Need some real Bulldog Wisdom

[AHeroesvoice]

Hey everyone,
I’m reaching out because I’m honestly stumped, and I know no one gets bulldogs better than the folks here. I’ve had bulldogs in my life for many years — they’ve been my family, my friends, and my constant company. I probably spend more time with them than with people, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
My newest guy, a 3‑year‑old English bulldog I rescued from the Sonoma County shelter about two months ago, has me scratching my head. His shelter name was “Mika Parsons,” but I renamed him Archie. He’s a Merle bulldog with the spookiest neon blue eyes I’ve ever seen — gorgeous, mysterious, and full of energy.
Now, I’ve got another bulldog at home, Bentley, who’s nine. They get along mostly fine — they have their rough‑and‑tumble moments, but nothing serious. The issue is Archie with visitors. At first, he was just rowdy and pushy when new people came by — jumping up, getting in their space, typical lack‑of‑manners stuff. at the SF SPCA). But lately, it’s escalated.
Archie’s started grabbing at people’s legs — not hard bites, but he jumps high and mouths at the upper thigh or even groin area. It’s happened three times now. No broken skin, but it’s not acceptable, and obviously scary for guests. Oddly, he doesn’t act this way at the park — no jumping, no aggression, nothing. It’s like a switch flips when he’s on home turf. Territorial, maybe? Has anyone here been successful having a dog trainer that stopped a dog from biting?
I’ve tried a citronella collar to interrupt the behavior — it startles him, but doesn’t really stop him for long. I’ve talked to the county shelter; they say they didn’t notice any issues. I find that a bit hard to believe, but here we are.
Archie’s a joy to wake up to, and I don’t want to give up on him. He’s incredibly sweet with me and Bentley, but this behavior’s got to change before someone gets hurt.
So — I’m turning to you all, people who know bulldogs inside and out. Have any of you dealt with this kind of over‑the‑top jumping or leg‑grabbing before? Did you find ways to get through to them safely without breaking their spirit? I know bulldogs can be stubborn, but Archie’s testing my limits, and I really want to do right by him.
Any insights, training tricks, or even stories of similar dogs and what worked for you would mean a lot.
Thanks in advance —Oh and if you're interested to see what I'm talking about copy and paste this link in your browser

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7600919639073361182

Mark (and the boys, Bentley & Archie)

 

[Lennie. U.K.]

Yeah! I had a similar thing with Jeffo, he was a rescue also. If you have a look at my intro thread you will understand more. Having said that its going to be more difficult for you to take Archie back to basics, because of Bentley. At the end of the day it is behavioral / pack intrusion. Archie needs to go right back to basics, sooner rather than later. It only took Jeffo under a month to start something similar, before he seriously went for me, and drew blood, something you don't want to happen. Fast forward 6yrs, Jeffo is a well balanced dog, with no issues. Good luck with Archie.

 

[Lennie. U.K.]

Just looked at the video, that guy is condoning Archie's behaviour. Archie thinks its a game, totally wrong signs for Archie, at that point he is in charge of the situation, and that is something you don't want.

 

[2BullyMama]

Just looked at the video, that guy is condoning Archie's behaviour. Archie thinks its a game, totally wrong signs for Archie, at that point he is in charge of the situation, and that is something you don't want.

Exactly! I thought the same thing.. that video is enforcing the behavior

 

[AHeroesvoice]

Yeah! I had a similar thing with Jeffo, he was a rescue also. If you have a look at my intro thread you will understand more. Having said that its going to be more difficult for you to take Archie back to basics, because of Bentley. At the end of the day it is behavioral / pack intrusion. Archie needs to go right back to basics, sooner rather than later. It only took Jeffo under a month to start something similar, before he seriously went for me, and drew blood, something you don't want to happen. Fast forward 6yrs, Jeffo is a well balanced dog, with no issues. Good luck with Archie.

Thank you for your comment. but I don't know what you mean by going back to basics? Are you trying to say that he should be raised like from a puppy again without another dog around?

 

[AHeroesvoice]

I am losing hope in trying to rehabilitate Archie. My heart won't see it any other way that I should keep him. I'm attached to him as I already can feel the despair from all of a sudden not having him around. Buy my brain is telling me that I still have the chance to stop him from seriously hurting someone along with being sued.

 

[Lennie. U.K.]

Look! you have done the hardest thing, by taking on a rescue dog. all rescue's have issues, and it is usually behaviour related. That video all I saw was Archie having fun, it was a win win situation for him, fun and Boss dog. First you have to stand your ground, you do not run. No! its nothing to do with another dog, (Bentley) This is all about training Archie, to fit in with what you want. You say rehabilitate, what have you tried? You need to give more information and not just the emotional side that you are feeling. I am certain this problem can be fixed, don't give up, take the positives out of the situation, and the main one is he has not bitten anyone. There is a thread on the forum, that I posted on about basics, there are plenty of books available also. Take control and stay on the Forum for support.

 

[Donna-Marie]

I had this and still have some with Freya although she’s come a long way since I brought her home from a rescue 10 months ago.
When people come to your home and Archie starts jumping up does he tend to grab a toy or some object too.? Archie looks to be very excitable and high energy. It takes a long time and consistency like with any training.
This is how my dog trainer taught me and it’s having great results.

Choose somewhere in your home, ( the room visitors will be entering) have something such as if you have a rug or a certain spot he particularly likes - not his bed.
Teach him it’s “place” so you can give the command go to place.When he does treat him.once he understands have him lay down stay etc.

Start having him stay 5-10 seconds first and treat him. Slowly build it up, eventually he will learn when visitors come that’s what to do. Freya does but she’s still at the stage where she’ll soon be up and jumping although times gradually lengthening and she calms down much faster than before.
Your visitors need to play a part too, ask them to let you know when they’ve arrived so you can get him in place then let them in.
He won’t be able to stay there to begin with, when they come in tell him place again he probably won’t go back to it at first.
Ask your visitors not to fuss him, talk to him, make eye contact as that will make him more excited and it’s a game in his mind.
Ask them to use body language such as turning to the side or their back to him . It sounds harsh but it’s how dogs tell each other woah too much mate give me space. Believe me it takes a lot of time, consistency and patience on all involveds part but it works.

Outdoors people do not help! They automatically ooh and ahh and say I don’t mind I love dogs and fuss them! You need to ask them not to as he’s in training and one day someone who’s scared stiff of dogs or a child will mind!

The nipping and wrapping paws around people is also unacceptable behaviour but it’s done from excitement being overwhelmed and playful, not from aggression and it won’t or shouldn’t turn into aggressive biting.
Think of it as a child saying over and over I wanna play mummy I wanna play then turning into sulky bossy you will play with me! Because that’s what he’s doing.
Freya’s at a point outside now when as soon as someone gives her the slightest attention she gets excited then sits tail wagging away waiting for her treat, she seems to prefer treats to turning people into an assault course