Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Pets

Join our community on the Pet forum to discuss anything related to pets.

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:
stevalnamechanger · 08/08/2022 01:27

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 😳🤦🏻‍♀️

Terrible behavior then .

I'd approach a trainer like Southend Dog Trainjng . They help many dogs that are otherwise suggested to be PTS

  • have him checked by the vet
  • is he getting enough physical exercise ?
  • mental stimulation?
  • are you crate training?
  • when did this start / what are the triggers?
  • are you using a house lead ?
stevalnamechanger · 08/08/2022 01:27

*terrible behaviorist

ImustLearn2Cook · 08/08/2022 01:28

k1233 · 07/08/2022 23:34

has growled at me while I walked past him with his fur standing on end and lunged at me
**
This part of your OP is very concerning. A dog growling with its hackles up isn't good, particularly when followed by lunging at you.

No one can say why your dog is behaving like it is without seeing him in the environment the behaviour is occurring. You need to address quickly, before it becomes a big issue. It may already be a big issue, but no one online can say one way or another.

Whilst waiting for a face to face, I'd recommend googling the behaviours you're seeing so you can piece together what might be happening. Raised hackles are a sign of high alert. It's involuntary and can be for a number of reasons.

This is the most sensible response you’ve had. I think your dp really should not be minimising this.

Maybe dp just doesn’t understand so showing him the information you gather about this dog’s behaviour towards you might help him to take it more seriously.

I just want to reiterate to address this problem immediately.

stevalnamechanger · 08/08/2022 01:28

Changechangychange · 08/08/2022 01:10

It’s strange that all of these Southend Dog Training satisfied customers have coincidentally ended up on this thread tonight isn’t it? Hmm

They are genuinely brilliant .

Their advice has changed my approach, they have a very big social media reach - huge on insta and Tik tok .

They give out a LOT of free content that is why ...

Frequency · 08/08/2022 01:42

No trainer that needs to use a prong collar to teach loose leash walking or deal with lead reactivity is a good trainer.

Prong collars are lazy, cruel shortcuts that create many more issues than they solve. Imagine you were scared of dogs and everytime you shouted at a dog to stay away I stabbed you in the neck with a metal prong. You'd very quickly stop shouting at the dogs to go away but you'd still be afraid of them, only now you have reason to be afraid. You're being stabbed in the neck every time you see one.

scarletisjustred · 08/08/2022 02:29

I love dogs. I really do. I grew up with dogs. My family loved dogs - my children adore dogs. All our dogs lived out their allotted span, had pampered lives, and were cared for till the day they died. I am confident with dogs. Having said that I wouldn't put up with that dog in my house another day though. If he was my dog, I would have him PTS rather than rehoming an aggressive dog

He's slinking around avoiding you and has growled at you and lunged at you.
I can't imagine why another poster was suggesting sticking your face at his level. He has given you plenty of warning that for whatever reasons he doesn't like you and is being increasingly aggressive to you. Maybe he can be fixed but can you put up with weeks of training with him being in the house alone with you every day? You dp's blasé lack of concern for your safety and comfort in your own home is breath-taking. He doesn't seem to care if that dog kills you or gives you life-changing injuries. I'd get shot of him too.

Indoctro · 08/08/2022 04:26

Terrariatime · 08/08/2022 00:46

It does my head in when I see people recommending positive only training for dogs like this. I have one, and wasted a year from the point my dog was at this stage on nonsense positive fantasists. I use an e-collar and at no point has my dog been scared of it, it's used positively as he's conditioned to it at his lowest perceived level, for corrections it's used at the lowest level possible in proportion to his level of energy at the time. It's actually made him more confident as it's a clear communication tool that lets him know exactly what's expected, if I press the button on the back of my hand I can't even feel it so it's definitely not hurting him when it's used for daily training.

People who recommend positive training for this type of dog, who have aggression in their dna are putting people at risk. Absolutely use south end dog training for this type of dog, who in their right mind would pass up the opportunity to live at peace with their dog because they don't want to correct it's behaviour? So you'd rather someone got their face torn off or a dog gets pts because you don't want to safely let it know it's being a knob? Behave! People who think you can train this out of these dogs have never met a truly aggressive by their dna terrier, the ones it works for will be displaying learned behaviour and easily fixed. Don't make the mistake I did op, get yourself a balanced trainer. I realised when I met my dogs brother they are wired differently, he's lanky and placid and mine is solid and bitey. Mine has been trained from day 1 and his brother left to make the rules up but mines the aggressive one.

