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Original poster

Getting scared now....aggressive puppy

137 replies

Idunnowhyibother · 07/08/2022 18:46

10 month old Bull Terrier growling at me when at home alone with him and has snapped at me several times. He is usually a happy sociable dog - good with other dogs and people. But just doesn't seem to like me....is fine with DP etc. I work from home so am with him all day but I'm starting to not feel safe around him. He's medically fine but goes into s sulk when DP is out. Today I am trying to relax at home and watch a film while DP is out with friends and his behaviour is just strange - he's slinking around avoiding me and has growled at me while I walked past him with his fur standing on end and lunged at me. Not a happy situation and I don't know what I'm doing wrong.

OP posts:
MrsEricBana · 07/08/2022 18:48

That must be awful for you. Is he normally like this, or is it just today? If the latter he might be unwell. If normal then you need to see a behaviourist ASAP as you can't feel like that in your own home. What does your DP say about it?

Original poster
Idunnowhyibother · 07/08/2022 18:54

MrsEricBana · 07/08/2022 18:48

That must be awful for you. Is he normally like this, or is it just today? If the latter he might be unwell. If normal then you need to see a behaviourist ASAP as you can't feel like that in your own home. What does your DP say about it?

Minimises it and tells me I am too soft with him which pissed me off. DDog does this sometimes when I am relaxing at home on the weekend and DP is out fishing or with friends. I'm so knackered after work I need a day of winding down not hiding from a sulky puppy. He's been to puppy school, vet, but just gets this mood on him and nothing I do can bring him out of it.

OP posts:
Frequency · 07/08/2022 18:58

You need a qualified behaviourist asap. Most aggression is fear based. Can you remember ever accidentally stepping on or kicking the puppy?

While you're waiting for a behaviourist appointment carry around a pocket of treats and toss one at the dog everytime you walk past it or it approaches you calmly. This will start setting the groundwork for the puppy seeing you as something good and not scary.

secular39 · 07/08/2022 19:03

No offence. But why did you get this dog? It is the most unattractive and most scary looking dog I have ever met and it's nose is so deformed.

USaYwHatNow · 07/08/2022 19:03

100% ignore your partner and look into a behaviourist and involve your vet. My parents dog started doing this at about 2 years old. They tried diet changes, supplements, vitamins, behaviourist, vet, training classes, medications, neutering. Sadly he is now 10, a big boy, and just as aggressive (if not more so due to his size). The vet actually advised he be PTS but my parents refused as they didn't want to give up on him. The heartache and arguments that dog has caused over the last 8 years has been immense. We love him dearly but honestly life will be much easier when he's gone. Even the behaviourist was scared of him 😳🤦🏻‍♀️

Original poster
Idunnowhyibother · 07/08/2022 19:03

I don't understand how he can be scared of me and has no cause to. But me sitting quietly on the sofa will trigger him - his teeth were around my wrist earlier when I stroked him and he snapped. He didn't bite down - I kept very calm and said his name quietly, not moving, and he let go. But he is warning me about something. I am nearing the end of being able to cope with him.

OP posts:
Macaroni1924 · 07/08/2022 19:05

Dogs can sense when you are fearing their behaviour which can make things worse. My parents got me a puppy for my 19th bday and we did so much wrong being a family of first time dog owners. We did the puppy classes, vet and ended up getting a behaviourist involved. Thankfully he turned out a great wee dog and although he is long gone he is still very much missed. I’m now married and on our 2nd dog. Our first was a rescue and when she passed we got a puppy. I have approached this so differently and with a confidence that none of us had with the first pup. Having knowledge and personal experience instead of all the ‘study’ we did before the first pup has been a game changer. The difference in her learning and behaviour is amazing.

Definitely get a behaviourist involved, it’s your home and you are the boss not this puppy, he needs to learn his place and you shouldn’t be on edge.

Soubriquet · 07/08/2022 19:06

You need a behaviourist asap

The fact he’s 10 months old and already happy to bite you, is not a good thing

Original poster
Idunnowhyibother · 07/08/2022 19:07

USaYwHatNow · 07/08/2022 19:03

100% ignore your partner and look into a behaviourist and involve your vet. My parents dog started doing this at about 2 years old. They tried diet changes, supplements, vitamins, behaviourist, vet, training classes, medications, neutering. Sadly he is now 10, a big boy, and just as aggressive (if not more so due to his size). The vet actually advised he be PTS but my parents refused as they didn't want to give up on him. The heartache and arguments that dog has caused over the last 8 years has been immense. We love him dearly but honestly life will be much easier when he's gone. Even the behaviourist was scared of him 😳🤦🏻‍♀️

I'm not prepared for 10 years of this! I'd rehome or PTS. It's like he only has eyes for DP/anyone but me and will not listen when it is just us. Yet I provide most of the care as am home with him all day. It's like he just about puts up with me....

