mean dog

Question
Need help.  I love my toy poddle, Harley, problem is he is about 8 months old and he goes after people.  He tries to bite kids and I have 3 of them that are involved in sports.  We can't even have people over the house because he bites at them.  He bit the painter the other day.  He went after my 6 year olds friends.  What can I do to stop this or is there no hope.  I don't want to have to get rid of him, but my childrens safety comes first.

Answer
Neuter him, if not already, and start obedience training.
Having a good pack structure reduces such problems.  The dogs see all the
people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in
the pack and a top dog.  Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members
outrank the 4 legged ones.  You can learn to play the role of top dog by
reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class
or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with
a treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/  If I thought it could wait until the first of the year, I would suggest letting one of the kids take him to 4-H. With somebody the right age in the family, 4-H dog training is a great idea. In my area, clubs form soon after the first of the year.  Even many urban
areas have 4-H.  For info look in your phone book under government listings
for extension or cooperative extension offices.  Ask specifically about a dog
or canine club.   

A top dog does not put up with biting by a lower status one.  Give a warning
stern "Bad Dog!".  In
stubborn cases, I repeat the "Bad dog!" right in its face with the dog on its
back. Hold it down until it lifts one back leg to show submission.  Use one
forearm under his jaw to keep his teeth away from your face.  Another very
effective technique if the dog is small enough, is to pick it up with your
hands
behind its front shoulders and hold it out with its back to you.   Make sure it
is far enough out it can't fling its head into your face.   Hold it until it
quits struggling and relaxes.  If you can't do either of those, try the squirt
bottle.  Fill it with water and a little vinegar or lemon juice.  Give it a
squirt in the face as soon as it misbehaves.  Dogs
hate that.  Dachshunds have a reputation for being stubborn.  The solution to a
stubborn dog is an owner that is even more stubborn.  Every time he snaps or
growls, he immediately gets which ever bad consequence works best for you.
Don't forget the praise and petting when he finally yields.

A biting dog is no end of problems.   I suspect he has had 8 months of doing
as he pleased.  I doubt he will give it up easily.  In time, he will and be a
happier dog for having the strong leadership dogs need.

If you bought him from a breeder, let the breeder know you are unhappy with his
aggression.  It is absolutely wrong to breed aggressive dogs.  If the dog does
not respond to discipline, you may have to destroy him.  Let everyone else know
where you got the dog and the problems you are having.  Breeders that breed
aggressive dogs, should be run out of business.