My 2 months lady is too bored or aggressive, maybe both...
I'm a first-time bulldog owner. Heidi is 9/10 weeks old, and she's living with me for a week. Since she was born I went to visit her regularly, trying to build a connection to make changes less painful to her in the future. The first day surprised me: she did not cry during the night, she was calm the whole day. The next 2 days as well, but as soon as she realized that this is her home, she naturally started to explore everything and became confident. Some niping, but with just a few times talking to her and showing that biting me was not ok, she bites me now in a soft way. No problem eating, and even potty training was so easy: most of the times she uses either the pad in another room or go to the door waiting to go downstairs (I live at the 9th floor).
So, everything sounds perfect so far, but I maybe made a mistake. I allowed her to stay in the couch with me since day 1. Now, when she wants to come up, she barks. I'm trying to show her that she can stay at the couch with me but she cannot demand it by barking. Not sure I know how to do that, or even if it is a good idea allowing her to come with me. I know it's silly, but I'd really love to have her in the couch with me. Do you guys think it's a good idea to improvise some sort of ramp then she can come by herself?
So far, no separation anxiety signals, but she barks like crazy when she's alone because she cannot go to the couch by herself.
And how to stop her from barking or growling at me? Ignoring did not work as I've heard about it and I'm confused about how to discipline her without making her afraid of me or irreversibly upset. Is that claw thing with the hand a valid tool when saying "No" and staring her with "no-you-cant" eyes? I've even heard that growling to the dog may work, I did it twice and it worked but I'm afraid this may only make Heidi see me as an annoyance, and I'm looking to build a strong bond with her.
Well, sorry for the long text! I really appreciate any help, a bit lost on how to behave.
ps: I read "Bulldogs for dummies" and "How to Raise a Perfect Dog" so far looking for tips but the "mental power" on the second book is too mystic for me, it seems my dog does not understand silent commands with my inner energie. lol
I'm a first-time bulldog owner. Heidi is 9/10 weeks old, and she's living with me for a week. Since she was born I went to visit her regularly, trying to build a connection to make changes less painful to her in the future. The first day surprised me: she did not cry during the night, she was calm the whole day. The next 2 days as well, but as soon as she realized that this is her home, she naturally started to explore everything and became confident. Some niping, but with just a few times talking to her and showing that biting me was not ok, she bites me now in a soft way. No problem eating, and even potty training was so easy: most of the times she uses either the pad in another room or go to the door waiting to go downstairs (I live at the 9th floor).
So, everything sounds perfect so far, but I maybe made a mistake. I allowed her to stay in the couch with me since day 1. Now, when she wants to come up, she barks. I'm trying to show her that she can stay at the couch with me but she cannot demand it by barking. Not sure I know how to do that, or even if it is a good idea allowing her to come with me. I know it's silly, but I'd really love to have her in the couch with me. Do you guys think it's a good idea to improvise some sort of ramp then she can come by herself?
So far, no separation anxiety signals, but she barks like crazy when she's alone because she cannot go to the couch by herself.
And how to stop her from barking or growling at me? Ignoring did not work as I've heard about it and I'm confused about how to discipline her without making her afraid of me or irreversibly upset. Is that claw thing with the hand a valid tool when saying "No" and staring her with "no-you-cant" eyes? I've even heard that growling to the dog may work, I did it twice and it worked but I'm afraid this may only make Heidi see me as an annoyance, and I'm looking to build a strong bond with her.
Well, sorry for the long text! I really appreciate any help, a bit lost on how to behave.
ps: I read "Bulldogs for dummies" and "How to Raise a Perfect Dog" so far looking for tips but the "mental power" on the second book is too mystic for me, it seems my dog does not understand silent commands with my inner energie. lol
Last edited: