2. Sounds like you cater to his every whim.
Word.
Dol, you're letting your kid run your house. Granted kids do have bad days, we all do, but kicking the dog?? That's harsh. Sending him to his room is a start, but I imagine that's where all his toys are.
I've got a 5 year old and whining or crying gets him nothing, and he's told that every time he tries it. It usually works, but he had a major temper tantrum last week. First one ever. He didn't want what I was making for dinner and screamed at the top of his lungs.
He went to the corner and while he was there I cleaned out his room. No toys, no action figures, no blocks. Nothing left but books. If he does it again, he loses them all. Period. I've thrown stuff out before so he knows I'm not joking, and I will stick to my guns.
The only way to teach them how to behave, is to enforce rules. By caving, you've taught your kid to whine and cry to get what he wants.
You've got to make rules for yourself and stick to them. No caving, no catering. Doesn't like your Godzilla, he gets to draw his own. Period. Self-imposed rules are tough, but it's the only way to modify those behaviors. And they will change. It will take a few weeks, but he'll catch on.
Just stick to those guns. You can do it.