My in-laws's mean dog

Do you own the house? If so, I'd say "my houise, my rules", 

ORIGINAL: tiffy

Do you own the house? If so, I'd say "my houise, my rules", 

ditto!

The situation is resolved, but not to my liking. When I'm around, he will have a permanent leash. When we have company over, especially with children, the dog will be moved to another room. My in-laws will be the only one's to discipline him, and therein lies the problem; they don't. I think he's spoiled rotten. I have learned a valuable lesson; from now on, I'll keep my mouth shut and not attempt to resolve disputes. It only creates hurt feelings. However, if I'm bitten again, I can't say that I will be as kind to the dog as I have been.

If you are bitten again, then you  need to be more firm about the dog leaving if they are not willing to change it's behavior.  It's very unfortunate that you are not getting the support that you need from your wife.  You could always let the recliner hit the dog in the head over and over until it moves.  Not a good way to go, but if it's you in the recliner and the dog won't move and no one else will make the dog move and you are afraid of being bitten again, then I'd probably resort to that.  It's not the dogs fault but if they care about the dog, hopefully that would make them do something.

Could you take over feeding the dog?  Just by doing it?  I know that puts all the burden on you but if it helped, would it be worth it?  I imagine that if you are the one to feed the dog, that this would help immensely in your relationship with this dog.

Sorry Larbabe.  Hopefully no one else will get bit if the dog isn't allowed around strangers.

Hmmm.  I wonder what your in-laws would say if you had an out of control child in their house?

As they (mostly my mother-in-law) complain about the (normal) behavior of our other animals, they tend to turn a blind eye at their own monster. Once again, the dog was told by my M.I.L. to move (this time from a different location) and the dog refused the command. Fortunately, this time she was able to grab hold of the short drag leash and physically move the creature. As in every other case, he growled and snapped at her. And as in every other instance, there were no consequences for this behavior (such as isolation). The other thing, is that last evening when our new puppy was playing with our cat, the creature emitted his usual deafining bark (He doesn't seem to like anyone having fun), which drives me up the wall. I'm sorry to say this, but the dog is old and in obvious poor health, but I look forward to the day he is no longer with us (remember, he has a life-long history of this behavior).

My dog gets jealous when I play with the cat and will usually chase them away.  That's why the cats love me when my dog's outside.

My in-laws are terrified of animals.  My father in-law once screamed when my "baby" sat next to him on the couch - literaly screamed.  Now my father in law jokes (I don't think it's funny) about how he's never going to have any grandchildren so he's going to have to get used to animals.  Mind you I'm only 24.

I wouldn't have children until your in laws move out.  They'll try to raise them for you.  Remeber, no discipline.

I have grandchildren. The folks have agreed to remove the dog when they visit.