New Puppy introduced to Husky

Question
I've got a 1 year old female husky.  Last week my sister bought a Rottweiler puppy that is currently about 9 weeks old.  Both dogs get along very well and play constantly.  I noticed that my Siberian is placing her paw on his shoulder to show dominance and that the few time he has tried, she knocked him away.  Sometimes he will lay on the floor and let him climb all over her.  Should I allow them to continue to play with her in a submissive position?  Being that he will grow to be much bigger than her, I would like him to see her as dominate.  We are making sure that she goes in and out of doors first, eats first, etc.  Is it going to be possible keep her dominance as he grows?

Answer
Unfortunately, it is probably not possible and ultimately, not your call.  Pack order is a very sensitive and complex subject that even biologists and animal behaviorists (who spend years studying the subtle nuances of the relationships) are often surprised by changes in the order.  The normal is that males dominate females, and that there is an equivalent rank at each position for one female and one male.  (e.g., One alpha male and alpha female, who is submissive to the male, but over the remainder of the pack including the beta male.)  This is not always the case and the male/female line is delicate at best.

Here's the good news - normally a female and male don't have many fighting spats over position - they are safe to occupy their own realm because they are not in direct competition with each other.  If you avoid situations where rank does become important (shared treats and feeding situations), you will often have little to no problems.

The important thing to keep in mind is that it is not your role to choose the ranking.  It's tough to realize that, but that is the case.  Instead, it is your job to allow the dogs to sort it out on their own and protect the dogs ONLY if the struggling for position becomes dangerous (i.e., drawing blood).  Otherwise, stay out of it.  The problem is when a dog is forced into a position that it is not built for.  A naturally submissive (omega) dog can't be an alpha or beta dog because the other dogs will notice the awkwardness of the position and lack of leadership.  This causes more significant fighting.  Instead, let the dogs play.  If it gets rough - let it go.  If it gets dangerous - separate and discipline the aggressor immediately.  But otherwise, let them grow and they will develop their own ranking.

Now, the last important comment is that your attitude to the dogs will change as (if) their ranking changes.  If the rottie becomes dominant over the Sibe, you must respect that and treat him with the privilege of next in line.  Our first dog (Mika - female) has taken the lower ranking because our second dog (Shadow - male) is a true beta personality (we are alpha).  Mika, on the other hand, is very independent but also submissive (some good traits of an omega . . . and also a lead sled pulling dog - but that's another story).  So, while she was first and dominant during Shadow's puppyhood . . . that has changed.

Note as well that dogs behave much in the same ways as wool packs do, but there are some distinct differences.  Some recent studies have aligned dogs more closely to the behavior system of coyotes - which has some subtly different traits.  One of which is a respect for the alpha, but no other ranking in the pack (save for the omega/runt usually).  While I'm no expert there, it helps to have a little bit of knowledge of the alpha/beta/omega roles in a wool pack.  I think those are a good guide just to understand some things about dog pack behavior.

Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions.