experience bull owners advice needed

[brunty29cdo 5]

hi all,im need of some advice as im at wits end....

iv got a staffy male 2 years old,had him of a family since he was 8 months old.hes first and foremost a pet but he proving a good bushing dog....anyway hes a fantastic dog exept one thing...he growls at me and wife,only in last 6 months or so but its getting worse and i have no doubt hel bite if we dont back down..

i love the dog to bits and its breaking my heart but cant let it persist as im in forces and soon be off on 6 month tour and i cant trust him alone with wife.

he growls if you grab his collar if he thinks hes goin to be told off,or push him of sofa etc etc.he went for me when i split a dog fight up,but managed to stop him.he hasnt bit us yet but this behaviour is un warranted.

hes never been mistreated and comes everywhere with is and has a fantastic life as far as a dogs concerned but he is not spoilt.

like i say hes a fantastic dog in every other way and 90% of the time a loving brilliant dog so id like to do know what i can do to fix this or do i have to face the inevitable.thanks

[gnipper 6,570]

Sounds like he's found you will back down and he can dominate you, dogs need to know their place in the family. I'm no expert on canine psychology but it sounds like you need to put him in his place but even with doing that he might still act that way round your missus?

[liam mc 18]

hi all,im need of some advice as im at wits end....

iv got a staffy male 2 years old,had him of a family since he was 8 months old.hes first and foremost a pet but he proving a good bushing dog....anyway hes a fantastic dog exept one thing...he growls at me and wife,only in last 6 months or so but its getting worse and i have no doubt hel bite if we dont back down..

i love the dog to bits and its breaking my heart but cant let it persist as im in forces and soon be off on 6 month tour and i cant trust him alone with wife.

he growls if you grab his collar if he thinks hes goin to be told off,or push him of sofa etc etc.he went for me when i split a dog fight up,but managed to stop him.he hasnt bit us yet but this behaviour is un warranted.

hes never been mistreated and comes everywhere with is and has a fantastic life as far as a dogs concerned but he is not spoilt.

like i say hes a fantastic dog in every other way and 90% of the time a loving brilliant dog so id like to do know what i can do to fix this or do i have to face the inevitable.thanks

Youll have to stamp it out start by not letting him on sofa and controlling his feed time Id say he growls at you if you touch his bowl you need to take his food away when you want, if your personality isnt up to this or your wives id rehome him to an experienced owner

[steveS.Yorks 161]

At 2 yrs he is maturing and trying to assert his stautus in the pack[your family] his growling is a warning that he is prepared to attack if he doesnt get his own way.

 

"push him off the sofa" says it all really,he shouldnt have been on it in the first place,you havent been asserting your authority on him enough from him being young,sorry mate but this is your fault,unless he has a mental problem,not likely though.

 

You could wait until he does it again,tie him up and give him a really good hiding,he should become subserviant to you,problem is you soon wont be there and he will still feel superior to your wife/kids[if you have any?]

 

You could build a pen outside and keep him in there,but your missus will still have to let him out/feed/clean his pen.

 

Not a nice thing when you like the dog so much,but unless you could rehome him with an experianced handler the safest thing would be pts.

 

I dont want this to come over as "anti bull","because its a bull,its not correctable" ive had staffies myself and theyre great dogs,in the right hands that is.

[brunty29cdo 5]

hi all,im need of some advice as im at wits end....

iv got a staffy male 2 years old,had him of a family since he was 8 months old.hes first and foremost a pet but he proving a good bushing dog....anyway hes a fantastic dog exept one thing...he growls at me and wife,only in last 6 months or so but its getting worse and i have no doubt hel bite if we dont back down..

i love the dog to bits and its breaking my heart but cant let it persist as im in forces and soon be off on 6 month tour and i cant trust him alone with wife.

he growls if you grab his collar if he thinks hes goin to be told off,or push him of sofa etc etc.he went for me when i split a dog fight up,but managed to stop him.he hasnt bit us yet but this behaviour is un warranted.

hes never been mistreated and comes everywhere with is and has a fantastic life as far as a dogs concerned but he is not spoilt.

like i say hes a fantastic dog in every other way and 90% of the time a loving brilliant dog so id like to do know what i can do to fix this or do i have to face the inevitable.thanks

Youll have to stamp it out start by not letting him on sofa and controlling his feed time Id say he growls at you if you touch his bowl you need to take his food away when you want, if your personality isnt up to this or your wives id rehome him to an experienced owner

i cant take away his food that is no prob at all,and i cant kick him off sofa 90% of time without a beep.

so your saying i should give him a good hiding if he growls?

