I thought English Bulldogs were docile

[Karen]

Oh, and one thing I almost forgot to add - the most important part is to be stubborn about the training! Don;t give up or give in, ever. English Bulldogs vary in temperament, so are not always docile, as you have discovered, but the one thing they all DO seem to have i common is a stubborn streak as wide as that bully grin!

And keeping him off the furniture is simple if he's on a leash, and a few pieces of cardboard propped in front of things while training is happening can help. Persist, but patient and consistent, and you will have a great, great dog! How many people are in the house? How old is your stepson?

[Lady's Human]

Just to echo the Mayor's comments, consistency.

Everyone has to be on the same page as to what behavior is allowed and what isn't.

As to interaction with the stepson, just a little story:

My brother had a lab/dane mix. She was a great dog, friendly, playful....except with me when I first came into the house. Not when she first met me, but the first few minutes when I'd come into the house for her entire life, Princess would growl at me. My brother would go to the cookie jar, hand me a biscuit, I'd give it to Princess, and then she'd be fine. Some pups are just odd with certain people.

I'd do classes, with the pup, just to ensure the dog knows who the leader is. It HAS to be you, and with some dogs there can never be a question of who the alpha is (right, Lady?).

[Joan Dixon Xavier]

My 5-1/2 year old female English Bulldog has started lying on the grass or scooting on her belly and will not stand up or resume walking. I spent approx 20 mins this evening trying to heave her up by her harness and she would roll over on her back and when I attempted to lift her she snapped at me. This is the most loving, affectionate dog and I am at a loss why she suddenly is behaving like this. She has done this lying on the grass before without snapping, but usually it only was for a few seconds but this went on for a long time. I finally hauled her by her harness back onto the sidewalk and literally made her stand on 4 legs. She weighs 47 lbs and I am over 70 and this was very stressful for me. Any advice or suggestions? Thank you

[Karen]

My 5-1/2 year old female English Bulldog has started lying on the grass or scooting on her belly and will not stand up or resume walking. I spent approx 20 mins this evening trying to heave her up by her harness and she would roll over on her back and when I attempted to lift her she snapped at me. This is the most loving, affectionate dog and I am at a loss why she suddenly is behaving like this. She has done this lying on the grass before without snapping, but usually it only was for a few seconds but this went on for a long time. I finally hauled her by her harness back onto the sidewalk and literally made her stand on 4 legs. She weighs 47 lbs and I am over 70 and this was very stressful for me. Any advice or suggestions? Thank you

Definitely a trip to the vet is in order - her snapping at you seems like a reaction she'd only have if she was in pain, and if she was lying on her belly on the grass, knowing English Bulldogs, it may be her hips are bothering her. Absolutely to the vet, okay? Could be a number of things causing her pain, I really doubt this is behavioral. Dog's can;t say, "Mom, me knees are sore," so they communicate the only way they know how.

[Joan Dixon Xavier]

Definitely a trip to the vet is in order - her snapping at you seems like a reaction she'd only have if she was in pain, and if she was lying on her belly on the grass, knowing English Bulldogs, it may be her hips are bothering her. Absolutely to the vet, okay? Could be a number of things causing her pain, I really doubt this is behavioral. Dog's can;t say, "Mom, me knees are sore," so they communicate the only way they know how.

I don't believe she is any sort of pain. She very much chooses how much she wants to walk and will head back when she has had enough. I'm afraid she wilfully just wanted her way to hang out on the grass and also to run. She is actually at Doggie Day Care today at the vet's so will be checked out.

[Karen]

I don't believe she is any sort of pain. She very much chooses how much she wants to walk and will head back when she has had enough. I'm afraid she wilfully just wanted her way to hang out on the grass and also to run. She is actually at Doggie Day Care today at the vet's so will be checked out.

Okay, yes, they should definitely check her hips - bulldogs are prone to hip issues, what with their odd anatomy. Pain is usually the reason a usually docile dog will snap, the other thought is check her feet to see if she's got a cut or torn pad or infected toenail or something relatively minor that would nonetheless make it uncomfortable to stand.

[tikeyas_mom]

I have known so many people who get bulldogs thinking they are very laid back, but it is the complete opposite lol. The Bulldogs that I know are very hyper, and playful, rambunctious. Now I haven't seen them become human aggressive very often but I have seen them become dog aggressive.. My suggestion is obedience training with a professional. Its worth it, it doesn't cost to much either, around $140 for 5-7 weeks of training... They will help you with behaviour and how to handle situations when the dog is about to react with dominance... I wish you much luck.. He sounds like a beautiful dog, we need pics ,,

Take care.