When he acts out with aggression or starts spinning are you providing him with a zap from the stun collar immediately after he shows negative behavior? Is the collar on him at all times or did you use it briefly and put it away?
It sounds as though he's developing a dominance issue which needs to be correctly immediately before it gets worse. He shouldn't be displaying any alpha dominant issues towards people at all.
It's difficult for me to determine whether he's got a concerning phychological disorder or whether he's going through a phase in his youth that requires training and discipline. What has me a little worried is the fact that he spins when bored and stressed which is a disorder that can be corrected. However, if Brutus is developing other negative character and temperament traights as he's entering maturity as an adult he could require more training than you may think. Additionally the aggression you described when he let out a mean growl to you for know reason is not normal behavior and could potentially be dangerous if his mind is not mentally sound.
I wish I could view his negative actions and then view his reactions when he's scolded and disciplined. Again, there should never be any reason for him to show aggression to you and I hope he's not standing his ground when you scold him for growling, nipping, etc.
I'd have that shock collar on him permenantly for a good while and utilize it every time he so much as looks at you wrong. His actions need to be changed and he needs to realize he's not the alpha and never will be. In the event his behavior gets worse and no type of training seems to be effective than you'll have to except the fact that he may be phychologically imbalanced due to a disorder he was born with. Whether or not his temperament is safe for you and your family is a tough question to answer and nobody knows him better than you. Don't let up on the discipline with him. Be tough with him for a while. I know you want to show him tons of love and affection but right now he's in need of stern training and discipline.
- Steve Gogulski "It's not just a Dog, it's a Bull Terrier!" www.bulliesofnc.com
He wasn't wearing the shock collar 24/7 just during the day and I was bad at carrying the remote around so I did quit using it:( I now make him drag around a short leash so when I need to correct him I am not grabbing his collar. When he gets scolded he hangs his head kinda looking back at me and slinks away real slow kinda pissy but since I'm right on his ass he never shows any further signs of aggression other than the initial growel and teeth barring fit.. when he nipped my husband last night he actually followed me outside after my husband opened his cage door and when I came in he stayed out their for like 10 min. Which is not normal for him. And paced from the garage to the Door until finally coming in and went straight to his cage. I made him sleep in his cage last night and he tried spinning this morning that's the first I've seen of that in a long while. He goes off when he's sleeping and or comfy and he's disturbed. This is not exepted by us and I have been kicking him down immediately and when he's had a minute to rethink his behavior I let him back up then repeat the picking on him as I call it. He growels and often slightly lunges but has never bit me or my son and my husband was directly purposely in his face and yes he nipped him. I would like to think this is just his young adult hood brat fit to see if he can get away with it and call the shots. If he was a little ankle biter this wouldn't be near as scarry... I do think this is dominance at it's ugliest and I need to handle this differently than I was which was kicking him down but after I removed my son which is what he wants or leaving him alone after the first hurah. I know repeat until he gives me the calm reaction I'm looking for then put him in his cage for the night as I don't as of now want him on my furniture or bed... I am tiring of this dog and his I AM KING tantrums it's seems we fix something and theirs another issue:(( but here I AM searching for fixes yet again......... damn I love him but hes wearing me out.......
Your actions speak so loudly I cannot hear your words.
By lunging I mean he more turns to face you or jerks around if you will... and by never bit I mean nipped my son since the original posts so it's been awhile but he is scary so we work with him now when my son is sleeping for now.
Your actions speak so loudly I cannot hear your words.
It could be that he's going through a rotten stage as he matures but if it is he's taking it to an extreme. I'm shocked with his recent episodes of aggression that he hasn't gotten into a spat with your other Bullie. Has he been tolerating her lately?
- Steve Gogulski "It's not just a Dog, it's a Bull Terrier!" www.bulliesofnc.com
Hey Leslie, im so sorry to hear this, he may be a dog that may take years of constant special treatment before he gets it. If he was my dog he would be shock collar constantly, and no rights, the way I am, I wouldn't mind if he peed himself a little when i scolded him, that would be progress to me as bad as it sounds. He's lucky he has you, because if he was mine, he would make a one way trip to the vet.
