Hello OEB or BD family

[pjhamm27]

I am a human with a very eccentric OEB. I got him when he was almost 6 months old and he is almost 3 now. He is scared of everything and everyone. He even barks at me until he gets a good sniff of my eyeballs. I don't know how to make him not scared. I know it isn't good for his anxiety . I'd appreciate any advice. Thanks so much.

 

[Hceril]

My Frankie also acts scared of most new people he meets. Especially kids. They want so much to pet him but he barks at them and tries his best to get away from them. I try to tell anyone new just to not approach him or even talk to him and to let him approach them on his own time. We have a lot of visitors that come pretty regularly and he still will act the same way with only some people he has already met. There are only a few he now isn't afraid of. His sister Bella has not met a stranger. She loves everyone who comes. Its such a strange thing to us. We have many dogs and none were like him. We have had him since he was 9 weeks old (now just over 3) and I think some little neighbor girls scared him when he was a puppy. They were too hyper(and still are) he was afraid when they came around. He actually shivers and barks when they try to come near him. We try to stay away from them when we are outside.
He is the sweetest dog though. He listens so well. I can tell him to stop what he is doing one time and he'll listen immediately.
Bella only hears what she wants to hear!

 

[KillRbee18]

I completely understand what you’re going through. My bulldog, Gunny, is the same way—he startles at any loud noise, unexpected sound, or sudden movement. Even now, at almost 3 years old, he still reacts and will jump up barking. Some dogs just have that sensitive, anxious personality.
What has helped us the most is patience and consistency. Whenever Gunny gets scared, we don’t correct him—we comfort him. We give him reassurance, calm pets, and let him know he’s safe. Over time, he’s learned that after something startles him, he can come to us for comfort. Does he still get scared? Yes. But it doesn’t bother us anymore, because we know it’s simply part of who he is.
People like to joke that bulldogs run on “one brain cell,” but I feel the opposite—they’re incredibly smart, observant dogs. They know their environment, they know their people, and they absolutely know when they’re safe. Our job is to reinforce that sense of safety every single day.
So my advice is: keep going, stay patient, and give lots of love and reassurance. A year or two from now, you might find yourself giving someone else this same advice. These dogs grow in their own time, and they truly thrive when they feel protected and understood.
You’re doing great—hang in there.
I can’t believe how our boys look a like.

 

[Lennie. U.K.]

Do you know Lou's history before you got him, at 6mths?

 

[2BullyMama]

He needs desensitization training.. see if you can find a local trainer to help.

 

[pjhamm27]

Do you know Lou's history before you got him, at 6mths?

No Lennie I dont. I know he had brothers and sisters that were still at the breeders. He and his siblings had been attacked by their mom. I believe it happened after the weaning stage. I have started taking him to stores and dog parks so I am hoping he can more comfortable. He stays under me when we go to stores. He shakes like he is being beaten when approached by any people. He does not trusts but he hardly ever barks and he is not aggressive in any way. He has a beautiful soul and wouldn't hurt anyone. I think if he could crawl under the floor or make himself invisible he would.

 

[pjhamm27]

He needs desensitization training.. see if you can find a local trainer to help.

I don't know if we have anything like that here. I worry a lot about him and his anxiety level though. I am taking him to a vet I had with my previous OEB tomorrow. I am going to ask her and see if there is anything I can give him or do to help him. He has the biggest heart in the world. He loves to watch Sitting With Dogs on YouTube. He will whine a lot of times when he hears or sees the dogs on the show. I have thought about getting a sibling for him at the humane society. I feel like it might help him to have a friend.

 

[Lennie. U.K.]

No Lennie I dont. I know he had brothers and sisters that were still at the breeders. He and his siblings had been attacked by their mom. I believe it happened after the weaning stage. I have started taking him to stores and dog parks so I am hoping he can more comfortable. He stays under me when we go to stores. He shakes like he is being beaten when approached by any people. He does not trusts but he hardly ever barks and he is not aggressive in any way. He has a beautiful soul and wouldn't hurt anyone. I think if he could crawl under the floor or make himself invisible he would.

