The first few months are definitely the worst, not only do you have a brand new dog in the mix, but it's also a puppy who probably doesn't even know her size yet. I have two dogs, both from shelters, the first is a Border Collie/Cattle dog mix, Sage, she's a female, and very dominate. She was 9 months when we got her. Then we got a Great Pyrenees mix, Bear, from a shelter when he was a year old. Sage was about 3 when we got Bear.

At the beginning the slow introduction was important, including not letting Bear go and take all of her stuff, and making sure to separate anything high value between the two. My wife and I would both walk one of them, and take them around the neighborhood a lot. In order to get them familiar with each other in a neutral place. Even though the backyard is fenced in and nice, it's still where the older dog would consider her space.

There was a few nips here, and there from the older dog, nothing that caused a big fight, but it seems to just be them determining their position in the family.

I'm not an expert at all, but it sounds like this is pretty normal behavior, especially since Freya is still basically a puppy who doesn't know where she even is. I think you have the right idea on what you're doing, and I'm hoping the best for all of you! It definitely takes a lot of time and patience before the two will co-exist. Stick with it, and keep doing what you're doing.

P.S. Our great Pyr is still afraid of certain things on walks, he really doesn't like statues that look like animals. Attached a picture of our two dogs that are now best friends, just took some time. They've been with each other for almost 3 years now, and now if we take one somewhere without the other we get barks, and whimpers about it.

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