Quote Originally Posted by massi4 View Post
Thanks so much for the reply. We are sitting here this evening distraught what to do. Our vet referred us to a behavior specialist who is a woman who breeds Bulldogs. She said that the olde english Bulldogs are very strong willed, etc. she to.d us to get his thyroid checked. I have always wondered if it was just something in his brain from bad breeding.

My husband and I both feed him. My husband walks him most of the time. I have walked him but not a lot due to my MS and arm problems. My husband said yesterday on our walk that I should have walked him instead of walking behind him.

Per our trainer, we started attaching a leash at all times. He got used to it and we used it as a tool when he would go into guard mode. He becomes almost like jekel and Hyde, as if he just snaps like yesterday. I have never been a fan of shocking or anything believe me. I don't know if it was the right thing to do at this point. I am going to look up NILIF program for sure. This is a critical stage and I am looking at everything possible. Thanks and I will wait to see your reply. God thank you. We are praying for a miracle. Terri

Let us know how it goes. And yes, the key thing with bulldogs is you have to be more stubborn than they are, and never, ever give in.

Basically "NILIF" means all good things in life come from you. As he is already okay with your husband, make sure for the time being, you are the only one that feeds him. Before you feed him, run him through some commands, a good "sit" and "wait" or "stay" and then count to 10 in your head before he gets the food. If you do a search here you will come up with a lot of information.

Particularly with bulldogs, negative training is pretty pointless, so getting through his thick skull (said in all lovingness) that you are in charge is much more important. As you know, this is a crucial stage in his growing up, so the sooner the better. And if you are not up to walking him because or your MS, when it is time for his walk, you be the one to walk him to the door, and hand the leash to "daddy" so you still are the giver for walks in a way! And when either you or you husband walks him, make sure the leash is always slack, The minute he starts to pull, stop in your tracks, make him sit, then catch up to where he is and do it again! Especially as you have arm trouble, and he is all muscle, this is crucial for your future health and happiness! You'll feel stupid doing it, but it is completely worth it in the long run!

And getting his thyroid checked is a good idea, too. It helps to rule out any physical problems when one is starting training, too!