Buying a dog-aggressive Staffy?

[SaucyJack]

Will it go horribly wrong?

A friend of ours is trying to sell his dog as it doesn't get on with other dogs or animals and we're considering buying him.

He's a lovely, lovely, lovely boy otherwise. Very soft, and happy with adults and children- inc. our three children.

He isn't neutered (was intended as a breeding dog) which we'd obviously do, and is two years old.

Any advice? Is this the worst idea ever?

Honestly? I would think very carefully. Don't underestimate the strain of trying to walk a dog that dislikes (whether actively aggressive or fear aggressive) other dogs. It isn't just controlling your own dog. What about the owners that have their dog off lead and cheerily call 'she's harmless!' as the dog bounds up to you?

It can be done but I don't think you should do it unless the dog has first had assessment from a reputable behaviourist.

It is not easy to own a dog you can't easily exercise or take to dog friendly places for a run. I would think extremely carefully, especially as it sounds like you are not an experienced owner.

If you know and like the dog already...it really depends in what way he's dog aggressive and whether you can handle that and are willing to spend a fair bit of time retraining him.

I have a dog aggressive dog, it can be extremely hard work because he's very very dog aggressive, to the point of never being offlead if there may be another dog around, muzzled and me having to physically hold him while he tries to attack if there's a dog within about 20 feet.

It's honestly not something I would encourage anyone to sign up for as it's hard and really limits what you can do with him.

But, most dogs aren't as extreme as that, so really it depends in exactly what way he behaves.

How much do you know about when/why he started being dog aggressive? Was it triggered by a specific event? Is it just around other males?

Staffies have got a reputation for 'not being very good with other dogs' which I think means a lot of people just don't bother putting the work in after an initial event because they think they are just living up to their destiny. My first rescue staff was said to be dog aggressive, but we quickly realised it was only around boxers or mastiffs, which indicated an incident in the past, and we worked with the rescue and a dog behaviourist to deal with it - so it can be done. I don't think that being dog aggressive correlates with being human aggressive though.

The main thing that would really, really put me off is the extra stress on walks, and also what to do if you were ill/incapacitated for any length of time and not able to do on-lead walks. I fostered a staff-x who was borderline dog aggressive and it was just about workable until I sprained my ankle and wasn't up to long walks. With any other dog, I would have been able to hobble or drive to a park and then lean against a tree throwing tennis balls. With this dog, it just wasn't possible to have her off the lead. And obviously none of my other dog-owning friends could help out.

But either way, the current owner shouldn't be trying to sell this dog. He should be grateful that a responsible person can give it a home and a chance, rather than looking to make a quick buck. It is one thing for a rescue to try and cover the costs of being a rescue, but charging for someone to take your mistakes off your hand is really not on.

Honestly I think taking him.out is asking for trouble.

I'm. no expert. I only really hang around the pet threads to look at the pictures and to offer my positive vibes or condolences to people who lost their beloved pets.

There's every chance this dog is just aggressive through stressful conditions at home and could well be fine living on his own.

BUT.... its a huge gamble to take and given this "friend" hasn't even tried the most obvious solution which is to have him castrated my suspicion based on limited k ow ledge would be massively down played issues.

It's not impossible, there are many people on this. thread who can tell you a hundred ways and ideas.

but if you are inexperienced with dogs I worry you will struggle to control him should he go nuts when you take him out. they are pure muscle and require some strength to hold onto. If you have to hold your kids hand still to cross roads then already your probably going to struggle.

I feel for this poor dog I really do. And he'll I'd buy him.of I could if only to take him to the vets and save him from.a miserable life.

but truth is shelters are hard to find that have spaces. they risk adding cage aggression to the list of problems and he may well not cope.

He might.

but he might not and it's important you read the above posts and see what a commitment this is going to be. A shelter may not even he an option any time soon. so you likely will have a choice to make.

spend thousands on equipment and specialists, risk your kids getting attached and then breaking their heart when he can't stay.

or you walk away.

this would make me sooo

Actually the most obvious thing for dog aggression isn't castration...it very much depends on what the cause of the aggression is, it can for example make fear aggressive dogs worse.

But the fact that the current owner is selling him suggests it isn't the most responsible dog owner tbh...

