Aggressive Bulldog

Question
Hello,  I am reaching out to anyone that might have answers and good advice to my problem:  I have a female bulldog. She is 8 1/2 years old. She is the love of our lives (we don't have children and she is our everything!). As a puppy she was incredibly sweet and loved everyone. As she grew older, she started lunging at people and scaring them, but we always controlled her and held her back so there was no wounds inflicted on anyone. She had a doggie walker for 5-6 years that absolutely loved her (and she loved her back). Close to a year ago, she started attacking her doggie walker whenever she came to walk her while my husband or I where at home. We had to leave the house or otherwise she would just lung at her as well. The doggie walker reallocated to another state so we had to find an hire someone else. A very sweet good hearted man in his 60s that was incredibly kind and patient with her. She was ok with him at the beginning (would be really upset if he walked in while my husband or I were home, but other than that she was fine ... we just had to leave the house for him to get her).  I had to travel this weekend and my husband stayed behind with our little one. On Monday as her dog walker came to take her out, she lunged at him as he was putting on her harness and would not let him close to her (I am not sure to this point if she actually bit him or not .. he keeps saying that he is fine). I arrived home late last night and had a "chat" with her. I hoped that now that I was back home she would start acting normal again, but today she did not even allow him to come through the door. She has never been aggressive towards me or my husband, but I have noticed that she has become more affectionate and tries to hump us whenever we are on the floor playing with her. She loves kids and little dogs, but quite frankly I keep her now away from kids because I never know if she is going to be in the mood to be sweet or to be nasty. I read so many chats of people that had to put their bulldogs down and am terrified!! Putting her down would never be an option to me!!!  Is there any explanation and advise out there??? Is there a training issue involved?  I live in a building and we have had tons of construction lately. She has become increasingly scared and now any loud noise gets her totally freaked out. What can I do? I need help from wherever I can get it!! Please do not send any advice regarding euthanasia! That will just not happen!!!  Thank you for your help!  I really need it!  Marie

Answer
Hello Marie:  I know what is wrong with her : Territorial Aggression to her Pack ( you and husband) and to her home ( her DEN)...
This is common and does get worse as the years go by.

You can fix this problem... or LESSEN it by the following:  Also, the suggestions are not overnight results.... it takes some time.

Yes, the loud noises can be a problem too... but that is not what has happened to her.  She feels that your are HERS and she MUST protect your and or, her home...

First, you can ask the vet for an anit-anxiety medication for the begining of this change... ( keep her on a small dose for a few weeks to a month)   

Next, a change in food to LOW protien - NO more than 20 grams of protien per meal...  Look for a natural or holistic brand such as- solid gold, Innova, Wellness Formula...Eagle Pack
Protien can be less than 20.... but NO more than 20 mg per serving..
No treats unless they are low protien.  NO table foods..

Also, make sure she is not always in the Front of her house...
If she has a play area or fenced in area, see if you can keep her from the front of the house.  ( THIS is the PROTECTION zone for her).

Also, when people arrive to your home she must be in a crate or back room for arrival... When you do bring her out have her on a leash for control.  No more her at the door greeting anyone.  VERY bad for a dog with Territorial Aggression.

Last, Get my friend's book - The HUMAN Pack.-  This will help you a bunch and it is only around 15.00 from Amazon.com
Here are some links for you to review:
I hope this has helped...

Great vitamin / supplement - NuVET Plus - A Must for her health...
http://www.apluspetcare.com/untitled4.html

The Human Pack - Book link:

http://www.amazon.com/Human-Pack-Healthy-Relationships-
Behaviorist/dp/1419675788

Other links for this type of aggression-

http://www.hilltopanimalhospital.com/aggression.htm

http://www.petplace.com/dogs/inter-dog-territorial-aggression/page1.aspx


Let me know how the changes go...It can take 60 days for the process to kick in!
BEST wishes...


Marie of The Doggie Chalet Hotel
NuVET Plus - The BEST dog supplement in the USA
http://www.apluspetcare.com


Hi again:  I understand the spincter muscle and the reflux problem.. a anti-acid should be given 1/2 hr before any meals... ask your vet about this option. Also, make sure she eats meals on a higher level , raised feeding.  This will help with the reflux and the ingeston of too much air.

Innova is a great food!!! Can be higher in protien... check to make sure it is not more than 20 % per meal.  Don't do chicken livers any more, if possible.  Yes, you can give some chicken meat, lean white will be fine.  Moderate amounts please.

The NuVET Plus - one per day - will help digestion and so many other problems that can hit our dogs as they age...

Anyway, I hope this all helps you...


Marie