"he is my heart dog, my soul my reason for living, we share emotions and almost thoughts"

Suki - I DO understand - my Tristan was the same for us, and like you, we took him 'almost' everywhere with us. Stores, camping with scouts, picnics - heck, he even went to church with us sometimes! The only times wer left him behind was in places it was posted 'no dogs', or times it would not be safe or we would have to leave him - like the car would get too hot, or the errands too long to guaranty that he could stay WITH us. If i couldn't leave him in the car, or with a friend, even to go to the bathroom - he stayed home. ( and he didn't stay home much!LOL)

However, there were some big differences between my dog and Nino -

First, Tristan was the most self -confident, secure, assertive, but non- agressive dog I had ever met. NOTHING bothered him. Noises, machinery, people, other animals - he was totally unflappable. Alert and interested, yes - but he never 'reacted' in a nervous or agressive way to anything. We once took him to a crowded pet show at Chicago's Arlington Park Racetrack, to work a rescue booth for GRROW. Thousands of people, animals, strollers, etc. and he laid down in the aisle in front of our booth and dozed while kids rubbed his tummy and strange dogs all around. Gawking bystanders would walk by, and accidentally kick him - not looking where they were going, and he'd just raise his head and look at them with a puzzled look. He never barked, (except at home while playing) and only once did I see him put another dog in his place ( when the dog tried to mount him - we were visiting a friend who had a 'pack' of 8 dogs, and Tristan got ahead of Zeus in line for treats. Tristan did a quick growl and snap, warning Zeus to 'back off' and the pecking order was quickly re- established without even ruffling anyones fur! For the rest of the day, Tristan and Zeus played like long-lost siblings and even shared food and toys!)

Tristan was utterly trustworthy in every situation. I had total confidence that he would never, even accidentally, hurt or frighten anyone.

You have said that Nino shows nervousness in certain situations. Any time a dog feels insecure in any way, opens the possibility of unpredictable behavior in those situations.

While I trusted Tristan utterly and totally, I NEVER trust other people.

I have seen and heard so many stupid things people do around dogs - I would never leave my dog alone with even the most well- intentioned stranger! and by leaving Nino outside, alone - especially where you can't see him and where other people can get close to him, is asking for trouble.

I know how devasted you would be, if someone teased Nino into biting them - even if it was deserved - and he was impounded and destroyed. It IS possible!

when I first got Tristan - he had been neglected, though not intentionally abused. Tristan was a total love -bug, and he had been left alone too much. When we got him he was 'mouthy' - he would take your hands and gently chew them like toys, or grab and pull on them. he also jumped up on people, to get their attention and get petted. In the first weeks of having him - I was over at my mom's condo, on her porch, when her neighbor came over to pick up his kids that my mom was babysitting. the man is nice enough, and a good neighbor to my mom - but honestly, he's a real idiot when it comes to animals. He started playing with Tristan, kinda slapping him and cuffing him around the face, playing rough and teasing. Tristan was on a leash at my side, and I asked him to stop. Tristan was getting excited and biting at the guys hands. i got between them and explained that I was trying to train Tristan OUT of play biting and jumping. the guy's response? "Oh, he likes it, he's having fun!" as he kept trying to tease my dog. I got really angry with him, told him to keep his hands to himself and stay away from my dog, and I took Tristan and put him in the car away from the neighbor. A few weeks later, this same guy called the police on another neighbor, because their dog knocked over one of his kids. Not 'bit', not 'scratched', but 'knocked over' the 7 yr old kid by jumping up on him and trying to kiss the kid! ( and I had seen this man do the same rough play with that lab, that he tried on my Tristan.)

People can be really stupid!

As for Tristan, I didn't really have to 'train' him not to mouth and jump. The simple act of including him in all our activities made him secure enough, loved enough, that in a few short months the jumping and mouthing vanished. He got enough love without having to beg for it!

I think sometimes, that as true dog lovers - we sometimes think of our dogs as 4 footed, furry people. We LOVE them so much! But as much as you love Nino - and I know you do - I've seen it shine thru in so many of your posts - you can't expect him to act with the reason of a human - and refrain from acting like a dog. You also have to protect him from all those stupid idiots out there, who DON'T love him, and think nothing of his feelings.

He looks to you to keep him safe and loved, always. think of it this way - would you leave a toddler in his stroller in the same places you left Nino? Nino has no more ability to control those situations than a toddler does. so I'm glad you realize that it's not a good thing to do with him anymore!

Nino is such a sweetie! and lucky to have an owner who wants to be with him so much!

laura