Our sweet Bully pup has turned aggressive! Please help!

[SadieSloane]

Hi Everyone! My name is Jason, I’m new to the forum and this is my first post. I’ve wanted to join this forum for months now for tips and and learning but after this past weekend definitely need some community advice!

My family and I have an English Bulldog (only pet) named Sadie we got from a breeder just before Thanksgiving last year and she was about 2 months at the time so approx 9.5 months or so now. Overall she has been a great pup, super sweet, calm temperament and even our vet said from early on how chill she is for a bulldog.

For some quick home life context, we are a family of 6 with 4 children ranging from 6 to 15. Sadie is I’d say mostly if not fully potty trained and we use bells by the door which she still picks and chooses when she actually wants to use. We trust her quite a bit with potty training but she still chews and destroys things when unattended so we don’t give her full roam over the house. She sleeps in a crate at night and we have a large sized pen we put her in for a couple hours here and there if for example we are out running an errand, or doing yard work etc and can’t keep eyes on her. She really doesn’t mind the crate or the pen and hasn’t seemed to be an issue until recently.

I’d say concerns started 6 weeks or so ago and was originally around the pen. The first incident happened when she bit one of my kids hands when she tried to greet and pet Sadie while she was in her pen. We thought maybe it was just a territorial thing over the pen so instructed the kids not to put hands inside the pen or “invade” her space while in there. Since then, Sadie has stayed at the in laws a couple times where we have been out of town on vacation where they have 4 dogs. It seems like since coming back to our home she’s gotten way worse. I’m not sure what happened there if she became aggressive or extremely territorial but she’s now biting the kids at times for no apparent reason. And this isn’t just puppy biting, this is clearly out of aggression, frustration or something.

A week or so ago, I had to intervene and firmly pull her off my 6 year old daughter who was just playing with her on the kitchen floor and she out of nowhere lunged at her and bit her with a very aggressive growl. It was certainly not playful.

This last 4th of July weekend was absolutely brutal. She was a nightmare. We had some of my family come visit us which consisted of 2 adults, and 2 teens. We did have her in her pen more than usual on Saturday as we were out at the pool, and out of the house doing 4th stuff. Over the course of the day she attacked/bit 5-6 people including both my nephews, 2 of my kids and a neighbor kid that I’m aware of. She was very aggressive when anyone came near her in her pen. After she bit my son very bad in the hand I put her in her crate and pretty much didn’t let her out until all the family left. It was a very hard weekend for us and my kids are devastated at the way she acted and quite honestly I’m now scared to have her around the kids unattended. I don’t even know where to begin outside of hiring a behavioral therapist which I’m dreading. If anyone has any ideas on what could be going on I would sincerely appreciate the input! Our girl was so sweet and now even I feel like I have to walk on egg shells with her. I’m sure there is much more info I can provide to help with answers so let me know! Thanks in advance

 

[2BullyMama2]

Has she drawn blood with the biting?

You have to get a trainer… she is looking for and needs a strong leader as well as more structure.

We had a similar situation with our female bulldog, at around 6 mths old… we sent her to a boot camp for a week then the trainer came to our house to train us on how to read, direct, and control her. After a free months our Banks became a well behaved dog BUT we had to constantly be on her to ensure she remained good. She ended up being amazing with children and puppies but never took to other adults dogs.

Get a trainer while she is still young.

 

[SadieSloane]

Has she drawn blood with the biting?

You have to get a trainer… she is looking for and needs a strong leader as well as more structure.

We had a similar situation with our female bulldog, at around 6 mths old… we sent her to a boot camp for a week then the trainer came to our house to train us on how to read, direct, and control her. After a free months our Banks became a well behaved dog BUT we had to constantly be on her to ensure she remained good. She ended up being amazing with children and puppies but never took to other adults dogs.

Get a trainer while she is still young.

Thank you for the reply. No I wouldn’t say any of the bites have drawn blood. At least to the point we’ve been concerned about the actual wounds. None needing medical attention etc. Most the bites have just looked like very deep scratches and probably the worst was my sons hand the night of the 4th with 4-5 very distinct teeth gashes in his palm but not deep enough to really bleed hard.

Yes we agree 100% a trainer/behavioral therapist is needed and we will get one asap but the other part of the story is we are being hit with a lot all at once! We are currently dealing with the loss of a family member so will be out of town a few days this week but will hopefully get back to some sense of normalcy next week. Was really hoping to at least figure out a good solution in the interim so I’m not afraid for my kids. Good news is, since our family left on Sunday and we are back to just my family in the house she’s been good. No aggressive issues but I know we still need to address them asap. I’ve been wondering if the pen is part of the problem? Since a lot of her aggression seems to be around her in the pen should we just get rid of it all together? Was just thinking of eliminating as many things she could be territorial over but .

