How to handle out of control american bull dog

[brat pack]

I work at a no kill shelter. There is a american bulldog there that has some behavior issues. He will run at you when he is in the yard and jump up and grab your arm and bite hard enough to hurt. I never go in the yard with him myself, but others who work there have. And he goes crazy and assaults them. I always leash him to take him to the yard and if I had to get him out, I let him out alone(he is in there with 3 other dogs). They don't approve of any physical discipline there. I told them if he attacked me, I would do whatever I had to to defend myself. Their advice is to put your hands down by your side and turn your back to him. This doesn't stop his advances. He will just run around to your side and jump up and bite. Any suggestions of how to break him of this habit? I personally think he is dangerous and would put him down, but they don't believe in that. He could never be adopted out in my opinion. Too unpredictable.

[Texasbulldogs]

Nobody can say what needs/should be done by your description, only can guess. You are limited to what you can do being there. From the little details, I’d guess; dog is somewhat young, kenneled most of the day, bored to death, and missing human interaction. Which the only time it receives any kind of attention is when being let out which sounds more like just letting a few dogs go in a yard for “X” amount of time. The dog has learnt if it grabs the “human” is will receive the attention it wants-negative attention is better than NO attention or knows the routine when someone comes out fun ends and boredom begans once again! Either way simple problem for to correct in a "home enviornment". Why not find a Bulldog foster home for it so it can be trained and properly evaluated-much easier to find it a home that way? Confused how you work for a no kill shelter, yet think it should be killed for a basic problem any dog of any breed can/will have?

[chinasmom]

I agree. Give him some love and a hug.

[Big Game]

exelent advice!!!!!Nobody can say what needs/should be done by your description, only can guess. You are limited to what you can do being there. From the little details, I’d guess; dog is somewhat young, kenneled most of the day, bored to death, and missing human interaction. Which the only time it receives any kind of attention is when being let out which sounds more like just letting a few dogs go in a yard for “X” amount of time. The dog has learnt if it grabs the “human” is will receive the attention it wants-negative attention is better than NO attention or knows the routine when someone comes out fun ends and boredom begans once again! Either way simple problem for to correct in a "home enviornment". Why not find a Bulldog foster home for it so it can be trained and properly evaluated-much easier to find it a home that way? Confused how you work for a no kill shelter, yet think it should be killed for a basic problem any dog of any breed can/will have?

[ghost 1]

Nobody can say what needs/should be done by your description, only can guess. You are limited to what you can do being there. From the little details, I’d guess; dog is somewhat young, kenneled most of the day, bored to death, and missing human interaction. Which the only time it receives any kind of attention is when being let out which sounds more like just letting a few dogs go in a yard for “X” amount of time. The dog has learnt if it grabs the “human” is will receive the attention it wants-negative attention is better than NO attention or knows the routine when someone comes out fun ends and boredom begans once again! Either way simple problem for to correct in a "home enviornment". Why not find a Bulldog foster home for it so it can be trained and properly evaluated-much easier to find it a home that way? Confused how you work for a no kill shelter, yet think it should be killed for a basic problem any dog of any breed can/will have?

great post

he just need sum lovin,,,but i would discipline him when he done this,,a dog has to know his boundries, and has to have them taught to him,,, a dog that run to the highway everytime it gets out will run out of luck sooner or later

[Zoe]

Have you tried redirecting him to something he can grab onto? Before he is even let out of his kennel have a rope toy in hand and redirect him to that and PRAISE PRAISE PRAISE.
You can also leave a drag line on him so when he does something he shouldn't you can grab it and give him a leash correction. If a leash correction isn't doing the trick you can put the drag line on a prong collar. Has anyone tried working with him to teach him commands? Is he food or toy motivated? He may not have been taught alternatives to the bad behaviour. Work on some basic commands, starting with sit and when he starts acting like an ass give him a leash correction and make him sit and then PRAISE and treat and redirect him to the toy.
Sometimes a little bit of tough love and direction is all the big galoots need. If he is anything like my big boy he probably doesn't realize his size and strength and just wants to play. Sounds like he just needs to learn some manners.

[Judy]

For training, I think postitive reinforcement works much better than negative. Like Zoe said, redirecting him w/a toy is a good idea. And as Texasbulldogs pointed out, the dog doesn't get much attention and I agree it would help if he could get a fosterhome.

[missybee16]

Sounds young to me, also. They like to play hard at times, even nip. Must be very bored there. When I ignor my pup, she jumps up at me & nips me. I sit down with her, rub her & hug her up. She's learned to give kisses. So now, I'm her pet.

[Zoe]

If he is at the shelter obviously he didn't have a very dedicated owner. Chances are he missed out on early basic training and the ever important bite inhibition that should have been taught as a puppy. Just because he is "mouthy" and bad mannered doesn't mean he is dangerous. Maybe try the puupy trick of a loud "OWWWWW" and turn and walk away from him. If he just follows you and jumps on you more maybe the OWWW and then make him sit. Is your shelter willing to work with rescues? I tried to hunt down a rescue in Georgia but with no luck. The closest I found was in Florida but if they have space transport is usually arrangable. It may be in the best interest of this boy to get into some experienced hands so they can put the work into him to make him adoptable. Here's the link....
http://www.americanbulldogrescue.org/contact_abr.php