Dog is aggressive with one family member

[Whattodoaboutdog]

I have a large rescue dog (American bulldog type) and she is usually lovely and friendly towards everyone, including other dogs.

However when introduced for the first time to my sister at our parents house a few years ago, my dog kept barking at her. When sister fed the dog some treats in an effort to make friends, my dog just quickly ate them before resuming the same barking.

Then when we were all sitting in the lounge together watching tv, my dog kept standing up kind of stiff and looking over at my sister who was on another sofa, and barking some more. My sister was uncomfortable with it so I put the dog on a lead next to me. I tried to shush her but she still barked, so I put her upstairs for a bit.

Later on that evening dog was downstairs again sitting at my feet, under the dining room table. My sister walked through the room and my dog got up and ran toward her. My sister ran away shouting some horrible stuff about my dog, and slammed the door behind her.

I think the shouting upset my dog so I comforted her a bit and she settled down peacefully again.

Since then my sister has refused to be around my dog, because she is scared of her. It has made short notice family meetups quite difficult as we have to coordinate visits ahead of time with a dog sitter. This barking stuff happened years ago and my dog has never reacted that way towards anyone else since. So I'm not sure what to do, if anything. Any advice?

YABU and a poor dog owner. You should have got someone who is qualified and experienced in understanding dog behaviour when it first happened.

I don't want to muzzle my dog the whole visit, I don't think that's fair on her. And she only barked, she's never hurt anybody.

That's not true though, is it?

You say yourself that your dog stood, staring and went stiff, and that later the same day it barked and ran at your sister - all signs of aggressive behaviour.

You're being really selfish here I think. If you don't want to muzzle your dog then stop bringing it along to family events. Your sister is more important, surely?

Your dog can stay at home or go to kennels.

I'd say see a behaviouralist. There are two concerns here firstly the dogs behaviour around your sister which is easily managed by not bringing the dog with you. But the second is the aggressive behaviour. Even if it's only happened once it could happen again, there was obviously a trigger for the dog.

Why would you let your sister miss out on a family event when your dog is the problem? It would be different if she just didn’t like the dog, but it’s a powerful breed that has already shown aggression towards her.

You shouldn’t have taken the dog so that she could comfortably attend.

There’s absolutely no way the dog should be put above your sister. Leave it at home.

There’s also no way I would be in a room
with an American bulldog that went stiff and charged at me either.

Given that you’ve coped for years I’d carry on as you are.

Even with a trainer present there’s no way I’d take the risk if I were your sister- she must have a lot of faith in dog trainers!

It sounds like your sister has sparked a bad feeling/memory in your dog. Your sister is perfectly reasonable to not want it near her and you should be sensitive to that and stop taking the dog to family events when it may prevent your sister from attending. That's just common decency. A dog doesn't come before a human.
But why not take the dog along to a behavioural specialist and teach it to respond better to fear? Even if your sister wants no part of that, it may prevent the dog acting aggressively out of fear in the future. It will make the dog happier and less fearful and it would make your family see that you take your responsibility seriously as a dog owner.

One of my friends has a huge, strong puppy of a German Shepherd. Goes absolutely berserk when me and my son visit to the point my friend has had to put her in her cage when we go round.

My friend isn't obliged to do so of course, but I wouldn't visit anymore if she didn't because tbh the dog scares the shit out of me. Completely understand how your sister feels and I do not blame her for refusing to visit.

Do you actaully know what your dog is? You do know American Bulls are pit bull crosses, don't you. They were specially selected by some unscrupulous breeders are fighting dogs and have a bite force of upwards of 300 PSI. Yours has already shown warning body language. If your dog decides to, there will be nothing you can do to stop it from attacking your sister or another family member. I'm shocked that you continue to take a very casual approach to your dog's potential, and can only assume that its because of ignorance.

Do you actaully know what your dog is? You do know American Bulls are pit bull crosses, don't you.

OP says American Bulldog type - that could be the breed "American Bulldog" or an XL bully.

YABVU. Please muzzle your dog when you are near your sister and any time it is off lead in a public place.

You have taken on a dangerous breed and these dogs are volatile and unpredictable. It can't be trusted not to do serious damage. Your approach to the dangers involved is horrifying.