While a biting Bulldog is not highly common some owners do discover that their young Bulldogs have a tendency to nip or bite at times. Long term problems arise when you think this is just typical behavior, even somewhat cute, and you believe your puppy will grow out of it as it matures. In reality what happens is that your dog learns that this behavior is acceptable and it will likely continue biting into adulthood, which is a serious problem.
Bulldogs are not known as biters, generally. However, if you are battling this problem with your Bulldog it might help to know the main reason they do bite. Biting is in a dog’s genes. In the wild, it is part of striving for dominance in the pack and is common when there is no clear leader. Dog’s have an innate need to know who the Alpha-Dog is, and if there isn’t one, its instincts will tell it to take charge. Biting is an assertion of dominance. If your Bulldog is biting it may be evidence that your leadership and authority needs to be more firm.
Your Bulldog is a smart animal, as you surely know. That means it can be trained very well if the training makes sense to the dog and is carried out with authority, not with violence or yelling. It begins with properly socializing your puppy, and the way this starts is by leaving it with its mother and litter mates until it is at least 8 weeks old. Its mother will be the first to teach it that aggressive biting is a no-no. Here is where it begins to learn to control the instinct to pursue dominance.
Once your Bulldog puppy is with you, continue to socialize the dog by having it around people and other dogs, keeping a careful eye that bigger dogs don’t take advantage of it. Be calm with your Bulldog puppy, firm and controlled. Also be warm and encouraging as it learns what you expect. Once it knows you are in charge and what you want it to do it will eagerly seek to please you. Don’t act aggressively or the puppy may learn to act the same way as a means of protecting itself.
When your Bulldog puppy does bite make a whimpering noise to let it know it has hurt you, and then very calmly reprimand it. A firm “no” is usually enough for your smart Bulldog pup. Some experts suggest offering the dog a chew toy, which is fine, but be sure that before you do, your pooch knows that you are in charge and that biting you is not acceptable.
If your Bulldog is more than 1 year old and still nips or bites, then you’ve got to get to work immediately to curb the behavior. The remedial training must begin with exerting your authority over the dog so that it knows it must please you or suffer negative consequences such as being crated. Start with basics like instituting a feeding schedule, expecting the dog to sit before being fed, and obeying your wishes on your daily walk. Again, be the alpha-leader your dog needs! Never give in to whining and always reprimand misbehavior. Don’t engage in tussles or games that simulate fighting. Expect a calm, controlled dog and with persistence you will be rewarded. The truth is, your Bulldog will be much happier knowing it is secure under your authority.
Other things that will help your Bulldog be a good pooch include giving it plenty of exercise to burn off excess energy, removing anything from its environment that causes anxiety such as someone who teases or taunts the dog, and enrolling your pooch and yourself in a training class where you both can learn valuable principles of dog obedience.
If you have an adult Bulldog that will not stop biting then you’ve got a tough decision to make. Consult with a licensed dog trainer or with your vet about what can be done, if anything. Attempt to discover the underlying causes of the aggressive behavior and remedy them if you can.
Jill B