My mum has a tiny Pomeranian (weight 4lb) that is dog aggressive and it has been very difficult for her. He once bit my sisters young DS when going for another dog. Its much easier with a Pom to hold them and they don't need long walks so it would be even harder with a larger dog.

I think it depends where you live, if you're in the middle of nowhere and can go for walks without seeing other dogs, or there are places near you where you could take him for walks without other dogs, or with only on lead dogs then it will be less of a problem. It could be pretty tough otherwise. I have three highly dog, human and everything (weed, leaf, butterfly...) aggressive dogs (marshmallows with DH, DS and I) but we own a ranch so its not a problem, and is actually an advantage. If you're in the UK though it might be a lot more difficult.

God this makes me so angry! There are so many lovely dogs desperate for homes- and an unpredictable, aggressive dog jumps the queue.

"marshmallows with DH, DS and I)

Yeah- that's what everyone says. Until one day......

Definitely don't rush to neuter until you know this dogs issues. My boy is fearful I'm not neutering yet.

Bertrand - dogs that bite family members are very rarely dogs that the owner knows has a behavioural issue and is managing the dog and working on the issue...those owners tend to be very aware of things like stress signs and their dogs' thresholds and triggers.

Much more dangerous are dogs whose owners that either think their dog would never bite or those that are ignoring a behavioural issue.

Bertrand in some cases there is a need for aggressive dogs, we personally need dogs which are capable of protecting us. TBH I don't like using the word aggressive for our dogs. Actively protective is a much more accurate term. I agree with tabulah on this one,knowing your dogs behaviour/triggers is of paramount importance.

"in some cases there is a need for aggressive dogs"

I could do without it tbh, lol.

But he's my dog and you play the hand you're dealt...besides, the medical issues that have caused the behavioural issues mean he'll have a very shortened lifespan anyway.

I do think the OP should seriously assess whether they're up to it before knowingly taking on a dog with issues though...and reconsider how they feel about their 'friend'.

Having this kind of dog changes your life - my dad rehomed a lurcher that's reactive on the lead to other dogs through fear, & can't be off lead aside from in the Dogs Trust enclosure once a week. It means my dad has to walk him at odd times of the day & in odd places, which is doable for him as he is retired. Otherwise the dog is perfect in the house & with other people. It's something you can work around but it isn't easy & will require a change in your routine & life.

I also completely resent the people calling for the dog to be PTS that really isn't necessary! Just because a dog has been abused or neglected to the point it's become aggressive as a coping mechanism doesn't make it a bad dog not worthy of a life.

I wish people would stop thinking being put to sleep is the worst thing that could happen to a dog.........

tabulah lol, undoubtedly in most cases. It's very different out here though, lots of big predators (animal and human alike). There are times when the rage against the weed that tripped me over, or the the flower that dared to bloom a different colour gets a bit tedious!

I would think long and hard if you have the money and time for something like this. Having an aggressive dog is very hard work,constantly on edge incase something triggers it. I found things like family trips to the beach a nightmare.
My current dogs are very indifferent to others and its 100 times easier to live with.

I work with dogs and Staffies can be lovely BUT they are very powerful and strong. It's pretty difficult to sort a problem like this out and I personally think Staffies can be prone to animal based aggression which makes it even harder to train out of them. Only last month we put to sleep a lovely staff that killed two smaller dogs and bit a child in the process while out for a family walk. This dog was known to be aggressive but unfortunately snapped it's harness and managed to pull its owner over to get to the other dogs. They were lovely owners who had spent a fortune on training but this dog couldnt be fixed.

Personally as harsh as it is I think the owner is very irresponsible for selling this dog. He needs to grow a pair and either keep it and sort it out or put it to sleep rather than pass the problem on.

You also have to think about who would look after your dog if you wanted to go on holiday or a day trip without the dog, or even just needed somebody to walk the dog. You would need to find a responsible, experienced carer who could keep your dog apart from other dogs. Experienced dog walkers and dog lovers tend to have their own dogs.

I have a dog aggressive dog.

I just have to be constantly on the look out for other dogs, and tend to walk him in quieter areas, at not peak times. It's fine. He is brilliant with all people and all children. Just because a dog is aggressive to other dogs, absolutely does not make them a problem to have around children.

