Sudden agression at 6 months towards family members
We have a 6 month old male neutered bull terrier that we purchased from an AKC breeder.
In the past month, he has become suddenly agressive and will snap and try to bite. It is usually while he is resting or laying in the floor. Today we were sitting at the table talking with no food and he jumped out of the floor and try to bite at our daughter who was not having any contact with him. The other more serious times he was laying in the floor and one of the kids would walk by to the kitchen and he would jump and snap.
We have had him out and socialized him with other people and dogs. So far he has not been agressive only at home. We are working with him on simple obedience and are starting an obedience bahavior training class this week. The only other time he reacts unusual if we have him in the car to go to the convienence store and someone walks by the car he gets very aggitated. If you sit with him and hold him, he calms down and is fine.
We can't have him agressively biting. It is not the usual puppy mouthy terrier tendency.
We need help!
Comments
That doesn't sound like normal behavior for a Bull Terrier at all. How was the temperamant and character of the parents? Did you get to spend sufficient time with both parents? Where does your 6 month puppy stay during the day? Is he kenneled often? If so, for how long?
During any episode of negative behavior he needs to be disciplined in a manner that he truly understands that his actions aren't excepted or tolerated.
My concern is that he snapped at your daughter for no reason.
A few months ago we had another person post a very simular topic about their puppy acting the same way. Here's a link to the other post which may provide more information on the topic as well.
http://www.bulliesofnc.com/BTforum/discussion/89/brutus-nipping-aggression#Item_33
"It's not just a Dog, it's a Bull Terrier!"
www.bulliesofnc.com
We walk/run with him daily. He is never kenneled more than 3 hours other than at night when he is sleeping. The breeders haven't had any problems with their own dogs and they actively play with their own children and family members.
He didn't exhibit any agression until about a month ago. It's worse at night. It's like something has snapped in his head.
Once again, Did you spend some time with the parents to note their temperment or did the breeders just tell you they were good dogs?
I apologize for asking the same question twice. However, lately I'm seeing more and more backyard breeders popping up all over causing a lot of problems within the breed in regard to temperament, health, and quality.
The aggression as you describe it sounds phychological. Some of the key questions asked above by both Danielle and myself weren't answered which raises concerns. One of the first thoughts that go through my head on a situation like this is wondering what the breeders told you in response to your concern. However, this is assuming you contacted them.
Aggression is probably one of the hardest things to provide advice and assistance on because there's never enough information that provides a good picture of the dogs current all around behavior and temperament, how is raised, how the parents were raised, and what their bloodlines were.
Two different dogs could snap or show aggression and one of them is doing it out of bad habbit without true aggression and another is showing signs of true aggression with the capabilities to inflict serious injury.
At 6 months of age your puppy shouldn't have courage or lack the discipline to challenge you or your family with aggression or dominance. In the event he's standing his ground with aggression and unable to be calmed after he's scolded for bad behavior you've got a big problem and one that may get worse as he get's into his adulthood and gains more confidence within himself and dominance issues only esculate. How is he with other dogs? Does he play nicely or immediately initiate a fight?
Do you have the capabilities to video and share his current behavior?
"It's not just a Dog, it's a Bull Terrier!"
www.bulliesofnc.com
Parents are not agressive and live in the house with the family with small children. The parents were friendly and playful. Have talked with the breeders since and they have not seen any of the same behaviors we are seeing now in the parents.
I have been reading and watched videos about the SOA and it doesn't appear this is what he is doing because he has not been sleeping the two times he became very agressive. The only thing that is similar to SOA is that if he is asleep and gets startled he will jump and bark at first.
Could be just a rare occasion where he happened to be born with some phychological issues. However, those issues could pose problems especially with children in the house. What were the thoughts from the breeder?
Unfortunitely there's no miracle cure that will stop his aggression without constant training. He may also require an assessment by a trained Vet that can assess his behavior.
If it were me and I seen any form of dominance or aggression from a dog that resided in my household I'd let him know right away his actions wouldn't be tolerated and ensure he knew he wasn't the alpha male. He shouldn't feel as though he can growl, snap, or show aggression without recoil and consequences.
At the young age of 6 months old he's only in the beginning stages of his confidence levels and aggression could esculate. His negative actions need to be haulted now before they get worse.
