He is behaving as the alpha in your 'pack' and you need to be the alpha instead. Don't try to hold him up, get down on the floor,grab him at the back of his neck with your hand imitating the momma dogs 'mouth'. Give him a good shakedown(not too hard but very firm) and roll him over onto his back. Get in his face and maintain direct eye contact until he looks away(submissive). Bark at him while you are doing this. You don't actually have to bark, you can yell 'no' or whatever strong deep voice noise you can muster, but barking can be fun. If you feel stupid, remember stupid is better than the horrified feeling you'll have when he bites somone hard.
Make sure you are in control of him at all times during these encounters. When he shows any sign of being calm/submissive, reward him with a lightening of the pressure. Any sign of aggression and you need to react swiftly and firmly, 'til he understands that you are in charge.
There are other little signals that you are probably giving him without realizing it, that are giving him the idea that it is his job to defend the home turf. You need to change the dynamic in the house. Who eats first? who goes through the door first?
Isolating him from the interactions will only add to his fear and not solve your problem. If you want more info/suggestions, you can pm or e-mail me and I'll try to help. Stacy |