[JarheadNYC]

I'm a new owner of an English bulldog that has a bit of a mean streak, I have had many different dogs but never a bulldog and I can tell they are a breed of their own. I have had him three weeks I cannot tell you his background since I got him through a friend of a friend. I’m guessing he was abused by his previous owner so I have taking that into consideration while training him. So far I can tell he is very possessive over his toys he attempted to bite me twice already and I wasn't even trying to take his toy I was just too close for his liking. He went on showing of his teeth & growling since then I will not allow him to go without a collar. My wife and children on the other hand are very overly cautious when I'm not around and are scared of the dog. He allows me to pet him while he eats and move his bowl and move around him. At times he does not like to go into his crate but he will when rewarded. He does not interact with other dogs to well so I do not let him play with others until I have more faith in him. I have spent quite a bit of money at the vet to get him all his shots and miscellaneous medications for skin & ear problems but I'm beginning to wonder if he will ever be a house pet. I'm turning to you guys & gals in the forum for advice, before going to get a professional trainer involved.

 

[angie7349]

Get the book SO your dog isn't Lassie........it has a lot of tips for stubborn/dominate dogs............It sounds like he thinks that he is the Alpha and you, your wife, and kids have to take control.
Take all of his toys and food away from him. Do not let him have any of them until he has preformed a command (Sit, Stay, Lay) whatever you like. Start feeding him from your hands and have the other family members do the same. He has to learn that all the goodies and needs come you. Take a look at the NILF thread it is a sticky in the training section...Warm wishes, Angie

 

[Puregrover]

my people have diffrent opions on this subject what i do is if they come at me i put them in to a submisive position stand over them to show domnace and if they get real nasty i bite them sometimes hard is verry dangerous cause u can get bit and hold them there till they become submisive i have recued a few dogs in my days with this problem and this method works for me but like i siad some people will agree with me and some wont just keep trying diffrent things

 

[angie7349]

When Tora was a puppy I did Alpha rolls, now she is cool with it. I can do whatever I like to her and she just chills...I can pet her while she eats I can take the bowl while she eats, she just waits, no problem doing her nails, I can put my hands in her mouth, whatever she just chills. Alpha rolls are effective IMO, but I agree they are very risky on an older dog!!! If you are concerned with bites the NILF is an softer less dangerous way.

 

[mnp13]

my people have diffrent opions on this subject what i do is if they come at me i put them in to a submisive position stand over them to show domnace and if they get real nasty i bite them sometimes hard is verry dangerous cause u can get bit and hold them there till they become submisive i have recued a few dogs in my days with this problem and this method works for me but like i siad some people will agree with me and some wont just keep trying diffrent things

If you stand over him as you decribe, you could end up with a bite to the thigh or lower leg. This dog is already a biter, do not try to dominate him or you will have a SERIOUS struggle on your hands.

The other common dominance move is called an alpha roll and is VERY VERY dangerous. The dog has proven it is a biter, and your face will be his prime target while you pin him down. If he bites you in the neck you could easily receive a fatal wound. A facial bite could perminantly disfigure you.

Meeting dominance with dominace creates more dominance struggles. I have an extremely dominant dog. I have had to prove my leadership by strict obedience. If I try to man handle him he fights me and I end up with more problems than I started with.

I agree that NILIF is a good idea, but keep your wife and kids away from the dog until you are confident you can handle him safely. Keep him in a crate unless you are working him. Fear breeds aggression - and I can guarentee you that your wife and child are encouraging him to continue to bully them.

 

[Puregrover]

i agree with what everyone is saying my way is extreamily dangeros and not for the ill hareted or an inexperanced handler but if u konw what u are doing this method can work wonders sometimes an agressive dog needs an agressive handler if the dog is proprely held in the submisive poss ther is verry littel cance u will get bit but is possable

 

[mnp13]

It isn't safe for ANYONE, even an experienced handler. If you underestimate a dog (and that happens to even the MOST experienced handler/trainer) you are in a world of trouble. If you have to go to such extremes to get a dog under control you need to learn more about handling and training.

You offered that idea as a possible solution - to someone who has no idea how to deal with his dog. What on earth would have led you to believe that the OP was anywhere near "experienced" enough to do such a dangerous thing?

Dominating a dog is not training a dog. I prefer to have strong, confident dogs, not ones that roll over when they see me coming.

 

[Puregrover]

dogs need to follow not lead

 

[msvette2u]

It isn't safe for ANYONE, even an experienced handler. If you underestimate a dog (and that happens to even the MOST experienced handler/trainer) you are in a world of trouble. If you have to go to such extremes to get a dog under control you need to learn more about handling and training.

