Dog Health Questions: My 10 week old english bull terrier thinks she's dominate and she's aggressive towards my other dog. WTD?

This is getting scary. She viciously growls at my other dog whenever she's around me. I know she thinks she's in charge but the poor thing is tiny and my amstaff is full grown 3yo male. She's enrolled in a private dog training facility but she doesn't start for 6 more weeks. My amstaff is very calm and loves dogs but there's only so much aggressive growling he can take. How can I get her to realize she's not top dog before she gets hurt?

Time To Find Out More About Appropriate And Efficient Dog Training

Recommended Answer:
Whether you Puppy is trying to "dominate" an older dog or not, for right now you don't let the behavior be practiced. So that means for right now you manage the situation. If you can't be there to supervise, they get no alone time. If she is growling and acting aggressive even when you are there, they need to be separated. Invest in some baby gates and crates. That way when one dog has roam of the house the other can be crated with a yummy bone.

Are you sure it's not loud play? Some dogs are just very vocal when they play. And your puppy could just have no manners yet.

Also, what kind of socialization is she getting. This is the use it or loose it phase. I would call your training facility/trainers and talk about socialization, and your concerns about her "aggression".

Dog Training - The Right and Wrong Way

• You didn't say how long you've had the puppy.
  
  If your armstaff hasn't laid into the puppy yet, he probably won't hurt it. I tend to think the puppy is afraid of the armstaff, since you didn't mention she has tried to play with him at all. Fear is probably the reason she's growling.
  
  If your older dog gets fed up with the puppy after she's adjusted to living with you, i'm sure he will put her in her place. Dogs who are well-adjusted won't hurt a puppy, but they will tell them who is boss.
  
  My dog is a middle-aged lab, and she's not real fond of puppies, because they tend to like to go for her ears. She will snarl at them, and sometimes "snap" in their direction, giving a warning,and not meant to be aggressive or to harm. It's her way of saying "leave me the hell alone."


• There are two parts to this: 1) you may have an aggressive dog which would need a trainer's help or
  2) YOU are causing this issue!**
  
  **Okay so for me to try and explain: Dogs can become very protective of their owners. From what you're saying she thinks she's "the boss". That type of dominant behavior is expressed most likely because you are unconsciously letting her get away with it. When both dogs are together, and your amstaff gets fed up, do you pick up your puppy or push her away? When she's on your lap and your amstaff comes up to you and she gets aggressive, do you push her off and tell her no or do you let her stay on your lap? This is a very touchy topic, but depending on how you react in each situation can actually make her behavior worse. When you feed your dogs, do you feed them together or in separate rooms? And who do you feed first? Remember, dogs in the wild live in packs, so you need to establish yourself as the pack leader. You amstaff should always be treated as the second dog and your puppy the third. When you feed them, feed your amstaff then the puppy. Whenever she exibits bad or aggressive behavior, do NOT let her be around you. You need to show her that aggressive behavior is not acceptable and that you will not allow it near you.
  
  I hope that helps you a little bit until you get her into the training facility. I worked a lot with dogs at the shelter for training and issues like this usually have to do with the owner.