Brutus just turned a year old, and had been a great addition to our family, until recently. We have three other dogs, two older males (8 and 11), and a female (none of them bulldogs). Lately he's been showing aggression towards the other males. He was always sort of trying to show dominance over them, but lately he's been attacking the oldest one when food is out or when my wife is showing the older dog affection. I basically separate them and let Brutus know that I'm the "lead dog," and it's pretty obvious he knows that.
Last night was a different story. I have an 8 year old autistic son, who doesn't much care for Brutus. He doesn't torture him or anything, he'd just rather not have him around. Brutus used to chase him when he was a puppy, trying to get him to play. My son never really went for it, just wasn't his thing. Well, last night, my boy and the dog were upstairs, and my son came downstairs crying, with a small cut on his lip. We were asking him what happened when Brutus came downstairs. My son sat on the floor, face to face with him, and Brutus went after him and bit his arm. No food was involved. We don't really know what happened upstairs, but I don't care if my son pulled Brutus' bottom lip over his head, it is unacceptable for him to bite him in the face.
I love my dog, I really do, but there is no way I'm going to let this go on. This is my first Bulldog, is this behavior common to the breed? I didn't think it was. Like I said, he knows I'm the "lead dog" in the house, do you suppose he thinks he's second in command and can do whatever he wants if I'm not looking?
Any suggestions would be most helpful. If I can't get this rectified, and soon, this dog has gotta go. I can't have him biting my kid.
Thanks in advance.
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