Obedience & Discipline

Question
I have a 16 week old female English Bulldog. She's not your ordinary lazy english. She is HYPERRR! She's always on the go. Unfortuately, I need help with her! She bites at people, though I think she's only playing. She also jumps up on people. I have tried everything I can to get her to calm down and listen to me. I can't seem to get her to understand me. She doesn't seem to know what "No" means. I also do not know the appropriate way to discipline her. I know that bullies are much more stubborn than other breds so I don't want to discipline her the wrong way. Any advise?

Answer
Hi Heather

Firstly, she will not understand 'No' unless she is taught, so bear that in mind.

Bulldogs are not the most biddable of breeds, and they are also physically insensitive (they have to be, if you think what they were bred for) so can be rough without realising it.  They are also often less lazy than people expect - they actually are quite active, they are just just restricted physically due to body weight and breathing difficulties.

I suggest you enroll in some training classes to gain some control and teach her the appropriate way to greet people before she is very much bigger!  You don't need to be thinking about discipline at this age - you simply need to teach her what you want her to do as she doesn't know, she is just behaving like a dog.  Bulldogs do not respond well to discipline, you need to motivate them to do what you want instead.  do not use a trainer who wants to use punishment and coercion to get her to behave.

Good luck and well done for seeking advice now.

Lucy