French Bulldog that bits everyone when his collar is grabbed

Learn how to use positive reinforcement to fix collar grab aggression

[@solideomusical]

I like how you said "I am not the kind of person to let go of their collar." First time I have heard someone say that.

[@jotaguisc]

well, if he tries to bite you and you let go, he understands that when he bites he gets what he wants. That's why owners usually reinforce negative behaviors

[@charisginn6932]

That makes sense for small to medium dogs, but would he say that for a German Shepard or Rottweiler?

[@leowtyx]

@@charisginn6932 Especially big dogs.

[@TheHesseJames]

@@charisginn6932 Just be prepared and react decisively. This is likely not a death match for the dog, so you should be able to overwhelm it within half a second and press him to the ground. Having a potent dog is never without any risks. Having a potent dog that want to have it their way is a huge risk.

[@gazgibster]

i like how you keep useing the words in the real world because this is exactly what people needs to see .most owners are not trainers and in the real world collars are grabbed.keep up the good work.

[@jadeh5616]

My visla cross puppy does this , he did tonight actually ! So glad just found this 🙌 was ready to pay trainer for my dogs but not going to now I have your videos! Amazing your doing this for us all for free. Thank you so much!!!

[@TheHesseJames]

At least have somebody with dog experience watching you. Neutral persons see so much more than yourself being in the very act. Remember, a good dog trainer is much more training you than the dog.

[@strayandrongo7461]

Sounds like a snoring track was playing in the background lol, that dog breethes like my dad sleeps.

[@limirl]

I though maybe Joel had a pig pen out the back

[@hokuk9training970]

I love this! This was so well explained. I am a balanced trainer but still use this type of conditioning when working with dogs. We had a service dog that was afraid of his owners air machine so we conditioned him with food. He learned that the sound of the air machine turning on was a positive rather than negative. Whether you are a pure positive trainer or you use tools you should definitely be using these type of techniques regularly.

[@Zerpersande]

I just dealt with my daughter’s dog. Took being pinned twice before the dog decided his behavior was causing poor outcomes.

[@User7688.--_]

Of course, when you wrote “Took being pinned twice before…” my mind said what I thought you were going to say “…the dog got off me…” 😂 I m so glad I was wrong. 😊

[@BeinIan]

My girlfriend always got super freaked out when I didn't want to back off from our dog's aggression toward collar grabs. She thought that if a dog bites once, they'll bite forever. After this video she finally believes what I've been telling her: biting only becomes a habit if they learn it gives them what they want. On top of that, I learned to be a bit more gradual with the reinforcement so I can avoid getting bitten in the first place. Thank you!

[@bubbag8895]

7 month old pomsky dug into my hand when I grabbed his collar the other day. I Didn't let go either, continued on with what we had to do.

[@alexandradittmann8588]

great one, and simple demonstration of classical conditioning, thanks!

[@inspiteofbecauseof4745]

So much of the world is avoiding anything not fun or enjoyable. Clearly why we see so many out of control kids and dogs. Let’s not do anything that might make them sad or uncomfortable. Real life doesn’t work that way.

[@User7688.--_]

BINGO! You Are precisely correct. Well said.

[@fructosecornsyrup5759]

Honey, I hope you've watched more of his videos since this lol He ain't doing any avoiding when it comes to punishment. This specific circumstance simply doesn't require punishment as an immediate answer. Why punish when you can do something just as effectively with positive reinforcement?

[@joanna538]

One of the best looking frenchies I’ve seen! ❤

[@aspen5159]

I just found this video bc I've been researching French bulldog behavior/training. My dexter is an a$$h0le. He bites people that come into the home. He's bitten my father, maintenance guys, my daughters friend, pretty bad. And people think that frenchies are easy to catch. I'm telling you he is so agile that when I try to grab him he twist and turns his way out and goes around my body to get to his target. I love how you said "I'm not gonna let go, I'm just not" that and when you always say "I don't care," for poor behavior. If he goes after somebody I grab his scruff and bring him to his "place" I no longer let go thinking he's snapped out of his crazy mind. I just grab him and bring him over. He can scrable all he wants. If I get ahold of him "I'm not letting go" including when he bites me when I try to leave the house. He literally goes out of his mind. Once I get him into his place he still has this like adrenaline rush but he stays in his place. I hate when people ask what's wrong with him bc they think frenchies are sweet and docile. I appreciate your honesty and the fact you don't sugar cote things. Sometimes positive reinforcement doesn't work. I hate these people that ONLY will train positive reinforcement. "IM OVER IT" 😁

[@SimoneOconnell]