 

[2BullyMama2]

Thank you for the reply. No I wouldn’t say any of the bites have drawn blood. At least to the point we’ve been concerned about the actual wounds. None needing medical attention etc. Most the bites have just looked like very deep scratches and probably the worst was my sons hand the night of the 4th with 4-5 very distinct teeth gashes in his palm but not deep enough to really bleed hard.

Yes we agree 100% a trainer/behavioral therapist is needed and we will get one asap but the other part of the story is we are being hit with a lot all at once! We are currently dealing with the loss of a family member so will be out of town a few days this week but will hopefully get back to some sense of normalcy next week. Was really hoping to at least figure out a good solution in the interim so I’m not afraid for my kids. Good news is, since our family left on Sunday and we are back to just my family in the house she’s been good. No aggressive issues but I know we still need to address them asap. I’ve been wondering if the pen is part of the problem? Since a lot of her aggression seems to be around her in the pen should we just get rid of it all together? Was just thinking of eliminating as many things she could be territorial over but .

It is possible that she is overstimulated and senses the stress of the rest of the family and is reacting either way you don’t want her napping, biting or snapping at the children or anyone else. She will lose her bite inhibition which she won’t get back.

Also, if you’re not doing it you should be.. all humans in home follow same rules/commands with her… use training technique called “nothing in life is free”. Very easy to use and follow.

She is in what I call teenage rebellion years… you have to let her know you are boss not her.

An in home trainer is an immediate necessity

 

[Lennie. U.K.65]

If I was in your position, it would be boot camp. I was in a similar situation 6yrs ago with Jeffo, with the exception there was no kids involved. Read my second post on the Forum, for more info on that. This could turn out to be a serious situation, do not leave this to chance were kids or anyone else for that matter, are involved around her. Also find out exactly what happened at the in-laws, because something did. as for the pen that was my first thought, to remove it, I'm also assuming that she is not in pain and been checked over by the Vet. these dogs are strong willed, the dog fits in with your lifestyle, she does not control you kids or anyone else. Good luck! and keep in touch, let us know what is going on, and tell the kids to be careful.

 

[2BullyMama2]

@oscarmayer

 

[Donna-Marie1]

Hi Everyone! My name is Jason, I’m new to the forum and this is my first post. I’ve wanted to join this forum for months now for tips and and learning but after this past weekend definitely need some community advice!

My family and I have an English Bulldog (only pet) named Sadie we got from a breeder just before Thanksgiving last year and she was about 2 months at the time so approx 9.5 months or so now. Overall she has been a great pup, super sweet, calm temperament and even our vet said from early on how chill she is for a bulldog.

For some quick home life context, we are a family of 6 with 4 children ranging from 6 to 15. Sadie is I’d say mostly if not fully potty trained and we use bells by the door which she still picks and chooses when she actually wants to use. We trust her quite a bit with potty training but she still chews and destroys things when unattended so we don’t give her full roam over the house. She sleeps in a crate at night and we have a large sized pen we put her in for a couple hours here and there if for example we are out running an errand, or doing yard work etc and can’t keep eyes on her. She really doesn’t mind the crate or the pen and hasn’t seemed to be an issue until recently.

I’d say concerns started 6 weeks or so ago and was originally around the pen. The first incident happened when she bit one of my kids hands when she tried to greet and pet Sadie while she was in her pen. We thought maybe it was just a territorial thing over the pen so instructed the kids not to put hands inside the pen or “invade” her space while in there. Since then, Sadie has stayed at the in laws a couple times where we have been out of town on vacation where they have 4 dogs. It seems like since coming back to our home she’s gotten way worse. I’m not sure what happened there if she became aggressive or extremely territorial but she’s now biting the kids at times for no apparent reason. And this isn’t just puppy biting, this is clearly out of aggression, frustration or something.

A week or so ago, I had to intervene and firmly pull her off my 6 year old daughter who was just playing with her on the kitchen floor and she out of nowhere lunged at her and bit her with a very aggressive growl. It was certainly not playful.

