Understanding and Reducing Bulldog Aggression
Although many bulldogs are friendly and passive animals, there are times when they can become quite fierce. This bulldog aggression stems from a long history of using the dogs as pit-fighting animals.
Even though breeders have since tried to eliminate these violent tendencies in these animals, there are still times when instincts win over the bulldog and they become aggressive. This article will help you to look for signs of emerging bulldog aggression and how to deal with it before it gets out of control.
Signs of Bulldog Aggression
There are several ways to see if your bulldog is becoming aggressive or not. First of all, it is common for bulldogs to be very protective of their food, so they should not be fed when other animals or children are around.
If they feel like their meal is being threatened, they will also feel threatened and will retaliate. Some bulldogs also do not get along well with cats, so if you have a cat it should be kept separate from the bulldog during feeding times.
Other ways to check for possible bulldog aggression is to see if they become overly possessive of toys or furniture spaces. If your bulldog is unusually unwilling to give up playthings or couch space, it might be a sign that your dog is becoming more aggressive and might be harmful.
And finally, do not stare at your dog or let him stare at you for prolonged periods of time. This is seen as a challenge to power, and could often end up in increased bulldog aggression. Your dog will think that you are challenging him, and will not stop until he wins the challenge.
Handling Bulldog AggressionThe cause of most bulldog aggression is the dog’s idea that he is superior to his master. This can be fixed in several ways. First of all, before feeding your dog, make him sit or lay down to show that he has to work for his food.
The same could be true of going outside, getting treats, etc. In order to have a well-behaved bulldog, you must show him that you are his master and that he must obey you before he gets what he wants.
It would also be helpful to enroll your dog in obedience training classes, where they can interact with other dogs and learn how to obey orders. This will also teach them that they are not superior.
Simple games like having your dog sit for treats will help tremendously. In order to properly train your aggressive bulldog, you must understand how the aggression began and how dogs perceive threats. By understanding how dogs think, you will be better able to solve your problem of bulldog aggression.
