Archive for the tag 'dog agression'

Ask the Trainer - Food Fighting Frenchies

gollygear March 11th, 2008

Food Fighting Frenchies

HI, I have two adult females that have grown up together from puppies but occasionally will get into fights, and they are hurting each other. It is always when we are around though, especially my husband, and the attention seems to be one trigger. Food is another and we feed in separate rooms and do not give treats when they are together. They can fight and then lick each other lovingly later. One female is more aggressive than the other and, yes - it is worse when one is near heat.

We are breeding them so, I do not want to neuter. What advice can you give?


Hope writes -

I don’t think you’re going to be happy with the advice I have for you -

Spay. Crate. Separate.

Firstly: I would recommend that you spay your dogs. Aggression is not a trait that should be perpetuated, or tolerated.

Secondly: how are you reacting when “the girls” start spatting? The correct response is to slam a heavy book or unbreakable object on the ground, yell “no,” and run in the other direction. When they’ve broken off their battle to see what the heck you’re up to - both should be crated for a “time out.”

If attention is the trigger - give the dog not getting direct attention something else to do, gnaw on a chew toy, fetch a toy, tug etc. Even practise obedience behaviors - “Down, Stay” is excellent.

Feed them in their crates - no interaction, no guarding, no battles. Remove their bowls in 10 minutes, if they haven’t finished, they’ll learn to be faster next time.

It sounds like your dogs are setting the rules in your house instead of obeying them. Everyone is happier when the humans are in charge. If you aren’t confident in your ability to train your dogs, do get some help. Get recommendations from friends, family, local veterinarians. Observe training classes, if you can, before signing up. Frenchies are best trained by positive reinforcement methods.

Separation may be your last remaining option. I know an excellent trainer who had to keep her intact females separated throughout their lives. When one was with the family, the other was crated. Keeping your girls intact may mean a lifetime of “crate juggling” for you and your family.

-Hope

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How do I deal with my neighbor’s aggressive Frenchie?

gollygear December 8th, 2007

How do I deal with my neighbor’s aggressive Frenchie?

We have a problem. We have a neighbour who owns 1 male french bulldog, 2 female french bulldogs; plus one or two resuce dogs, hound origin. We own a golden retriever male.

Our problem is that the french bulldogs (1 male and one female) have attacked our golden retriever together 3 times once resulting in taking our dog to the vet after being injured by them. Last night the male broke through the fence again, and ran at me whilst I was at our front door. I am not usually afraid of dogs but I am absolutely terrified of these ones, particularly the male, and the owner will not listen to us, since she finds her dogs adorable.

What can we do to solve this problem, I am at my wits end and am now going to seek advice from the police. We are also trying to put up a more rigid fence. If this doesnt work we will have to move from our home due to the aggressive behaviour of this male french bulldog.

Please can you help us to find a solution. I am terrified that the end result will be that someone will end up being really hurt by this dog.


Hope writes:

As most dog owners know, either sex of any breed of dog can be aggressive. There are many steps an owner can take to gain control of the situration, or preferably, prevent it from happening at all.

Without the owner recognizing and dealing with the situation through training, the only thing you can do is protect yourself and your family, including your dogs. Do strengthen your fence, making sure there are no holes large enough for the unfriendly neighbor dogs to use. Secondly, when you go out, arm yourself with a spray-bottle filled with either lemon juice or vinegar. If the dogs come charging at you, yell “no” at them. If they come within range, spray them with the lemon juice, aiming for their mouths if possible. It should give you enough time to get back inside.

If the problem persists, do call your local animal control office and see if they will assist you, either by speaking to the owner and getting her to recognize the problem and deal with it, or by giving her a citation to force her to control her dogs.

- Hope and Dax �

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