Bowzer growls at me too when I scold him, its like his way of saying "I am nervous that I am in trouble right now." But he's never actually bit me before, though he sure as hell looked like he was going to, I think he knows, if he did, he wouldn't be here to tell the other dogs the story. When I tried to rehome him to a guy that loved bullie breeds, the guy tried to wrestle and rough house with Bowzer, and Bowzer actually bit him in the thigh, left a good sized bruise. I told Bowzer, he's on very thin ice with me, all he really needs to do is bite me, bite someone in my house, or become unmanageable with the rest of the pack, and he will be visiting the good lord early. I know it sounds harsh, but I have zero patience with that, as long as I can safely manage him, he is safe.
I am by no means saying you need to put Brutus down, I could never suggest that to someone else's dog, but just know although your situation is much worse than mine, I decided I will not rehome Bowzer because I worry far to much of what he could potentially do in the hands of someone who doesn't know his "kinks" the way I do.
When Bowzer gets upset with me because I am scolding him, he lets out a very deep throaty growl, for years I did everything in my power to correct it, shocking him didn't work, it escalated his anger, he would snap at the air and he even him bite the remote out of my hand as well once before, I just have to tell him to "go away" and just take a step away from him for awhile, because I know it escalated my blood pressure and he can sense it. So I tell myself to calm down and take a step back.
I think something is very neurological with your boy Brutus, if any of his aggression is during sleeping he very well may have SOA. Because the aggression is happening at the time he is spinning it really makes me think something is not right neurologically.
Bowzer is the smartest dog I have right now, I have seen him problem solve, and figure things out, how to open things to get things out, I have a video of him opening a cooler to take out a toy. But for some reason I have tried for years to correct certain issues, the way he greets people (barking, jumping) and his fear of parking lots, skate boards, people carrying large items, and his selective human aggression to strangers. No matter how much I try, the method or the way I do things, over the years I have tried positive ways, foods, head collars, shock collars, there are just things he doesn't seem to GRASP. I don't think its a TRAINABLE thing for him, its a GENETIC thing, where its just who he is and not things he is capable of. Sometimes we just have to grasp the truth is some dog's are not wired right. It's not our fault, and we just have to make the choice to live with them, or live without them. I chose to live with Bowzer for now, I have accepted who he is, and with that I never stop working with him, even though nothing changes.
I have had many people meet Bowzer, friends of mine, trainers, rescue workers with bull terriers, and it's almost the same reaction every time, that he is a sketchy dog that makes people nervous. He makes perfect sense to me though, but I have lived along side him for 4 1/2 years.
Steve, funny you mention how he's been getting along with Cleo because we just had a bit of a wakeup call for Mr. Brutus!! She was on the chair sleeping and underneath the blanket I put on my furniture to protect it from dog smells and I don't think he realized she was up their. He jumped up their ( big chair like a chair and a half with no arms it just slants) and here he comes not directly on her but kinda next to her but cramping her space so she starts growling at him. He was surprised and isn't going to turn down a good fight so they get into a little yelling match then of course I grab him because she's still underneath the blanket as it got heated. She was holding her own for the seconds it took me to interven and actually came tumbling off the chair when I yanked him down. He has not messed with her since:) I may have to face the fact that he's a loose cannon I am realizing and I am pretty sure he and bowzer were brothers in a past life:/ I have thought of rehoming him but I think the same thing would happen with Brutus as did Bowzer. I do know him better than anyone and I just wouldn't want somethin bad to happen to anyone else because of him. I am goingto go down swinging with this dog. I don't think he would really bite to hurt someone badly but I don't really know that. He's pretty Leary of my son because I do thing he's smart enough to know I would shoot him myself if he hurt him. My husband well he. Brought that on himself and Brutus did mourn his bad behavior on the porch in the cold for like 10 minutes or so. He does know it's not excepted he also holds himself back to from his evil side a lot!!! I think I might need psychologically evaluated for putting up with him:( if he ever really bit anyone in this house he's defiantly got a one way ticket to the vet I just pray it's me and not my son or husband!!!:( because I'm the only reason he's still here...
Your actions speak so loudly I cannot hear your words.
I'll tell you something about Bull Terriers that many others will agree with. Often Bull Terriers (especially males) go through this aggresional and dominating stage that can sometimes last until the reach around 24 months old. Obviously most don't have any issues but for the ones that due once they fully mature they all settle down considerably and most often lose their childish attitudes. Due to the fact you are socializing your Bullies and raising them both properly I can only invision Brutus improving with each day.
