A few questions about staffordshire bull terriers, and rescues...

[LEttletownofBOFlehem]

Prompted by a thread about them in AIBU, if, as one poster says, a staffie needs miles of exercise a day, but is dog-aggressive, how do people exercise them safely off-lead?

I'm asking because my almost 80 year-old aunt has just taken on an 11 month old female staff from rescue. She was adamant she wanted a rescue dog, and had loved her last (small) rescue mongrel for years and years until she died a few months ago.

She didn't want a big dog, she didn't want a pup. Yet she was under a certain amount of pressure from her adult sons, who both work and hence can't have a dog themselves, to take this particular dog. And obviously, the rescue were keen to home the dog, who seems very sweet actually, if rather muscley and younger than she was first led to believe. It's possible that the dog was traumatised somehow in connection with cars, as she is very nervous in them, and won't get in without being lifted. But she pulls like mad on the lead too, and I'm really worried that she is too heavy for my aunt to lift, and too strong on the lead- my aunt could easily be pulled over, and at her age, well...it could mean a broken hip or similar.

Basically, I'm worried that this dog is not a good match for her. Technically, my aunt can still change her mind and return her, but she would feel incredibly guilty and distressed to do that, and I expect she won't want to. I dont know whether to persuade her it was a mistake, or back her up in doing her best to cope, which I think she'll try to. It's a bit like when your friend gets an unsuitable boyfriend- do you pipe up, or keep schtum?

I feel a bit cross at the rescue centre for not considering her circumstances properly, tbh.

AIBU? Has anybody got any tips or advice in this situation?

Our staffie cross is just over a year and we use a halti collar when walking with him to stop the pulling. It just kills our backs, and though we are doing training with him, he's not interested in treats enough to stop pulling and heel.

He was/is also very car phobic, we used to have to pick him up and put him in, but now he gets in by himself (though he still doesn't like it much and pukes if in the car longer than 20 minutes).

It may be that the car has negative associations for her. The advice I've gotten is to sit in the car without the engine running, feed the dog in the car, take very short 2-3 minute journeys that end with something positive (a park, a walk). Ours seems to realise now that most times when we get in the car we're going to the dog park.

Do you actually know this particular dog is dog-aggressive? Ours definitely isn't, he's quite submissive, lies down and shows his belly or licks the face of any dog that seems remotely annoyed with him.

Best thing we've found is a fenced in off lead dog exercise area. His recall is not great to we were reluctant to let him off anywhere else until it improves. This way he really gets a good run and he can't get into any trouble or get where we can't see him.

If it is a pound type rescue centre, they're just into offloading dogs onto anyone they can get to take them, I think because they are so overrun. Our puppy was definitely shoved at us within about 10 minutes of arriving!

It's unfortunate they didn't match her up with an older dog who might have been calmer and happier to sit around the house, but let's hope she can handle this one!

Thanks Yank- some good tips there, especially about the car. She is a staffie cross too actually, but crossed with what, I'm not sure. She was "ok" with my mum's cavvie, after a while, apparently.

I'll check what the rescue was, I can't remember just now.

There are several issues here, and I'm not sure from your post how much your aunt has thought about them. If your aunt is 80, and the dog is 11 months old, then there is a very good chance the dog will outlive her - a healthy Staffy could live well into its mid teens. You (your aunt and your family) need to think about what happens if your aunt's health deteriorates, or if she passes away, and what she would like to happen to the dog, and to make sure her family KNOW her wishes (sorry this sounds so gloomy ). She may want to think about an organisation like the Cinnamon Trust.

Why did her sons pressure her to take this dog? I'm very curious about this. Don't understand why they would be keen for her to have such a bouncy, young dog.

If your aunt is happy to keep such a young dog, the next issue to consider is the training. If your aunt is relatively mobile, then she can take the dog to training classes - this can address the pulling, and may well help with the car issues. I wouldn't recommend she keeps the dog UNLESS she is willing to train it and work with it.

I am really surprised frankly at a rescue centre matching her with this dog - are you sure it was a rescue or was it a pound?

For a lady of her age, there are so many more quiet dogs that could be very suitable - have a look here at some of the utterly adorable older dogs that are looking for homes. Or have a look here - older greyhounds and lurchers are often very quiet, gentle dogs that contrary to myth, only need a short walk each day and like to spend their time upside down on the sofa. They are also generally very well behaved, good at travelling and excellent on the lead.

Ultimately, of course, the decision must rest with your aunt, and she will have a better picture of her health and resilience. But maybe it will help if you can provide her with some options. It is of course worth noting that a dog can provide a number of proven health benefits, and will assist your aunt in exercising, and they are also great social catalysts - walking a dog each day will bring her many friends and contacts.

