The biggest thing is to keep spending time with both dogs, sans the other. Your oldster needs to adjust and needs to know that his place in the pack is still the same. Your youngster needs to bond with you, depend on you. This also aids in training.

Usually it does get better, but sometimes it won’t. My 5 month old lab pup has had blood drawn on her snoot twice, once requiring antibiotics because my 8 year old female loathes her. It’s just the way its going to be, at least for now. I keep them seperate and rotate them in and out, both sleep in crates, etc. It’s not the household I envisioned but I didn’t get the puppy to be her friend, I got the pup to be my friend and agility partner.

If they’re not being aggressive I don’t see a huge issue. You said Reese “doesn’t get much out of other dogs” so it sounds like him not becoming best friends with Beau was pretty expected. They might never buddy up but as long as they’re not fighting and getting attention from their people they should be alright.

Sounds like Reese is a typical grumpy old man. My dog is a grumpy old lady and doesn’t appreciate other dogs. As long as they aren’t aggressive with each other, I wouldn’t be terribly worried. Like LabAgility said, make sure that Reese’s spot in the pack is the same as it was before. When feeding and giving treats, it helps if Reese gets his first. Give them both attention, but give Reese the attention first.

On the re-enforcing Reese’s position in the pack subject the sleeping arrangement is also something to consider. Generally the higher ranking dog will sleep closer to the pack leader (your mom).Maybe have Reese get up first so he can get comfortable before inviting Beau up. Like LBJ10 mentioned establishing pack order is a lot about who gets what first.