I have a 9 month old American Bulldog named Lilly. She's a very stubborn dog. She tends to get a little rough with me and I am wondering if this is normal for the age or if its because I have not had her spayed yet (NO I HAVE NO PLANS OF BREEDING she will be getting fixed). She lunges at me and tries to nip my hands and snarls. It seems like shes playing but I don't like it. I refuse to chase her to catch her at that point because I don't want it to be a game. I've tried turning my back to her and ignoring her, looking at the ceiling with my arms crossed (ended up on the floor) I have tried a can of pennies, squirting her in the face with water, giving her a toy instead of my hand and scruffing her. I've now got her tied her to me. I've tried every kind of bitter spray they had at the pet store and she chews on the leash anyways. She's completed puppy and beginner training and passed with flying colors she walks great with a gentle leader and does every command that I ask of her but as soon as the leash comes off she turns into a freaking demon! I practice NILF, I do not let the dog walk through the door first, I don't let her walk me. I don't free feed and I make her lay before I feed her....I just don't know what to do anymore. Did I do something wrong? I've even tried putting her in time out. Is she dominating me or trying to play with me? How do I get this to stop before she hurts me? I've never had an AB before. I've only had pit bulls and akitas and I have not had this much of a hard time.
My puppy is frustrating me.
Wiltingbutterfly
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I have a 9 month old American Bulldog named Lilly. She's a very stubborn dog. She tends to get a little rough with me and I am wondering if this is normal for the age or if its because I have not had her spayed yet (NO I HAVE NO PLANS OF BREEDING she will be getting fixed). She lunges at me and tries to nip my hands and snarls. It seems like shes playing but I don't like it. I refuse to chase her to catch her at that point because I don't want it to be a game. I've tried turning my back to her and ignoring her, looking at the ceiling with my arms crossed (ended up on the floor) I have tried a can of pennies, squirting her in the face with water, giving her a toy instead of my hand and scruffing her. I've now got her tied her to me. I've tried every kind of bitter spray they had at the pet store and she chews on the leash anyways. She's completed puppy and beginner training and passed with flying colors she walks great with a gentle leader and does every command that I ask of her but as soon as the leash comes off she turns into a freaking demon! I practice NILF, I do not let the dog walk through the door first, I don't let her walk me. I don't free feed and I make her lay before I feed her....I just don't know what to do anymore. Did I do something wrong? I've even tried putting her in time out. Is she dominating me or trying to play with me? How do I get this to stop before she hurts me? I've never had an AB before. I've only had pit bulls and akitas and I have not had this much of a hard time.
If I were you I'd seriously look into some professional training for her. Someone familiar with bulldogs who can help you before she gets out of control. Bulldogs can be very stubborn...that's one of my AB's endearing qualities! :lol: They can also be very dominant and if you don't know how to handle a dominant dog you could be in alot of trouble. Best of luck!
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Lilly is in training. We haven't been for a few weeks but will be taking the next set of classes. She's great when she's at training but she's a totally different dog in the house with me off of her leash. I had a trainer that used to come in and work with me and the pit bull I used to have and it was great! I've had the trainer here a couple of times with Lilly and the things that she wanted do were the same things we did with the pit bull. Those things don't work on this dog. I'm having a very hard time finding a trainer that has a lot of experience with American Bulldogs in my area.Kasco said:
It doesn't have to be a trainer that specializes in AB's, just find one that deals with these types of issues. It sounds like she is trying to dominate you, or should I say she is dominating you. I know a girl that has a Doberman that acts just like your dog; her dog is 2 years old and still dominates her because she didn't seek help. I'm not sure how available trainers are near you but look for one that deals with dogs with behavioral problems. Does she get lots of exercise? This could also be cause by anxiety due to boredom.Wiltingbutterfly said:
I would say... wear her out at LEAST one time a day. If she is constantly making a game of you and your reactions to her pushy behavior, she needs a good run, a flirt pole and just to be worn out to no end. If she is mentally spent, I bet her antics would subside.
It sounds like you know what you are doing with her, and have done alot of research on behavior.
