International bullterrier forum

Hi im new to this forum. Im having problems with my two males wanting to be the dominant one, obviously its going to be my male bull terrier as he is the most powerful, but how can i help them become aware of this. In an idealistic world i should leave them both to fight it out between them, however this is impossible because my male bully will kill my french bulldog. Here's the story...

I bought a male French Bull Dog (Henri) at 7 weeks old, then a week later I bought a female English Bull Terrier (Charlie) at 8 weeks old, these two dogs grew up together until they were 6 months old and Henri was the top dog out of the two. In situations Charlie would always back down to Henri. When they reached 6 months of age I introduced Bronson an 8 month old male English Bull Terrier. All three dogs got along fine, playing around the house together and playing nicely over the fields and woodland area together without a lead on and without being muzzled. Around the 1 year age mark the trouble began to start.

The first squabble was outside on the decking the three of them were fighting over a piece of rubber. Bronson attacked Henri but we managed to part them both and Henri got away with a scratch on his ear. Henri was taken to the vets for a check up and given antibiotics as caution.

The second time was in the house and it was a quick squabble and I split the two boys up before serious conflict occurred.

The third time I left the house leaving Henri in his crate and Bronson laid on the settee with two of my friends in my kitchen. I was gone five minutes when I had a telephone call to say that Bronson had attacked Henri. My friend thought Henri wanted to come out of his crate and thinking Bronson was asleep on the settee next to them he started to open the crate to let Henri out to put Bronson in there instead, and Bronson jumped off the settee attacking Henri, it took several minutes to get them apart my partner said.

The forth time Bronson was sat on the settee with Mike and I was sat in front of them in a chair. For no apparent reason Bronson suddenly jumped down off the settee and caught my right arm piercing a hole in my sweater.

The fifth time was Bronson barking at Henri and Charlie through the crate, Mike tried to pull Bronson away to get him out into the garden and Bronson bit Mike in the crossfire on his right forearm.

The sixth time was in the kitchen Bronson and Henri were barking at one another opposite the pet gate, and the gate fell backwards allowing Bronson and Henri to gain contact with one another. Bronson had his collar on this occasion and I winded him to get him off and out into the garden. Henri had a cut to the left side of his face about 5inches in length.

The seventh time I did not latch the gate correctly and Henri and Charlie pushed the gate open and walked on into the kitchen where Bronson was sat on the settee at the time. I walked down the path to see Bronson, Charlie and Henri all sat on the settee. I felt and must have looked shocked. Slowly and calmly I walked down the garden path into the kitchen area to remove Henri from the settee, as I did this with my back to Bronson and Henri in my arms Bronson suddenly launched around grabbing Henri by the throat. It took me ten minutes and more to get them apart. I got bit on the hands in the crossfire and Henri has scratch wounds to the neck, arm and face.

I have discussed this matter in depth with my vet and previously had a consultation with the Rowe Vet nary Pet Behaviourist for 3 hours where she observed my two bullies. I have carried out the advice given but the issue is still here.

I am looking to purchase a muzzle, a good made one, leather with a steel guard, has anybody on here have any ideas as to where i can find one?

Welcome to the forum. You can learn a lot here.

Please do not take this too personally as it is offered in the interest of your dogs' and your own safety.

You have too many dogs for your current abilities. Your dogs do not have an understanding of what your pack is let alone their rank within it. If dominant in nature, the 3rd dog in a non-structured pack will often want to improve their rank. In your current situation, this is very dangerous and you need to get expert help and make some decisions quickly about how things will proceed from here on. Keep your dogs securely separated until you have that figured out. It may well be that your boys will never be able to get along (even if they are neutered) as this situation seems to have gone on too long already. Moreover, will you ever be able to trust your dogs around one another? Be honest with yourself about that. You have two breeds with very dominant traits. You've introduced a third. None of them, or at least 2 of them don't know their place. They certainly don't seem to respect you or see you as their leader. You've broken up aggressive fights sustaining personal injuries and have seen your dogs exhibit aggression and inflict injuries on each other. Honestly, this seems the perfect storm for future disaster.

One way or another, the "seventh time" needs to be the last. In my opinion, given your current situation, your 3rd dog will likely always look to "move up the ladder" and you need to think about finding him another good, loving, forever home.

Others on the forum will have good suggestions based on experience as well. You've done the best thing by asking the question. I wish you the very best of luck in bringing this situation under control. Please keep us informed on your progress.

Cheers,

Ev.

Oh, what a worry for you.

Unfortunately I agree with BT Cruiser, you may have to begin thinking about rehoming your male BT.

Has the behaviourist given you any more advice? You haven't mentioned whether or not your BT is neutered; my guess is he isn't. If not, have you considered whether this may help?

Sorry to start off in a fairly negative way but it comes across as you are way out of your depth here, the 'person' who sold you the male BT should NEVER have sold him to you knowing you already had a male at home along with a nice female for them to eventualy squabble over. It goes against the grain for any decent BT breeder, I assume you informed the seller of your home situation regarding existing dogs?

Your dogs are way too close in age, and I am fairly confident in saying they will never get along. Please rehome the male BT to a nice forever home before you have a fatality on your hands. I was shocked to see you go on from 1st, 2nd and 3rd to 6th and 7th??? Its not going to happen, and having well meaning people decide to let dogs out and swap them over in your absence is asking for serious trouble.

I have had BT's for over 20 years and I had 2 males together, however one was 9 years old and terminally ill when I introduced an 8 week old male. They grew up together without problem until my old boy sadly left us, but I knew enough through years of experience how to manage 2 male BT's.

Please for the sake of the dogs well being and your own sanity,come to your senses quick smart and either return the male BT to the breeder or find him a nice home and stick to the 2 you already had.

Hope you don't take any offence at this straight to the point post, its well intentioned as I can only see trouble for you ahead.

Lorraine

PS I really doubt neutering will solve this issue, its gone too far now.

Ridiculous...your Frenchie will get killed.

Rehome the bt,in a place where he is the only dog.

A bull terrier can never be trusted 100% with a another male he has already fought with,he will not 'learn' he will keep attacking until he gets the job done (kills your frenchie) wake up for gods sake.

SEVEN mistakes already,all your fault,and its the little dog that potentially suffers each time.

Yep i agree with all the above....cant see your situation improving.