jtyson
New member
- Feb 28, 2021
- 6
- 4
- Country
- United States
- Bulldog(s) Names
- Buddy
I've had my EB for nearing a year now. He came from a rescue as a breeder stud throwaway that was rehomed, developed epilepsy, went to the rescue, then to me. *edit* He is not quite 3 years old.
Initially, no aggression issues at all. People, dogs, cats, children, whatever. He was fine with everyone. Really didn't show much interest in any of them. Over time though, he has developed a sneaky aggression towards a few people. We have a large family that is close and thus in and out and he sees a lot of people. But with a few of them, initially he liked them and had no issue, but as time progressed he takes issue with them, but only sometimes and for no apparent reason.
He hates my mother. Looks at her out of the side of his eye like he doesn't trust her, but walks up to her, and then if she tries to engage with him, he snaps at her hand. No growling, barking, baring teeth, etc.
My aunt - 90% of the time, no problem. Just sometimes randomly snaps at her if she tries to pet him. Again, no warning.
My uncle - 50% of the time he likes him. Hangs out when he comes around, pets him, and then the other times tries to snap. Tonight he drew blood from a finger. He got his butt smacked and went to bed.
My cousin - 90% of the time no issues, but snaps just the same. Never any clear warning.
Family friend - she won't come around because he has randomly lunged at her a couple different times after being fine for hours.
And it's always just one lunge or snap with all of them. Not an attack, just like a warning or posturing.
He needs training in general, I am aware of that, and I'm concerned that I've let things be mediocre for as long as I have. He listens terribly. Basically not at all. He responds somewhat to treat training, that is how I worked out potty outside instead of inside. He will not come when called. He will sit if he thinks there is a treat involved. That is pretty much it.
I'm just curious if maybe you all know a reason why he might be angry at just these certain people? They aren't around all the time, and he doesn't act that way with anyone who is around every day or every couple days. So I thought maybe stranger in his space stressing him, but he can be fine with them for hours and then suddenly not. And I've got other family and friends that come around far less frequently that he has zero problem with at all, including obnoxious, loud, little children. I had thought previously maybe aggression due to smelling uncut males on other people - my mom and aunt both have uncut males, but he was cut nearly a year ago, so I would have thought that drive would have faded by now, plus the other ones don't have dogs at all. I don't think pain because its targeted to certain people, and before they touch him so not like they're poking a sore spot or something. I've thought maybe a side effect of the med for the seizures, but again the targeted bit doesn't make much sense.
Grasping for ideas here. Started reading the stickies and feeling guilty, so no need to beat me up there unless you really feel it is necessary. I'm sure this is a bit cart before the horse with training, but I can afford him not coming when I tell him to. I can't afford for him to bite people.
Initially, no aggression issues at all. People, dogs, cats, children, whatever. He was fine with everyone. Really didn't show much interest in any of them. Over time though, he has developed a sneaky aggression towards a few people. We have a large family that is close and thus in and out and he sees a lot of people. But with a few of them, initially he liked them and had no issue, but as time progressed he takes issue with them, but only sometimes and for no apparent reason.
He hates my mother. Looks at her out of the side of his eye like he doesn't trust her, but walks up to her, and then if she tries to engage with him, he snaps at her hand. No growling, barking, baring teeth, etc.
My aunt - 90% of the time, no problem. Just sometimes randomly snaps at her if she tries to pet him. Again, no warning.
My uncle - 50% of the time he likes him. Hangs out when he comes around, pets him, and then the other times tries to snap. Tonight he drew blood from a finger. He got his butt smacked and went to bed.
My cousin - 90% of the time no issues, but snaps just the same. Never any clear warning.
Family friend - she won't come around because he has randomly lunged at her a couple different times after being fine for hours.
And it's always just one lunge or snap with all of them. Not an attack, just like a warning or posturing.
He needs training in general, I am aware of that, and I'm concerned that I've let things be mediocre for as long as I have. He listens terribly. Basically not at all. He responds somewhat to treat training, that is how I worked out potty outside instead of inside. He will not come when called. He will sit if he thinks there is a treat involved. That is pretty much it.
I'm just curious if maybe you all know a reason why he might be angry at just these certain people? They aren't around all the time, and he doesn't act that way with anyone who is around every day or every couple days. So I thought maybe stranger in his space stressing him, but he can be fine with them for hours and then suddenly not. And I've got other family and friends that come around far less frequently that he has zero problem with at all, including obnoxious, loud, little children. I had thought previously maybe aggression due to smelling uncut males on other people - my mom and aunt both have uncut males, but he was cut nearly a year ago, so I would have thought that drive would have faded by now, plus the other ones don't have dogs at all. I don't think pain because its targeted to certain people, and before they touch him so not like they're poking a sore spot or something. I've thought maybe a side effect of the med for the seizures, but again the targeted bit doesn't make much sense.
Grasping for ideas here. Started reading the stickies and feeling guilty, so no need to beat me up there unless you really feel it is necessary. I'm sure this is a bit cart before the horse with training, but I can afford him not coming when I tell him to. I can't afford for him to bite people.