Temper


I have owned four bulldogs and all but one have had the tendency to tantrum when things don't quite go their way.
To stop squabbles among the troops all of the dogs are fed separately and this morning because she was fed up with being outside a few moments longer than she expected Dorothy had the mother of all tantrums at the back door.
Within seconds she had broken Albert's cat flap, knocked over several potted cyclamen and kicked the shit out of the recycling bins
When finally allowed into the house she threw herself, gayman style onto the reading chair in the kitchen and refused to look at anyone for over half an hour

Mary, surveying the damage

Tantrums in Bulldogs are much deeper and more graphic than anything a terrible two toddle could bring to the table.
After years of practice , I did what any responsible bulldog owner would do in similar circumstances

I went to bed

63 comments:

  1. I didn't know that about Bulldogs.I have terrier types who are lively and can get irritated with each other regarding toys and overexcitement,which means I have to be vigilante at all times- but no tantrums.Bless her dear heart John Dorothy does sound a little Drama Queen x

    ReplyDelete
  2. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  3. That would have scared the shit out of me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They can be very noisey..just like toddler rantrums

      Delete
  4. I once had a similar experience with my ex brother in law's rottweiler. The beast managed to shred the inside of my crash helmet while I cowered in the next room with the door barricaded by a chair.

    ReplyDelete
  5. That makes me even more grateful for my gentle little cat!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous2:33 pm

    A terrible two tantrum could be dealt with more easily than with a pet. Dorothy did what nature dictated, and you did the sensible thing. There's no way to make her understand the human view of her actions. But what about the heat escaping through the cat door, and if you had to temporarily block it, how would poor Albert feel about that? Oh my - going to bed was the best option. It all makes you the perfect father to the quirky personality of a bull dog - and they are so lucky to have you!

    Never a dull moment in the John Gray Cottage!

    ReplyDelete
  7. How to create Blockchain account?|Blockchain number

    Do you want to be the next user of a second leading exchange across the globe? Creating an account on the Blockchain exchange is simple, you have to visit the home page of Blockchain official website and click on the sign up process and fill in the required details. If you want to have external assistance so that you don’t get into any trouble, you can always call on Blockchain customer service number which is always functional and the team is ready to assist you at every possible step. Call them and avail the best methods to deal with worries.
    Click for more info: https://www.psnblockchain.com/

    ReplyDelete
  8. That Dorothy, who would have suspected! She's sounded like such a sweet, shy dog.

    ReplyDelete
  9. But to look at butter wouldn't melt....... x

    ReplyDelete
  10. Maybe she finally feels she belongs there and can let her true personality come through. And she used to be so sweet.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh my! That's gratitude for you for housing and feeding her, plus all the trimmings!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Feeding times are meant to be squabbles. It sorts out the true hierarchy of a home.

    Now go to bed you naughty, sulky bottomdog!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh no dotty is too food led.....a massive fight would ensue

      Delete
  13. Makes me grateful for my quiet and retiring border Collies.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh, John ... that face ... those eyes! Dorothy's not yours! LOL Now you know what she is capable of doing! En garde! 😃

    ReplyDelete
  15. Barbara Anne3:46 pm

    I never knew that about bull dogs. It's good you knew from experience how to handle Dorothy's hissy fit.

    How easy will it be to fix Albert's door and will the cyclamen need to be re-potted?

    Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Like with a naughty child best to walk away

      Delete
  16. He looks so cute, so contrite! But that's why we only ever have one dog at a time. It's all we can handle!

    ReplyDelete
  17. countrygal3:51 pm

    She's a strong girl then to do that. She looks so adoring and quiet. How wrong I am, but I have never owned bulldogs.
    You know what to do - retiring for the night was the best option.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She's incredibly strong all muscle no fat

      Delete
  18. My pug has tantrums, less now that he will be 6 soon. The worst as a ''toddler'' he pulled all the books out of the bookcase and ripped them up! His longtime favorite is to take apart the sofas, not just the throw pillows but the big seat and back cushions, all are thrown on the floor and attacked.Throwing over and unseating the deck plant pots is a favorite too, and ripping off the canvas windscreens. He doesn't like the sound of workmen/ construction/ roofers/ pool guy/ gardeners with blowers or saws, esp if the men ignore him. Poor Dotty.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes pugs are well known for it too

      Delete
    2. I just ignore the chaos and walk away; to react and scold and clean up would reinforce the behavior. And books are now kept in a latched cupboard.

