Am I making up this dog psychology?

[SnakeyMcBadass]

I have two dogs, a 2 year old neutered male and a 7 month old male pup. The pup is going to be neutered next week. In the last month or so, I have noticed that the older dog is sniffing the pup more and more, and is increasingly trying to mount him. It's not sexual, he seems quite stressed and upset at these times. I'm separating them for a few minutes when this occurs. Now, am I mad, or is this because my older boy can tell that the pup is reaching sexual maturity and he's worried about keeping him in his place? My older dog is the 'boss' (eats first, takes toys first etc, and we're careful to feed him treats etc first). I know that 'dominance' is mainly bollocks, but there is a hierarchy between them which has worked well so far. My older boy is a nervous, neurotic sort and tends to react to change in a big way. The pup is unfazed by these episodes, he merely flips on to his back and slaps at the older one with his paws

He isn't trying to put the younger one in his place. He can smell the hormonal changes and is quite possibly stressed by them and is mounting out of anxiety.

Ah, yes, that's sort of what I meant. I was thinking 'place' as in 'Oh, you're a puppy and not scary at all. Except now you smell a bit more like a dog, and that is a bit scary. I will panic and shag your head and hope that it makes you stay a puppy because then I'm comfortable.' Sort of thing Will having the pup neutered help my older boy to feel more comfortable do you think? They get on really well on the whole and I'd hate for anything to kick off between them.

Neutering has no guarantees. It can help but it might not. Ask your vet about suprelorien which is a chemical castration, you can trial it out to see if it helps and it isn't permanent.

I'll be honest, if the humpee isn't bothered by the humper I'd leave it.

He isn't much bothered tbh. He just rolls on his back, slaps him or chews his ears. If he gets really annoyed, he hides under the coffee table like a gremlin :) He's being neutered regardless on Tuesday. I walk them in a place with many, many other dogs and I want to be certain that he doesn't end up procreating on the sly.

Yep, neutering had zero effect on our spayed (female) terrier who happily humps anyone and everyone when excited.