But.. if it seems like she is being aggressive to you, then after all you have tried, a professional evaluation and training is in order.
It sounds like you know what you are doing with her, and have done alot of research on behavior.
But.. if it seems like she is being aggressive to you, then after all you have tried, a professional evaluation and training is in order.
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Agreed. I guess I will try to keep her out longer at night. I already take her out every night for atleast an hour and she gets to run. During the day I play fetch and stuff and continue working on her skills like watch me and all those other ones but I can't really run her until the evening since I stay home and take care of my two year old twins. Its like she's getting too excited when she gets off of her leash.CowBella said:
Maybe she needs a 'job' to do. Some dogs have excess mental energy and that needs to be worked as much as they do physically. I know that the big pet store chains carry doggie back packs, where you can put bottled water in it for weight, not for working her out, but for her to know the pack is there, and for her to focus some of her attention to the pack while you walk her on a lead. On a big girl like yours, 4-6 bottles of water is plenty of weight. Just make sure the pack is good quality, and won't chaff her.Wiltingbutterfly said:
Also, some advanced OB work my help her, and reinforce your dominant position.
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That back pack is a GREAT idea! I think I'll try that next. She's going to be starting a more advanced training class in a few weeks. I think its important to have them in training because its good for social skills and keeping them busy. I've certainly noticed that she's been acting up since when haven't been going.CowBella said:
My now 8 month old AB did that for about 1 month when he was 6 months old. Training was well and he was great on the leash as well. I went to a local dog behaviorist and told them the problems as well. I have been around ABs quite a bit on relatives farms, but only owned a rescue once before that never gave me the problems, but I did know part of it was because of an attempt to dominate. One thing though is that when using the squirt bottle technique, the behaviorist said not to squirt in the face because many times they think you are playing. Instead they said to ignore (while still having in sight,as not to get knocked over by surprise), and to instead squirt in back of head while saying NO quite loudly. That way the surprise is turned on them and they also know you are the "Alpha". Another thing they recommended is to squirt A little diluted vinegar in their mouths when nipping or biting. Some of it is also just aggressive play,as they are still pups. Like Cowbella said, exercise like crazy. I always know when Gunnar needs more because he starts to play rougher. I thought I was giving plenty of exercise also by a two mile walk every day and the other three to four walks before he is down to sleep,let alone his flirt pole. But as Cowbella also suggested and the behaviorist, I got saddle bags and added a little weight every other day, and that seems to work great for keeping his energy level down more. ABs are stubborn and not all things work the same with other dogs, but I feel your pain,lol. Great advice from the other posters and I would absolutely try some of those things, but would look for someone with behavior secialty also. Good luck and don't give up because Abs also like to have a "job" and pleasing you is one of their jobs.
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What's too young to join a behavior class?
I had some of the same problems with my pup. He would try to dominate us too but i learned most of his lunges and open mouth comming at us was just show! If my son and i reacted he would latch down not hard but hard enough too feel it. If we didn't react he would go on about his bussiness. It can be quite intimidating but stand your ground and show the dog you have no fear of them and they will respect you as leader. My pup still try's me from time to time but he know's i'm gonna win everytime so he just get's discouraged and find's something else to do. Another thing i'll do when he's nipping at the feet i'll just start walking briskly at him and he decide's maybe it's not a great idea for him.
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I didn't start until my puppy had all of her shots. I'm really anal about that because I once bought a puppy from the pound and took her to the vet right after I brought her home. She had kennel cough-NO BIG DEAL! Then she ended up with parvo 3 days later (I never once took her out of my home)...nursed her through that to have her start having seizures-she had distemper. It was one of the most horrible things I've ever had to be a part of. So, my puppy didn't start behavior classes until she was complete on her shots. Oh and get this- I had to call the board of supervisors to get my $$$ back. The pound sold me a dead dog and all I wanted back was the $6o I paid for her-not the hundreds of dollars I had spent trying to fix her-they refused but after calling the board I got a check in the mail. :x I'll never ever get a puppy from there again.Aussiephoenix said:
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