Looking for advice from dog trainers/ behaviorists pretty please

[claud]

He is a cutie! My 4 year old son recently saw a bull terrier at the mall(some event was going on there). The owner let him pet "Bob" and afterward my son said "That dog was funny - he was SMILING!" lol

I'm not a dog trainer so I can't really give advice. I've dealt with dogs growling over possession of something but that is not your dog. Your dog is fearful. Those dogs running up to him are scaring him - the old, calm ones aren't scary. Messing with his feet is scary to him as well as approaching him when he's lying down.
If you fix his insecurity you will fix these reactions.
Sorry I am not more help. You need a decent dog behaviorist - not a trainer.

 

[Rusty Hills Farm]

The thing is he growls at us sometimes.Never teeth baring growls, but he growls. If he is laying down resteng and we come up to pet him or something, he will growl, then get up and run away like he is in trouble. We used to let him up on the couch, and if we moved he would growl and run away.

My take on this is that he is telling you he does not like what you are doing, so he verbalizes his dislike. He then runs away because he knows he is wrong to growl. If he were mine, I would not offer to touch him when he growls and only verbally and using a very calm, matter-of-fact tone, I would tell him "No, do not growl. I don't like when you growl." as he runs away. Then call him back and ask him to sit. Tell him he's a good dog for coming. Then say something like, "Can I pet?" and when he accepts petting, I'd tell him he's a good dog.

It may be that he just needs a warning that you are gonna touch him. I have a mare like that. She's fine if I just say something like, "Can I have your head now?" as I reach for her. But if I just reach for her head without saying anything, she will set back.

Obviously Elvis is never gonna be safe around kids, but in an adult-only household he should be fine. And, yes, I do think this is insecurity and I don't think he's gonna get over it. The wrong trainer will only make it worse, so choose a trainer VERY carefully if that is the direction you decide to go.

JMO, of course.


Rusty​

 

[claud]

Just a thought. Have you had a vet check his hearing and sight? Dogs with impairments are often startled easily and feel vulnerable around other dogs.

He is all white too.....

 

[dutchhollow]

was just going to ask what claud did before I replied, have you had a hearing test done on him?

 

[redhen]

Quote:
Good idea... that may be the problem..
Maybe he cant see or hear well...and he gets scared/startled??

 

[secuono]

That 'insecure growl' may get worse into aggressive/protective growl. My dobie is a very shy and nervous dog, like yours, things that may easily fall and make nose freak him out.
Either way, you are in charge, you need to find out why he growls.
I didn't bother correcting my dog until he got brave with me, it will happen if you do nothing. After he went for me just once, I was done treating him like a child, he is a dog after all. Lots of time & training later, he only growls at me for cooked bones and such they sell at pet stores. I'm working on that still.
A mix of Cesar Millan & Victoria Stilwell, both are extremes of both worlds, is what I used.

 

[claud]

You might want to check this out.

http://www.critterchat.net/deafpuppies1.htm

Bull Terriers are on the "high prevelance" list for hearing impairment.

If that is part of the problem there should be some resources out there on the subject that could help with the behavior.

 

[Pavla]

Aggression and insecurity are often confused, and stem from similar roots. Most often, the lack of defined canine based roles.

If your pup is insecure by nature, but lacks a clear alpha, they will try to fill the void themselves. This results in much stress as this role is unnatural for them. A submissive animal playing at Alpha is a very nervous and unpredictable animal.

'Being' Alpha is, in canine lingo, one who eats first, one who lays sits and stands where they want (often moving other dogs with vocalizations to express their rank) and submissive dogs offer their throats to the alpha (this behavior gives the Alpha the right to 'hold' the other dog by any body part they want, ie paws for nail trimmings etc).

While providing a wonderful home life, the lack of clear canine roles, can cause aggression and inappropriate vocalization issues.

The behaviorist wasn't trying to hurting your pup, they were asking for submission in a very canine way. Your pup was throwing a temper tantrum, canine style. The age and the type(terrier) that reaction would be very predictable. Unfortunately, your pup didn't submit, and never got 'relieved' of his self imposed Alpha role. There are other exercises that establish the same thing, that one is the most direct, and the most misunderstood.

Personally, I never under any circumstance allow a dog to growl at me, ever. A soda can with a few pennies inside is a great shaker noise aversion. Yes, your dog will act scared, yes he will probably run away from the spot he has claimed, but it is not his spot, it is yours, as the alpha. He should never growl at you. And you should not allow it. Reclaim the role and he will get more confident that you will do your job

As for the dog aggression, your dog is a danger to other dogs. You need a professional to help you to safely manage that issue. Well, as safe as possible.
There are other style of training, best bet would be to find a trainer that you understand their methods and are comfortable with those methods. Hope some of this helps.

 

[aubreynoramarie]

Quote:
i can try that, that is not something any one has had me do before but i have heard about it working.

also we are not so much letting him be fearful of things, the baby gate, he just never goes near which is GOOD, it keeps him out of the cats litter box. Actually a part of the training that we have been doing with him is giving him treats and re-enforcing positive behavior from him when he relaxes whilst we are out and about. I know this sounds weird but i really dont think he is being fearful OR dominant when he is growling at us... it is very very strange, thats why i do not fear being bitten. But because he is insecure i dont want to punish him for the growling, but i dont want to coddle him and make him think its okay. so i just ignore him and let him go on his way.

 

[aubreynoramarie]

didnt see this whole second page! but so far this sounds like the best advice for my situation. He is not deaf OR sight impared, but i knew these things were prevalent in the breed before i got him. No, he is an extremely good listener and can see any tennis ball from all the way across the park, lol.

Quote:
My take on this is that he is telling you he does not like what you are doing, so he verbalizes his dislike. He then runs away because he knows he is wrong to growl. If he were mine, I would not offer to touch him when he growls and only verbally and using a very calm, matter-of-fact tone, I would tell him "No, do not growl. I don't like when you growl." as he runs away. Then call him back and ask him to sit. Tell him he's a good dog for coming. Then say something like, "Can I pet?" and when he accepts petting, I'd tell him he's a good dog.

It may be that he just needs a warning that you are gonna touch him. I have a mare like that. She's fine if I just say something like, "Can I have your head now?" as I reach for her. But if I just reach for her head without saying anything, she will set back.

Obviously Elvis is never gonna be safe around kids, but in an adult-only household he should be fine. And, yes, I do think this is insecurity and I don't think he's gonna get over it. The wrong trainer will only make it worse, so choose a trainer VERY carefully if that is the direction you decide to go.

JMO, of course.


Rusty

Elvis is always reminded of his place in the house. It is the first thing we learned to do when he started having problems. He is never allowed to enter a room first, does not ever sleep on the bed or couch as of a year and a half ago, always eats after us, must do some kind of tirck before receiving treats/breakfast/dinner, must always do a trick before we will play with him...etc... like the behaviorist told us, he is not dominance-aggressive.

I think hes just a weirdo. this breed is so inbred and i will admit, they are bred for looks and not temperment, i am completely grateful that i have such a wonderful dog, and that these outbursts only happen every couple of months or so (and are becomming less and less!).

thanks everyone for your words and advice! like i said i have talked to a billion people and have been to a billion dog forums and no one can quite figure him out...thought id try here to since byc-ers are some of the smartest animal people i have seen thus far!