Hi everyone, so yesterday was a pretty hectic day with Lucky. Here is a little bit of background on him. He's 2 1/2 yrs old and has a horrible barking problem. When we are out in a large crowd he does just fine, but when he's with me at home or out for a walk or at the dog park he goes nuts when someone walks by or he hears voices. He barks like he's going to attack! Especially if another dog is chasing our 8 month old boxer, Lucky cuts right in to stop it. I feel like he's trying to bite the other dogs when he does that. Yeah it's scary if you don't know him. Normally when I take him out to pee and if another person is out there with or with out their dog Lucky goes nuts and starts barking like a maniac and won't stop unless i pick him up or even if I ask the person to come and pet him, he usually settles down untill they stand up again.
So yesterday we went to my Aunts house for my cousin's bday party and we were all in the back yard. Everyone knows Lucky and just thinks he's silly when he does his barking as people arrive at the house. Well there happen to be 3 friends of my cousin there. Lucky would bark at them and I would go over and shoosh him away, then he would be just fine. Well we were all playing musical chairs and there was this 11 yr old girll standing next to her mom and watching us play. I heard Lucky walking towards them and barking, so I excused myself from the game and went over to them and tried to calm him down. So I asked the little girl if she could please pet Lucky so that he would become familiar with her. She was very hesistant but still did and he calmed down. He walked away and I went back to the game. The girl and her mom were still standing in the same spot laughing at our game when all of a sudden the barking started again, but this time Lucky was jumping up at her and barking really load. I called out his name to stop as I ran over to him, because it looks like he was trying to bit her hands or something. By the time I got to him Lucky had ripped her shirt! I was so embarrased, the little girl was crying cuz she was scared. I didn't know what to do so I picked Lucky up and took him to the garage and blocked the doggie doors in the screens so that he would not come out. I felt like crying myself. I have a 5 yr old son and Lucky has never done something like this. If my son pesters him he just simply walks away and goes to his spot.
Anyway, the little girl and her mom ended up leaving early, so my aunt said I should let him out. I did and he was just fine. The adults were sitting at the patio table talking and the kids were playing with water balloons. Lucky sat on the patio floor right next to me and all of a sudden one of the 10 yr olds walks by saying something and Lucky starts jumping and abrking at the boy, this time the boy started speed walking away and Lucky followed and ended up scratching him and actually nipped the back of his leg. I was horrified, twice in one day!?
So once again I told him "NO" and said "BAD DOG", then took him to the garage.
So, finally, my questions is... what am I suppossed to do with him? He obviously is not good with kids he doesn't know. I always thought he just had anxiety issues, but didn't think it would get that bad. I love my Lucky a lot. He took care of me for all of 2008 when my husband was deployed. I feel so bad because I told the little girl not to pay any attention to his barking and then I asked her to pet him, ugh! Her mom must have thought I was an idiot and a lously pet owner. Has anyone ever dealt with is? Any suggestions? Am I supposed to rehome him? What if he bites my son one day? I'm confused!
Help please!
