Puppy Aggression

BulliesofNC

This discussion was created from comments split from: I need Help!!.

Brocker

Hello all. I have been following this board for about 3 months now and I have had my dog for 5 weeks. I have owned and been arround pit bulls my whole life. So I though I knew what to expect when I brought my mini home @ 8 weeks. I was wrong. One thing I have noticed is that pit bulls want to please their owners while bull terrier want to please themselves.

Brocker

I am going through some true aggression problems. Not just normal puppy stuff. I have had to pry the jaws of my puppy off of one of my dogs on 3 different occasions. I have 3 dogs, a 80 pound 13 year old pit, a 30 pound 10 year old French bulldog, and now my little 13 week 13 lb mini demon. The mini trys to dominate the frenchie, and now the Frenchie is scared of the puppy. The puppy takes advantage of this and terrorizes him. As long as the Frenchie avoids the puppys antics Everthing is fine, but when he tries to defend himself, all he'll breaks loose. The puppy tries to harass the pit bull, but after the pit bull has had enough, he let's him know. The puppy respects the pit bull, but seems to want to hurt and dominate the Frenchie. It has gotten pretty bad and I am just looking for advice. My wife and I just read "When Pigs Fly" and we are in the process of training him with those methods.

Brocker

Here is Brother Thelonious. 13 weeks and 13 lbs.

BulliesofNC

Sounds like he needs some training and discipline. Bull Terrier puppies are often very annoying and rambunctious to other dogs.
Each Bull Terrier has different temperaments too so it's hard to compare one to another based on photos.

Neil

And he's just sat there with that look on his face like butter wouldn't melt in his mouth.
Beautiful looking pup.

Brocker

Thanks for the comments. We have upped his training to at least 2 hours a day. He also gets all of his food via frozen kongs. I have experience with dog on dog agression, but never with such a young dog. His age makes it hard to use the corrections i have used in the past on older dogs. It is a work in progress, but I have no problem dedicating 2 hours or more a day for training. My wife and I are going to start dedicating some time each day training the Frenchie and young Theo at the same time. Hopefully this will translate to them realizing they have to accept each other.

corey90260

Good Luck ! It took us about 6 months before we saw a significant change. Mackenzie will be 2 in Oct. and when I look back to when we first got her I can't believe how much she has changed. If it continues like this by the time she is 3 maybe 4 she is going to be amazing ... Gotta LOVE a Bull Terrier

Brocker

Theo still has it in his mind that my Frenchie must die. Starting today, he will be tethered to me via harness and leash accept for feeding, training, crate, and outside in my fenced yard. I'm hoping this will teach him how to interact Arround the French bulldog and allow me to be in control of all situations. He is getting plenty of exercise and training time, at least 3 hours a day. This is true aggression and very bad considering his age. There is hope, because he gets along ok with my other dog. I am putting in the work, just not seeing any changes yet.

Djammy

Bull Terriers are known for their issues with other dogs, even ones of the same breed. Some do get along with others just fine. But others are just not made for a multiple dog household.
You can find those stories over and over.

It's usually not a problem for them to accept humans as their leaders when the owner is working consistently on establishing rules. Yet, it can be a totally different story with other animals in the household.
There is a chance that your Bull Terrier will NOT get used to the Frenchie, I mean NEVER. After all, they are animals and they have instincts which can take over and even overrule obedience. Even we humans sometimes meet people we do not like from the first moment - it's just bad chemistry. And I guess something like that also exists between dogs.

You may get him to obey the rules when you are around. But, frankly, I would NEVER take the risk and trust him alone around the Frenchie, even if he seems to make some progress while you are around. That would be a loooooooooooong way to go towards the goal - and it is a big question if he will ever REALLY get there. As far as I know training can fix a lot of issues but not those animal instincts.
It is likely that they may break through at some point eventually.

I am sometimes baffled by people asking "why the dog is so aggressive already at that young age as a puppy"?
When exactly is aggression supposed to set in?
The dogs are BORN with their instincts and as soon as they have to face a situation that triggers those instincts they will react. And they are not like human babies. Yes, they are born toothless as well. But by the time they enter your home at the age of about 8 weeks or more they have developed razor sharp puppy teeth. Other than humans babies they learn how to walk in no time. And they are born with the courage and the ego of a lion, with strong jaws and an impressive amount of muscle on their bodies that grows at light speed without them even doing anything about it. Basically, regarding their physique the only thing that separates them from some older/ adult dogs is that they are smaller (depending on the breed). Their instincts work from day one. Mentally as well as physically they come into your home equipped with everything they need to get into a fight with another dog.

I am not trying to scare you, just trying to make you aware of how bad the situation can be. This character trait in Bull Terriers is actually the main reason why I have never tried to add another dog or a cat to my household after a Bull Terrier moved in. The only thing I would ever have considered would be to bring siblings from the same litter and with no known history of animosity home together because they are already used to each other. But even that is no 100% guarantee for the future.
I know of people who are able to manage a household with dogs that don't get along. But it's a piece of work and usually requires uninterrupted attention. You may end up having to separate them as long as one of them lives.
I'd still keep up with the training and rules, though. The more guidance the little guy gets the better he will settle in and maybe you will find a way to make things work one way or the other.
Good luck with your dogs! Be safe!

Brocker

Djammy, thank you for your time. I agree that some dogs just can't get along. I am going to continue with the training and hope for the best. He loves people, but I have to do what is best for both dogs. For now I am going to keep them separated at all times.

Brocker

Just an update. Theo is doing better with my other dog. I have found out that jealously is the main agitator followed by food. So I am controlling these aspects. He recieves all of his food in frozen Kong a and receives at least an hour a day of obedience and free shaping training. He is better, but still have a long way to go. I have been keeping him on a leash in the house when he acts out and it appears to be helping.