- Steve Gogulski "It's not just a Dog, it's a Bull Terrier!" www.bulliesofnc.com
I do have my fingers crossed that he stops his childish antics and I will never back down so I guess I have a bring it on attitude myself!! He really is a good boy he has a lot of great qualities and I'm not just saying that because he's my dog. If he would just realize that we love him and we are ALL family life would be better for everyone ) thanks Steve I really don't know what I would do without this forum:)) it has defiantly played a bulge part in Brutuss rehab:))
Your actions speak so loudly I cannot hear your words.
I dare not say to much nice about Brutus for fear of another brat attack but.. it seems in the last week he's gaining patience with my son and Cleo and almost enjoys them!! I am a lot less Leary of him now and he's wearing me down to wear I almost think he's cool.....almost :O. I'm waiting for the next big butt hole moment I hope it never comes...... my fingers are crossed:)
Your actions speak so loudly I cannot hear your words.
That's great news and I think all your positive training and patience is the direct result of his temperament adjustment. Brutus is getting better and better everyday as he matures. :-bd
- Steve Gogulski "It's not just a Dog, it's a Bull Terrier!" www.bulliesofnc.com
Brutus will be 16 months tommorow hes huge and a brat!! I am wondering if hes never gonna stop growing :O he was sleeping on the couch the Other day and my son literaly went over to his and layed his face right on his I about peed myself and he didnt raise a lip snap growl nothing I was shocked!!!!! Its seems this big egg head is finally getting it!! By the time we get to 2 he is gonna be wonderful and he was worth all the effort I couldnt be happier with my brutiful and am so proud of his progress!! What a journey (
Your actions speak so loudly I cannot hear your words.
Ok just a question that's been wollaring around in my head.......do you guys think by basically making Brutus tolerate my 2 legged boy and cleo that he maybe might not be living as well as he could if he just had a master with no competition... he askes everyday to be the only child and I keep telling him no I guess I'm having an atack of consionce??????
Your actions speak so loudly I cannot hear your words.
I think any Bull Terrier that's been raised around kids and another dog or dogs won't have any hardened feelings for not being the center of attention. Now if it had been just you and Brutus for a few years and then you introduced another dog into the family he could become jealous and possessive. However, normally the introduction of a puppy into the family usually results in 2 Bull Terriers becoming best buddies. In your case, Brutus was the new puppy who came into a family with an older Bull Terrier present as well as children. If you think Brutus appears as though he's depressed or shows signs of jealousy you could always separate the two bullies from time to time and send quality time alone with each on. Right now I have 4 Bullies in the house as well as a French Bull Dog and they all get along excellent and seek attention from us equally. Although I find that they also seek each others attention all through the day. They seem to be very attached to each other and thoroughly enjoy playing together. Not all dogs are the same and some Bull Terriers have questionable temperaments. Obviously I don't know how Brutus acts around your female bull terrier or your children but he's still young and as Bull Terriers get older and older they all mellow out and become very comfortable within their family and living arrangements especially when they are being loved and spoiled like yours are.
- Steve Gogulski "It's not just a Dog, it's a Bull Terrier!" www.bulliesofnc.com
Leslie, I really think Brutus is fine living like he is in your home All children like all the attention as do most dogs He is blessed to have an owner who worries so much about him. He loves YOU.
Cleo and Brutus are still not what I want them to be ( bff's ) he's ruined that by getting nasty with her one to many times I think. They tolerate each other that's all w/ maybe the occasional run a muck in the yard and walks together....Brutus just tolerates everyone .....but me he loves I hope he continues to improve Steve. Cleo is just sooooo submissive and calm she just don't like the big gobber!!!! Thanks a million Daisy for the pic me up a little encouragement is nice sometimes nomatter how old you are!!!!! Steve thanks I truly appreciate you wisdom!!!
Your actions speak so loudly I cannot hear your words.
Comments
Leslie,
When he acts out with aggression or starts spinning are you providing him with a zap from the stun collar immediately after he shows negative behavior? Is the collar on him at all times or did you use it briefly and put it away?
It sounds as though he's developing a dominance issue which needs to be correctly immediately before it gets worse. He shouldn't be displaying any alpha dominant issues towards people at all.
It's difficult for me to determine whether he's got a concerning phychological disorder or whether he's going through a phase in his youth that requires training and discipline. What has me a little worried is the fact that he spins when bored and stressed which is a disorder that can be corrected. However, if Brutus is developing other negative character and temperament traights as he's entering maturity as an adult he could require more training than you may think. Additionally the aggression you described when he let out a mean growl to you for know reason is not normal behavior and could potentially be dangerous if his mind is not mentally sound.