For starters your frenchie should have a harness and never pull a frenchie or any dog by the collar.It is a well known fact that they find it hard to breathe its fine for them to have a loose soft collar on but you never use it for walks and never pull up on it to grab your dog.Everything has to be done by the harness,If you dont have a harness on then you have to pick the dog up to move the dog.Your dog is biting because he thinks he is protecting the family from intruders.He bites the people in the house because he is either angry with them or telling them off.for example you might touch a toy thats his.He feels its his toy and you have not been given permission to touch it he then might snap out to tell you off. ,If you were to ask can we play with one of your toys you choose.Then your dog would choose a toy and bring it over to play.I know they are a dog but I have found if you treat them more like a human they respond so much better.You might tell a dog sit a frenchie often will look at you why should I just do everything you say.If you have a treat and say sit then your frenchie will sit.Because you are giving him something in return .If you consider a frenchie to be just a dog your never going to get anywhere,A frenchie has to be one of the family they want to be equal to the humans and be given respect.

[@TheHesseJames]

reminds me of my Frenchie, Charly. He would be chasing rabbits, deer, horsebackriders, bulls and people including children on bikes. He wasn't easy to get a hold of because of this unbelievable dexterity, being able to move side- and backwards. I pinned him down like a hundred times. In the end he spent his life on the leash whenever there was any being around us within 200m. He had a female Frenchie companion and she was superb without the leash and she was always allowed to do anything on him, he would never bite her. Other dogs always have been a problem, he needed surgery three times after fights (alway with dogs at least twice the weight of him and all fights had been started by him because the other dog was "unjustifyably showing excitement and fun" which we just can't have). A full blown asshole outside of the house but a complete angel inside the house, never destroyed anything and just being super sweet to us.

[@IcicleFerret]

​@@SimoneOconnellHarnesses teach a dog to pull against or wear pressure rather than give into it. Owners of small dogs especially tend to be bad about teaching leash manners because they rely on simply dragging the dog around with brute force by the harness. Collars are perfectly acceptable for any dog. And bribing a dog with treats all the time isn't a good alternative, either. You don't give your kids candy every time they do what you ask, why should your dog be any different? Treats can help bait a dog initially but basic manners and responses should be automatic and can be life saving. If your dog starts running into the street, or tries to eat something poisonous in the yard, you're not going to have time to go into the house, get chicken, come back, show the dog, and then give a command. For the dog's own safety you should be able to yell "come" and have the dog come without baiting it towards you.

[@chriswong8400]

Hi! very nicely done mr Beckman! -But now you got me curious to see a dog that tryies to bite, and How to deal with it. Thanks for all your videos! Thanks to you, me and my gundog have a new better relationship, where im the Boss; and dont get challanged for it! My ADB is 2years old now, and ive done almost only positive Reenforcement training since he was 12weeks; some things have worked really well; but far from all. Your methods was a gamechanger for us! We have gotten so much closer in our dog-human-relationship, even though i was much more loving, speaking, and soft before. (ofcourse i still show him a lot of love and affection). My 2 youtube-trainers are now You and mr Robert Cabral. Keep up the Great Work it means a lot! // Chris from Sweden

[@karenlatham4053]

Thank you we'll start working on it right now.

[@daveson3D]

Just what I was looking for, and even the same breed and color of my dog, thank you for the video! Please more training tips for french bulldogs

[@xinoverger]

I love your videos Joel and watching this one and another with a dominant malamute I have a question. What if the dog is a very reactive German Shepherd (more dangerous in strength and size than this dog) that does not wear a collar and does not allow the leash to be put on its neck? I volunteer in my town's foster and I got a serious bite on my arm trying to put a leash on a dog like that, who did not want to go back to his cage (he was in the play area) and was under a table, very aggressive -although I am the only one who can walk him and get into his cage-. What do you do in such a case? I have been firm in attitude and orders but nothing have worked and then I have tried to put the leash on him as if it were a rodeo lasso. Luckily I have not been nervous at any time.

[@isaacandrewerickson]

Incredible!

[@powerofone1645]

Excellent.

[@pmlm1571]

good stuff, thank you.

[@jongray4828]

I thought organic hot dogs were the best treat ever, lol

[@millsrd100]

Wow! Well done.

[@leochen4891]

Nice lesson.

[@shannonlove9988]

How long do we do the treats for ??

[@ReplaySandyRenee]

What’s the best way to discipline my 10 month old Labradoodle if she ever shows her teeth/snaps/bites me when reaching for her collar while she’s in her crate. She has a tendency to race into her crate and when she does I take her out by her collar and tell her/make her walk back inside however many times it takes. I don’t allow her to race out she sits before being let out. So I don’t want her doing it going in. She will run in and sit at the very back then not come out when I call her so I have to bring her out. I want her to continue to trust and respect me but I never want to do anything to make her fear me. I don’t see myself backing down if she ever got physical with me or even growled. I would love to know what you think in a situation like this where you can’t get to their collar as easy.