This last 4th of July weekend was absolutely brutal. She was a nightmare. We had some of my family come visit us which consisted of 2 adults, and 2 teens. We did have her in her pen more than usual on Saturday as we were out at the pool, and out of the house doing 4th stuff. Over the course of the day she attacked/bit 5-6 people including both my nephews, 2 of my kids and a neighbor kid that I’m aware of. She was very aggressive when anyone came near her in her pen. After she bit my son very bad in the hand I put her in her crate and pretty much didn’t let her out until all the family left. It was a very hard weekend for us and my kids are devastated at the way she acted and quite honestly I’m now scared to have her around the kids unattended. I don’t even know where to begin outside of hiring a behavioral therapist which I’m dreading. If anyone has any ideas on what could be going on I would sincerely appreciate the input! Our girl was so sweet and now even I feel like I have to walk on egg shells with her. I’m sure there is much more info I can provide to help with answers so let me know! Thanks in advance

Definitely with the others a trainer will be able to help. Have you considered muzzle training her, you can buy soft mesh ones. Nobody likes the idea of them but you have to consider your children and other people too.
She needs some very strict boundaries in place. She’s still a puppy and some puppies get more over excited and overwhelmed and when that happens can react in different ways, they get so ramped up and don’t know when to put the breaks on. They can also become reactive if they’re not stopped and distracted straight away.
It might help to train her to have a “place” to go to (not her bed) it could be a rug or anything really. Start by teaching her what “place” is give her high value treats as soon as she goes, then gradually build it up 5 seconds, 10 seconds, etc giving a treat each time.
Each time someone visits ask them to notify you before they enter tell her place ask people to act calmly ignore her, turn their back and stay upright, basically to be the dominant one. Walk into her space not her into theirs. If trying to manoeuvre her into a different area walk into her side the direction you want her to go. if she comes close give no verbal communication or eye contact at all. If she moves away then praise and give her a treat calmly.
I personally when knowing visitors were coming would put her in a harness with a double bungee lead or if short notice a slip lead.
In regards to your children you already know never leave them alone together, all I can suggest is let them go about their day as usual but no playing with or exciting your dog. That’s why when possible as horrible as it seems use a mesh muzzle , your dog knows they are the most vulnerable, chances are she’s pushing her boundaries and there’s a good chance she’s about to come into her first season at her age ….they get hormonal just like us women . It made Freya more aggressive and the same for a while after been spayed.
All the best. You will get there bully’s are big softies and pretty placid at heart. They can be very stubborn and easily distracted at times which is when you need to jump in and curb it .
But she’s very young still and a good trainer will assess her and teach you the best way for your girl.

 

[SadieSloane]

Thank you all for your feedback! It’s definitely much appreciated. Admittedly since this original post we haven’t really done much in the way of a trainer yet but definitely plan to asap. We’ve just had a lot going on lately with a death in the family, being out of town a few days for that, car drama etc it’s just unfortunately been on the back burner but hopefully by next week we will get back into our routine and have some normalcy and start looking into trainers. As an update, we really have had zero issues since my original post. It’s very bizarre. Not sure how she goes from being a literal nightmare to near angel over the last 1.5 week or so. Granted we have instructed the kids not to get down on the floor to her level, put hands close to her mouth or get near her pen etc but she’s really been super chill ever since. I really don’t understand it but definitely don’t think that was isolated behavior and she has some underlying stuff going on we need to figure out. Lately as much as we can we’ve just tried to wear her out with walks and exercise and limit outside visitors until we get her trained but things have been good recently. Will keep everyone posted. Thank you again!

 

[2BullyMama2]

Thank you all for your feedback! It’s definitely much appreciated. Admittedly since this original post we haven’t really done much in the way of a trainer yet but definitely plan to asap. We’ve just had a lot going on lately with a death in the family, being out of town a few days for that, car drama etc it’s just unfortunately been on the back burner but hopefully by next week we will get back into our routine and have some normalcy and start looking into trainers. As an update, we really have had zero issues since my original post. It’s very bizarre. Not sure how she goes from being a literal nightmare to near angel over the last 1.5 week or so. Granted we have instructed the kids not to get down on the floor to her level, put hands close to her mouth or get near her pen etc but she’s really been super chill ever since. I really don’t understand it but definitely don’t think that was isolated behavior and she has some underlying stuff going on we need to figure out. Lately as much as we can we’ve just tried to wear her out with walks and exercise and limit outside visitors until we get her trained but things have been good recently. Will keep everyone posted. Thank you again!

Yes.. please keep us posted. All the activity in the home and your stress may have contributed to some of this, but I still believe a Trainor is necessary.

 

[Donna-Marie1]

How have things been in the last few weeks?