[liam mc 18]

No theres no point in giving him a hiding but whenever he growls put him outside or remove him completely from the situation with you totally in control he needs to learn he is bottom of the pile and no point trying to climb it but everyone in house needs to be on board with this , Im not talkimg about beating the dog up just contolling him

[GET THEM OUT (.)(.) 39]

No theres no point in giving him a hiding but whenever he growls put him outside or remove him completely from the situation with you totally in control he needs to learn he is bottom of the pile and no point trying to climb it but everyone in house needs to be on board with this , Im not talkimg about beating the dog up just contolling him

 

 

well said, ,

 

he is just pushing his luck and trying to see if he can be top man, simple things like removing him from the house for a hour or so could work when he trys to growl, especially if he is a typical staff and loves being around people, making him sit and wait for food, i wouldnt let him on the sofa mainly because he is at your level, just try to be very confident when controlling him, he will pick up if your even slightly nervous which means in his head that your not worthy of being top man hence why he is trying to be, can anyone reccomend any good books for the lad to read ?

 

atb with him,

[liam mc 18]

Id say if he follows tips he,ll be ok just dont listen to thelads who will slag you off but have no tips to help you

good luck mate PM me if you like

[watchman 256]

he is not spoilt.,the pic tells a different story mate,good luck with getting it sorted though but wouldn't have any dog of mine lolling all over the furniture thinking it owns the place,i know a lot do just not my scene that's all

[brunty29cdo 5]

At 2 yrs he is maturing and trying to assert his stautus in the pack[your family] his growling is a warning that he is prepared to attack if he doesnt get his own way.

 

"push him off the sofa" says it all really,he shouldnt have been on it in the first place,you havent been asserting your authority on him enough from him being young,sorry mate but this is your fault,unless he has a mental problem,not likely though.

 

You could wait until he does it again,tie him up and give him a really good hiding,he should become subserviant to you,problem is you soon wont be there and he will still feel superior to your wife/kids[if you have any?]

 

You could build a pen outside and keep him in there,but your missus will still have to let him out/feed/clean his pen.

 

Not a nice thing when you like the dog so much,but unless you could rehome him with an experianced handler the safest thing would be pts.

 

I dont want this to come over as "anti bull","because its a bull,its not correctable" ive had staffies myself and theyre great dogs,in the right hands that is.

sorry my explaining is shite.he will only come on sofa if told and will get off when told.

i have given him a good kick in the arse before,about a year or so but nothing that hurt him.

its as if hes scared of us and gets really nervous if we raise our voices.

by me saying "backing down" i mean i can see that hes scared so il speak softly to him and he looks all sorry etc.

im not an experienced bull owner il admit,but have been around big powerful breeds most my life so i thought i could give him a good life as hes a rescue.theres only one way to get experience ect.

im crap at explaining things as it seems iv come across like i let the dog run the joint,thats far from truth.

hes a well trained and good dog but it seems like he feels scared if hes thinks hes goin to tell him off.

its almost like hes been abused but that is far from truth!

like i say 90% of time hes perfect so id like to iron this out .

thanks for advice,appreciated

[ReggieCuz 18]

If you've had him from 8 months old he probably was abused before you had him. That's probably why he was in the rescue centre, he was probably a headstrong/destructive pup that got a few hidings for his behaviour by the past owners. They then washed their hands of him and sent hiom to rescue.

Now he's 2 years old he has hit maturity and feels confident enough to say ''Oi, don't even think about flogging me or you'll get bitten''.

 

Sounds like it's loud/angry voices that is bringing out the growls, he thinks he's gonna cop a flogging. Be calm but assertive with him. Don't invite him up on the sofa anymore either. But, when he is on the sofa and you want him off stand a few metres away from him (not blocking the doorway) and say in a calm but steady voice ''Get down'' or ''Outside'' or ''Go to bed'' (assunming he knows these commands. Make sure you aint blocking the doorway though as he'll be too scared to go past you cos he'll think there'll be a boot up his arse as he goes by. When he's outside give him praise and a treat but leave him outside for an hour or so (if he's got somewhere warm to go)

If he refuses to leave the sofa (most likely cos he's scared to) calmly approach him and take him by the collar and pull him off (making sure to let go the collar as soon as he's off) and tell him to go to bed or outside again. If he's still shitting himself (head down, low profile, ears back etc) call him nicely to you and lead him outside yourself. Give him praise and a treat when he's outside and leave him there for a while.

If you're too worried about grabbing his collar you might attach a lead to the collar and call him, if he don't come give the lead a gentle tug and encourage him nicely.

Whatever you do don't lose yer rag and flog him or it'll make the situation worse.

Good luck with him.

[Guest chook]

At 2 yrs he is maturing and trying to assert his stautus in the pack[your family] his growling is a warning that he is prepared to attack if he doesnt get his own way.

 

"push him off the sofa" says it all really,he shouldnt have been on it in the first place,you havent been asserting your authority on him enough from him being young,sorry mate but this is your fault,unless he has a mental problem,not likely though.

 

You could wait until he does it again,tie him up and give him a really good hiding,he should become subserviant to you,problem is you soon wont be there and he will still feel superior to your wife/kids[if you have any?]

