Domination or play - new puppy with older dog

[Puppy Madness]

This is our 8 week old Red Goldendoodle (Merida) and our 1 yr old Aussiedoodle (Tanner).

Tanner loves his little sister, he constantly checks on her when she whines and nudges her, licks her, etc... But he also loves to play. We struggle with getting him to be gentle, but we are managing. 

Tanner is doing one thing in particular that we are not sure whether to correct it - he keeps trying to stand over top of her... he's never been "dominating" and he has been taught to simply walk away and ignore dogs that are trying to be dominating... but it sure seems like that is what he is trying to do.   He tries to stand over top of her...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thXHlIDFtUc

He is neutered, and hasn't humped anything since he was like 5 months old and he does not get "excited" while doing this, he just stands over her and plays....  

Thoughts?

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Looks completely normal to me. Lucy did the same when we brought Oscar home, and to this day (he's bigger than her!) she still 'gets into his space' to try to egg him on. She can no longer stand over him, but she does her darnedest to get her body over his in any way she can, shouldering him and bumping into him. It may be seen as a kind of dominance stance, and in the dog world it probably is, but the power between the two of them has always shifted from one to the other. Neither is truly dominant. Its just the way they play. Your 2 are adorable, and it looks like the beginning of a very special relationship. Oh, and I wouldn't worry too much about how Tanner plays with his little sister. I too, was a little anxious in the beginning because Oscar was so small compared to Lucy, but Lucy never really hurt Oscar (when he did get a little too uneasy about her energy level, he'd take cover under a kitchen chair, or behind a sofa. If she nipped his ear or lip a bit too hard, he'd squeal, and Lucy would listen and back off). They figured things out between them, and quickly. So rest easy, and enjoy the ride!

[Jen and Annie]

I would agree, this looks like normal behavior. He may be trying to show her that he's the "boss" since she is new in town, but his stance doesn't look menacing to me. And the little one doesn't look scared, she just keeps right on playing. Once she gets big enough, she will probably try to do the same to him. My ladies do this to each other all the time, and as bad as their snarls and growls sound when they are playing, they have precise control of their mouths and have never hurt one another. I think it is a "dominating" stance in dog language, but I wouldn't worry about it too much... They are adorable!

[Sally S Miles]

Looks good to me - what a gorgeous pair - what a gentleman Tanner is!  Looks to me like he is saying "I'm the big brother, will take care of you and will teach you" all the while offering gentle affection and it's lovely.

Congratulations

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Its funny how the older dog will teach the younger one how he/she likes to play. Lucy taught Oscar all her favorite games (check out the squeaky ball video in the Video section on my page where they take turns squeaking the ball in the other's face). I wondered though, at the time, if play between them would change when Oscar got bigger than Lucy. After all, she was the one who pushed Oscar over (because he was small, and could). Surprisingly, it really never did because Oscar is so mellow, although now, when Oscar has had enough of Lucy's 'hounding' he simply mounts her and WILL NOT let go! He is that strong. Its funny as heck to watch, with Lucy play growling the entire time. But, she's always the instigator and its as if she asked for it! Silly doodles!