Need to get rid of dog !

[user68753367]

We bought a dog 8 months ago where we have tried to train him.... he doesn't listen he still nips and snaps and it's now getting to the point where he is jumping up and going for my toddler and you can hear his jaw snap ! It's scaring me as I can't leave them in the room together he does it to me and my bf he tries to bite his ankles and he's the master so it's in heard of isn't it ? He knows not to go on the couch yet still runs in covered in mud and going on there he's not allowed up stairs but as soon as back is turned he's up there.... we've always told him no and made sure he knows and he does get praised when he's good (which is never ) he chews everything up in site and will just take food of the side and out of my boys hand, I'm currently pregnant and it's getting me so anxious ! He goes on walks everyday so he's excersised a lot. He doesn't listen to me whatso ever and when I play with him he gets aggressive to the point it scares me. Any advice would be helpful ? No nastiness please I'm at by whits end

[picklemepopcorn]

You're not the ones in the wrong OP, but you are the ones with the responsibility. Take a deep breath, you are upset, and we understand that.

If the dog was calmer and you weren't afraid for your children, would you want to keep him? He will take a lot of work and attention to get there.

If you can possibly afford it, pay for a session with a pet behaviourist. The vet reception, or a rescue centre may recommend one. The behaviourist will work out why the dog is so hard to handle, whether you are doing something wrong, have the wrong expectations, or whether you have a super challenging personality on your hands (they are often the most fun, once you sort them out!).

Put all the dogs food in the kong, so he has to work for it. He will end up with several meals a day, and lots of stimulation. Feed it to him while you are busy with other things and need some time.

Keep up the walks.

Watch dog training videos online. Victoria Stillwell does good ones, also look up Naughtybutnice training. There are little games you can play with him which only take a few minutes, but really build the bond which is what you need. NO Caesar Milan, please!

You need to be calm around him. He's got all over excited, and is playing rough. Calm him down by being calm yourself. No shouting, no squealing.

Good luck!

[JaxingJump]

OP, sounds like a nightmare. For whatever reason this dog is not only not fitting into your family but could be potentially dangerous. I'd have it out the door, hopefully for rehab and rehoming, a lot sooner than you've reached that conclusion. Don't feel bad. It sounds like you've tried and this dog is simply not safe for your family.

[3luckystars]

You have a toddler and a new baby on the way.

[GinIsIn]

You have said "he knows not to.... he's trained to..... but he's not listening" I'm sorry but if your dog isn't listening then it is NOT trained. The groundwork isn't there and that is why you are struggling. However when you say things like 'get rid' it doesn't sound like you want to bother training the dog properly in any case.

[OneWithTheForce]

Rehome him. He can do much better.

[hearyoume]

Yes Hillingdon she should just put the effort in despite the fact that the dog could maul her child in the meantime!

[TrionicLettuce]

Just posting these links again for you OP, these are organisations you can trust to help you find a reputable behaviourist or trainer who will be able to assess your dog and help you safely manage things until a rescue space can be found.

Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors

COAPE Association of Applied Pet Behaviourists and Trainers

Association of Pet Dog Trainers

Institute of Modern Dog Trainers

As Floralnomad says, if you could give us a rough location someone may be able to suggest rescues you've not yet contacted.

[JanuaryMoods]

Rehome or pts, he's going for your toddler.

[MimsyFluff]

Call a rescue today and tell them what he is doing it's the right thing to do for your DS have him away from DC will they can collect him can he stay with family/friends?

I've trained dogs from a young age farming background only had one "bad" dog she went for DH when DC1 was born because DH went to pick her up and then started growling at anyone other than me that went near DC.

[Hillingdon]

Sorry but she HASNT put the effort in! How many training classes did she go to? Why does she not know what a behaviourist is? How much research did she do? How many walks is she actually undertaking? How big/small is her house? Is she just sticking the dog in a crate?

[IfeelFloopy]

I agree that a lot of the posts here have been harsh. Some dogs are a lot more work than others. A lot.

