Thanks Tarnador, You are right about my feeling sorry for him, and because he is so sweet, it is really easy to spoil him. I have rescued a few other poor souls in the past, but none of them had any aggression issues, so I either kept them or was able to find good homes.
As I said, I have 4 labs and am just now realizing that they are also spoiled but since they are so even tempered I never had a need to exert my dominance over them. I have been really trying to let Buddy know that I am his Alpha by making him obey commands throughout the day, but had not thought about some of the more subtle things that you suggested (I cuddle him when he wants it, play ball when he comes to me with it in his mouth, etc) - I have seen this as "sweetness". So, I will try to do more to assert myself. Thanks so much for the reassurance.
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