agressive male dog

Question
Charlotte thanks for your time. We have a 5 year old yellow lab that a man gave to us. The man is an aging diabetic who had part of his leg amputated and could no longer keep up with the dog. He is big- 80 #'s and I wanted him to stay around the house as a yard dog for security and we have always had a yard dog in our family. He is protective of my 17 yr old son and they are close. When we 1st got him we kept him in the garage and as soon as he got the chance he would bolt off and you would have to go hunt him. So we got an underground fence and spent time to train and I must say it is working rather well a few breaches but we are working thru them. He is hyper and last night he bit one of my daughters friend who came up in the yard, he barks at joggers and is aggressive, he is a good dog if we can get this straight. Should he be neutered? Any help is appreciated

Answer
Hi David;
ABSOLUTELY neuter him.
It will help some with the aggression, but you also need to go through an obedience class with him.
Petsmart and Petco have weekend group classes where the owner handles the dog and a trainer teaches you o give the commands and all the things you need to do to make a well behaved dog out of him.
Depending on the size of the class and the trainer, the classes usually last from 1 to 2 hours.
they don't cost that much, and you learn how to train a dog in basic obedience to do what it is supposed to do.
As you well know, a biting dog will only get you sued, and probably results in haveing the dog ordered put down.
A fenced yard is best.
I don't think an underground fence is considered if someone comes into your yard and your dog bites them.
If they iopen a gate and come in, and your dog bites them, your dog is not the one at fault.
I prefer my dogs indoors, especially dogs for protection.
If your dog is outsied, and someone gains intrance to your ouse, your protection is outside.
It is a lot haelthier for the dog and also for the family to have the dog indoors.
I have 4 dogs, all sizes, from a little Lhasa to 2 australian shepherd mixes, and they are very well behaved, don't make messes, and they get a brushing every day or so to keep them clean, and a bath once a month.
They sleep on our beds with us.
Dogs are a lot easier to teach to bahave nicely and not make messes in the house than children are.LOL
I raised 4 children, and 2 of my grandchildren, and a lot of cats and dogs.
Animals be easier.
They aree easier to train, don't talk back as much, and never ask to borrow the car.
Will Rogers said " A boy learns thre things from a dog. Love, loyalty, and to turn around three times before lieing down". LOL
I have always had my dogs in the house. Sometimes they have been larger ones than I have now, and I have always kept my doors unlocked, and sleeplike a log, safe and secure.
Charlotte

Ps;
If the aggression get any worse, animal massage will correct it very well.
Go to this site and read about this tecnhique of animal massage and what can be done with it.
You can also order a video there to learn to do the massages.
I have used the Tellington-Touch as a training aid, pain reliever, curing fears, excessive barking, aggression and a lot of things.
The massage for pain relief will be of great help to you when your dog ages and starts having trouble with arthritis etc.
  www.lindatellington-jones.com

Charlotte