Old Dog New House

Question
I have a mix from the humane society. I was told she was Part Husky and Shepard. She's always been very aggressive, however now there's a problem.

I've recently moved in to my sisters home temporarily, and she has an 18 month old baby. He's very rough with animals, and my dog will not put up with this. I'm staying in the downstairs basement, which is basically like an apartment. But the dog is still very scared and nervous. For the time being, the kids are allowed to come down here, until the basement is completely finished. I am also moving out in a few months.

I'd like to make my dog more social, and make her not be so aggressive. She is fine with my two nieces who are 6 and 10. She plays with them and kisses them, but the baby she's not okay with.

I was thinking of getting her a nylon muzzle just until things settle down. Is this a bad idea? I don't want anything to happen to my nephew or my dog.

Answer
This is a touch situation.  The key to most behavior problems is approaching things using the dog's natural instincts. 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/ For more on being top dog, see http://www.dogbreedinfo.com./topdogrules.htm

That last link has some additional pages on dogs and children.  Read through them.  The dog and child must never be left alone together.  

We were kept busy this weekend with our 14 month old grandson and a 14 week old Golden.