 3 times in 6 years did Balto lose his rag and have Baloo flat on his back in a second, with a paw on his chest whilst calmly surveying the view. Baloo would instantly submit.  Does this mean Balto was really top dog?

Thor is not going to be neutered as I have him on a breeding contract so I imagine at some time or other he will be top dog. 

Any ideas on how to nip this in the bud? I'm not happy with Baloo setting the rules in my house but want to correct him without causing further problems.  Dog psychology is not my strong point.
Mel

If it were me, I would treat Thor like top dog from now on. My boy (neutered) has never gotten along with puppies, he gets over stimulated and pins them. When we got my girl, I made sure he always saw her as a source of good things. She was on the sofa before him; she was there eating with him; I only played with him when she was involved. He did guard me and his toys at first; a growl and a lunge here and there. As soon as that happened, he was off the sofa. I only had to do that once or twice before he got the message, and I also let him see me giving her the toy he was guarding. The message got through; 'There's no need for you to be insecure, I'll make these decisions for you'. I choose who I fuss, when I fuss them, and who gets it first. He was instantly better and has never, ever, gone for her again. She's intact (my breeding bitch) and he adores her wholly.

If I were you, I'd use my body. Get in between them when you see tension rising, and engage in activities where Baloo can really enjoy his new brother. Training together, walking together, sitting on the sofa bonding together. If you see him about to go, stand in between them and clap your hands loudly to break that focus, and then just take a step towards him. Your body will say 'I'm handling this. You don't need to make these decisions.'. However, don't neglect the bonding they need to have so that they enjoy each other.

Hope that helps; I'm in no way a trainer but a huge training enthusiast. I find NILIF a big part of our training too and it works so well.

How does Thor react? At 4 months old I wouldn't expect him to be top dog. He is still very much a baby. I only have the one male, so can only go by how I see friends dogs react. One friend has 4 males who all live together quite happily. The boss has never been used at stud, but his brother has, several times. The stud dog is not bothered about being the underdog, and will always do as his 'big' brother tells him. It just isn't in his nature to argue the point. He is more than happy to be a member of the pack, but not the boss. It has never stopped him from mating a bitch. Only one of the 4 is neutered.

ETA: I pressed th eenter button too quickly, sorry.

I would say that at the moment your older dogs are just starting to lay down the household rules, and if the pup listens to what they are telling him you shouldn't have a major problem. However, I would also let all the dogs that you are in charge by diffusing the problem, if there seems to be one, by going between them and separating them. Give them all their own space where they can cool off before allowing them to meet again.

Sounds to me like Thor's puppy licence is expiring and baloo is telling him so. Perhaps the events leading up to these incidents need looking into and if possible changed, usually things like feeding/doorbell/ leads coming out for walks trigger over excitement.

Thanks for the advice

Poor Thor is still very much a baby and has always looked up to Baloo, much more than to the other dogs, the other dogs he plays with a lot, Baloo he respects.  Although he was a singleton puppy he is not the least bit 'cocky', just really sweet and laid back.  He is not 'in your face' at all and I can't see what he is doing wrong.

Baloo forgot pretty quickly that he had banned him from the living room but Thor remembered and came and calmly licked at Baloo's lips.  I thought that was a submissive gesture but he got another telling off. This time I stopped it straight away.

Thor isn't the first male pup to enter our household, my male pug came 4 years ago, is a very cocky so and so and I didn't have him neutered until he was 2.  He cheeks Baloo all the time and it goes unnoticed.

I had hoped Baloo would love him as much as his brother Balto, especially as he has almost the exact same personality and mannerisms. It's uncanny how much the same he is, even down to the little grunting noise he makes when I give him a cuddle.

I guess I'll just have to be ready to diffuse any situation before it gets started.

To be honest the bitch will be top dog and the boys.

Also just because a dog is entire does not mean he will be top dog.

A friends top dog for years was a neutered Tervueren, much bigger than the 3 male GSD's.

I have always allowed my own girls to sort out their own hierarchy, but any physical differences I will not allow bullying.  the not allowing Thor into the room kind of stuff I would send the growler out, and let the pup in, as in the end your in charge. 

