My four year old and biting

joeyg · Dec 9, 2025

I have my English bulldog since she was 8 weeks old. She is now 4 years old. She has always been the sweets girl and we shower her with love.
But lately she has begun to snap at me if she doesn't want to be bothered. For example, she was chewing on a very small piece of paper and
when I tried to take it from her she tried to bite me.
Another time she was lying on my bed and i kept calling her but she won't move. When I tried to grab hr collar in a very gentle way she again
tried to bite me. I don't understand\what could bring this on after four years. Please any advice on how I can handle this.

Lennie. U.K. · Dec 9, 2025

Ok! First is she healthy and not in pain? if this is fine, in my view she is trying it on, even after four years. Take her back to basics. there are plenty of books for this or even the net. The three main training approaches I use. First she does not eat before you, so when you feed her pretend to eat out of her bowl, before you put it on the floor, make sure she is looking at you. Second when you go out without her, and come back in, do not make a fuss of her, ignore her, until she moves away into another room or into her bed, when that happens call her to you, and make a fuss of her. Third never let her go through, the door before you. You are the Alfa, she does what you want. Finally if you have a small length of lead, I use a loop with a clasp, its about 12" long that will stop her biting you when you ask her to move. Believe me you do not want to be bitten by a Bully. Other members may have a few more ideas, but this is my take on this problem, that should be an easy fix. Good Luck!

helsonwheels · Dec 10, 2025

@Lennie. U.K. is correct. If she is not sick or no pain anywhere, she’s tossing you aside from the Alpha of the house. When she turns to bite, raise your voice with a firm NO while grabbing the collar with your left hand so you’re basically behind her and your right hand, grab her right hip/leg and put her down on her side to the submission position. Hold her there firmly for a good minute. Yes you need to be fast but trust she will get off her high horse fast. That was my go too when all my dogs tried being alpha. Don’t worry you won’t harm her. EB do have a very powerful chest and neck. Just keep her down and use another firm NO while she’s on her side. You will feel her body submit.