How should I know when it is a good time to introduce the dogs more thoroughly?
Harlow and Ollie adore each other... and I'm talking like 'can't...stop...playing...too...much...fun!!' adore each other. Degan has showed some signs of wanting to play with Ollie... (It's hard to explain) but he will be on the bed and put his front paws out and push them over and over with his ears all perky...that's how he initiates play with Harlow and with us...so I see that as a good sign.
Boss on the other hand, was good with Harlow last weekend but last night I let him out and he just avoided her altogether. He seems very unsure, and intimidated by other dogs...except Ollie. If Degan or Harlow get close to his crate to smell him he gets REALLY pissed like snarls and lunges in their direction. Obviously I know things are different when they are crated versus being out together, but I'm just kind of afraid, or apprehensive to try to move forward at this point. He pays no attention to Degan and Harlow if they are crated, and completely ignores Degan's barks and pleas to be let out. It seems like Boss is just constantly on the defense. Although, he shows absolutely no signs of resource guarding EXCEPT with people. He will gripe at Ollie if Ollie tries to steal his petting time. They trade off food bowls while they eat, and constantly trade toys. Even with Harlow he was that way.
He was obviously really apprehensive and defensive of people at first, but now neither he nor Ollie know a stranger. It's quite satisfying knowing we have really changed their minds about people.
What do you guys think I should do at this point? should I just accept that Boss just shouldn't be with other dogs, or should I 'test' it a little more (slowly, of course) to see if he is just unsure?
I don't know if the whole testosterone thing will make a difference...I know they say it takes about a month after neutering for all the testosterone to leave their system...and it has been three weeks since their surgery. But that doesn't seem to me like it would make that much of a difference.
I just need advice!