At last someone speaking common sense

Indoctro · 08/08/2022 04:27

PrinnyPree · 07/08/2022 22:21

Defintely get him neutered if he isn't. Please please don't breed off him if he's showing aggressive traits. X

Please don't neuter him, it's the worst thing you can do to a fearful male

It creates aggression.

Indoctro · 08/08/2022 04:32

Changechangychange · 08/08/2022 01:10

It’s strange that all of these Southend Dog Training satisfied customers have coincidentally ended up on this thread tonight isn’t it? Hmm

Why is it.? They a huge a social media following and lots of people have heard of them, especially bull breed owners and considering bull breeds are one of the most popular dogs in uk , makes sense lots of people may well of seen them/ watched there stuff.

What are you trying to say .? Anyone who mentions them are secretly them Hmm

I've been a MN member for a very long time and I can assure you I'm now that man moonlighting as someone else on MN 🤣🙈.

I have Stafford's and I follow him as I've found his advice excellent.

wellhelloitsme · 08/08/2022 06:41

You have to come down to their level (sit on floor and put your head down so they can sniff and suss you out and trust you).

With an unpredictable, aggressive dog who "lashes out"?

Absolutely ridiculous advice. Dangerous, too.

QuebecBagnet · 08/08/2022 07:33

isitmeoryou1 · 07/08/2022 21:53

Does he still have his balls? I'd take those off for starters

Don’t. If he’s fear aggressive it could possibly make things worse. Talk to a behaviourist first. If you do want to try that I’d opt for the injection/implant first as it wears off in six months, so if it does make things worse it’s reversible.

TitaniasAss · 08/08/2022 08:57

You have to come down to their level (sit on floor and put your head down so they can sniff and suss you out and trust you).

Please don't do this, it's dreadful and really dangerous with an aggressive, reactive dog. Anyone who's ever owned a dog should know this.

PritiPatelsMaker · 08/08/2022 09:05

I'm massively fucked off with him too. I won't be walking away if this becomes a deal breaker - it's my house not his (or the dogs!) So he can trot off if he won't take on board how serious this is

How are things this morning? Had he decided to prioritise you and how you feel yet or is he looking for somewhere for them both to live?

sunsetsandsandybeaches · 08/08/2022 09:30

Their advice has changed my approach, they have a very big social media reach - huge on insta and Tik tok

I mean, Donald Trump has a huge social media reach. So does Brooklyn Beckham.

Doesn't mean they're worth listening to or that they have any kind of knowledge when it comes to dog behaviour.

Hoppinggreen · 08/08/2022 12:21

sunsetsandsandybeaches · 08/08/2022 09:30

Their advice has changed my approach, they have a very big social media reach - huge on insta and Tik tok

I mean, Donald Trump has a huge social media reach. So does Brooklyn Beckham.

Doesn't mean they're worth listening to or that they have any kind of knowledge when it comes to dog behaviour.

They have a big SM reach?
Funny that

stevalnamechanger · 08/08/2022 13:02

sunsetsandsandybeaches · 08/08/2022 09:30

Their advice has changed my approach, they have a very big social media reach - huge on insta and Tik tok

I mean, Donald Trump has a huge social media reach. So does Brooklyn Beckham.

Doesn't mean they're worth listening to or that they have any kind of knowledge when it comes to dog behaviour.

Watch their videos and see testimonials on their groups from hundreds of real people .

Do what you want with your own dogs, but I think the advice has been beneficial

Zapabc · 08/08/2022 13:06

These are powerful dogs that can do massive damage. Even if you can address the aggression the dog is showing to you, this behaviour towards someone it knows is absolutely not normal. Even if you can manage the dog it may still turn on someone else. The other issue is that bull breeds were originally bred for fighting, so if gets excited or triggered that aggression and prey drive can suddenly show.

sunsetsandsandybeaches · 08/08/2022 13:33

@stevalnamechanger I've seen it all. I work with dogs professionally and I can safely say Southend are very, very controversial amongst other walkers and trainers.

