AIBU about my mums new dog...Staffordshire Bull Terrior??

[M0naLisa]

Long story short....
Mums other dog which she had for 7yrs died in November, she said she wouldnt get another as didnt want to replace him, But this last week shes gone and bought a Staffordshire Bull Terrior, Its just to keep her company when Stepdad on nights...im guessing!!! As she said when other dog died that she missed the company at night, him laying on her feet etc etc She didnt walk the last one and she wont walk this one. Sister walked the last one until the novelty wore off and i did the rest of the walking when i was available to do it. Sisters walking him now but for how long? 5 days, 2 weeks, 1 month??? until the novelty wares off and she cant be bothered no more.

Anyway i went to see it the other day and it barks....alot!!
She has 3 grandchildren aged 2, 3 and 5 - the 3 & 5 yr olds are my DS'.

Would you let your children round a dog that no one knows what is like, she got it from a family who said its friendly but they didnt 'have the time for him'

Which is what everyone selling a dog says...how do we know the dogs not bit one of the kids at the home its come from. Kids aged 3 and 7 at the previous home.

We were there on Wednesday night and the dog was begging for food whilst mum and sister was eating (mum thinks its been in a cage in a garden due to the behaviour food wise) - sister lives over the road but slept at mums for the last 4 nights (think shes trying to worm her way back home so that mum will look after her son whilst she sits on her phone all day) Anyway the dog was begging and sister kept smacking it on the nose and shouting 'NO GO TO BED'

Now my MIL is a dog lover and i asked her about this specific breed and she said she personally wouldn't have that breed around kids as its from he pit bull family.

We are there tomorrow night for a little get together for sisters birthday and i know mums going to want the boys over the school holidays in 2 weeks and with the dog am i right to say 'No'?

What would you do/say?

YY trois - the nanny dog is what I've heard, and I totally agree. My staffie cross is the softest big lump and absolutely adores my baby grandson. She loves to lie on my lap on her back just like a baby, and I often think 'devil dog, pah!'

The 'devil dog' comments really piss me off YNK. I knew a SBT that was scared of my JRT X and would pee herself if my dog growled at her (literally yuk). I also have a friend with a bloody enormous Rottie that shakes when he goes to the groomers because the owner has a Chihua one of those handbag dogs with stupid spelling .

MuttDog looks soppy and gorgeous and everyone wants to pet her, but actually she is really nervous around strangers (skitty Collie traits) and I'm worried that one day she might snap.

My brother rescued a SBT X (with Rottie maybe). She is fabulous with humans of all shapes and sizes, but detests other dogs (so was likely used for fighting). You only have to raise your voice in her vicinity and she scurries off to her bed - even laughter makes her nervous . Brother spent a time recently scared she would be taken off him as a bloody stupid policeman said 'looks like a Pitt Bull to me' - people have to stop the generalisations whilst BSL is still in play.

Anyway OP, I don't know how true this is, but a working dog owner friend of mine told me that you should never smack a dog on the nose as they damage really easily and a dog that can't smell won't eat (someone to do with not being able to tell if the food is safe). If your mum is still hurting over losing her last dog point out that she could lose this one through starvation if your sis carries on (overdramatic i know, but if it works...)

Any dog needs training so that it knows it is not the head of the pack and knows how it should behave. Regular walks vital (after feeding and general good treatment) Breed is largely irrelevant. Could you buy MIL a course of dog/owner training classes for her birthday? If her birthday is in November, just make it a very early present. Action needs to be taken now and I would not leave your children at DM's house without your being present. The dog can be trained to lie in its bed and not pester at the table but it takes time and effort.

Good advice from everyone as usual.
We had a Staffer, poor Pod was rescued from a life of dog fighting . He was the daftest, most lovely dog IN THE WHOLE WORLD. FACT. He was dreadful around other dogs though. We were blessed that he didn't ever want to go out for a walk .
Don't tar all SBT with the same brush.
The only toy he couldn't destroy was a Kong BTW. I think it cost about £15 - a long time ago, but he could chew it and not make a mark.

You should never smack a dog, unless it's an absolute emergency. It is that simple.

A bit of info about http://www.staffierescue.co.uk/?page_id=12 STAFFIES

Your mum/sister should read a dog training/behaviour book The Culture Clash.

A bite is ALWAYS provoked, the dog will have had a reason for it, even if you can't discern what that reason is. Dog owners need to learn the issues and tolerances their dog has, to people, children, other dogs, strange circumstances, combinations of these, so you don't set the dog up to fail.

Your mum made a bad move not getting a dog form a rescue centre- dogs in rescue are assessed specifically for this reason and to make sure the new owners are a good 'match' for the dog. For example, if a dog has a low tolerance for the presence of children- finds it stressful for example, they won't rehome with children. Your family now needs to go through this process. A good dog behaviourist can help with an assessment.

Damn STAFFIES

"Any dog needs training so that it knows it is not the head of the pack and knows how it should behave. "

This, for example, is complete rubbish and the theory behind it is a decade out of date. You need to get GOOD advice, especially as it's a strange dog will potentially have a lot of contact with children.

Poor dog, he's in a strange place with unfamiliar people, one of whom is smacking him on the nose. Lost for words. :(

SBT's are one of only 2 breeds specifically recommended by the KC for having with children - they're actually known as the 'nanny dog' and in spite of the bad rep they have are very people loving dogs. So specifically on the front I'd say your MIL knows squat.

However that aside - since breed of dog isn't really the issue, it's how it's been bought up and trained, I would say no - I would not leave children unattended around an unknown dog who appeared to have a neglectful/possibly abusive background. That's common sense and stands regardless of breed.

Since I'd be assuming your mum isn't just going to give the dog away I'd then think it would be prudent yourself to learn something about dogs (if you don't already). This will keep you and your children safer and will also open the possibility for actually having a harmonious, joyful relationship with the dog.

Excellent link batsintheroof