      Delete
    3. Oh My Goodness. After reading John and Lizzy, I am so happy all my Scotty does is bark (we are working on it) at the poolman, mailman and the pest control people ! I am trying to get him so stop when I give the command. So far he stops barking but does a low gurrrrrrrr.
      parsnip

      Delete
    4. Parsnip-Pugs, and I think Bulldogs, do not bark much if at all. So they display upsets in other ways.

      Delete
    5. Suky has never had a tantrum, she can have a sulk if she gets upset and thinks she is unloved … but that is about it. And Lizzy ... Pugs learn to bark if they are brought up with other dogs … Suky is a proper little barker now :-)

      Delete
  19. Oh you do make me want Bulldog!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I do like a dog with personality and character. X

    ReplyDelete
  21. There was a Bulldog on tv last night-The Dog Father behaviourist was asked to help as the dog was snatching food from strangers x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Winnie once helped herself to a rusk which was on a bottom shelf of a baby's push chair

      Delete
    2. I miss Winnie

      Delete
  22. Anonymous5:34 pm

    Bet Albert is furious now!
    No treats for madam, she should loose her treat money to pay for a new one, or is it fixable?
    Tess xx

    ReplyDelete
  23. Yikes - I didn't know that about bulldogs. It makes me look at my two cats' incessant meowing with new (and more grateful) eyes!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Huskeys and French Bulldogs are well known for their tantrums too

      Delete
  24. I would love to know Mary's thoughts on the matter. Can't imagine as sensible a dog as she kicking up such a fuss.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I did not know that about bulldogs! You handled it correctly, as any parent of a two year old would do. Any attention only gives them more reason to repeat the fit throwing.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Wow! I had no idea a bulldog would be so temperamental!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

      Delete
  27. I never knew! I bet when you came back down from your snooze she was sweetness and light, butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth type of thing?

    LX

    ReplyDelete
  28. Anonymous6:53 pm

    OMG look at that door. Furor of the bull dog, I had no idea of this characteristic. My Bernese Mountain Dog sulks if not let in when he knocks. He just knocks harder and louder and then ignores everyone once inside. His revenge. Susan

    ReplyDelete
  29. Poor Dorothy! How could you be so beastly to her? You are a heartless doggie daddy!

    ReplyDelete
  30. I didn't know about bulldog tantrums John - but think you probably made the right decision to go to bed - I suspect that like with small children ignoring is what probably annoys them most.

    ReplyDelete
  31. I have a cat who throws similar tantrums (without fortunately the strength of a bull dog).
    Going to bed is often the only way.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I've only ever had 'only' rescue dogs but always had numerous cats. The moggies used to bully the shit out of my staffie though.

    ReplyDelete
  33. It has been too long since I simply, went back to bed.

    ReplyDelete
  34. I get the same way when I’m ‘hangry’! Speaking of which - where’s my snack?!

    ReplyDelete
  35. oh my! what a beast! and to look at that face, you would never know. glad I have cats.

    ReplyDelete
  36. I never knew this. Amazing. Would love to see the video.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Anonymous10:53 pm

    Girl got attitude

    ReplyDelete
  38. Now I Really want a Bulldog puppy!

    ReplyDelete
  39. I guess she would not have listened!

    ReplyDelete
  40. I did not know that either about tantrums in bulldogs. We had Australian cattle dogs, they have dingo in their ancestry, no tantrums but one would become stressed if dad was away for the day. She would go into the garage with a dirt floor and dig an absolutely massive hole behind what ever vehicle was left so we couldn't use it.

    ReplyDelete
  41. What a stroppy madam - her not you.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Everyone is going to love being able to get fresh air through the cat flap in the early morning, no doubt your heating bill is about to go up noticeably!

    ReplyDelete
  43. This made me laugh out loud. I love your description "kicked the shit out of the recycling bins". I can just imagine the flouncing going on when she finally let back in!

    ReplyDelete
  44. I am just laughing at this post. Thank you for it.

    ReplyDelete
  45. https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eirFMM6-HfI/Xk052twUJoI/AAAAAAABSk4/myzURKxmJ18l8wfF_zs_Jy5v23rir7bLQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5958.JPG

    ReplyDelete
  46. https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eirFMM6-HfI/Xk052twUJoI/AAAAAAABSk4/myzURKxmJ18l8wfF_zs_Jy5v23rir7bLQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5958.JPG

    ReplyDelete

I love all comments Except abusive ones from arseholes