I think I need to have my dog PTS

[lethimdown]

Namechanged, as I'm ashamed. Some may be able to guess who I am.

I need to rehome my dog. The rescue centres are full, and I have spoken to several who won't take him due to this and also his dog aggression.

They are adamant that he will not find a home because of this. That it is hard enough for the "perfect" dogs to find homes as it is. I understand this. One has advised that he is PTS.

I cannot afford a behaviourist. We are living on less than £300/month. I do not have the time to put in any more training. I have a toddler, am pg, have another dog, an ill mother and a husband who works long hours.

He is generally a good dog in the house (he has never shown aggression to a person) but I can't walk him. My child has almost been injured due to him lunging at other dogs on walks. I can't risk my child (at face-level to the dog) being injured. This is impossible.

Is having him PTS the only option? I can't keep him, there is no question of that.

(And no, I am not a cold-hearted bitch, I love him but I am trying to be pragmatic and put my children first. This isn't working for any of us.)

Aggression, or the likelihood of it, is something we avoid by careful breeding, it isn't rocket science but just the refusal to breed from dogs that are aggressive. The risk with my pup is not that he will become aggressive but extremely fearful and, as he was at the start, not wanting to leave the house. My other entire males, bless them, were extremely sweet with him and have rebuilt his confidence. I know lovely Staffies, I also know of Staffie litters where pups have killed their siblings and dams that have had to be muzzled near their growing puppies. We all know there are very major problems with temperaments in the breed and there needs to be more concentration on returning the Staffie to be the "nanny dog" that is a delight to live with and is "totally reliable" as stated in the breed standard.

"Characteristics: Traditionally of indomitable courage and tenacity. Highly intelligent and affectionate, especially with children.

Temperament: Bold, fearless and totally reliable"

I hated adding to the dire stories about a Staffie's temperament but it happened and it seemed to me relevant to your predicament. I really do wish you and your dog the very best outcome.

Thanks. :) It's a toughie because I have no idea where the aggression came from, certainly nothing happened when he was with me and he used to be great with all other dogs. Your pup is lucky to have other dogs around him to build up his confidence again, I wish I'd socialised my dog more when his problems started to arise but sadly I wasn't particularly knowledgable about these things then. :( Still, we battle on.

You sound like you have a plan. I think for me the learning curve has been that with an aggressive dog you have to rethink what ownership means. For us it had meant long daytime walks in the park now it means we lead walk on pavements with the buggy. Dogs can't sneak up, we know where to cross to avoid the lungers behind fences and have a lovely walk round the streets. When darkness falls we go running together, can get round the park safely and without the children know ever quiet walk over fields. Having worked on recall I can get them back but need to be able to see other dogs before they do.

I have muzzled, it helps sometimes though actually a dogmatic head collar gives me all I need if I see a dog I can hold the lead very short so my dog's head can't go anywhere. I do some sociable walks with my good dogs and I make the best of what I have. Good dogs at home mean the most to me, aggression to children or adults is much harder.

With training my dog is much better though not reliable and actually I think it suits us all to manage her anxieties as we do.

Hope you find a way forward.