Expert: Lee Meyer - 3/25/2010

Question
Talked to you couple days ago about how I rescued my dog back before ex wife got rid of him.  Im so glad I got him back.  We were apart 6 months and it was very hard.  He is such a good companion. I wanted to tell you a little about him.  He is Britney Spaniel mix and about 80 pounds.  Like 5 or 6.  Had him since he was like 1.  We think he was abandoned because from day 1 he has always been terrified to leave our home even for walks he trembles and tries to run back home.  He is so content being inside and never getting out its just weird.  Never seen a dog so easy to take care of like him.  He is such an awesome dog and so very loving and he is housebroken.  The only problem is I think he loves me so much and doesnt want to lose his home or family that he is overly protective and doesnt trust anyone.  I like having a good guard dog, and he has never ever turned on me but he is not very patient with little kids and has bit a child already.  Fortunately it wasnt bad and didnt bleed but I am just worried he will do it again and we have my little neices and nephews over alot.  I try to keep him locked in my room while people are over, but I still worry somehow something will happen where a little one wanders in the room or something and he bites again.  I know he would never maul or viscously attack a child.  Its more just him letting them know to back off.  I dont ever want to have to be apart from him again.  He deserves to be taken care of and he loves me so much.  Iv looked into socializing aggressive dogs and what not, but its so difficult because he absolutely hates leaving the house.  Do you recommend some kind of muzzle or something of the sort that would keep him from biting?  Is there something that is not cruel that he could wear?  Any suggestions?

Answer
Hi,

glad your buddy is back with you.  This was obviously stressful on him.  Animals know when people love them or not.  Now he's back with someone who truly does.

I've never owned my own dog, but I have loved many of my friends' dogs.  All have been well trained because the owner set aside time to train them.  

With my other animals I talk to them at the level of a small child.  I talk to them about what I'm doing and why.  Nothing complicated.  And I keep repeating it a number of times.  ANd I might do it every time I do a certain thing for awhile.  In your case you could highlight your training because you don't want anything to happen that would separate you guys.  Because you love him.

You need to research training methods and begin a program to train him for both his benefit and yours.  He needs to be able to almost immediately act on voice command from you.  Including stopping doing something.  This will make your life and his a lot less stressful.  

If your room is locked there will be no child getting in.  Just lock the door.  It's your room, nobody should be going in it anyway.

I can't really comment on the muzzles, I don't have any experience with them.  I would think as you are able to train him to voice commands and keeping people from getting to him (young kids) if they are in the house, that will greatly reduce chances anything bad could happen.