ScuttleGirl
New member
Our 3-year-old bully Scuttle, is showing more and more signs of aggression. Scuttle was one of 13 bully's that were taken from a local vet here in Jacksonville last summer. We've had her since September 12 and she has grown by leaps and bounds. It seems that she is comfortable with us and while she is very fearful, she has overcome so much in the last 6 months.
Since about the first couple of weeks we had her we noticed some aggression toward our Golden Retriever, Sailor (who's a male). Sailor, like most Goldens, gets pretty vocal when he's excited and MUST have something in his mouth. The first time we noticed the aggression issue was one of these times when Sailor was doing his "I'm so happy to see you" moaning with a toy in his mouth. She immediately went at his neck with a snarl and we addressed the situation and became aware of it so we could watch for it next time. She also doesn't like it when he's getting loved on and, depending on her mood, she will do the same thing.
She also has this thing when we go to bed (she feels most safe in our room) she gets very frisky and wants to play with Sailor. Sailor usually comes to my side of the bed and cowers hoping I'll help him. He ALWAYS avoids eye contact with her. Anyways, she will usually start humping him all the while Sailor is completely ignoring her. I have to tell her to stop and then he will move out of the way. I really think at those times she wants to play, even though the humping is a sign of dominance, I just don't think she knows how!
Last night, in the middle of the night, Sailor woke up and shook which woke me up too because of his collar. She darted up, snarled and growled and from what I can tell went at him. Then a couple of seconds later did it again. My husband and I immediately were startled and I got up, told her no, and led her back to her bed. I checked on Sailor and he was fine other than being a little shook up, I'm sure.
She also has aggression towards my 15-year-old son. There are six of us in our family and she loves everyone else including my husband and my 9-year-old son so I know it's not a gender thing. The only thing I can think of is that when we first got her, during those crucial days, he didn't purposely bond with her. So now on a daily basis we are working on her not snarling at him every time he walks into a room. He doesn't show fear around her which is good but I'm afraid she could possibly bite him someday.
Because of Scuttles fear she isn't very treat motivated so I really need some help on what I should do. We love her SO much and want to help her but I'm a little stuck as normal training techniques don't seem to work on her. Sorry for the long post but I wanted to give you a good picture of what was going on.
Thanks!!
PS - We are going to talk to a trainer tonight that knows of the situation to see if she could offer some one-on-one time with her. I'll let you know what the results of that conversation are.
Since about the first couple of weeks we had her we noticed some aggression toward our Golden Retriever, Sailor (who's a male). Sailor, like most Goldens, gets pretty vocal when he's excited and MUST have something in his mouth. The first time we noticed the aggression issue was one of these times when Sailor was doing his "I'm so happy to see you" moaning with a toy in his mouth. She immediately went at his neck with a snarl and we addressed the situation and became aware of it so we could watch for it next time. She also doesn't like it when he's getting loved on and, depending on her mood, she will do the same thing.
She also has this thing when we go to bed (she feels most safe in our room) she gets very frisky and wants to play with Sailor. Sailor usually comes to my side of the bed and cowers hoping I'll help him. He ALWAYS avoids eye contact with her. Anyways, she will usually start humping him all the while Sailor is completely ignoring her. I have to tell her to stop and then he will move out of the way. I really think at those times she wants to play, even though the humping is a sign of dominance, I just don't think she knows how!
Last night, in the middle of the night, Sailor woke up and shook which woke me up too because of his collar. She darted up, snarled and growled and from what I can tell went at him. Then a couple of seconds later did it again. My husband and I immediately were startled and I got up, told her no, and led her back to her bed. I checked on Sailor and he was fine other than being a little shook up, I'm sure.
She also has aggression towards my 15-year-old son. There are six of us in our family and she loves everyone else including my husband and my 9-year-old son so I know it's not a gender thing. The only thing I can think of is that when we first got her, during those crucial days, he didn't purposely bond with her. So now on a daily basis we are working on her not snarling at him every time he walks into a room. He doesn't show fear around her which is good but I'm afraid she could possibly bite him someday.
Because of Scuttles fear she isn't very treat motivated so I really need some help on what I should do. We love her SO much and want to help her but I'm a little stuck as normal training techniques don't seem to work on her. Sorry for the long post but I wanted to give you a good picture of what was going on.
Thanks!!
PS - We are going to talk to a trainer tonight that knows of the situation to see if she could offer some one-on-one time with her. I'll let you know what the results of that conversation are.