OP posts:
Louisall · 07/08/2022 19:10

Wow I would be really scared... So sorry you're faced with this Op, And then your DP minimising it too. I would take it very seriously. I don't understand why people get bull terriers either, they are so terrifying.

erikbloodaxe · 07/08/2022 19:10

@secular39

What a ridiculous comment.

What would you consider to be an acceptable breed.

Which Bull Terrier do you have Op? Staffy or English?

Thornethorn · 07/08/2022 19:12

You're out of your depth and the potential for harm to others (and you) trumps the ethical principle that dogs are for life. Neither of you are going to be happy. You don't sound like you have the experience to cope with this dog. I think you got the wrong breed and you'd be happier with a golden retriever who are generally very placid and easy to train. Even if you kind of fix it, you've still got a temperament that requires an experienced owner.

TitaniasAss · 07/08/2022 19:16

secular39 · 07/08/2022 19:03

No offence. But why did you get this dog? It is the most unattractive and most scary looking dog I have ever met and it's nose is so deformed.

If you have to say 'no offence' before you say something, then surely you know you shouldn't say it. The OP needs advice on an aggressive puppy, not your opinion of what it looks like, which has fuck all to do with anything.

OneMoreTimeBaby · 07/08/2022 19:18

If you're willing to put some work in and can act with confidence, I'd try hand feeding, I can recommend Southend Dog Training, they have lots of free content on social media. The dog needs to see you as 'top dog'. Good Luck

Frequency · 07/08/2022 19:19

A decent behaviourist will be able to observe the dog and pinpoint the cause of the behaviour be it fear or something else.

Stop stroking him or interacting with until you see the behaviourist. This sounds like a dog who needs space. If you really want to interact with him I would limit it to clicker training sessions to help build trust between you and the dog. Definately no stroking or petting or rough games like tug.

Creepymanonagoatfarm · 07/08/2022 19:20

Was he on the sofa when he grabbed you op? He needs to be floor only.

Loose lead and pull him off every time.

Dillydollydingdong · 07/08/2022 19:21

Re-home it OP. Things will only get worse as it gets older, bigger, and more confident. I wouldn't trust it with other people either. Do you ever have visitors? Children?

villainousbroodmare · 07/08/2022 19:21

Scary. EBTs are powerful dogs, well capable of killing a person. Sounds like that one has a few screws loose. I wouldn't share my house with it. Be extremely careful.

BotterMon · 07/08/2022 19:22

Male dog coming into adulthood who is trying to impose himself and dominate you. He doesn't see you as the pack leader or even second in command. You either need to rehome pdq or get professional help to put him in his place so to speak. Fearing him will make it worse unfortunately.

Frequency · 07/08/2022 19:23

The dog absolutely does not need to see you as top dog or alpha. This kind of training was based a theory which was deeply flawed and debunked eons ago (look up David Mech if you want more info on why this theory is outdated).

Attempting any kind of negative or punishment based training with a fearful/aggressive doog is extremely dangerous for the dog and trainer.

sunsetsandsandybeaches · 07/08/2022 19:26

English Bull Terriers are big, strong, intelligent dogs who require a lot of confidence when it comes to being handled. As PP have said, he will know you're scared and that will be making him scared too.

He's also at the right age for going through his secondary fear phase - combine that with teenage hormones and testosterone kicking in and his behaviour isn't entirely abnormal for a bolshy male dog.

You need to pay for a qualified APBC behaviourist who can come and help you.

ChuckItBucket · 07/08/2022 19:26

OneMoreTimeBaby · 07/08/2022 19:18

If you're willing to put some work in and can act with confidence, I'd try hand feeding, I can recommend Southend Dog Training, they have lots of free content on social media. The dog needs to see you as 'top dog'. Good Luck

All that top dog shit is bollocks - massively debunked. Also hand feeding - if the dog is scared of her the last thing she should be doing is forcing him to interact with her.

op I would have a look on the dog training advice and support group on Facebook run by sally Bradbury. It’s run by qualified behaviourists so you can read their guides and post if you still need help. For intensive help you can join their premium group for faster posting and response times.

sounds really stressful - good luck

Original poster
Idunnowhyibother · 07/08/2022 19:27

TitaniasAss · 07/08/2022 19:16

If you have to say 'no offence' before you say something, then surely you know you shouldn't say it. The OP needs advice on an aggressive puppy, not your opinion of what it looks like, which has fuck all to do with anything.

Show quote history

Thanks - not here for advice on which dog looks the best thanks Secular39....

OP posts:
35965a · 07/08/2022 19:27

I wouldn’t be bothering with a behaviourist myself, I would be looking to rehome and be honest with whoever takes on the dog, preferable someone with much more experience with the breed. In your shoes I would just never be able to relax around the dog in the future. Your DP needs to take this seriously.

underneaththeash · 07/08/2022 19:30

erikbloodaxe · 07/08/2022 19:10

@secular39

What a ridiculous comment.

What would you consider to be an acceptable breed.

Which Bull Terrier do you have Op? Staffy or English?

Considering that breed causes most injuries per dog in the U.K., I don’t think it’s a ridicilyus comment.