Anouke the mighty

I received a call from Margo who was at her wits end with her 2 year old "old time bulldog" bitch named Anouke.


Anouke had promoted herself to senior management within the household and was willing to defend her status. Anouke was getting possessive about certain articles around the house. She was also deciding what and when she ate, as well as where she slept.

To make matters worse, Anouke has a fear or a dislike of traffic which makes it difficult to disperse all the built up aggression and tension via exercise.

There were a few facets that were different about this case. Firstly I've never encountered an old time bulldog. I'm not sure if this is a registered breed or just a fancy name for a staffy,bulldog, boxer type crossbreed. Nonetheless, Anouke is a pretty girl and full of character and I don't want to blame her behavioural issues on breeding. Secondly I noticed that Anouke had a very strong stubborn attitude. This dog was used to getting her own way and she was not about to relinquish her status of top dog without a fight.

This bitch is an absolute power house

I performed my usual body language scenario when I entered the house. I then walked Anouke out to the garden. She immediately turned and attempted to haul me into the house. I mean haul. This bitch is an absolute power house and as stubborn as anything I've seen. I had to be firm with her and stand my ground. I refused to let her pull me. I then walked her outside making her pass the gate and I just refused to let her have her own way. Each time she let up from pulling me I praised her.Each time she attempted to bully me, I forced her to walk in the opposite direction.
I then walked her into her garden and asked her to sit. I could see the change beginning to happen and I didn't want to antagonise her just for the sake of it. I offered her some food and some water and some kind words but she wasn't forthcoming. I asked her to wait and walked up to the back door. Each time she moved I returned her back to the spot and asked her to wait. To be honest she was pretty good.
I then walked her inside and placed her in a corner in the living room. Whenever she moved I placed her back.
She then made a move to jump on the sofa. I immediately pulled her off the sofa and marched her outside and made her wait. I then brought her inside and repeated the exercise.
All this was just to let her see that there was no future for her when she was dominating the household. I was praising her when she was delivering the behaviour requested but I was demanding and I was not tolerating any misgivings.

I explained what I was doing to Margo and Chris. To be honest their only crime is that they love her too much and are not experienced in handling a dominant little power house like Anouke.

My advice is simple.

• Anouke does not get the run of the house.
• Margo and Chris sit on the sofa, Anouke sits on the floor.
• Anouke gets her food issued and the bowl gets lifted after 10 minutes regardless of whether the food has been consumed.
• Anouke will be ignored if she seeks attention by jumping up etc when anyone enters the house. Anouke will be praised after she settles down.
• Anouke will wait and let her owner pass through doorway ,gates etc before her. She will be praised and treated from being patient.

All these measures are simply to reinforce the owner's status and hierarchy within the human pack. Anouke will soon learn that it's more fun obeying her owners than trying to dominate them.

Summary

I did see a lot of boxer characteristics in Anouke. She's a real character and I've no doubt she could be very lovable and humorous. My honest opinion is that she's just a mixed up wee soul who is in need of careful management. Anouke doesn't want to be leader. She feels she has no choice but to take over and defend the realm.

Is Anouke a dangerous dog? I don't want to imply that the breeding has anything to do with the behavioural issues that have occurred. Anouke has the capability to inflict damage if she's allowed to rule the roost but she's no more dangerous than any other medium sized dog who has been allowed to promote itself to pack leader.

This dog feels she has no choice but to take over and defend the realm.

All I'll say is she's been used to getting her own way and the owners will have to be vigilant or she will resort to her old traits.

Is Anouke in danger of being aggressive towards her owners? - No I don't think so. I genuinely think Anouke is confused and has been picking up the wrong signals from her owners. I think she now knows her place and I expect her to improve dramatically if my advice is adhered to.

Is Anouke aggressive? - No she's not. She shows no aggression towards other dogs at all. Also she's did not appear to be interested in approaching other people when I had her out. In fact I'd say that all her aggressive tenancies have been centered around territory,possessions and pack status. This is purely a result of inexperience on the handlers part and not a flaw in the dog.

I'm quietly confident about this one. I think Margo and Chris genuinely want to work with Anouke and mend the relationship. I received an update today and things appear to be progressing nicely. All the best guys - you deserve it.