Aggression toward toddler and other dog

[MJ1981]

I have a Frenchie who is almost 4 years old and since the introduction of a new baby, he has been different. He began with aggression toward one of our other dogs (we have 3) when she would get anywhere near the baby. Those two have always had some issues, but it's never escalated the way it did after the baby arrived. Now with a walking toddler, he trails our son everywhere and nips at him occasionally. He bit him on the hand twice. They were minor, but drew blood. We try to redirect him when he's trailing after the toddler, but he goes right back to it shortly thereafter. It is exhausting trying to keep the two apart and I'm really worried about when and how serious the next bite will be. His aggression toward my other dog continues and has gotten worse. He won't stop unless I actually jump on him and grab him. Our vet seems to think rehoming him is the best option. He would probably do best with no children and no other dogs. I tend to think so too, but it breaks my heart. I was wondering if anyone else has had any similar situations or can offer any advice.

 

[Squishy Walnuts]

I'm so sorry you're going through this. It must be heartbreaking. I don't have kids and my dogs are not aggressive so I don't have any advice to share. Have you tried getting a trainer to come into your house to see if the behaviour can be changed?

 

[Jakeyjake]

I'm so sorry you are going through this. Must be so stressful. I don't have young children or aggressive dogs so I am no help there, but I do agree with training and making sure the dog knows that you are the pack leader and you are the one in charge, not him. If you still feel that it is a hopeless situation you can contact French Bulldog Rescue to rehome him. They will make sure that he is placed in the right home. Good luck to you!

 

[Alice Kable]

Getting a trainer involved is good advice. Make sure the trainer knows Bulldogs. We had to rehome an English Bulldog once (aggressive toward our other dog) and it is heartbreaking.

 

[2bullymama]

Before you decide to rehome, which might be best --- you could bring in a trainer as it could be fixable. They can tell you exactly what and why this is happening and give you tools and technique to correct him

 

[davidh]

I would say try a good trainer also. In the mean time try "nothing in life is free" training. Make him earn everything. I think he has claimed the toddler as his own and that's why he is getting aggressive with the other dog, and he might be trying to keep the toddler from moving away from him. I can't really tell, because I am not there to see exactly what he is doing and how he is doing it.

 

[Julie Stevenson]

These situations are always difficult. When I have clients with small children and the dog has nipped or bit the child I normally will recommend rehoming the dog with a rescue and fully explain the situation and give as much advise on how and what was occurring when the bites happen. Many rescues have trainers at their disposal and will offer help to the new family. The Frenchie is a bulldog and bulldogs are tenacious and endlessly persistent. Not much can redirect them when they are fixated on something. It's not a fair situation to your child and you don't want to raise a child to be fearful of dogs either which if the nips and bites continue your child will become fearful and could also in turn hurt the dog out of defense. For the sake of everyone it's best to find a home where the Frenchie can live happily and you and your family can live stress free from these issues. The Frenchie will need an owner that understands the alpha role and will also understand this little one needs a firm and persistent owner who is familiar with this breed and training.

I am so very sorry to hear this is happening in your home. It's never easy to give up a beloved family member. Try to remember your first and foremost responsibility is to both safety and security for both the human and the dog and know that you are doing what is best for both. It's not the easy way out, but the responsible solution.

I hope that helps.

 

[MJ1981]

Thank you for your responses. I've contacted a trainer and I've been waiting to hear back. It's so hard because he's back to his calm, sweet self when my son goes to bed. It's strange too because he has days where he's less interested in what my son is doing (which is how was on Saturday) and other days when he is shadowing my son and nipping at him (which happened yesterday). I was wracking my brain trying to figure out what was different between the two days and I couldn't think of anything.