Do you have any access to the Dog Whisperer training DVDs? The "hug" is definitely out, as that allows him to advance one "rung" up on the hierarchy ladder among the 'pack'. My RB dog, Tasha, was given to me because she killed a cat (my friend's landlord's cat, in front of their children) and I was able to break of that habit- she went on to help raise 2 litters of orphaned kittens. But I had to first make Tasha realize that in the pack level, she was subservient to the rest of us. I had to discontinue giving her scraps at first (the K9 cops told me that bit of advice - it's kibble or bread only for the K9 dogs, to keep them mentally in their place) and make her follow me, and have good trail manners. It sounds harsh, but they have dog-brains and don't think like we do - in fact, recent studies show that the animals whose emotional centers are closest to ours are CATS!! No surprise to those of us here, but, it does make it easier to understand why dogs do best in a healthy and balanced "pack" mentality.