So things were getting better. This morning something happened that I wasn't sure if it went too far or not.
The puppy was being his usual pestering self to my dog. I've been very proactive in getting him to leave my dog alone when my dog seems bothered and now he is listening better to my verbal. However this morning the puppy went to bite at my dogs leg/neck what have you and before I could redirect him my dog started growling (a lot) and going after the puppy snapping at him (I don't think he really went at his skin maybe more nipping). The puppy cowered away but in a slow motion so my dog was able to go at him for a few seconds and before I had a chance to intervene my dog backed off on his own.
So to me this seemed more than just a correction/warning to the puppy? Did he take it too far? Should I have corrected my adult dog afterwards for this? My dog has always been super submissive and usually when the puppy approaches my dog in this manner my dog just usually lowers his body and takes it so to speak (even though I intervene constantly). So it really caught me by surprise. Some people might say my dog might have just had "enough" and told the puppy but I want to make sure his response wasn't taking it too far??
I wouldn't correct an adult dog for a reaction like that. Ever. Jumping/biting at your neck is not appropriate dog/dog interaction. It's normal puppy behavior that they eventually learn is inappropriate. If you correct your adult dog, he/she may just wait longer and longer to react when they're uncomfortable. It's the same reason I never correct a dog for growling- it just teaches them to skip the warning and go for the bite. It sounds like you're doing a really great job with these guys, but I would watch your adult dog closely when they interact. Is there a chance you're missing subtle signs that he/she is uncomfortable? Is the dog turning it's head away from the puppy or trying to move away/hide? If your dog is attempting to avoid interaction with the puppy and using avoidance body language, letting the puppy continue does two things
1. It teaches the puppy that it can ignore avoidance behavior from another dog/ it doesn't teach him what avoidance behavior is.
2. It teaches the adult dog that he's not safe, that the puppy won't stop even if he's asking it to all the ways he knows how.
Imagine if I tried to give you a giant hug and you turned away from me and I followed you and wrapped my arms around you and then you tried to wriggle away but I followed. I'm not being mean, A hug is a nice gesture! But you're uncomfortable, so you eventually shout "I DON'T WANT TO HUG LEAVE ME ALONE."
If I were you, I would limit their time together so that they both have the best chance to have ONLY positive experiences with each other. Start with small very brief interactions. In the mean time, work with your puppy on impulse control and settling in the house.
I also hear a lot of people say that only other dogs can teach dogs manners and body language, but I think you can speed up the process but intervening every time your adult dog gives off uncomfortable/ avoidance body language. I had a rambunctious annoying puppy and I intervened in every single interaction with a dog where the other dog looked even remotely uncomfortable by removing him and rewarding him for sitting at my side. Now, if he attempts to greet a dog and the dog looks uncomfortable, he runs and sits at my side.
Sorry for the long post! I just experienced similar frustrations with my puppy and other adult dogs in my extended family so I wanted to share : )