Ditto with Baloo going to pups dish.  I don't allow anyone to interfere with anothers food dish while there is food in it.

Totally echo brainless' comments but I would also point out your dog has been practising these types of behaviours on your past dog. So i would intervene if any dog stops another entering a room as just not on!! My eldest malecollie was excellent at stopping dogs moving around by simply looking and raising his chin ever so slightly. Naughty little evil man!! But my evil little man!! So he got dismissed from the area and put in time out. I had to admire his ability to stop a dog nearly 3 times his size with a look! But it's practising behaviour that perfects it and if it's bad behaviour you need to intervene.

This sounds like my house only it's girls, not boys!!
My 9 yr old is top.  No doubt.  Then we got another girl who is completely submissive and is now 4 yrs old.  Our oldie has never had any issue with her at all.  Then we added another just over a year ago and the 9 yr old hates her.  From day one, the 9yo wouldgrowl and snap if the youngster pushed her luck.  What we now know is, the young one WILL be top bitch one day.  She is hot on the old ones heels for the job and the old one knows this.  This is why she gives her such a hard time.  So she's not upsurped to early!!  My old girl gets total respect from everyone and takes no prisioners.  She gets to sleep upstairs, she gets fed first, best seat on the sofa, everything and this is all my doing to keep her top.  The other one is not confident or mature enough to be top.  I think you would make a huge mistake to make the pup top, your older dog would have him for sure!  Let your older boy continue to 'boss'.  He seems to be doing a good job.  Growling and stopping him coming in the room is just teaching the pup manners and rules.  No-one pushes past the topdog unless 'allowed' by the top.  He's just asserting his status.  I usually take the TD attention at this point so it's not a head-to-head thing.  Distraction works a treat.  If my TD gets in the car first, the rest just stand at the boot and look at me.  I take the TD's head and give her a pat and tell the others, up an in, and they will then jump in and past her.  Funny how much respect you can get just with slight body language!
Back your old guy up with his topdog status and let him teach the pup manners after all, he's going to be top one day and he'll need to know how to do it properly.  Funny how through the years and pack changes, you can always pick the next TD's from the way the TD treats them!!lol.

I wanted to add this too as I found it hilarious.  A while ago, all my dogs were asleep on the sofa, 2 other spaniel girls and a HUGE bullie, then the old girl walked in and wanted a seat.  She walked to the sofa and stood on the floor, in front, looking at everyone.  No growl or eye contact, but everyone of those sleeping dogs woke up and got off the sofa and ambled away then the old girl jumped up and curled up on the bullies, heated spot and went to sleep.  I swear she had a smile on her grumpy old face!!!  That's respect!  (cos she's teeny, tiny and the bullie could've stepped on her!!)

>your dog has been practising these types of behaviours on your past dog

It is exactly the same behaviour, he just isn't adjusting it to allow for size.  It didn't used to bother Balto at all and he certainly didn't follow orders from Baloo, he would just stand there with his big happy smile whilst he got his 'telling' off and just carry on with what he had been doing. They were very close, really loved each other.  Maybe in some strange way it is a type of acceptance?

Baloo is very, very smart but has no real outlet for it. He very rarly chews a bone, won't play with toys, doesn't tug or play fetch. Balto was the only one he would play with on a daily basis and walks can't be too long because of his joints.  I have tried clicker training but he hated it, everyone else would spin on the spot like whirlwinds, but the Chows would just look me dead in the eye and look slightly embarrassed, after a few requests, shoulders would slump, sighs would be emmitted and they would walk in the slowest circle possible. After 2 or 3 tries they would stick their noses in the air, gather as much dignity as they could muster and calmly walk away from me. He is not motivated by toys, food or affection. The only thing that excites him is prey.  It's very hard to keep his mind occupied which is probably why he behaves like this.

Have you tried a "brain toy" http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/dogs/dog_toys_dog_training/intelligence_games

Baloo sounds very like my TM Ben ( including the space guarding ) and these are the only toys he shows any interest in.