OP under the circumstances with children, I do not think you should take any risks and rehoming sounds like the best option, as sad as that is. I work with dogs. The lady that I work for has had dogs all of her life. Lives for them and loves them to death. She once told me that a few years ago one of their dogs nipped her (adult) daughter when they were out and about. She took the dog straight to the vets to be put to sleep as she said she wouldn't have it and you simply cannot take the risk. I'm not sure I could have done that myself. But do not put your babies at risk.

[3luckystars]

Great post.

[Ceaser1981]

I feel for you, i have a staff and hes a stubborn wee thing. I would defo invest in a behaviourist or chat to your local dogs trust, rspca for advice. Im sure they would be happy to advise you rather than just take the dog.

my staffy needs routine, just like a baby. Gets up same time each day, pee along end of road so gets some exercise, in for breakfast, has a nap, play, dentastick time, play, nap, walks, dinner, play n naps and bedtime pee along road then straight to bed. He mouths which people are scared of but he doesnt put any pressure on. I hope you get help as they really are brilliant dogs

[user68753367]

Thanks to those who haven't slated me . Yeah I need to put more time in and I have but I've been very poorly in this pregnancy no energy and not eating as constant sickness, my child's safety is my priority, and he listens to my OH just not to me so it's nothing to do with how he's been trained when it comes to that but thanks for all the good advice

[user68753367]

I know they are brilliant dogs hense why I wanted one I have grown up with 3 within family and friends circle so I know that

[user68753367]

Well a friend of mine last year had to take their child to hospital with a bad bite to the leg , they then took the dog to be put down I couldn't do that myself but if he left blood and a scar you don't know what your going to do or think at the time

[Costacoffeeplease]

PTS - ffs a 10 month old pup

I despair

[hearyoume]

he listens to my OH just not to me

Your OH won't be around 24/7. You're going to be at home alone with a tiny baby and a toddler and a dog with a very strong jaw who doesn't listen to you. I know you'll feel guilty but DC must come first. Don't become a statistic.

[user68753367]

No I don't just stick the dog in the crate, he sleeps in there at night and when we are out ! He still also wees in there and chews his beds up ! And chews the couch also ! He goes on two walks a day and what's the size of my house got to do with anything ? For your information I have a lovely big home and garden but that's nothing to do with this ! He has toys, bones and lots of activity so don't sit there like you know what I'm doing or how when you don't agave a clue just because you have a perfect way with dogs you can't sit there on your high horse and make another human feel bad when they are trying!!!!

[Costacoffeeplease]

You still haven't said what training he's had, what puppy classes, what training you do with him on a daily basis

[user68753367]

Obviously a dog is more important to you then the safety of a child !

[krustykittens]

I've had terriers all my life, including staffies, and every one of them has been a disobedient, wilfu sod until at least one year old. Worst dog for training I ever had was a Mannie, he had me in tears regularly until we turned a corner at 14 months old, terriers are bloody hard work. OP, you sound overwhelmed to me, some of your ideas about training sound odd and you don't have the time a puppy needs. Your kids are very young to be around an undisciplined, strong bull type dog and the chances of this dog-owning experience ending in tears is high. I only survived our latest two dogs because the kids were old enough to wear them out! Re-home to a good organisation and for the love of God, please research them better than you did your breeder! I do wish people would either re-home from a responsible organisation or buy puppies from a reputable breeder, not from a back yard breeder selling puppies that have no thought put into health or temperament so they can buy dope.

[user68753367]

I haven't taken him to puppy classes cause the training at home has been ok yeh he's naughty but it's ink time been recently he's biting my child, hense why I am at the end of my tether!!!! I never wanted to re home him before he did this I'm probably still upset and angry but what if he really hurts my child how's it normal for him never to bite then start all of a sudden ?

[Costacoffeeplease]

Ranting and getting hysterical here is doing absolutely no good whatsoever

[Costacoffeeplease]

You haven't taken him for any formal training? And you've had him for 6 months?