[@The-Dom]

"I'm using the greatest treat ever.... boiled chicken." says the guy who didnt grow up on boiled chicken.

[@SixString_J5]

Question: Does grabbing the collar firmly and treating have any conflict with the go get method where they blow you off then you go grab them firmly by the collar and bring them back? Don't get me wrong, I'd totally take the tradeoff of not getting bit every time I try to put the leash on. I just see the dog not viewing the grabbing them by the collar and taking them to where you called them as a consequence.

[@sadiehume185]

I don't think so since the go get method is to get in their head that you will bring them there if they don't do it themselves, so they might as well do it the first time. I was wondering this myself as my dog has been growling at me when I do the go get method, hence why I'm here lol

[@SimoneOconnell]

Frenchies find it hard to breathe he is growling because you are pulling up on his throat ,we were told to only use a harness by our vets and the rescue where we got her.Yu can put a collar on loose but never use it for walking because when they pull its not good for them

[@casperaudi7476]

Nice 👍

[@LTTerror]

This man look like Batman

[@anapolloguize8294]

Not specifically for this case but in general for training a rescue would it be a good idea to mix it up a little and throw in a none collar grab or a stroke or touch paws instead every few collar grabs to teach the dog that just being approached/ hand coming at you doesn't always mean collar grab/ being restrained?

[@User7688.--_]

I would say this training could be used for all the issues you described. It would be perfect. I can't think of a reason why not.

[@grethen123]

This little dog is such a glutton! just watch his eyes on 2:24 - only treats matter ))

[@nikko3631]

Hi! We are desperate to help my dad’s foster. He has bit 6 times since leaving boarding, where we were told he never had an incident. My dad is taking him to a trainer, but cannot start until he is healed from his neuter. Never realized not letting go was even an option. What would the next steps be?

[@garydedderson4988]

I can't believe those bruises from a 9 mos. old puppy. Wow.

[@User7688.--_]

I can!

[@MsLacieable]

My dog is large af, I would get injured. Do I need bite resistant glove for this?

[@TheHesseJames]

If you cannot control your dog at all times, you are not the right owner for your dog.

[@katiesalvadore7306]

Groomer here. Any advice for very large Rottweiler client that a very aggressively reacts and bites when I grab his collar or even put my arm near his head? I muzzle him for my safety. He’s fine outside the grooming van and when I’m done he’ll walk up to me and be fine. But when he’s in the grooming van he is sooo tensed up and I have to restrain him bc he can potentially do a lot of damage. Unfortunately I need to move him around in order to groom him…so any advice? I do aggressive dogs all the time and am great with them and this is the first dog that actually has made me nervous. And yes of course the owners will walk to the the grooming van see him behave this way and …laugh…like what. He’s great with his family and his kids but I don’t think he was socialized around strangers enough.

[@user-td3ru7vv5e]

So my question is what are they doing to him when they grab his collar?

[@SimoneOconnell]

dont ever grab a frenchie by the collar use a harness.They can wear a soft collar but never use it for walks or grab it .

[@sarahtara5546]

I really need help, because my dog bites my hands and arms whenever I grab his collar to correct him from barking and going nuta outside. He turns the excitement into aggression and onto me. And then I don't know what to do to correct him from biting me except for whack him on the nose or butt and that just makes him growl worse and want to bite me more. I don't know what to do with this monster...

[@robinrutherfordcost4748]

Aggression usually increases aggression. You have to do the exercises before you need to use them, so it's a fun thing most of the time. You're building up the value so when you have to use it, the dog is used to it being a fun thing. Try starting it with his Kibble when it's time to eat. He has to do a few collar grabs, treats before you release him to then eat his supper. Sit for everything, nothing in life is free. He doesn't get treats, attention, the leash put on, etc unless he's sitting. Reward in the position requested. So sit gets a treat when the butt is on the ground. Use the release word before his butt gets up. You're in charge of everything. No bed or furniture privileges until the aggression is resolved. Period. Hope that helps.

[@sarahtara5546]

@@robinrutherfordcost4748 great ideas, and i thank you for your time and effort to respond! I will show my husband, so we can both be on board

[@rolandgrace4312]

Am I stupid or something? Why the need for a collar grab at all? Who is grabbing and dragging/pulling/yanking the frenchie by its collar?

