Need to re-home my dog

[googlybeat]

Hi
Please no judgers. I do realise how nieve I've been in retrospect.
We've been looking to get a dog for a few years but wanted to wait till the children were older.
Looking on pets for homes we found a dog which needed rehoming from a private ad.
We met the dog and she appeared perfect.
Previous owner had trained her and said she was really well behaved.
When we got her home she seemed to have the usual adjustment issues. Accidents on the floor and chewing which quickly stopped.
However, she is very aggressive with other dogs. This is our first dog and I didn't want a puppy because I was concerned about my inexperience. Instead we now have an older and much bigger dog with serious behavioural issues. To be honest I'm now scared of her and am very edgy with the kids near her.
She may be a wonderful pet to someone with more experience to take her in hand but I don't have that to offer.
Tried to contact the previous owner who isn't interested and became aggressive himself. Said we knew what we were taking on.
Feel completey trapped by this situation and don't know where to go from here.
Any help appreciated.
Thanks

[GrannyGarden]

For the dogs sake as well as your own you need to rehome by contacting the RSPCA for advice. You know you made a mistake and have admitted it, but you need to move on now.

We took on a rescue this year and she to was hard work at first and very aggressive on walks. We are both retired , have no children In the house, and have spent lots of time training her and now 6 months in she is happier and safer. You do not have the time, experience or strength to get the best from the dog. Somewhere there will be an owner who can give it what it needs.

Don’t let it put you off owning a dog in future but maybe wait a few years and learn from this mistake. Our Rescue is our first dog and we had no idea how much time she would need to adjust, how much work she causes and how expensive it is to keep a dog. We love her to bits but, like you , we were quite naive.

[TropicPlunder]

Wolfie, stop angrily summarising! We get it! It doesn't help to continue

[mustbemad17]

Avoid the RSPCA & DT tbh, you need a smaller, independent rescue - ime RSPCA will just have the dog PTS & DT won't take due to breed & aggression.

You will struggle to rehome this dog purely based on the breed, staff crosses are hard to home let alone big crosses like mastiffs. This is why people should never buy a dog except through a decent breeder or a rescue; owners lie to get rid of them quickly

[ZibbidooZibbidooZibbidoo]

Please rehome this dog. You havent the wit to deal with this problem properly and people are at risk the whole time you have it.

[googlybeat]

It's aggression on and off the lead. She is ok with my husband's bosses dog but that's it. He is apparently a very playful and submissive dog.

[mustbemad17]

Your problem is that you aren't confident enough (from what you have said) to be able to deal with the problem. Having had dog aggressive dogs, you have to be in control all the time. The minute you flinch, flex, change your tension on the lead, hold your breath...your dog knows you are worried & will react accordingly. It will just add to the trigger stacking going on every time you walk the dog.

[90sBrows]

Are you in Australia? That breed combo often turns up in rescues and on Gumtree - dickheads are breeding dogs for pig hunting and they make absolutely terrible pets. Too often they are PTS because they can't be fostered in homes with other dogs.

Staffies are so needy and anxious and to put that into a huge bull mastiff body is insane. No wonder you are struggling - it's understandable.

Speak to the RSPCA about your options. I can't see how even with a behaviourist you can work this out. It's not you, it's the dog.

But research breeds better next time!!

[tabulahrasa]

“It's aggression on and off the lead.”

Whaf does she do... how far away are dogs when she does it?

I’m trying to work out if there’s anything that would help you now, as in, yes she needs a behaviourist, but you’re not going to manage to get one out today, or find a rescue with one today.

[Wolfiefan]

Yes how exactly is she aggressive?
Can you describe a typical exchange?
Look at safe spaces.
I'm not angrily summarising but I'm pissed off that someone takes on a dog off a bloody website and instantly goes bugger it I will rehome when things don't go to plan.
It's the animal that suffers.

[helloBuddy]

People take in a dog that someone else doesn't want, why are people given a hard time because of it? There will be so many success stories as well as ones like this.

[Wolfiefan]

Only when people have the experience, time, support and home situation to deal with any issues that arise.

[mustbemad17]

helloBuddy people are given a hard time between they have no idea what they are doing. You can never trust a person getting rid of a dog privately, they lie. Unless you are willing & able to deal with any issue, the dog then gets shunted again. It's damaging for the dog

[Vallahalagonebutnotforgotten]

googlybeat

1. You do not cause the dogs aggression by being nervous - the aggression is not your "fault"
   

1. The dog was aggressive that is why the owner rehomed him so ignore the comments you are making things worse
   

3.There is no magical owner out there that will be better for the dog than you are. You can learn to help the dog BUT only you and a qualified behaviourist in RL knows if this is the right thing to do once the dog has been assessed and your situation studied. There will be a lot that you can do to make things better and yes YOU will be able to do this.

1. You may have been misguided with getting the dog but you can now make the right choices
   

5.I know it is daunting but there is help out there what ever way you decide to go. It is a terrifying and lonely place to be when you first acknowledge having a reactive dog but there is light at the end of the tunnel and there is help.

[helloBuddy]

@mustbemad17 I do understand that but this can still happen with rescue dogs and like I said there will be many success stories we don't hear about it. I've had dogs all my life and still didn't realise that a dog could be reactive. It maybe naive but it's coming from a good place.

[ICantCopeAnymore]

People take in a dog that someone else doesn't want, why are people given a hard time because of it?

