Hi guys, thank you for the tips. My husband's brother has a large yellow lab and if the dog is bad he said that his brother punishes it by yelling at him and open hand slapping him so he knows not to do it again, and apparently it's a really good & friendly dog. Maybe he is just lucky, or maybe because the dog is so large the hitting doesn't even hurt or phase him. Whereas our dog is 25lb and has very short little dachshund legs, it probably hurts and affects him more, especially since we haven't had him since puppyhood. Plus I think my brother and his dog have a bond more like me and our dog (more trusting). I admit I have slapped him before too, but I am a lot more gentle and he doesn't seem to mind or hold a grudge. If he poos on the carpet for example I will make him come stand by it, hold his nose down to it and lightly slap his bum and tell him sternly 'NO'. He understands that at least.

When I think about it, I think some of the times he has bitten has been partially my fault by letting him be so quickly and overtly exposed to new people when he is a nervous dog. He is just tricky because he seems like he wants to be around the new people but I know deep down he is not that trusting. I think I just keep wanting to think he will get better after he is with us longer just naturally because he is so good with me. In terms of the hugging, he LOVES to cuddle usually, especially with me. He just gets nervous randomly for some reason. He was leaning into my husband and trying to cuddle when he bit. My husband just noticed if his face was not able to be seen the dog does not like that. He was testing the boundaries, but I guess not a good idea!

We have been thinking of an obedience course. I will try and find one nearby that has good reviews. It's funny because he is so well behaved at the vet and when we took him to the kennel while we went to Disney World the girls there LOVED him. But I always warn them they may have to muzzle him and they just laugh at me... but if I ever take him to Petco again or out in public I'm definitely going to buy a little nylon muzzle because little kids do not understand it's not OK to just run up to a dog they don't know. They think he is a cute little puppy and flock to him. He seems deceptively friendly.

My question is will my training him on touch affect him since he already doesn't mind when I touch him? He likes me to touch him, it's strangers he's got a problem with. Even my husband and people he's met a good number of times have to hit that sweet (or not so sweet) spot to get anything out of him. .. .And yeah, we are going to take him to the vet too I think for a checkup again.