Social media reviews and lots of TikTok followers doesn't mean they know what they're talking about or that they're worth listening to 🤷🏻‍♀️

I wouldn't trust any trainer that uses any kind of aversive - we should know much, much better than that by now, and our dogs deserve so much better too.

stevalnamechanger · 08/08/2022 13:37

What groups are you in with such opinions? I'd be interested to read the discussion .

Of course there are going to be a mix of opinions , that comes with having such a large platform .

I support balanced training, and have seen in my own community dogs that were going to be PTS be turned around with methods that could be seen as "outdated" . Unfortunately not all dogs respond to positive training .

PersonaNonGarter · 08/08/2022 13:39

This thread has been quite weird because before the OP can sort anything with the dog, she really needs to take control of feeling respected in her own house by her DP.

Original poster
Idunnowhyibother · 08/08/2022 13:42

PersonaNonGarter · 08/08/2022 13:39

This thread has been quite weird because before the OP can sort anything with the dog, she really needs to take control of feeling respected in her own house by her DP.

That would be in AIBU probably! I'm just after advice for the dog - that's the hard part - DP I can deal with!

OP posts:
Frequency · 08/08/2022 14:11

I'm glad you came back to the thread, OP. You've gotten some good advice inbetween the arguing. If you're still unsure as to whether aversive or positive training is best I would reccomend some reading. There have been several scientific studies which show that dogs not only suffer higher stress during and after training using aversive methods but they also don't learn as well as dogs trained using positive methods. (Probably because studies show that dogs do not learn well when they're stressed).

A lot of the original research papers are available only by subscriptions but you can easily find articles discussing the results of the studies.

If you do decide to go down the route of getting a behaviourist you can find a registered behaviourists via the link below. Asking your vet for a reccomendation would also be helpful. It's worth noting that some pet insurance policies allow you to claim back the cost of a regsitered behaviourist under certain circumstances.

apdt.co.uk/find-a-trainer/

The APDT will not accept trainers who use aversive methods. All their trainers undergo vigorous assesment before being allowed to become a member and are expected to keep up to date with the latest scientific research.

I wish you all the best OP. If it's any comfort this does not sound like a dog who is beyond help. He has not bitten which shows he is still able to restrain himself and show control. With the right on ground help you'll soon have your soft, lovable clown back.

WhackingPhoenix · 08/08/2022 16:28

JanePrentiss · 08/08/2022 00:57

Off topic slightly but your EBT is gorgeous!

Show quote history

He isn’t mine! It was a Google search to find the cutest EBT I could find Grin

I’d love one but I think my cats would lose their shit if I got another dog hahaha

WhackingPhoenix · 08/08/2022 16:38

BreadInCaptivity · 08/08/2022 01:21

We live by a set of rules now which help us create structure, routine and stability for our dog, minimising the risk of him meeting any of his known triggers

As per my pp as a non dog person this bloody worries me.

You live a life with a very strong, unpredictable dog and "minimise" his triggers.

What happens when someone else who encounters your dog doesn't follow these "routines/structure"?

It's basically an admission that you own a dog whose on a hair trigger and yet posters are saying what a lovely pet he is.

FFS 🤦‍♀️

You’ve just assumed that was my dog. It’s a stock image, I don’t have an EBT. I have a street dog, as I said.

He isn’t on a ‘hair trigger’ either, but he does have some very specific issues that occur only inside the house. Anyone who comes to my house has been invited to be there and we can plan for their visits accordingly.

If someone visits who he has not previously met, he doesn’t have any interaction with them and is kept in a separate room for the duration of the visit, even if I didn’t think he would react to their presence. However, ifsomeone was in my house who had not been invited to be there, such as a burglar, I can’t say I’d care what he did.

Also his triggers are very predictable, which is why they’re pretty easy to manage. Hopefully that clears a few things up for you 🙂

WhackingPhoenix · 08/08/2022 16:43

@BreadInCaptivity just to add, as a ‘non dog person’, you or anyone else could walk past him in the street and not have a clue he’s anything but a happy, friendly little soul because he isn’t triggered by anything he encounters in public. He goes off lead because he can be trusted to, he has excellent recall and won’t approach anyone if he isn’t invited to. He doesn’t look or act like a ‘dangerous’ dog because he just isn’t.