Try not to have hurt feelings about what Milo did. It is understandable from a dogs perspective why Milo is doing this.
Now that Gertie is part of the pack, the hierarchy in the order has been altered. Milo is just testing to understand where he is and maybe attempting to go up one more rung on the ladder.
If you yell and get too forceful Milo may decide to go into a defense mode and bite.
I had a friends boxer over one night and Diesel got a little over excited and I think I pushed Diesel too far by physically making him lay down. He barked at me in an aggressive tone. I quietly said no in a low growly voice, waited about 20 seconds (no eye contact), slowly reached for his collar and guided him off the couch. I walked him to a room and shut the door. I retrieved him 5 minutes later with a leash and made him do 5-7 downs in a row and then a down stay for 5 minutes. After that a ton of praise and treats and happy tone voice.
I re established my alpha role and Diesel was more than happy to give it to me.
Obedience classes will help establish the alpha role between you and Milo. I highly recommend going that route. Tonka needs obedience on an ongoing basis. When we haven't been working on his obedience for a while he beats to his own drum. He is a happier dog when he is in obedience classes. I think Milo will also be happy with the one on one attention and alll the yummy treats. If I tell Tonka we are going to see the puppies (dogs at obedience) he runs for the door! I am a member of my local obedience club and run a puppy class as well. Maybe you should look into this as well. Good luck Lisa!

From things you write about Milo, sounds like he wants to be Alpha in the house. And gets his way (without you even realizing it).

This has been helpful in explaining alot of what dogs do. It's called Nothing in Life is Free. Hope it helps or makes some sense to you. Let me know. The only boss in the house who calls the shots should be you and Glen! Good luck

http://k9deb.com/nilif.htm

Lisa,

If Gertie is responding appropriately to Milo's growling,(ie. backing away, leaving him alone) just watch it carefully, but if she is persistant, I would take her away from him.

Being Alpha/Pack Leader does not necessarily mean you have to be stern in your voice or rigid. A true alpha is the controller of the resources. Food, play, bed, interactions etc. When you put a food dish down and have your dog sit/stay, you are controlling that resource, he can eat when you say so. This isn't harsh or being mean. Having a dog wait at the door before entering/exiting is another little exercise that tells the dog that we are in control.

A trainer that uses positve reinforcement and knows behaviors would be a great start. You training him helps to establish your position.

Good luck

Lynn K

I will definitely use your advice... They were doing so great, sleeping and cuddling on the couch together and BAM Milo has this serious attitude. Its going to take alot for me to be ALPHA around him, Glen has the serious voice and he listens but its like he just laughs at me no matter how upset and firm I am with him.

We tried obedience last year and he failed, maybe I should take him again.

Uggghh this is tuff - glad to know that since Glen is the Alpha he's able to console Gertie more and Milo understands, it's really hard for me to see him broken hearted like that (or so he seems)

Thanks Lynn for your incredible advice.

Also - he still is growling at her everytime she touches him, but its ok for him to touch her. Shall I let this continue or nip it in the bud ?

Lisa,

Obviously you have slipped in the pack position in your household and like Patti said, you need to nip this in the bud now. Our techniques may be different but the intent is the same.

Spending extra time with Milo may help to relieve the stress of a newcomer but it will do nothing to address Milo's dominance behavior.

If Glen can give Milo a "certain look" and he leaves, Milo clearly considers Glen as pack leader. Glen, as pack leader has every right to fuss over Gertie, and Milo understands that. I can tell you that consoling Milo is a submissive role. I recommend you stop it. You must also establish yourself as leader. Lisa, this behavior is serious.

It has been suggested before that Milo and Gertie be separated, I strongly suggest it now. Milo's behavior should be addressed as a priority. You can worry about their relationship later.

Good luck

Lynn K

Remember Milo was the only one for a along time. Maybe some alone time with Mom will help.

First off - thanks for all your posts.

Milo is neutered - as far as I know he is feeling fine, he did have bad gas last nite but Im thinking it was from the burritos I cooked lol!

I couldnt beleive his behavior, I yelled so loud, and he knows when I am pissed, I gave him a little spanking and yelled No in my mean voice and he wouldnt stop, each time I went to go get him to get in the room he would do it again. If anyone was watching in the room they would have thought he was ready to kill me.

I think I've been giving him and Gertie too much time together, I think hes starting to get really jealous, especially since dad is going hog wild on the kisses with Gertie, I tell him not to do it in front of Milo and Im the one always consoling Milo.

but I've noticed he has been doing that often, he has tried to growl at Glen and as soon as Glen gives him that certain look, Milo knows and usually hi-tails it.

Im going to start taking Milo out more on his own now,maybe thats it ?!

nm

in these hard times with Milo----Hang in there Lisa...I am just now getting into the double trouble days...WHY CANT WE ALL JUST GET ALONG!!!!!LOLOLOLOL
xoxoxoxoxoxxooxox,
sharon and roxie and maggiemae

No seriously. Is he feeling alright. I had a dog once that got real nasty when she wasn't feeling well. She never hurt anyone but she would have a low growl and snap.

Patti,

I don't disagree with the theory of the alpha roll. I don't often recommend it for 2 reasons. 1. If the person attempts it but does not have the physical strength required, the attempt fails. What is that telling the dog. 2. In an already heightened situation, if a person grabs the dog, they can get seriously injured. Their face comes too close to the dog, that scares me.

Lisa,

If all medical reasons, have been eliminated, such as pain, injury, etc.
Milo is pushing his limits, you need to reset the limits. No couch, tip chairs on top of it to block his access. No bed, crate him at night. Please do not leave them alone together. Maybe, in your attempt to get Milo to accept Gertie, you cut him a little bit too much slack. I strongly suggest a class for you and Milo. You learn skills such as sit/wait for food dish, waiting at doors, attention, etc. All these help to establish your position in his life.

Try keeping a leash on him in the house. When he growls at you, say something like "too bad", quietly pick up the leash and put him in his crate. Don't grab his collar, he may just bite you.

Good luck

Lynn K

I'm eating infront of the TV and not sharing something with her. She'll growl and snarl as good as any Oscar-winning actress, but finally gives up and goes to dad if I ignore her long enough.

Did Milo ever actually snap at you?

You should have grabbed him right then and there, put him on his back and held him there firmly by his loose skin around his head and told him "no" or "bad" until he settled down. Then once he did, then repeat what you wanted him to do, go with you to the other room, etc. If he starts again, then put him back on his back again letting him know you are alpha.

You need to nip this in the bud now. Sounds like he's getting a little alpha, thinking he'll do what he wants.

I don't feel neutering is an issue here. My boys aren't neutered, and they don't behave that way, and if they were to, I'd handle it like I told you.

NM

What age is Milo; He's a youngster right? Have you had him neutered?