I wish I could view his negative actions and then view his reactions when he's scolded and disciplined. Again, there should never be any reason for him to show aggression to you and I hope he's not standing his ground when you scold him for growling, nipping, etc.
I'd have that shock collar on him permenantly for a good while and utilize it every time he so much as looks at you wrong. His actions need to be changed and he needs to realize he's not the alpha and never will be. In the event his behavior gets worse and no type of training seems to be effective than you'll have to except the fact that he may be phychologically imbalanced due to a disorder he was born with. Whether or not his temperament is safe for you and your family is a tough question to answer and nobody knows him better than you. Don't let up on the discipline with him. Be tough with him for a while. I know you want to show him tons of love and affection but right now he's in need of stern training and discipline.
"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
Bowzer growls at me too when I scold him, its like his way of saying "I am nervous that I am in trouble right now." But he's never actually bit me before, though he sure as hell looked like he was going to, I think he knows, if he did, he wouldn't be here to tell the other dogs the story. When I tried to rehome him to a guy that loved bullie breeds, the guy tried to wrestle and rough house with Bowzer, and Bowzer actually bit him in the thigh, left a good sized bruise. I told Bowzer, he's on very thin ice with me, all he really needs to do is bite me, bite someone in my house, or become unmanageable with the rest of the pack, and he will be visiting the good lord early. I know it sounds harsh, but I have zero patience with that, as long as I can safely manage him, he is safe.
I am by no means saying you need to put Brutus down, I could never suggest that to someone else's dog, but just know although your situation is much worse than mine, I decided I will not rehome Bowzer because I worry far to much of what he could potentially do in the hands of someone who doesn't know his "kinks" the way I do.
When Bowzer gets upset with me because I am scolding him, he lets out a very deep throaty growl, for years I did everything in my power to correct it, shocking him didn't work, it escalated his anger, he would snap at the air and he even him bite the remote out of my hand as well once before, I just have to tell him to "go away" and just take a step away from him for awhile, because I know it escalated my blood pressure and he can sense it. So I tell myself to calm down and take a step back.
I think something is very neurological with your boy Brutus, if any of his aggression is during sleeping he very well may have SOA. Because the aggression is happening at the time he is spinning it really makes me think something is not right neurologically.
Bowzer is the smartest dog I have right now, I have seen him problem solve, and figure things out, how to open things to get things out, I have a video of him opening a cooler to take out a toy. But for some reason I have tried for years to correct certain issues, the way he greets people (barking, jumping) and his fear of parking lots, skate boards, people carrying large items, and his selective human aggression to strangers. No matter how much I try, the method or the way I do things, over the years I have tried positive ways, foods, head collars, shock collars, there are just things he doesn't seem to GRASP. I don't think its a TRAINABLE thing for him, its a GENETIC thing, where its just who he is and not things he is capable of. Sometimes we just have to grasp the truth is some dog's are not wired right. It's not our fault, and we just have to make the choice to live with them, or live without them. I chose to live with Bowzer for now, I have accepted who he is, and with that I never stop working with him, even though nothing changes.
I have had many people meet Bowzer, friends of mine, trainers, rescue workers with bull terriers, and it's almost the same reaction every time, that he is a sketchy dog that makes people nervous. He makes perfect sense to me though, but I have lived along side him for 4 1/2 years.
"It's not just a Dog, it's a Bull Terrier!"
www.bulliesofnc.com
That's great news and I think all your positive training and patience is the direct result of his temperament adjustment. Brutus is getting better and better everyday as he matures. :-bd
"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
"It's not just a Dog, it's a Bull Terrier!"
www.bulliesofnc.com
In your case, Brutus was the new puppy who came into a family with an older Bull Terrier present as well as children. If you think Brutus appears as though he's depressed or shows signs of jealousy you could always separate the two bullies from time to time and send quality time alone with each on. Right now I have 4 Bullies in the house as well as a French Bull Dog and they all get along excellent and seek attention from us equally. Although I find that they also seek each others attention all through the day. They seem to be very attached to each other and thoroughly enjoy playing together. Not all dogs are the same and some Bull Terriers have questionable temperaments. Obviously I don't know how Brutus acts around your female bull terrier or your children but he's still young and as Bull Terriers get older and older they all mellow out and become very comfortable within their family and living arrangements especially when they are being loved and spoiled like yours are.
"It's not just a Dog, it's a Bull Terrier!"
www.bulliesofnc.com