Hi,

This is my first post on here, and I would really appreciate advice from anyone that knows dogs, esp Bul Terriers.  I have a 6 month old BT, which we got on Saturday.  He is a lovely dog in every way, but it is embaressing to take him out as his (apparent) aggression toward other dogs is so extreme.  He has not actually bit one, indeed he might not, but I ain't gonna let him off the lead to find out!

He is good with people, even those that come into the home.  He is good with them OUTSIDE too, except that his first instinct when he sees someone is to growl and pull at them, which naturally gives them the impression that he is a killer!  However, if I walk over to the person, and they are cool with that, he is 100% fine.

Thoughts..?

Do you know anything about his history before he came to live with you?

Yes. He has come from good stock, a champion breeder in England.  He has been with other dogs, but really only those that he grew up with, and was only really walked in a field.  I have just spoken to the former owner and he says that he was fine with other people's dogs coming into the house, and I can beleive that, because he shows no aggression or anything if a person comes into the house, but gives off the impression of it in the street.  You would think it would be the other way around.

I have booked him some socilaistion classes for next week, the women seems confident that we can crack this, I really hope so... :(

It was suggested to me that I carry a water squirter around and zap him with it when he shows those tendancies toward other dogs, or people.

I wouldnt use a water pistol it can make a nervous dog even worse what you need is positive reinforcement not negative. He should associate meeting people/dogs with good rewards rather than bad you may just supress the nervousness with the water.
For example i have used a water pistol for stealing off worktops, bad things happen to those that steal :D

I'd go to the classes and see what they say, they should evaluate him and give an accurate training program suitable to his needs. I don't think anyone is qualified to give advice over the internet re: aggression without actually seeing the dog.

Yes, that is probably sensible.  Perhaps I will do nothing radical until the dog expert has been here next Friday then..  It's the first time I have had to use a specialist, obviously as I have not had a dog before!  From anyone's experience, do they tend to generally be effective..?  Would it be okay to try the water for other stuff within the house, like nicking food or chewing stuff?

hi cain ,
my friend used a specialist with her gsd who shown agression at any dog or person when out walking , for the first few months they did a one to one and then gradually they brought her to the training classes and she is now a different dog ,so it worked with her and im sure it will work with you ,
good luck and keep us posted......

Thanks for youyr support.  I will keep you updated.  It is great to have a place to get online support..

Cain, no I wouldn't use the water at all.

You need to teach a good 'leave' command.  Tell the dog 'leave', and wave a treat under his nose.  He will have to drop the object to get the treat.  If you throw the treat away from you on the floor, you will have more time to pick the object up and remove it before the dog gets to it again.  Eventually you will be able to just say leave and the dog will drop the object in anticipation of the treat.  You still need to give a treat though, so have some at hand around your house.

Make sure your 'dog expert' is a member of the APDT because there are lots of cowboys out there who can screw things up further.

I put my Bully on a half choke chain yesterday instead of a harness.  It seems to be working for him and me much better.

On Friday the trainer is coming over.  Will keep you updated.

He has had a bit of diaohrea today.  Any thoughts as to what might be causing this..?

Have you introduced any new foods or treats??

Yes, I have.  When I got him, he was on a pound of tripe a day, plus some "complete" mixer, but I could not stand the smell of the tripe, therefore I changed him to a tinned food, and yes, he has been getting some treats right enough.

However, as of today, I have taken him off the tinned rubbish (!) and moved him onto proper food like fresh chicken and tuna.

Changing foods rather too rapidly will cause upsets, do you think this is what you might have done?  Most tinned foods are not "rubbish" and they do have the advantage of being properly balanced if they are completes, like Chappie, or added to mixers as instructed.  Feeding fresh foods like chicken and tuna (tuna is not recommended more than once or twice a week because of possible mercury levels) is all well and good but they are nothing like adequate on their own so if you wish to feed this way you will need to study up the subject to make sure your home made diet is completely balanced, there are many fresh food feeders on here who may be able to guide you if you want to go that route.

Thanks, I will take that on board :)

I guess that is the thing with dogs, it's not an "exact science", and much of the advice I receive is conflicting.  For example, one Bully breeder that I know says that he would never feed his dogs on tins, and that the chicken and tuna are good for bone and muscle development...

Still, ya live and learn..

I agree, dried & tin food is not the best thing to grow a healthy BT puppy on!!! It could well be part of the reason for him acting in that way.
I feed mine on a natural diet and all 8 of my Bullies have done very well on it so far as have many of the puppies ive sold.
Tripe is used lots in our breed but please remember that it is around 80% water so if it is being fed to a growing Bullies other foods must be added.

This is a link to an artical called 'It's in the bag' http://www.naturalrearing.com/J_In_Learning/Diet/Food/InTheBag.htm please read it if you get time.

I will read it, thanks.

:)

And roll on Friday, so that we can at least START to tackle this attitude of his when he sees another dog.  He is wagging his tail at times AND growling when he does it, but it's not on and needs to be nipped in the bud.

It appears to be an American site, Cain, if you are in the UK all dog food has to be fit for human consumption and is closely regulated to ensure that all preservatives etc are within permitted limits which are in themselves well within safe limits. 
Having said that it may be the case that certain diets are more appropriate to certain breeds therefore it is generally a good idea to consult the breeder of your dog as after all they have reared at least one adult to a condition that you felt good enough to buy a puppy off them :)