Aggression !!!!!!!!!!!!HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bully ernie]

2 1/2 YEAR OLD MALE BRITISH BULLDOG ERNIE HAS BAD AGGRESSION TOWARDS PEOPLE WHEN SOMEONE WANTS TO TAKE HIS TOY OR SOMETHING HE HAS CLAIMED, WHEN HE IS ASKED TO GET OFF THE LOUNGE OR GO OUTSIDE HE GROWLS AND HAS BITTEN MYSELF WHEN I HAVE TRIED TO TAKE SOMETHING OFF HIM AND THE VET WHEN TRYING TO CLEAN EARS OR CLIP NAILS, WE HAVE NEVER HIT HIM NOR GIVEN HIM ANY REASON TO SHOW AGGRESSION ALTHOUGH I HAVE NOTICED THAT WHEN I RAISE MY VOICE OR AM TELLING THE PUPPY NO HE WILL GROWL.
GROWING UP HE HAD CONSTANT HEALTH PROBLEMS SUCH AS SOFT PALATE WHICH WE HAD FIXED, THE BONE IN HIS TAIL STARTED GROWING INTO HIS SKIN SO THAT HAD TO BE SURGICALLY REMOVED ALONG WITH THE USUAL BULLDOG PROBLEMS LIKE ALLERGIES THAT ARE CONTROLLED.
BEFORE ANY HEALTH PROBLEMS HE WAS ALWAYS A SCARED DOG, SCARED OF ANYTHING BIGGER THAN HIM OR ANYTHING NEW WE HAVE HAD A BEHAVIUORAL SPECIALIST OUT WHO SAID HE HAS POSSESSION AGGRESSION AND ALSO HAS ANXIETY. WE ARE DECIDING TO START A FAMILY SOON AND NEED THIS AGGRESSION TO STOP AS I AM WORRIED HOW HE WILL ACT WHEN A CHILD TRIES TO TAKE SOMETHING OFF HIM.
I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING, I HAVE STOPPED YELLING, TAKEN AWAY ALL TOYS SO HE CANNOT BE POSSESSIVE I HAVE TRIED IGNORING THE BEHAVIOUR, TELLING NO, TEATHERING HIM WHEN HE BITES AND NOTHING HAS HELPED HE HAS ACTUALLY GOTTEN WORSE.

ANY HELP WOULD BE GREAT PLEASE.

 

[Ashleym]

So sorry you are going thru such a difficult time with Ernie. I have tagged a few people to read your issue and hopefully they can offer you some good advise.

 

[cali baker]

Did Ernie and you work with the behaviorist that came out, and did Ernie ever go thru basic obedience training before? The other thing that came to mind is if he's had a complete physical from the vet recently? Just wondering if perhaps he has something physical/medical going on that may be contributing to this behavior.

 

[JAKEISGREAT]

He is still scared..THAT is a big cause of aggression. You must get in the position of his pack leader. In order to do this..you can't fear him. Dogs can smell fear a mile away. I will tag a few people who have more experience in this than me..I do know we have some great members..just give them time to find this.
[MENTION=2614]Vicaroo1000[/MENTION].. [MENTION=1714]Sherry[/MENTION].. [MENTION=2894]2BullyMama[/MENTION].. [MENTION=2071]Davidh[/MENTION].

 

[Bully ernie]

thank you all so much he did go to puppy pre school and passed with flying colours he is obediant when as ked to sit stay, lay get out or get off he will growl if he doesnt want to though. he had head tremours for about two days before his soft pallat was fixed and it was put down to that. i have tried not to fear him but i find it harder each time he bites me as its just my reaction to jump back or pull away, he is aggressive with my partner but not as much as with me i think he views him as pack leader i have tried to be more assertive as i am not a shy person he just responds with aggression. the trainer worked with us three and put in place new sleeping arragements for the dogs to sleep outside or in the laundry not in the house and to have them locked out whilst we are not home so he does not think its his house and try to control it.
yes he is still scared he is anxious most of the time, when i getthe vacuum out, move the childs gate and loud noises or sudden movements, when new ppl come to t he house he will bark and get aggressive the trainer said his personatlity is difficult to work with because even when a person goes to pet him he will lower his head and cower. we have a 12 month of french bulldog (hank) who is full of personality and into everything and we thought this mite help but if anything ernies behaviour has rubbed off a little onto hank but no where near as much. if ernie gets hold of something and i want to get it off him its impossible without getting bitten, the vet has advised us his aggression is dangerous and not to have him near children, we will do anything for him because when the aggression is not there he is the biggest sook and most loving dog he is like a child to us.

 

[bullmama]

Has his thyroid been tested?

 

[Susie]

I am curious. Have your bulldog been neutered, yet?