[@jenjohnson492]

Not a stupid q. He is biting the owner and her son when they grab his collar so prob when they put his leash on. Maybe he does like the action of someone's hand coming to pet him by his hand...just throwing out some opinions. My parents have a 10 lbs yorkie and he can do some damage. Can't have a biter imo.

[@User7688.--_]

Getting groomed, for one. Moving them from a situation to one safer. This is for all dogs, not just for a frenchie. I have a German shepherd and I frequently help her move along. Think outside of your box, you can do it!

[@nsh1772]

If you don't want to get bit, condition the dog to a muzzle. Also, nice use of counter-conditioning

[@fructosecornsyrup5759]

Um. Giant problem there: usually when you need to grab a collar, it's around the house, doing random things. The implication is that... instead of the dog getting used to someone grabbing his collar, you would rather the dog just... wear a muzzle all day. Why?

[@nsh1772]

@@fructosecornsyrup5759 I didn't say the dog needs to wear a muzzle all day, I meant that you can condition the dog to wear a muzzle for your and the dog's safety, during training the dog to get used to you reaching to grab its collar.

[@fructosecornsyrup5759]

@@nsh1772 Aaaah. Makes a bit more sense. I suppose dog trainers are kind of used to getting bit lol

[@nsh1772]

@@fructosecornsyrup5759 Yeah

[@Apachita]

spelling error in your title

[@carlbailey50]

Probably good advice, but yet again we are not seeing demonstrations on problem dogs. That French Bulldog didn't seem to display any real issues from start to finish.

[@KristyHin]

More than likely because it’s not the owner. Dogs being opportunistic know who they can get over on and who they can’t.

[@keithleschinsky5457]

Cant believe a frenchie wld act like that ,not saying that mean i have 2 male and female she's 8,he's 7 they get into it but he aggressor doesn't hurt it's a demonstration,,, and they love everyone everyone,,im fortuna

[@Nick_Logan]

What a Kook trainer 🤙🏼

[@fructosecornsyrup5759]

Lol what?

[@User7688.--_]

What a kook commenter! You show your jealousy of Joel with your comment. People always put down the person they wish they were themselves. Didn’t you know that? Inside, you do. 👋.

[@chloeindigo]

I don't think the positive reinforcers would say just don't grab the collar. It doesn't make sense for you to say that while at the same time saying you're using positive reinforcement to train him to be comfortable with people grabbing his collar. If you're going to have an argument, base it on something. I think they might instead say it's best to avoid getting into a fight with the dog. Partly because if it was a dog that wasn't used to biting humans you would be normalising it. But also because it's not necessary. It's one way to go about doing it and it's likely to work, I don't disagree. But I think the positive reinforcement approach would be to find the action that is most similar to collar grabbing which the dog can tolerate and start there, treating until you are touching the collar... Rather than deliberately going straight into what you know the dogs trigger is, half expecting a confrontation that was unnecessary in the first place. Both of those methods work, but they work in different ways and create a different relationship between dogs and humans. You're relying on the dogs freeze response taking over it's fight response when it tries to bite and then realises it has no way out. They're relying on the dog no longer feeling uncomfortable with collar grabbing. If you use getting into a fight in your training and the dog stops biting, you don't know if the dog has become more comfortable with leash grabbing. It's also only safe to do because of the size of this dog. I think you'd struggle with a rottweiler. And there's not much point being a KZbin trainer who says "this is what I would do to fix it not necessarily what you should do at home". Basically this is a small dog so you don't need to pay attention to its boundaries. It shows discomfort long before you even reach the collar, at the point that you start to raise your hand. If the owners didn't force past that initial show of discomfort but instead worked at that edge to build up to grabbing the collar, they wouldn't be getting bit.

[@user-oj3py6tx9r]

My 100lb 8 month cane corso puppy isn’t food motivated (not even boiled chicken)😭 sometimes I use toys for her to distract (but then she gets bored of them)but when she gets anxious or excited she mouths and jumps and my arms are COMPLETELY BRUISED I usually turn away ignore and say “off” with my arms crossed and it somewhat works until she calms down (it’s hard when she’s on the leash though)... I look like a domestic violence victim it’s BAD... Not sure what else to do .. I never try to yell or be negative I always distract or ignore .. but she can be mouthy .. even when I grab her collar ... I never let go thus why I have brusing from her using her paw and mouth to get me to stop grabbing her collar -.- thinking of contacting your training company for help but it’s so expensive 😭🤣 I gotta save !

[@lakelifestateofmind5432]

Did you ever get help for this? I’m struggling with a similar behavior with my five month old boxer. He’ll completely lunge at me and start nipping at my arms, growling, play bow, etc. I have tried everything you’ve mentioned…turn away, walk away (he continues to come after me), grab his collar and put him in a sit as he tried everything to nip at my hands. No bruising because the bites aren’t hard but I do have some bruising on my legs from the lunging with his nails.