Lou is a good looking Bully, when you put the lead or harness on Lou, is he happy to go out, or is it one of those coaxing jobs to get him through the door. Is he good in the car?

 

[Donna-Marie]

Freya can be jumpy and scared of some things. As 2bullyMama says he needs desensitisation.
I’ve recently learnt a trick/ position called middle (some call it safe ) with Freya so when she’s outdoors if she feels unsafe or I see other dogs around (she’s dog reactive) I use it. Just start with a treat in each hand, dependant on whether you’re right or left handed get your dog sat by your side. On the side your dogs at use your hand with the treat in to move him round to your back, as you do give him the treat and at the same time put your other hand with a treat in between your legs from the front and guide him into the middle of your legs. Give him the treat and say good middle. Like any training it takes a lot of repetition but remember to him it’s a fun game and he gets treats!
Also any noises he might be scared of such as rattling items on the draining board make a point to do it every time at mealtime or when in the kitchen and just continue to chat the usual rubbish in a regular voice.
Freya hates cardboard and scrunchy paper noises so I make use of those in her food treasure hunts. It doesn’t happen over night but it does slowly get you there. I accidentally dropped her stainless steel water bowl once and she was terrified of it so I spent nearly an hour sat on the kitchen floor dropping the bowl and sticking a toy or treat near it closer and closer each time until eventually they went inside the bowl and she would take them happily.
All dog trainers will be able to help with desensitisation so don’t worry about where you live if you are looking for one. All i would suggest is go for a trainer who uses positive reinforcement.

 

[2BullyMama]

Any good trainer can help desensitize… talk to one and wait in second pup till you have a trainer just to ensure it’s a good fit for boy

 

[pjhamm27]

Lou is a good looking Bully, when you put the lead or harness on Lou, is he happy to go out, or is it one of those coaxing jobs to get him through the door. Is he good in the car?

Hey Lennie. Thank you very much for Lou's compliment and for replying back. He is a very special gift or maybe I should say special Blessing. He is all the family I have. He is very docile. He loves to go but if anyone comes up to him he's scared to death. He doesn't even like his own shadow, mine, or anyone else's. I've been watching the dog whisperer(Cesar Millan) and I'm trying not to rush him. He will mistake anything as discipline and I try to address any issues gently. He's a total different dog in public. Home is where his heart is. I've thought about getting another dog from the shelter but I just don't know how he will do or how I'll handle it.

 

[Lennie. U.K.]

Hey Lennie. Thank you very much for Lou's compliment and for replying back. He is a very special gift or maybe I should say special Blessing. He is all the family I have. He is very docile. He loves to go but if anyone comes up to him he's scared to death. He doesn't even like his own shadow, mine, or anyone else's. I've been watching the dog whisperer(Cesar Millan) and I'm trying not to rush him. He will mistake anything as discipline and I try to address any issues gently. He's a total different dog in public. Home is where his heart is. I've thought about getting another dog from the shelter but I just don't know how he will do or how I'll handle it.

Yeah, Lou sounds quite an anxious type, maybe take him out late at night or early morning when the hustle and bustle are all sleeping. Its about managing the situation, so Lou, dos not become stressed, and you don't become anxious for him, because he will definitely know. Then he may just realise there is nothing to be afraid of, in that big wide world outside of the home. Good Luck!

 

[helsonwheels]

Hey Lennie. Thank you very much for Lou's compliment and for replying back. He is a very special gift or maybe I should say special Blessing. He is all the family I have. He is very docile. He loves to go but if anyone comes up to him he's scared to death. He doesn't even like his own shadow, mine, or anyone else's. I've been watching the dog whisperer(Cesar Millan) and I'm trying not to rush him. He will mistake anything as discipline and I try to address any issues gently. He's a total different dog in public. Home is where his heart is. I've thought about getting another dog from the shelter but I just don't know how he will do or how I'll handle it.

You need to burn his energy. Walk him with some people around. Once he passes a few people, stop, praise him with a “that’s a good boy” and a good treat. Continue and repeat. These dogs love their treats and will catch on .