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Original poster

Buying a dog-aggressive Staffy?

143 replies

SaucyJack · 20/07/2015 13:56

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?

OP posts:
Godstopper · 21/07/2015 10:24

Depends on:

(i) Extent of the aggression
(ii) Its type
(iii) The time you have available to deal with it.

I have a (friendly) Staff, but a dog aggressive Border Terrier (the number of people that have expressed surprise when it's the 'cute' teddy-bear looking one that kicks off you wouldn't believe ...). We:

  • Plan our walks carefully to minimize dog encounters.
  • Muzzle in popular places. We reward every time she looks at a dog. This is working. We've gone from mad barking across the street to passing calmly, which is all you really need from a dog.
  • Had a behaviorist out. Since then, progress has been small, but consistent. I doubt she'll ever be friendly - some dogs just aren't, in the way that some people don't want to meet and greet everyone.

This all kicked off after she was attacked twice. I don't quite know how I'd deal with the type of aggression that occurs because the dog really wants to do harm, rather than acting out because it is afraid. That needs expert ownership.

It is one thing when it develops over time (as happened to us), but another to willingly go looking for problems. I'd take him on a (leashed, muzzled) walk to gauge the extent of it, and go from there.

Another problem is that Staff's are powerful dogs. It would be much worse for us if our Staff was the aggressive one, simply because she is stronger and can potentially do more damage. The few incidents that have caught us unaware with the BT, we get comments like "oh isn't she a feisty one!" or "That's what you get with a terrier" - you will not have this reaction if your Staff attacks something!

It has taken us about a year to see a real improvement, and it's a life-long thing. Most DA dogs are not 'fixed', but have to be managed to keep them under threshold (i.e. keeping them calm enough so they don't react). Think about whether that's realistic for you long-term.

BertrandRussell · 21/07/2015 11:49

This evening we're having a dinner picnic on the beach. Tomorrow ds is planning a long day out in the country with a couple of mates. At the weekend we're staying with friends who have a dog, and later in the summer we're going camping. Our dog can do all these things with us. It would be utterly miserable if you had a family dog who couldn't be part of the family.

wannaBe · 21/07/2015 12:17

I second what previous posters said about the way it will affect the relationship with your dc.

My previous guide dog was severely dog reactive, he was withdrawn for it in fact. We don't know why, but suspect he had had a bad experience with another dog before he qualified as a guide dog and as such he will bark and lunge at other dogs when on lead. Off lead he is much better. But other than that he is a fantastic dog. is great with dogs he knows, great with children, my ds adores him.

But there is no way that my ds could ever walk him even now that he is almost a teenager because I couldn't trust him not to react to another dog if he saw it, even though other than that he has model behavior - was a guide dog in fact (although the fact he was allowed to become a guide dog with that trait is a whole topic in itself). Conversely my current dog is a model dog and ds sometimes does take him out for walks, and I have absolutely no qualms about that.

Withdrawn gd now lives with my sister as my bil is happy to love him with a firm hand iyswim. It was more difficult for me because although I absolutely had him under control, I often didn't know when a dog was approaching until he reacted to it as I couldn't see it. So he is best off where he is now.

And that is just a mild behavior. As I said upthread I have seen an agressive staffie in action and there's no way I would even contemplate taking one on.

Within the next couple of years I will need to start entering down the road of retiring my current dog and being matched with a new one. Dog reactions are a dealbreaker as far as I'm concerned.....

tabulahrasa · 21/07/2015 14:06

"It would be utterly miserable if you had a family dog who couldn't be part of the family."

Actually it's worse than that...I end up tailoring what we can do to work round the dog as there's nowhere to leave him if we want to go off and do something for longer than we can leave him home alone.

I haven't found kennels that will take him (I know some do take DA dogs) he can't go to a home boarder and no dog walker will take him on.

My DC are teenagers, so it doesn't have the huge effect that it would with younger children, but it is quite a big commitment.

Original poster
SaucyJack · 21/07/2015 14:43

Update

Well, sorry for the anti-climax, but Cujo just took us for a walk to the beach and he was no trouble really. We saw several dogs while we were out, but we kept our pace and distance and he didn't bat an eyelid.

I certainly wouldn't let him offlead in the middle of Crufts, but he's certainly not only fit to be put to sleep.

He needs a lot of etiquette training tho. He won't pick a side and walk on it.

Thanks again for all your advice. Even you Bertrand Wink

OP posts:
Gobbolinothewitchscat · 21/07/2015 14:55

I think it might be wise to take him out for more than one walk?

merrymouse · 21/07/2015 16:37

So why are they getting rid of the dog and are they still expecting you to pay them?

Gileswithachainsaw · 21/07/2015 16:39

Well that just raises more questions tbh.

WeAllHaveWings · 21/07/2015 16:45

It was one walk with two people he didn't know well so would have been concentrating on you more than the other dogs which were a distance away, once he knows you that's when his attention will shift again. Sounds like he was too busy this time trying to concenteate on you and your dh, hence the moving from side to side.

Also if no other dogs got close, which will happen, you really have no idea what he is like.

Think you need to take those rose tinted goggles off where this dog is concerned. Dogs are hard enough work without taking on one that already has issues when you have no experience of dealing with the issues.

BertrandRussell · 21/07/2015 16:56

"Thanks again for all your advice. Even you Bertrand wink"

What a very odd post- I didn't say anything that others didn't did I? Hmm

Original poster
SaucyJack · 21/07/2015 16:59

The same reason they always were Merrymouse- because he doesn't get on living in a house with three other dogs.

