my 8 week old husky and 6 month old beagle

Question
I have had Shadow my almost 7th month old beagle since he was 10 weeks. We just got a 8 week old husky named Storm. Shadow has been putting his butt in Storms face and has been aggressive when Storm comes close to him. I thought that they were playing but now I am not so sure. All I want is for them to get along but right now it doesn't look like that is going to happen. I think Shadow may be angry with me. How do I get them to be nice to each other and how long will they fight like this? I was told they are trying to see who is going to be alpha, is this true?
I have tried the spray bottle and I have tried keeping them apart. I just don't know what to do. PLEASE HELP!  

Answer
Butt sniffing is a very complicated behavior.  The presenting ones butt to be sniffed sounds like a way of showing ones higher rank.  We have usually had good results putting different aged puppies together.  However, usually it is a visit, and somehow they seem to know and resent a new resident.  If Shadow isn't neutered, go ahead and do it now.  It is big factor when it comes to dominant behavior.  

On important thing is for them to be competing for beta and gamma, with you firmly established as alpha along with anybody else in the household.  Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog.  Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones.  You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/  For more on being top dog, see http://www.dogbreedinfo.com./topdogrules.htm

Don't leave them alone together.  I like crates for anytime I can't watch a dog.  If you are interested in more information on them, send a follow up.  Try to sort out aggression from play and step in.  If the water bottle is working, stick with it.  Sometimes play and aggression are hard to sort out.  Here is a link to a picture of 2 puppies taking advantage of the ones visit, http://www.photolocker.net/images/Labman/gretchenandellaplaying.jpg