You offered that idea as a possible solution - to someone who has no idea how to deal with his dog. What on earth would have led you to believe that the OP was anywhere near "experienced" enough to do such a dangerous thing?

Dominating a dog is not training a dog. I prefer to have strong, confident dogs, not ones that roll over when they see me coming.

I agree - the dog has already bitten. Trying to bite it back isn't going to work and is downright stupid, definately not a training method any professional would ever recommend.

 

[OrsonDogge]

I say just go to training classes...private ones are best.
He will be able to learn the ground rules there.

 

[Puregrover]

like i said is verry danderous and not for all dogs in this situation but dose work in some cases just remember u are the leader not him he needs to be put in his place and be taught a lesson and corected when this behabior comes out

 

[JarheadNYC]

Thank you for your responses

Just to let you know a little about me I did participate in a K-9 program a few years ago where we used primarily German Shepard’s and Belgian Malinois. Since I started to have temperament issues with my new bulldog I have contacted my trainer. He enlightened me on my new choice of the breed of dog I chose and explained the difference of being a trained handler of well trained dogs, and it's a different world trying to train them. He has confidence I can get the obedience training done alone but has offered his services if needed. I have read the NILIF sticky and I found it to be quite helpful. I never tried to just ignore a dog craving for attention and it seems to work, no more telling him "no" or "get down" it seems to be slowly working. I also tried the "alpha rolls" but my wife will not be doing this anytime soon, both her and the children are gradually accepting the dog but are still very cautious. Like I stated before I have lot to learn about bulldog breeds and I can tell by your responses you’re just the people that will be able to assist. When possible I will attempt to send pictures of my bulldog, thanks again for your assistance.

 

[Puregrover]

good luck with everything

 

[JarheadNYC]

Thanks again for your assistance

Here's my first attempts to post pictures of my tempermental bulldog!

 

[Puregrover]

what a good looking boy

 

[bigut64]

i dont see the boy

 

[Lisa]

Why are you assuming he was abused?? :?

 

[credit]

my people have diffrent opions on this subject what i do is if they come at me i put them in to a submisive position stand over them to show domnace and if they get real nasty i bite them sometimes hard is verry dangerous cause u can get bit and hold them there till they become submisive i have recued a few dogs in my days with this problem and this method works for me but like i siad some people will agree with me and some wont just keep trying diffrent things

If you stand over him as you decribe, you could end up with a bite to the thigh or lower leg. This dog is already a biter, do not try to dominate him or you will have a SERIOUS struggle on your hands.

The other common dominance move is called an alpha roll and is VERY VERY dangerous. The dog has proven it is a biter, and your face will be his prime target while you pin him down. If he bites you in the neck you could easily receive a fatal wound. A facial bite could perminantly disfigure you.

Meeting dominance with dominace creates more dominance struggles. I have an extremely dominant dog. I have had to prove my leadership by strict obedience. If I try to man handle him he fights me and I end up with more problems than I started with.

I agree that NILIF is a good idea, but keep your wife and kids away from the dog until you are confident you can handle him safely. Keep him in a crate unless you are working him. Fear breeds aggression - and I can guarentee you that your wife and child are encouraging him to continue to bully them.

is this just your opinion or did you read this nonesense somewhere if so please site the book because it sounds completey and uterly ridiculous

 

[the BIG&thelittle]

I, personaly, don't do alpha rolls..even the monks who started it are now saying don't do it.
I saw a man end up almost dead doing it .
An instructer took a male akita down onto the floor and rolled him, then holding him by the coller, he stepped over him. the dog came up so fast and bit him in the groin, got his fermal artery. He darn near bled out before we got it stopped and the medics came.
scared the hell out of me.. i'd never do it ..ever.

 

[msvette2u]

I, personaly, don't do alpha rolls..even the monks who started it are now saying don't do it.
I saw a man end up almost dead doing it .
An instructer took a male akita down onto the floor and rolled him, then holding him by the coller, he stepped over him. the dog came up so fast and bit him in the groin, got his fermal artery. He darn near bled out before we got it stopped and the medics came.
scared the hell out of me.. i'd never do it ..ever.

Great post - and great point. Ouch. Femoral arteries are nothing to tinker with and a horrible place, I'm sure, to get bitten.
I agree - Alpha rolls have been proven to be quite dangerous - I think a professional trainer is a good way to go and also the NILIF, to the MAX to get this dog back under control. Jarhead, you've seen that ignoring the dog works wonders, just continue with the NILIF and see if you can find a good trainer who doesn't alpha roll!