If you can put the commitment on OP, I think it would be lovely to be able to rehome this dog.

Don't do it. The Bastard Spaniel is fear aggressive after being attacked by a dog as a pup. I have to be on my guard constantly when walking him. He panics and tries to 'get in first' if another dog looks at him funny when on lead. Off lead, he is much better and ignores other dogs until they deliberately approach him. His recall is top notch and he always teturns to me if he feels threatened. Then I hang on to him while physically fending off the other dog with my arm or leg. I am usually yelling 'PLEASE RECALL YOUR DOG! MINE IS NOT FRIENDLY! '. They are rarely recalled. My dog is now a vibrating mass of fear and adrenaline. And will remain so for hours.

I took on this dog not knowing what issues he would develop. I would run screaming from one that I knew would be this way. Never underestimate the stress, anxiety and heartache involved with dealing with an aggressive dog. And a fight can break out in the split second you take your eye off the ball. Much as I love my boy, caring for him is a burden. My friendly, issue free dog is purely a joy. No contest as to which experience I would wish on you and your family

It seems odd to buy a staffie from a friend when there are so many staffies awaiting homes in shelters. You usually have to make a donation when you get a dog from a shelter (c. £90), but its behaviour will have been assessed and it will have been seen by a vet and chipped. Really your 'friend' should be paying you.

He's already owned by undesirables. They were planning on breeding the staffy - why?! Are there not enough staffies filling up every rescue space around?! And now he's selling him, bloody cheek! He should be neutering him and then finding a suitable home. The only people who are going to part with cash for a dog aggressive staffy are either breeders hoping to make money from puppies or someone looking for a fighting dog, or bait for a fighting dog. The dog would be very lucky if you took him in. You'd have to keep him on the lead at all times on walks, and steer well clear of other dogs. You may want to see a behaviourist which might cost up to £200 and there's no guarantee how effectively his problems could be treated.

"I wish people would stop thinking being put to sleep is the worst thing that could happen to a dog........."

It's absolutely not, my dog hasn't been put to sleep because I can safely manage him, he has a good quality of life and I'm happy at this point to keep going with him - if any of those changed he'd be PTS, it's been discussed with his specialist at several points and we are both happy just now to keep going.

I wouldn't rehome him, ever, it would be much more horrific for him than being PTS with me there and the chances of him causing damage to somebody or another dog because he's with someone who doesn't know him the same way are too high.

I'm usually more of a lurker, but wanted to give my honest opinion about this.

I have a dog aggressive staffy x, and I must say that it is a hugely stressful and consuming situation to deal with.

You need to think about all of the aspects of your life that can be affected by this.
For example I can't take my boy to the places I would like to, but choose our routes based on where we are most likely not to bump into other dogs and/or can make an easy escape if we see one approach. Including taking him out at anti social times of the day.
Cant go for the lovely country walks ending in the pub as can't risk running into other dogs.
Cant take the dog out with small kids or buggy on your own as a fixated lunging dog is bloody strong and believe me when i say you will need both hands in order to drag him away from whatever has set him off.
Cant get a dog walker as its just too much hassle for them and can only be walked one at a time.
Cant take him if we visit friends and family in case they have their dogs around.
In fact we can't take him much of any where at all as its too much of a stress in case there are other dogs around. I am constantly on high alert scanning around for approaching dogs- no relaxing walks for me! Especially as he can react to dogs on the other side of the road no where near us.

My boy is a very happy chap overall- he is absolutely the softest git you can imagine with his family and our cat is his best pal. He gets a run in the country on his long line as often as we can manage it, but the reality is our lives are hugely impacted by the restraints that go hand in hand with having a dog aggressive dog.

I would love to have some land in the countryside where he can run around to his hearts content, but unless I win the lotto, that isn't going to happen.

Sometimes it gets too much for me and I have in my darkest moments thought about rehoming, but I think that he would be euthanised if i went down that route as he would be too hard to home. He is part of the family now, and so we are in it for the long run, but had i known this is what it would have been like, i would not have taken him on.

If you are still considering taking him on, would it be possible to get a session with a behaviourist before you agree to it, and see if they think its something that can be worked on?