Dog aggression?

[jenwalsh]

Hi,

My 16 month old american bulldog x has recently started to show aggression towards strangers and im not best sure how to deal with it appropriatly. Its obviously through nerves but this has really just cropped up over the last month or so. She is being booked into the vets to be dressed soon (we couldnt do it earlier as she has been having funny seasons and phantom pregancies since her first season) so im hoping that that helps a bit.

I understand that this type of aggression can be caused by feeling insecure and not having a true "pack leader" to make her feel safe. I do not molly cuddle her, she is not allowed on the furniture/in the bedroom etc she is well excersied and goes monroeing most weekends with my OH.

In the last week she has nipped my OH friend when they were out walking even though they had been in the car together and then had spent half the day hill walking first and she was fine with him and she also tried to bite my OH's other friend when he came to the house on sunday night but after about an hour or so she was fine with him. Then another friend arrived in the morning (they were all going skiing) and she didnt bat an eyelid at him so its not happening with everyone.

Anybody got any suggestions? oh and if you got this far you deserve a cookie lol

[dazycutter]

she is clearly feeling threatened in some way... have you ruled out everything else like if she is unwell, in pain etc... Getting her spayed will help with the hormones too

sounds like you are doing the right things with regards to dominance.

it may well be a hormonal thing but to be honest without seeing what she does its really hard to comment

try a doggy psychologist.. a good one is worth their weight in gold..

good luck and keep us posted..

[squidgetmidget]

false pregs can cause aggression and abnormal behaviour so it may make a difference but like with most behavioural problems either talk to your vet or get them to refer you to a behaviourist as although this is time consuming and costly it is well worth it and things like this are never a quick fix.

[princessstacie22]

It could be to do with these persons body language.
Make sure they dont look her in the eye, are calm around her but assertive.
It sounds like she is insecure around them.
When they come to your house make sure they dont talk touch or look at her for around fifteen mins and then when they do its on their terms. Get them to call her and then pet her.

Once she is spayed she should calm down a bit but dont rely on this solely.