People at the door

Question
You asked for some clarification:
How is he aggressive? Does he charge in an attempt to bite? Does he bark? Please explain how he would react if I was to come into your home, and what would you do or what have you done to react to his aggressivness?
He will sniff and then start to bite. He did this yesterday when my daughter's new boyfriend came to the house and we tried introducing him outside.
He also charges the glass door when a cat goes by on the deck.
How much exercise does he get during the day? He stays outside during the day with a Great Pyrenees and the squirrels (which he likes to chase)I let him out of the fence in the afternoon unless I'm on the tractor or mowing and he is free to roam our property. He chases chickens, birds, cats etc.
We go for walks a couple of days a week.
If he knows the person coming into your home, is his behavior the same, aggressive? No he'll generally just go up to them and sniff. He does get alittle weird around my mother in-law but she's kinda standoffish toward dogs.
We've tried to correct with NO! verbally, a sharp snatch on his collar and removal to the outside when we have guests.
Thanks for the help

Answer
Hi David,

Thank you for answering the questions I presented.

The Boykin Spaniel has the natural instinct to be a hunter as you probable know. He is living in a perfect world for his breed instincts,what with all the chickens, birds, cats etc. on your property. I'm afraid there is nothing that can be done  that will cure him of chasing the animals short of confining him to a pen. From your writing I do not feel that his chasing the animals is your major concern.

Let's move to the more serious issue. You wrote: "We've tried to correct with NO! verbally, a sharp snatch on his collar and removal to the outside when we have guests."

If I understand correctly, after the sharp snatch on his collar, you immediately place him outside the house. Therefore, you never really know whether or not your correction worked, because he is now outside and away from the person.

One approach to the problem is, following the sharp snatch on his collar--along with a very firm NO!, do NOT put him outside. Leave him loose, remaining very close to him, should he need another correction. If so, repeat the same correction, and leave him loose again. (It is a matter of reinforcing your first correction, finally getting through to him what it is you expect from him.

You must remember that you have a very powerful and strong dog. What to you is a sharp snatch on his collar could easily be to him a minor set-back to his attempt.

I suggest that if after you apply the sharp snatch perhaps two times and he continues him aggressive attempt, to me it means that the corrective punishment is not serious enough to make him pay attention and stop the behavior. Therefore, I suggest, should you feel this is the case, when you snatch his collar--hold onto it and actually pull him along the floor for maybe 2 or 3 feet, make a quick, sharp turn and release him. All during this time you are repeating the word NO! firmly. (I don't mean for you to scream it, just be loud and constant through the correction). What you are doing is bringing him back to reality and causing him to think before  he takes another action.
You can explain to your house guest it is a conditioning exercise so they know that you are not being cruel.

The same correction applies when someone comes to your door should it be needed.

It sounds like your mother-in-law is on the right track. He can't figure her standoffish attitude out so, he leaves her alone.

I wish you good luck. You can correct this bad habit. Try my corrective measure. (Remember, you do not want to hurt him. You only want the punishment to be a little stronger than the crime. Do that and I promise you will achieve results.

Please let me know how you make out.

Harry