Dog really hates toddler DS

[TheHolyGruel]

I have posted about this before. I have two dogs (staffs) and a toddler DS who is 20mo.

My older dog (male) really dislikes my DS. He growls at him constantly and it is just getting worse. We had problems with this dog being dog aggressive but this has been overcome somewhat by walking him on a muzzle and walking the dogs separately. The dog has been checked by a vet, other than a recent worm problem (now sorted) there is nothing wrong.

We sought advice from a dog trainer/rescue person who we had a couple of sessions with. His advice re the toddler/dog situation was to put the dog down, as if something did go wrong then not only would it be a dreadful situation for us, but dreadful for staffies everywhere (another story for the papers etc, another crack in the BSL nonsense defence - I fully believe that BSL is bollocks and that the problem is not because he's a staff, but I'll talk about that in a moment). But I don't feel I can do it. In the meantime, any attempts to unite dog and DS are failing. DS is instructed to offer dog treats, to sit nicely and pet nicely, not to run up to dog, not to touch anything belonging to dog, etc. I make an effort for the dogs to be in the same room as DS as often as possible, but I am becoming worried for DS safety, as dog is really sounding at the end of his rope.

I honestly believe it is because the dog has been usurped from his position of 'first born'. The other dog displays no such issues, and is very fond of DS. The problem dog has always been the established top dog.

DH works away from home sometimes and has his biggest stint of the year coming up next month. He is away for a month, and I am petrified of how I will cope with this situation alone. It is so stressful.

In the first instance, does anyone know of a way in which I could find a foster carer for my dog, initially for this upcoming period, or is this unrealistic? He is fine with dogs smaller than himself and with older children (all children aside from DS it seems, in fact).

Can anyone offer any other advice or solutions? I think ultimately he will need rehoming, but I also know it's not that simple...

Sorry my 'Maybe so' 2nd paragraph was referring to him doing the association thing not the 'disliking' even more.

Mind, your dog is just biding his time. Have you not seen Cats and Dogs? In his enclosure he has access to sup equipment and laptops and all kinds of clever things. He is quietly building an army to help him take over the world, where upon he will enslave all small children out of revenge.

I agree this is a ticking time bomb BUT only because of the OP stupidity.

She has lost the breeders details........because of this the dog can not go back to them to be looked after.

She has not got enough money to get behaviourist help.........so why get a dog if you can not afford the issues medical or behavourial that may arise over the 16 year period they may live.

She is passing on a dog with issues to someone else to deal with.........

This can be dealt with, given time and correct behavioural help - not by a trainer but a qualified behaviourist.

{grin] @ Doin.

I think you'll find they leave all that revenge shit to us humans.

And we're supposed to be the sophisticated ones

herbert how helpful. why don't you take the poor dog yourself then.

I mean how fucking dare the OP come here for advice? Forget god squad There a dog squad by the looks of it

My dog is frightened of his own ears (they sneak up on him when he's eating, the bastards), so plotting world domination is waaaaaaay beyond his intellectual capabilities.

Mama have you ever even seen a dog, in rl? You seem intent on goading everyone on this thread who has the dogs interests at heart as well as the child's but appear utterly clueless about anything canine, to the point of absurdity.

Herbert makes some good points. Dogs are expensive and you always need to be prepared for the unexpected, financially. First seasons timing themselves nicely for spaying needing to be done in the same month as the family holiday, for example

Although I'd argue that a staffy 'breeder' is not going to be the kind of person who would willingly take back the dog and work with it now that they have their £££, their part is over.

We are not rich but we do have access to a credit card that is there solely for pet related mishaps or emergencies along with good pet insurance and savings we could access.

OP some insurances companies, not all, but some, do cover a small amount of behavioural help, so it is worth checking with your pet insurance.

I have a staff x ABD who is dog aggressive but is like butter with my dc 10mo and 6yo, if he showed any signs of aggression toward them I would first try keeping him in the garden during the day while they were in the house or vice versa. Is this something you could do op?

If that didn't work and I couldn't find a no kill rescue I would PTS because he is a large muscular dog who if he got into the hands of the wrong person I dread to think what would happen to him :( death is better than some things. I muzzle him because we came to realise he's a good fighter and some people would exploit that :(

Herbert - the breeders moved house, their phone number changed as a result of this, and although I know their name and the names of the sire and dam, I cannot find any information for them on google.

My dogs both have their medical needs met, they are up to date on their jabs, have regular flea and worm treatment - hell they probably eat better than DH and I.

Do you want my life history? How DH was made redundant two years ago? Don't call me stupid based on what you ASSUME to know. I wish I could afford a behaviourist. I wish my mental health hadn't suffered as a result of this stress on top of PND. But unfortunately we can't all have what we want.

