I have a 2 year old adopted dog who has just started growling at some people. Will he really bite someone?

Hello!

First off, I was reading about the prong collar and if I decide to try this I just know that if I were to go to PetSmart who probably sells it they will tell me how cruel it is. They always do that which makes me wonder why they sell the stuff if they want to make their customers feel bad about buying it.

Ok, I adopted a dog about a year ago. He was then 1.5 years old. Now he's 2. He typically is a real sweetie, and he is neutered. A few months ago in my house the little brat girl from next door happened to be visiting in my house. She was playing with my dog's toy chew bone. At first he acted kind of playful but she decided to keep raising it higher so he could not get it. The dog then let out a very aggressive mauling growl and did not bite her but brushed his teeth against her skin slightly to ward her off. So I was dumb back then. Now I now not to allow the little brat anywhere near my dog or my house. Whenever my daughter's friends come over, though, I ask them not to tease the dog. One girl tried growling at the dog and he ended up doing the same thing - a mauling growl at them and brushing his teeth against their skin but no biting. So I asked her what part of no teasing does she not understand because she also tried teasing him with his chew toy and not letting him have it. We are talking about a 14 year old who ought to be able to understand such things.

Now when the meter reader wants to jump over my fence I hold this dog because the dog obviously thinks it an intruder with hair standing even on the back of the dog's rear end. Does not help that the meter reader pokes umbrellas at the dogs before jumping over the fence, of course.

Just yesterday there was a strange incident. One of my daughter's friends walked through my front door and did not acknowledge the dog at all. The dog acted the same way - mauling growl and acting like he wanted to bite. Would he really do that because someone did not acknowledge him and so he therefore thought it an intruder? I did read your answer to someone else about training them to have a spot in the home so I apparently will have to do that especially since when anyone comes here is usually is so excited to have someone pay attention to him he is bouncing off the ground.

Thanks !

Theresa