Entrance Problem

I think you're on the right track. In my opinion it is acceptable for the older dog to enforce his greeting first (as opposed to interfering with that), as long as he is obeying you both in the process.
 
If I'm understanding you correctly, he wanted a sit stay from both of them but the puppy broke the sit and ran up to him instead? Or did he just request a sit stay from the older dog so that the puppy could say hi first? I wouldn't go that route - IMHO it is best not to interfere with the 'status' between the dogs.... Next time I would put the puppy on a leash, have hubby ask for a sit stay from both of them (and you can enforce the puppy's stay using the leash), and then have hubby greet the older dog followed by the pup.
 
I'm no expert but that's what I would do.

Put the older dog in a sit-stay verbally and put the puppy in sit stay with him leashed to you so he can't blow you off. And ask your husband to walk right by them, go sit down on the couch, and then release the dogs to greet him. They shouldn't be allowed to greet him right at the door not only because it's a bit rude, but also I think doorways/threshholds can be a sort of emotionally intensified location for them and it's best to move to more neutral ground.

The NILIF (google) talks about the right time to give affection to the dog, you and your husband could ignore them at the moment to get home, dont worry you wont hurt their feelings, NILIF is nothing in life is free and that includes affection

In addition to the great advice already mentioned I have found that if I completely ignore Rory when I get home she calms down a lot faster. As soon as she has reached a calm level I then call her to me for a greeting. Your attention is a reward and as leaders of the home pack you dole it out when you find fit.

ORIGINAL: sheprano

In addition to the great advice already mentioned I have found that if I completely ignore Rory when I get home she calms down a lot faster. As soon as she has reached a calm level I then call her to me for a greeting. Your attention is a reward and as leaders of the home pack you dole it out when you find fit.

 
Thats right, never give affection when the dog is in a excited state of mind, you will nurture that behavior, do it only when he is calm, he will relate being calm with affection []

My 2 dogs (females) have always had problems with the greeting part too.  I've actually pulled into the garage and they're both excitedly waiting or me to get out.  I learned the hard way that it's best for me to just sit in the car until one or both of them wanders off, even if it means sitting for 5-10 mins.  When I do get out, I don't say a word to either of them but just walk on into the house.

ORIGINAL: sheprano

In addition to the great advice already mentioned I have found that if I completely ignore Rory when I get home she calms down a lot faster. As soon as she has reached a calm level I then call her to me for a greeting. Your attention is a reward and as leaders of the home pack you dole it out when you find fit.

I like this idea better.  Non-confrontational, plus you are not requiring more from the pup than he is yet capable of, plus you are not circumventing your older dog's authority over the pup, who, at the age of six months, is just beginning to "run out of puppy license" with older dogs. 

Many thanks for all of your suggestions.  I will tell my husband to ignore the older dog as he is entering while I have the puppy on a leash (practicing my sit stays with him).  

I will also ask my husband to only give greet the older one when he is calm (and out of the doorway!).  We have been practicing NILIF but have laxed a bit when it comes to giving the dogs affection/attention... now is a good time to get strict about it again.

Thanks again!

Good luck! I think for a lot of reasons it's important to keep all entrances and exits fairly low-key. Mainly I'm thinking of anxiety that can develop in dogs if they get the impression that a person leaving and coming home is a big giant deal. You want the dogs to see you and your family coming and going as totally blah ho-hum. Of course, they're dogs so they're happy to see you but you don't help matters at all when you give them the impression that you being away from home is anything at all to get worked up about. When I leave the house, I don't even say "bye" I just go, and when I come home I just let the dogs out of confinement and take them outside. I don't talk to them or fuss over them. After about 15 minutes, they've pottied and settled and I'm ready to give out some affection to nice, calm, sitting or laying down dogs. I have a dog prone to seperation anxiety and I don't want to foster it in my other dog, so this is sort of my first line of defense in that regard.

For me it's not that I need to prove that I'm alpha, it's just that I have to prove that I come and go all the time and it's so not a huge deal that it's nothing at all to get worked up over.

ORIGINAL: Dasani

Many thanks for all of your suggestions.  I will tell my husband to ignore the older dog as he is entering while I have the puppy on a leash (practicing my sit stays with him).  

 
yes, helping your older dog establish and maintain his psoition is a great way to show the younger that it is not ok to challenge the elder. However, after the younger has reached maturity you may find that he posses's the better leadership, some elder dogs are ok to resign to be lower in rank....oh I hope this dosnt confuse you. Just be aware of how you are portraying yourself and how they are interacting.
A side note? Are either crate trained? While it is a definite that we dont use the crate for punishment it can be used as a time out as long as you keep it light and add a treat!

Good news, last night went really well.  My husband walked in and ignored the older dog and said hello after he had settled down.  While I had puppy on a leash, he managed to stay clear of my husband until the older dog had been greeted.  Apparently the day before as my husband entered and asked for a sit stay, the puppy in all of his excitedness to say hello hit the older dog in the face with his paw, which didn't go so well with the older one.   A lot of this is training the human too, I have often tried to tell my husband about the importance of having calm entrances and exits (instead of YAY I'M HOME!!  PARTY TIME!) but until the other day he chose to ignore me.  

Both dogs are crate trained.  I try to schedule a few hours a week, where one is crated and the other is not (and I'll alternate) so I can spend some quality one on one time with each of them.   This is my first experience with a multidog home and while it has been absolutely rewarding, it has also been very educating!  I think I have,"Feeling Outnumbered? How to Manage and Enjoy Your Multi-Dog Household” memorized by now!

ORIGINAL: Dasani

 A lot of this is training the human too,

 
ha ha, boy do I know that all too well! I cant imagine how crazy our dogs think we are sometimes

ORIGINAL: sheprano

In addition to the great advice already mentioned I have found that if I completely ignore Rory when I get home she calms down a lot faster. As soon as she has reached a calm level I then call her to me for a greeting. Your attention is a reward and as leaders of the home pack you dole it out when you find fit.

A combination of having someone who was already home stand on the leash (just to prevent jumping and hyper-active behavior) and me ignoring the dog when I come home worked like a miracle.  In two days we accomplished almost a complete turn around vs weeks and weeks of trying other methods.  Standing on the leash is no longer necessary, and I ignore him until I have put away my keys and coat, then call him for a greeting.  Guests are instructed in advance to ignore him until he is calm and the ok is given.  It works!

Ok well this is not so much to help with the adult and the puppy, but i have  a tip for greetings. When you or your husband come in the door COMPLETLY ignore the dogs and just on walking when the dogs calm down then go and pat them.