OP posts:
Gileswithachainsaw · 21/07/2015 17:02

But whys he after money?

he hasn't paid for nuetering, training, behavioural assessments, and the poor going has no leash manners. so basically zero investment in this dog and he wants you to pay them.

doesn't add up

Gileswithachainsaw · 21/07/2015 17:03

Poor thing

merrymouse · 21/07/2015 17:28

Sorry if you have posted this previously saucy but have you

merrymouse · 21/07/2015 17:29

(Aargh!) Owned a dog before as an adult?

merrymouse · 21/07/2015 17:33

and he wants you to pay them.

And it's not as though you are on a waiting list to buy a pedigree golden retriever - He is trying to sell a breed that is actually advertised by Battersea on bus shelters because there are so many that need new homes.

Snugglepiggy · 22/07/2015 06:43

Haven't had time to read all responses but my first thought was why on earth is he selling him ?As a dog walker over the years a few customers have very sadly realised the dog they have got,or their circumstances changing,have meant there has been a genuine need to rehome.With our help putting the word around the local dog community new homes have been found ,once for two very boisterous and unruly Labradors that were wreeking havoc,and in every case no money changed hands.The owners priority was simply to see the dog happy and a more suitable home.And so grateful were the previous owners that all the bedding,bowls etc and expensive gear we're handed over to the new owners.
We rescued a staffy cross that had issues at one year old and he turned out to be a gem of a dog.He was nervous of men he didn't know all his life.Thanks to his previous foul owner.But grew to adore my DH.But he had no issues with other dogs ,in fact riding around in our vans for years 'overseeing' our walks.And was particularly fabulous with our children and puppies.TBH if he'd been aggressive towards other animals I wouldn't have re- homed him as we already had another rescue dog who had settled really well ,and I wouldn't have wanted the tension out at home and on walks.Poor dog.Hope he's not passed from pillar to post and finds the right home.

worserevived · 22/07/2015 06:55

I have a dog aggressive dog, and it's a nightmare. I have spent literally 1000s on trainers. He has been on a residential course. I have spent a huge amount of time on the problem. It hasn't changed him. I have to exercise him on private land as although he is a smaller breed than a staffy I can't control him around other dogs. He panics and will bite anyone and anything between him and the other dog. On one occasion I tried to block him with my leg and he bit me. My main worry is that in these circumstances he could bite a child.

Like the dog you considering he is lovely with people. Devoted and gentle. The trainer told me dog aggressive dogs are often particularly bonded with people.

Please don't take this dog on.

BertrandRussell · 22/07/2015 07:53

This is such a sad thread. Nearly 100messages saying don't but you just know the OP is going to go ahead and it's going to be a disaster. Sad

Gileswithachainsaw · 22/07/2015 08:11

I know Sad

one walk and it's apparently all fine.

and the worrying thing is she can't see that the owners not the great friend they think.

A good owner wouldn't want money for a dog from. People who are going to have to spend more money addressing the issues.

not only did he save himself hundreds by not training or castrating. He wants more money on top for doing him.a favour.

why would you trust that

JoffreyBaratheon · 22/07/2015 09:30

We once had a dog aggressive staffy who was, in every other respect, a lovely, lovely dog. This was years ago before behaviourists etc, and just had to muddle through. In the end we did stuff like walk her very early in the morning, or in the evening, or only take her to places where dogs were on leads... And it was fine. Honestly, fine. She was - as most staffys are - great with kids, and people. Just hated other dogs.

It was worth putting up with that, because in every other way she was lovely. So that can be the case.

I have a dog now who is not at all dog aggressive but a bit afraid of certain dogs and we don't let her off lead. But she gets walked for an hour or two every day and we have a large garden where the kids play ball with her, etc, so she gets plenty of exercise. I choose not to let her off because I don't want anything happening to her. She is a staffy cross and I know she would never start a fight but she might sure as hell finish it and then as the staffy, she'd get the blame.

I have also had an extremely dog friendly staffy who was no problem around any other dog, ever but he was gone for once or twice (usually by labradors!) And again, my fear was that he might have finished a fight another dog started and he'd be labelled aggressive due to his breed, even though he was totally good natured and calm around all other dogs (even aggressive ones). I got sick of people with off lead dogs having zero recall or control, and so eventually kept him on a lead, too as he wasn't the problem - but other people's off lead, aggressive dogs (often breeds with a very different stereotype to the staffy) frequently were.

It is something staffy owners live with, I'm afraid. I'd maybe offer to 'borrow' (foster) this dog for a set period of time, and be very clear that if unforeseen issues raise their heads, you might then pass him on to a rescue. That would give him a chance and get him away from a not ideal situation.

These folk shouldn't be breeding dogs, that's for sure.

Floralnomad · 22/07/2015 09:46

An unneuteured , unsocialized staffy called Cujo and the person wants you to pay for the privilege of taking it off his hands - not the sort of person I would want as a friend and exactly the sort of staffy owner that gives the dog it's poor reputation . Having read most of the thread it does make you wonder why the OP bothered to post the question in the first place.

sparechange · 22/07/2015 10:47

flora
I can't agree more Sad

merrymouse · 22/07/2015 10:49

I don't think the dog is actually called cujo - I think that was a joke.

Gileswithachainsaw · 22/07/2015 12:35

Who, really in fairness is going to pay for a dog when it's not from a breeder nor a shelter (donations rather than payment for the shelter obviously) and hasn't been health checked or assessed.

The only person who will, in reality is someone who wants to breed him. and then of they can't they won't want him anymore.

shelters are full of dogs they could have of the same breed for next to nothing.