Possessive behavior

[EWO]

Good post. I think there can be a difference between trust and understanding the why's and what for's. Not to 'over dumb' a comparison, understanding why a dog bites can sometime be a difference maker.

(Not to over dumb it, but...) "Every time I hit him with this stick he bites the shit out of me" vs. "I can't get him off the chain, every time I touch him he bites me". Or, if he has a bone and I take it away he bites me vs. when he is all geeked in the corner, screaming for more he will turn at "bite at" me to be released". All these end up as bites and they all hurt like hell. I know some, and even just about painted myself in this corner years ago, who says all of these are the same. A mindset of, 'if he will bite now, in time he will bite then'.

The guy that turned me on to the dogs was never much of a breeder. He kept 8-10, maybe 12 dogs open to the world. He culled. In hindsight, not too hard but too much. If there was anything that in that moment he thought would keep that dog from making his scratch on Saturday night it was culled. Human aggression fell in that list. Any type or at any time. He had two columns, yes he will and no we won't. The 'yes he will bite' never made it past that moment in time.

As a young boy when you meet someone who is showing you the way, and his way is winning match dogs, normally one takes that path. I did. I culled a lot of dogs for a number of different reasons. Human aggression being one. I have a couple now that if they came along 20 years ago they would be no more.

I have a female on the chain is as docile and friendly as any lap dog on the planet. She is a handful to breed as she is more of a 'fighter than a lover". She shows no aggression when being handled while performing or while being bred. And as important as it is to help her with puppies that is an absolute no-no. Touch one if you want and she will offer you an explanation that even the dumbest of asses (like me, took two times and almost a third to get the hint) can understand. When they are four weeks or so 'she begrudgingly lets go" and I can start feeding them, handling them shots and what not. Anything I do with them I have to remove her do what I need to do and then put her back, never at the same time. I have seen the day, and know some, who would not/could not see past the motherly instinct. EWO

Exactly Pit Bull Commited. Relating food possessive behaviour to humans to being great dogs is how Jack likes to say it himself all the time, retarded.

I've never dealt with such dogs. If it stays with food agression Im ok with it and just shove its food at him. Once I can't fully trust my dog in other situations (except for being careful in the corner) i cull.

[S_B]

"Every time I hit him with this stick he bites the shit out of me" vs. "I can't get him off the chain, every time I touch him he bites me". Or, if he has a bone and I take it away he bites me vs. when he is all geeked in the corner, screaming for more he will turn at "bite at" me to be released". All these end up as bites and they all hurt like hell. I know some, and even just about painted myself in this corner years ago, who says all of these are the same. A mindset of, 'if he will bite now, in time he will bite then. EWO

Those behaviors you described EWO is the big difference in bulldogs that are actually human aggressive vs. being excitable in the heat of the moment.

Most truly intense dogs will hit you, not purposely while engaging. It's kind of like when you get into a brawl at the bar and you "blacked out"and whooped some ass! Dogs also, by my observation of their behavior, go into this mode. Having a good eye and being able to differentiate between their behavior is learned, unfortunately many never get it.

I know some folks who have a few dogs they can't handle without muzzeling in certain situations. Like clipping toe nails, breeding or treating various things on the dog. Those traits are NOT for me, if I can't give my dog basic medical attention without being hammered by the dog, then I'm culling it. There is no excuse for that behavior, none.

I think by being a good dogman you learn to recognize the good and bad overall in your dogs and you have no trouble differentiating between what is acceptable and what isn't.

S_B