I assume you don't have children.

Thanks chickens, mind, hairy and mama.

D0ojn, I have contacted Doris Banham, they want me to email some more info so they can put him out to their contacts. Thanks for the recommendation.

Hang in there, Holy. I hope Doris Banham comes up trumps for you. I 'know' a blue staffy, and he's a beautiful colour, really unusual. Good luck.

Our insurance doesn't cover behavioural issues, I called them a few months ago to discuss this.

I can't leave him outside, we only have a small yard. And yes, this is down to the unforeseen financial difficulties we faced.

at chickens dog being scared of his ears!

I'm in Bristol op and I'm racking my brains to think of a suitable family for him but the only one I can think of already have two dogs and may not want another if he has tendancies of aggression. I will ask though because this woman would never put any animal to sleep.

I love blue staffs btw, they are beautiful and I understand your concerns as they are definitely sought after dogs around here although the fact that he's neutered is a good thing.

Why should I again pick up the pieces of other peoples mistakes Mama As said in my post I have already got many rejected dogs in my home! What are you doing to help apart from posting sarcastic comments?

Breed register will have updated addresses of breeders

However I have been contacting rescues and if the OP wishes to pm me I will find a rescue home (again for another owner who has is not prepared to do the leg work themselves)

Thanks Rhett, that would be great.

Herbert, can you link me to the breed register? I have tried to find her numerous times via google.

I will PM you as I would like help rehoming him, thanks. Out of interest though, do you have children?

Although I agreed with your first comment Mama, I think you are being a little harsh on the OP. She is trying her best in a heartwrending situation. She is obviously torn between keeping her DC safe and getting her staffie to a more suitable home.

I hope you find a solution oP, this must be stressful for you. But I don't think I'm being hysterical when I say that the solution must be your top priority. Having seen the damage angry staffies can do (which was known to be a lovely family pet and turned for no apparent reason, then again, I've also sewn up Golden retreiver bites, labarador bites etc!) I think that the arrangement you have where he can escape over the top of the fence means that this situation is a little frightening.

I don't know much about dogs, but just reading about this situation makes me think it's a disaster waiting to happen. Please either re-home this dog or have it put down. Your son is quite possibly in danger and you will never forgive yourself if something terrible happens while you're dithering.

Get the dog out of your home now!

your in a difficult position and I imagine it would be very hard/nigh on impossible to get your dog rehomed quickly with its background. Personally I would put a time limit on how long to find a home then (awaits flaming) im afraid I would go down the route of pts. This is based purely on my experience of my mums dog (Alsatian) who was exactly how you described your dog. My mum wouldn't have him put down (she had had him 7 years) as she dearly loved him and had went down all the routes of behaviourists etc. She kept him in another part of the house when grandkids visited. One day he got out (he managed to open the door himself for the first time) and tried to attack/bite my nephew. Luckily my mum was there and my nephew escaped with just a scrape to his forehead and that night the dog was pts. Point im trying to make was that imo this was an accident waiting to happen and it was just sheer luck that my nephew escaped with no serious physical damage. Its not a case of 'if' but more 'when'. My mum tried to rehome her dog for months/years but it just wasn't possible.

The op is dealing with it. Lay off with the hysterics they don't help and belong in the DM

That's to juneau btw

Isn't it funny how posters who would never post in the doghouse section on other threads and have never contributed to other threads asking for help on welfare or training issues always without fail post on threads regarding difficult staffies? And always vehemently disagree with regular posters and question their experience and knowledge?

I mean if all these 'new' posters are so experienced in dog behaviour, then why not contribute to other threads?

I have a question for you all, how can I train my Whippety thingy to accept being walked in the rain without acting like she is being horribly abused? I am particularly interested in your answer Mama, you seem so knowledgeable on all metters canine. I just know you will be able to help us.

OP I am glad Doris Banham are helping, Bullies in Need are not taking in any more dogs right now, but also might have contacts who could help. I know it seems like Herbert is being harsh, but it seems like staffies are 'her breed' iyswim and having to constantly defend them and clean up after inexperienced or neglectful owners must be wearing.

I know, D0oin, staffies are 'my breed' too and before DS I would have come onto a thread like this defending them too (in fact I still do find myself defending staffies on the various anti-dog threads that pop up elsewhere on this forum), but saying that the situation is down to me being stupid is unnecessary, untrue and unhelpful.

I have started another thread now purely for rescue links. Thanks for your help so far. Just firing out some emails.

I know f all about staffies except that I would not have one who was targeting my 20 month old baby in my home. I cannot see how that is controversial really. Is it controversial?

Not really, but you, and others, seem to be under the impression that op isn't dealing with it. She is