Because they've gone onto a website like Pets for Bloody Homes, paid money for a dog they don't know the history of to people they don't know and specifically chosen a cross of two very difficult breeds and now want to immediately rehome it.

Decent people research and research some more, then if they want to take in a dog someone doesn't want, they go to a reputable rescue centre where dogs are assessed, owners are home checked and there is a back up plan in case things go wrong.

Purely down to stupidity. The animals suffer due to human impatience and selfishness.

That's why people are given a hard time.

[mustbemad17]

The difference is a decent rescue will ply resources into their dogs & give honest assessments so that adopters have a better picture of what they take on. And they offer lifetime back up if adopters can't continue. Which is better for the dog.

At no point has anybody said handler nervousness causes aggression. However handler nervousness can exacerbate it because they get worked up. A good behaviourist or trainer will tell you outright that if you have the wrong mindset your job is harder

[mustbemad17]

OP there is a brilliant page on FB for reactive dog owners - Reactive Dogs UK. Have a look at the advice on there, it is invaluable. They explain a lot about things like trigger stacking, how to counter it & lots of other ways of putting coping mechanisms in place. Might be helpful whilst you find somewhere to take your dog. Please, please don't privately rehome yourself; you might as well have the dog PTS by your own vet if you do.

[Nesssie]

1. Muzzle train the dog. Really easy to do, get a good quality muzzle, put some treats in the end and allow the dog to gradually place her nose in, build up slowly until she is comfortable enough having it strapped on for short periods of time -lots of treats and encouragement,

Wearing the muzzle when on walks will ensure she cannot hurt other dogs, and this will make you relax a bit more.

1. For a big dog like this you need to find a halti/gentle walker etc. so that she can't pull you around. It will obviously need to be one that works with a muzzle.
2. A yellow/red lead/harness/coat with 'no dogs' written nice and clear.
3. Lots of space - when you see another dog, turn around, walk away, give lots of space between you, whilst giving lots of treats and happy positive encouragement. Distract her before she can see the other dog.
4. Training classes - there may be some near you that specialise in reactive dogs. If not, then a few 1-on-1 session's might be needed to help point you in the right direction.

Its not easy living with a reactive dog, but its not impossible, and once you have certain things in place, it gets easier. Hiring out private fields to allow a bit of off-lead running is also nice.

Unfortunately there are going to be very few rescue spaces for a large breed reactive dog, so she will likely be PTS.

[pigsDOfly]

I'm really hate to hear of people getting dogs and giving up on them, but in this instant I suspect this is the only way the situation can go.

The OP did a very stupid thing - she's admitted that. Obviously she knows nothing about dogs and the previous owner 'saw her coming'.

She has neither the experience, knowledge of dogs or time to put this problem right. She has no confidence in her ability to manage the dog and she's fearful for her children and herself.

You went about getting a dog completely the wrong way OP, but you can try to go about getting it rehomed in the right way.

Contact some rescues and see what they can do for you. Do not try to sell this dog on through advertising it yourself.

Forget the idea of having a dog for now. If you do get a dog in the future restrict yourself to a smaller, easier to control dog. Go to a proper rescue that will try to match you with a suitable dog and will not just hand over a dog to the first person who comes along. And never ever buy an animal through a private ad.

[drearydeardre]

OP - I feel for you and I think some people here have been very judgy - you may have been naive but hands up anyone who has not made a mistake. If this thread was in relationships - the advice would be to get rid of what is causing you stress - in this case the dog.
I found my previous lovely lurcher through a mutual friend who knew I was looking for a dog. He was taken on without home-check and without being rehomed from a rescue but I knew he needed rescuing from benign neglect and we worked through his initial problems.
I agree private rehomings need to be approached cautiously and it is always best to go with your gut feelings about the dog.
I am more incensed TBH with the people who buy small puppies of questionable parentage/breed on internet sites. They are taking on vulnerable animals without questioning whether they can cope.
I have just rehomed a dog privately of questionable parentage (aka a mongrel) but she is lovely, gentle and is fitting in well as she is 7 years old.
Your only mistake was the breed you chose and the fact you are a first time dog owner.
I applaud your decision not to get a puppy !
I think you need to rehome the dog for your own peace of mind and to give the dog some chance of a reasonable life. Good luck.

[ICantCopeAnymore]

Your only mistake was the breed you chose and the fact you are a first time dog owner

Utterly wrong.

[Ihaventgottimeforthis]

Look for some bullie rescues or suchlike who will take them on.
Last Chance Hotel in Cornwall could be an option or will have contacts.
If you like the dog, and want to give it a real go in turning her around, then have a look at PackWalker on facebook and consider sending the dog in for board & train; there will be other similar trainers.

[drearydeardre]

Icant
Your only mistake was the breed you chose and the fact you are a first time dog owner
Utterly wrong.
nice -
so of course you are so expert you have the right to dismiss anyone else's opinion. I was trying to be supportive of the OP

[Wolfiefan]

The OP doesn't want support. Just to ditch the dog. No reply to any suggestions or enquiries that could actually help.

[googlybeat]

Sorry been at work all day. Thank you so much for all your posts. Still in two minds on what to do for the best. Lots of great advice and lots to consider. Will definitely look into muzzling her which would increase my confidence. My main worry is the thought of aggression in the home. Behaviouralist said that this breed don't really give warning signs like growling and will just bite.