[@user-oj3py6tx9r]

@@lakelifestateofmind5432 no I haven’t gotten any help ☹️I contacted his services and texted the number and haven’t received a response.. I even tried lifting my knee to get her to stop . But she’s HUGE and I’m only 5 ft so it doesn’t really work . It’s like she’s hyper focused on the fact I’m gunna leave . She’s exercised daily too.. ugh . Idk what to do , she nipped me really hard and ripped my shirt yesterday, I broke down in tears because it’s stressful for her and me and I feel like I’m doing something wrong ..

[@lakelifestateofmind5432]

@@user-oj3py6tx9r I feel for you. I’m in the same boat…no idea what to do to fix it. Other than this one behavior, he’s doing so well. I’m so frustrated about it. I keep wanting to say, “It’s just a puppy thing!” but at the same time I don’t want to turn my head to the behavior

[@user-oj3py6tx9r]

@@lakelifestateofmind5432 Ik I totally feel u . Because like she’s such a good dog , she ONLY acts that way at my work (I work with dogs) and only when I leave her on the patio to go potty ... and it’s frustrating bc she’s over 100lbs . And she’s not small ... so it leaves bad bruising . It’s like I don’t want her to get in the bad habit of acting that way .

[@user-oj3py6tx9r]

@@b.t4604 Caesar Milan is not a trainer I would look up to lmao . I’ve done tons of research and know the breed very well . Don’t tell me what I should do , you wanna look at her training look at her Instagram. Lmao bye

[@grimakastatik]

Try not letting go on my pit, i already tried a battle lol he won. wont let anyone bring him into a room he doesn't want to go to. Snaps every time. Ill try the chicken.

[@danny20297]

I feel as though that dog didn't have as big an issue with the collar grab as you made out,the first time you touched it he only turned his head.We should of saw he's bad behaviour for credibility.

[@anapolloguize8294]

Allowing the worst bad behaviour for the sake of a video isn't fair on the dog, the act of him rehearsing the bite is self reinforcing, so letting him do it is something you want to avoid if its "just so it looks good in a video".

[@danny20297]

@@anapolloguize8294 allowing the worst behaviour...no we wanted to see his default bad behaviour before you corrected it that's all.

[@lesliegrace5986]

You saw the bite marks duh

[@sophiefilo16]

Joel has pointed out before that dogs tend to behave better around him than they do around their owners. Sometimes, the troublesome behavior doesn't appear at all while they're here, so Joel gives the owners tips for when they get home and that behavior inevitably resurfaces. Also, there's no point in actually _encouraging_ a dog to bite you. It's better to prevent the dog from wanting to do that in the first place...

[@User7688.--_]

You were new to Joel’s videos 10 months ago, right? Some dogs do tend to behave a little better around him. Credit the whole premise of Joel’s philosophy, which is you have to have the boss attitude with your dogs. I say what I mean, and mean what I say. Because this little guy didn't present the behavior does not discredit the training. The training still works.

[@xinoverger]

I love your videos Joel and watching this one and another with a dominant malamute I have a question. What if the dog is a very reactive German Shepherd (more dangerous in strength and size than this dog) that does not wear a collar and does not allow the leash to be put on its neck? I volunteer in my town's foster and I got a serious bite on my arm trying to put a leash on a dog like that, who did not want to go back to his cage (he was in the play area) and was under a table, very aggressive -although I am the only one who can walk him and get into his cage-. What do you do in such a case? I have been firm in attitude and orders but nothing have worked and then I have tried to put the leash on him as if it were a rodeo lasso. Luckily I have not been nervous at any time.

[@robinrutherfordcost4748]

He has to have a collar and leash on at all times when you're there. Too dangerous without it, it sounds like. At least a hanging tab without a loop. You can probably do the 2 leash method to get him back in the run - where the one leash takes the other one off. I wouldn't go under the table to get the dog when he's out, just grab the leash, apply pressure if needed until he comes then the leash pressure is released. Is he food motivated at all? What about with steak or liverwurst? Make him do something simple for each treat. Sit, stand, wait. Treat - even if you have to drop it for now. Sounds like it's a bit fear based if he's hiding. Is it people and dogs or just people? Save only the best treats for people and/or going back into his run (like that's the ONLY time he gets those special/his favorite treats) so now it's a good thing to get back to his kennel. Hope that helps. Might want to have his thyroid panel checked too - check out Dr. Jean Dodds.

[@casperaudi7476]

Nice 👍