"It's not just a Dog, it's a Bull Terrier!"
www.bulliesofnc.com
make him wait for his food
wait before going in and out of door ways
no special privileges, no couches, no beds, no extra freedom
you may just need to get strict on this dog as he is not respecting your children, not respecting his family. He may need a whole new set of rules, you may have to start teaching him new commands, get hard on his training. If possible with time and money, invest in a trainer who has worked with bullie breeds and enlist there help and training. And I am a FIRM believer in NEVER neutering a dog or spaying a female early, i actually think it causes problems, its just my opinion, i see more of these problems in altered dogs i dont know why...We cant fix a dog over the internet, if you were local I could help you, but all we can do is point you in the right direction. If possible too, raise your children's authority in the dog, have your children feed him, making him wait before being allowed to eat, this type of thing can make the child appear more dominant over him and make him respect them more.
You did right in getting mad as hell at him for his actions and hopefully he got the message loud and clear that you were unhappy with his actions. I think if it was one of my Bullies I would have whacked the hell out him while I was shouting at him.
I recommend getting him checked for an injury that may be worse than you imagine. I've seen young BT's barely limping with fractured bones. They crutch it a little but they'll cope with the pain and the pain itself will put them on edge and cause a negative temperament.
He's at the adolescent age right now where he's learning dominance. He has no idea where he stacks up and some will test their boundaries with people as well as other dogs. Most often BT's loose their negative attitudes as they mature but those that aren't trained correctly can become problematic. Your immediate correction was perfect and well warranted.
His lack of appetite, spunk, and positive character all stem around something that is bothering him. Most likely an injury and dealing with pain and discomfort. Can you imagine having a sunburned back and walking around during the day like everything is normal but not exactly your normal self due to dealing with the discomfort all day? Can you imagine your reaction when some kid came up to you playfully and slapped you on the back? Chances are your reaction wouldn't be the norm.
I recommend that you have your dog checked for an injury that may require pain meds and other treatment.
"It's not just a Dog, it's a Bull Terrier!"
www.bulliesofnc.com
"It's not just a Dog, it's a Bull Terrier!"
www.bulliesofnc.com
I love Zerletts post: and her LIST: Excerpt here: " ...... Ways to reestablish dominance in the house is;
make him wait for his food
wait before going in and out of door ways '
no special privileges, no couches, no beds, no extra freedom "
I would add to this something that people don't think about much when "Leadership" is a problem in the home...well, Lack Of Leadership... when walking your furkid. Always when you WALK your dog, you must be the one in front! If you are behind your dog, you are a follower, NOT the leader!
IMHO its the WAY we walk our dogs that is so taken for granted and we need to rethink this if there are troubles and the furkid is getting ideas of being a King or Queen of the Realm. Walk your Bullykid and do so by stepping right OUT, no fooling around by letting him/her stop and smell everything. You decide when you both stop and let Bullykid potty and you pick the spot!
Then continue your walk and get going with no lolly-gagging about! Be brisk with dog at your side or behind. I was asked some time ago(ACD Forum), what about having two furkids? You can walk them as a "TEAM, side by side, OR you may teach one of them to ESCORT by walking on your opposite side. This is quite a bit of fun once you add in TURNS, SITS, STAYS etc.
Piece a cake! LOL Sonja & Pumba
There is some doubt this afternoon Phil! My new rehomed Bully Girl Brookyn came with her owner, the 11 yr old son and the very nice lady, Lynda Ruiz Bully Rep. We spent 3 !/2 hours going all over this 2 acres and in and out of the house getting acquainted and after giving her some special treats out of my pocket she thought I was the cat's meow! LOL Well, maybe she just thought my pocket was the Cat;s Meow!
Anyway we became fast friends in a hurry. IT's 5:30PM now everyone has gone home and its just me, Pumba and Brooklyn who is sacked out in her crate while I have my dinner.
She is exhausted. Not in the least used to being confined on a leash either! She tried bounding over the big recliner to get it established that she could do what she wanted..that did not work, so she tried jumping clear over my head from the floor!! ... as I sat there on the couch and that did not work either! LOL
She has tried to jump on both end tables and the coffee table all to no avail. She has a lot to think about! LOL She learned to go in and out all three of my dog doors in about 10 minutes! A very smart girl!
So it will be a struggle for awhile but she'll get it. I can hardly wait until bedtime as she is used to sleeping between the sheets, under the covers with her owner! ROFL!!! But until she earns it, she will sleep in her Ex Pen with her afghans and quilts. Have a great week everyone! Sonja, Pumba & Brooklyn