Another option your aunt may wish to consider is to become a foster carer for a dog charity/rescue. This would mean all vets bills/food costs paid by the charity and she would have the satisfaction of a canine companion, but without a long term commitment. She would also know she was helping a vulnerable dog into a forever home which is incredibly satisfying.

Hope things work out.

Oh, and i meant to say, that it is nonsense to say that all Staffies are dog aggressive. Some are, but that's true of many breeds. I did our Gold award with one of our greyhounds and there was a staffie in the class (who also passed) - the most adorable lovable dog who was gentle, affectionate and also enjoyed doing agility. Always best to consider the individual dog rather than the breed.

Thanks scuttle- I'll re-read your advice and get back to you tomorrow, as I'm logging off now, but I really appreciate it, cheers.

I've spoken to my mum, and apparently the dog is ok with other dogs, but has absolutely no recall, not even in the garden. She also doesn't seem to respond to food treats, not appearing to understand what they are , so the car and recall training are going to be a struggle, by the sound of it. scuttle, I am PMing you the site of the rescue, if you don't mind telling me what you think?

The thing with her sons is that they are both dog fans, and have owned big dogs (labradors etc) in the past, and I think they just don't "do" little dogs. I'm not saying that they were bullying their mum or anything like that, but it sounds like their enthusiasm about that particular dog swept her along a bit. Her last dog was a small patterdale type, and I can see loads of that kind of dog available on the rescue website. I'm really puzzled, tbh.

Oh, and one more thing- without being too specific, there is a fmily situation going on at the moment which is incredibly distressing for my aunt, and I'm not sure how clearly she is thinking. Ideally, a new dog would help distract her from it, and give her some comfort, but I'm not sure that it's not just adding to her troubles right now.

All Staffies are different - and they certainly are not all dog aggressive or over bouncy. There are two very sweet staffie girls that live over the road from me that play on the green outside their house while their owner cleans his car, very friendly with all the other dogs that go past and they never wander off. My own Staffie is 10 but quite active, he is not keen on other dogs - but mainly because they have a go at him ( he was re homed because another dog didn't like him and badly bit him) I keep him on the lead unless it is a very quiet place. They are very sweet natured dogs and easy to love, surely your aunt would not have taken on this dog unless she felt up to it?

OP, I've just responded to your PM. A couple of thoughts. With what's going on at the moment, your aunt is clearly in a position where it's difficult for her to be making choices and decisions. As a trusted niece, who is clearly trying to do the best thing, I'd suggest at this stage to focus on helping your aunt begin a training programme for her new dog. A good training class will help enormously with this process, and interestingly a recent study showed that adopted dogs who went to training classes with their new owners were much more likely to bond and to report fewer behavioural problems. Training classes will help with issues like recall, lead walking etc. They can be incredibly rewarding and will really help your aunt bond with her new dog.

The other thing that will help is clicker training. There are loads of threads on here about this - Minimuu is the expert. There's also a brilliant book on it called "Don't Shoot the Dog" . Why not get your aunt this book and a clicker for Christmas?

Your aunt is very fortunate to have such a caring niece - it sounds as though her sons are thinking more about what they'd like rather than what would actually be best for her.

The last thing is a very practical matter. As your aunt's dog's recall is still so poor, can you make sure her garden is completely secure and escape proof? That might be a very practical way to ensure her new dog is at least safe when out in the back garden. It's also particularly important that the dog should always be wearing its ID and is microchipped.

That's brilliant advice, thank you so much. I know she did have a loose fence panel, but I think it's fixed now, but I will check. Great idea for the Christmas present too

Just a little thought on the recall. My Staffy's recall went out the window when he hit his 'teens'. (8-18 months ish) He's just turned 2 and is calming down and responding a bit better.

It's not brilliant but that might be the influence of the 'teen' fluffball Doodle!

Could be- but then again, I think she's been badly treated, so she may well never have been trained properly. As I say, she is just a bit bemused by the whole concept of treats- I wonder if she will cotton on soon enough, or if it will always be a problem?

She should cotton on if it's stuck to. My youngest staffie cross is roughly 19months now but she came here at 8 months knowing nothing at all.

She is still a swine, but has calmed down a hell of a lot.

You aunt will be best talking the pup to training classes, and would be best off getting a long training line to work on that recall.

I know a few people have said already, but the saying that they are dog aggressive are silly. Any dog can be dog aggressive.

What 'rescue' was it? Really unprofessional of them.

That seems to be one concept that most dogs have no difficulty in learning!!!

taking, not talking to classes.