 

You could build a pen outside and keep him in there,but your missus will still have to let him out/feed/clean his pen.

 

Not a nice thing when you like the dog so much,but unless you could rehome him with an experianced handler the safest thing would be pts.

 

I dont want this to come over as "anti bull","because its a bull,its not correctable" ive had staffies myself and theyre great dogs,in the right hands that is.

 

Why do all dog problems resort down to beating the dog up,

doing that to a dog like this will backfire and will potentaly end up with the dog dead

and someone bitten.

 

 

Personaly i would speak to your vet, if its only started happening in the last 6 months or so

and its getting worse, then there is something wrong, taking training tips off

the net isnt a good idea with a dog thats being like this, as no one can see your dog

and see what is happening, the dog may just be puching his luck or is scared

but it also could be medical, with something like this vet is always first port of call,

after that i would probaly get a behavourist in, especaly if you feel you dont know how to handle

the situation and it would probably help your wife aswell, to know she can handle the dog.

 

What i would do is try to never put him in a situation were he feels the need to growl

if youve had an argument or raised voices with the oh, try to carm down before asking the dog to do anything

because your body langue will be different after an argument, always aproch the dog

in a carm and relaxed manner, dont stand tall - as that will make you look big

and could worry the dog, never stand over the dog to grab its collar

and never push the dog off the couch, encorage him off insted.

 

I have a reactive dog - and he will bite if he feels threatened,

have owned him for 14 years and so far hes never bitten, but i never put him in the situation

were as he feels the need to bite, he will growl sometimes if i ask him to get off the couch

in that situation, i go get a treat and ask him to get off, you have to remember

if the dogs been asleep, to call them before you do anything, that way they are fully awake

and are less likily to feel the need to defend themselves.

 

If you got him from a rescue centre, they sometimes have behavourists on hand

also you will need to contact them, if you decided to get rid of the dog

even if considering pts.

[littlefish 587]

It sounds like this dog lacks consisent training. It needs to respect everyone in the family all the time, that comes from the dog knowing its place and being consistently and fairly treated. Not good to have it lying on the settee. No good kicking it - you could be dealing with a time bomb. I don't envy your situation.

[Moll. 1,770]

I dont think letting the dog on the settee has made him aggressive, fook me i would have been savaged years ago

As others have said at 2yr old he is reaching maturity. Some dogs get a bit confused at this time, not sure where they are within the pack. You have not had him since a pup so have not been able to set ground rules early.

My methods would be......From now on, nothing in life is free! He has to work for everything he gets, you have to dominate him. Start hand feeding him food, don't just stick his dish down for him to scoff. Make him sit, give him a bit from your hand (your wife needs to do this also) He don't sit, or wait or any type of instruction you give him when instructed, he don't get the food, send him out of the room you feed him in. Get him back in a couple of mins, repeat. Do it till his dish is empty. He gets off the settee when you tell him, he is allowed back when you tell him. When going for a walk, he has to sit and stay whilst you sort out his lead.....anything else you can think of the dog loves doing....he has to work and work hard for it. This is not a quick fix, you have to be consistent and completely dedicated. You must do it initially for 7 days without fail, don't get fooled if he is perfect after 3 days, keep going.

In the middle of the day, make him do commands, train him to stay, sit etc, be constantly on his back to do things for you....even if they are pointless at the time. When you walk him, you need to show him exciting things like rabbit sets, use a command for these time (whatttsssss thissss for example) you are the one who shows him good stuff like hunting, get him excited worked up...then make him stop when you say it is time to stop! Start again when you say.

Banishing him away from 'his' pack is a good form of dominance and control with head strong, strong dogs. I am not anti smacking a dog, but with a strong adult dog who wont be bothered by the smack it is pointless, just a way of venting your anger really, and if he is a bit nervy, you will lose his trust. When he is being even slightly arsey with you or your Mrs, out he goes, ive found an angry voice...veins sticking out on your forehead, eyes bulging type of angry voice works better than braying the dog. chuck him out or in a cage. When you let him back in, he has to work for a while, sit, lie stay eyc. There are loads of other things you can do, some more severe, like force the dog down and pin it till it submits, but to be honest i would not recommend them without knowing the dog and what it is capable of, or without knowing you.

It is unusual for a good staffy to be human aggressive, so you may have a badun, not all dogs are wired right. Or he could be in pain if this has just suddenly started. If you can rule out a medical problem and you really try with the training and it still does not work then at least you know you have done all you can.

Good luck

[staffs riffraff 1,068]

Chook I agree with most of what you say but to go and get a treat to coxe the dog off the settee when he threatening/warning that he will bite is not a very good idea at all it's reinforcing bad behavior that's what the guys trying get away from if the dog is nervous mate and you got kids and you going away get someone in to sort it mate asap as a nervous dog CAN be very dangerous as most bites are from nervous dogs so good luck hope you sort it mate don't want nothing bad to you family n involving this type of breed as they got enough bad press