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So my american bulldog, ruby, is a little over a year old. we introduced a new american bulldog puppy to our home just yesterday. I have read several times that the dominate dog, which in this case is ruby, will express there dominance through aggression. this was to be expected, but ruby seems to be a bit overly aggressive. she will unexpectedly lash out at the little puppy. ruby has done this probably about 5 times already. during these times of aggression, treats and toys have been absent; it seems to be random, without even a growl of warning. not only is there no warning for these attacks, but the puppy is minding his own business rather than pestering ruby when she lashes out. I have to physically pull ruby off of the puppy. I become so frustrated that I put her in her crate to remove her from the situation. I'm not sure what to do with her or even the puppy after these bouts of aggression. what do I do with both dogs after this happens? how can I prevent it from happening? I would like these dogs to at least learn to tolerate each other, what steps can I take to do so?
Have you watched The Dog Whisper on National Geographic. He worked with dogs doing this just last weekend.
Do the following only if your dog does not bite you!
You need to gain dominance over your older dog. Take her when she does this to the pup and push her over on her side and hold her down between the neck and shoulder. You are applying pressure that does not allow the dog to get up but does not hurt your dog either. She will try to get back up but do not let her. Allow the puppy to come over and sniff her. If she growls or tries to get up say ATTT or SSSHHH whichever word you use. I use ATTT Cesar uses SSS between the teeth.
The other thing you do is put your older dog on a leash. Put her in a heal position. Keep her in this position. Have your husband or another family member bring the puppy over and allow the puppy to sniff you older dog, do not allow your older dog to respond. Pull up on the leash or give your dog a side nudge with your foot (not hard) to stop the reaction, also using the ATT or SSS noise (which is a NO command)
Putting your older Dog in the crate is not going to work. It only causes resentment. It will cause her to be more angry. She will actually start to be more aggressive.
I have been here and done this and this works the best. Confront the issue as dogs do. Watch NG Dog Whisper! Friday nights. Animal Planet has some good trainers and your local library is stocked full of books on training and dog behavior.
Obedience Classes are great and should always be attended but I do not think will work in this situation.
Try to introduce the puppy daily in small amounts of time start off by playing with both dogs a game of chase for about 20 min rewarding them both if she gets aggressive stop the play and remove yourself and the puppy right away wait about an hour and try to reintroduce the puppy again with feeding them both outof different dishes but in the same room every time you do something with the puppy give them both a treat everytime ruby does good with the puppy praise her.
first put a muzzle on ruby because she isnt used to the new scent the puupy has and after the muzzle is on allow ruby to snff the puppy's behind (I know it sounds nasty but thats how dogs get used to other dogs)
You could try obidence classes. Most people say they work.