 

[Bully ernie]

no thyroid tests and not desexed as we had a bad experience at the vet, he tried to bite the vet and the vet punched him in the face said it was showing dominence but ernie did not back done he actually drew blood, we have not gone back since but now worried how he will react if any other tests are done because of this bad experience. he was aggressive before this vet incidence though.

 

[JAKEISGREAT]

no thyroid tests and not desexed as we had a bad experience at the vet, he tried to bite the vet and the vet punched him in the face said it was showing dominence but ernie did not back done he actually drew blood, we have not gone back since but now worried how he will react if any other tests are done because of this bad experience. he was aggressive before this vet incidence though.

OH MY GAWD!!! THE VET PUNCHED HIM IN THE FACE???? THAT A** WOULD BE PICKING HIS TEETH UP OFF THE FLOOR IF HE DID THAT TO MY DOG!!!! NEVER...EVER GO BACK TO HIM! And you need a different behaviorist. Any trainer who says a dog is difficult to work with..isn't worth what you are paying. Your poor baby. Can you imagine going to the Dr and getting punched in the frickin face? I would bite and be terrified too. NO EXCUSES for this....

 

[Ashleym]

I agree with Jakeisgreat that is totally unacceptable behavior from a vet. I would have kicked his *** no one and I mean no one touches my boys in a violent way grr... I actually want to go and kick his *** right now Find a vet who specializes in Bulldogs like darkskybulldog suggested have him tested for thyroid problems and I suggest having him fixed which might help with the aggression. Dont give up on Ernie he's had a rough start with all his medical issues but with positive reinforcment, love and patience things will improve.

 

[Bully ernie]

My partner did grab the vet and complaints were filled this was over 12 months ago and we wont be going back there, it now worries us to take him else where and leaving him at places for procedures or grooming as we know how he gets and dont want that happening again, we discussed getting him desexed but thought the trauma of him getting aggressive and lashing out is not worth putting him through that, 90% of the time he is gentle and loving its the fear and possession that triggers his aggressive behaviour

 

[JAKEISGREAT]

My partner did grab the vet and complaints were filled this was over 12 months ago and we wont be going back there, it now worries us to take him else where and leaving him at places for procedures or grooming as we know how he gets and dont want that happening again, we discussed getting him desexed but thought the trauma of him getting aggressive and lashing out is not worth putting him through that, 90% of the time he is gentle and loving its the fear and possession that triggers his aggressive behaviour

I am sure others will have some ideas for you. Sadly, all this mistreatment has to be overcome. But it is all fixable. He needs to be able to trust the humans in his life totally. Even though you didn't hit him..you took him there. He will need special treatment to get past this..and he can. He needs love and patience and a strong pack leader, Hang in there..others will come along

 

[bullmama]

Also look into "rescue remedy"....

Never tried it but heard it works well.

Removing the testosterone from his body could possibly help his aggression. Warn the vet you go see that he's been showing random signs of aggression- that's why you need him examined. They should be prepared!




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[cali~jenn]

Omg I am appalled at the vets reaction! Holy wow! I have no words for that! I hope his tests r ok. Cutty started being aggressive after 1 year. I had no help like there is here. People told me about the nilf program but reading it all is overwhelming and we tried to have authority but in reality didn't at all. Thankfully neutering him did fix him 99%. Brought him home and maybe he realized we were in control of his manhood so we r in control.

miila came and began being possessive aggressive as she tried to make her place in our pack. We submitted and I don't know if it had impact or if it mixed with everything did but she is 100% better now. Hand feeding I think had the most and quickest impact in her behavior. You have another pup so I would have Ernie sit/stay while the other pup eats, then when it is his turn have him remain in his position while you feed him 1 handful at a time. Before each handful you make him work, sit pretty, hi five, roll over etc. feed slowly on YOUR pace. He will realize you r the pack leader because he has no choice. I am far from an expert but this really did work miracles in our home although it took months for the complete transformation. I know all pups r diff but it can only help to try.

 

[Jennifer Clark]

He needs to know where he stands in the pecking order of the pack. All dogs have a pack mentality and if he is unclear as to who is his alpha he will try to take on that roll. There are many things you can do to establish this. It sounds like he responds negatively to behavior modification so try another tactic but like Becky said you have to be in control at all times if you waver in this he will know it. When he is good and does good things respond with positive reinforcement say he doesn't respond at first when you try to do one of his stressors grab the treats and gush about what a good boy he is so he learns that this is the acceptable response. Also make him eat from your hand this is a form of submission make your partner hand feed him so he knows where he stands in the pack and as you have children when they are old enough they too should establish with him the pack hierarchy. This is what I did I also made my children do this. I don't know if this helps but hope so. Even when my Shelly Bean growls at me I show him no fear. Is he crated by any chance? If not you can use this also sometimes over stimulation can cause aggression when he gets aggressive tell him no and Kennel or Crate so he knows its time to calm down and when you see he is calm let him out.

Love has a name and its name is Sheldon!!!<3