It is difficult but not impossible to give this boy some individual attention. I get that you don't want to walk him in the hot weather but with lots of training and games then he can be stimulated and exhausted by not leaving his own home.

To be honest I don't think you're doing enough for this boy's physical, social and mental health and someone may well pay in the long run by being bitten or just overwhelmed by his behaviour. He is a puppy - he can learn most things quite quickly. It doesn't matter how he came into your ownership and for that matter how long he will be with you, right now he's your responsibility.

A clicker is a really cheap piece of equipment and comes with a leaflet on how to use it. I think if you can get him to perform some tasks you will feel motivated and inspired to work with him more.

I know you've posted before about how he is with your other older dogs but he's trying to make friends.

You just said grabbed, Thankyou for explaining,understand it wasn't the way I first imagined.really think you need to find a way around the no exercise.As long as your dog is kept in the garden with no walking time he will continue to misbehave.The nipping could possibly escalate into worse and tbh none of it is the dogs fault.If the ground will burn his feet,put something on them.You won't pass out if you drink lots of water.Evenings must be cooler when the sun goes down.Been taking mine out at night here because of the heat.Maybe I'm wrong and there is something else going on with your dog.Someone else may have far better advice for you.I wish you well.

Appreciate that you took this dog off family who could no longer keep him in their rented place but my view is that if you cannot meet all of his needs he may be better of if you find him another home.

All youngsters need appropriate exercise, stimulation and socialisation and it does not sound as though he is getting this. Although you do not socialise much yourself it is important for your dog's wellbeing and to find the time to train him. His current home-based situation will not help overcome his fear based behaviour, which could ultimately lead to him biting someone rather than nipping and with such a big powerful dog this could be a tragedy. I am not a mother but I note from your profile that you have a son but do not know his age. Please be careful with this dog around your own family and friends and not just with others and make sure he cannot escape from your property.

What do you mean by 'tried working with him?'

The best way is for him not to see your neighbours, it won't cure the barking but will cut it down which will make it easier to train him.

How much socialising have you done with him?

One of my dogs is frightened of people, I keep her away from them until she has quietened down then will let her in, if she shows any sign of being nervous I take her out again.

When we go to get hold of a dog's collar to a dog it can be an aggressive act, dogs go for the neck when attacking so Marley was just defending himself from you as you have threatened him.

Did you let him know you were going to move his feet or your leg? When dogs are asleep and this type of thing happens you could be attacking him, not his fault he bit. What is your reaction if someone suddenly wakes you up? I bite and bite hard if that happens to me.

Why are you picking your dog up? He has 4 legs you have 2. We have to teach our dogs to let us pick them up, it is quite scary to suddenly be in the air with their legs dangling.

Marley is a dog, he doesn't understand English only dog, when you are yelling at him it is IMPOSSIBLE to understand what you are saying.

You said he nipped one of your other dogs but what were they doing when he nipped him/her? Think back to when you were a child, a child does something to you and you react, the adult only saw you react so punished you, dogs do this as well, your other dog may have set Marley up, I get that quite a lot with mine.


Stop yelling at him, all it does is makes you more angry and puts a lot of stress on you all. Use your happy voice when you ask him to do something.,

Teach him a good recall so you can call him in from the garden, in the meantime you can have a lead on him when outside, let him drag it, if he barks you can pick the lead up and lead him into the house, much safer.

DO NOT USE A NO BARK COLLAR A lot of dogs learn how to get round them, you have other dogs and they can set them off when they bark and often it can make a dog worse and even turn them aggressive.