growling and hiding

hi iv just picked up a staffy thats roughly 1 1/2 old yesterday. he is a lovly dog and abit wild at times but i do have a problem. when children go near him he growl and snaps. he also hides in the corner of the living room looking scared when he does it asif im going to hit him. but he somes times go into the corner anyways.


someone please help me

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sound like hes been abuse daily walks for a hour everytime should help

is that with my son to get used to kids or on my own

I take it he is a rescue? Was he tested with children from the shelter?

Give it a bit of time to settle in, it may be quite scary to him at first. How long have you had him?

Hiya and welcome btw

iv had him 24 hours but scared to leave him with my son. and no i got him from another owner. the reason she got rid is becuase her children was illergic to dogs. but she dint know this as my staffy was her first dog she has owned

you should never leave your son with anydog anyway..

really you should of got a dog from a rescue center

i no not to leave my son with a dog but i mean i darnt let him loose in the room im in and if i do i tell me son to sit on a settee.

walk him everyday twice a day for a hour plus.... a tired dog is a good dog and untire/bored dog is a problem dog.

Not being critical but thats not the best way to find a dog, you should always go down the recue route where the dog is vetted and tested first.

Having said that its done now. I certainly wouldn't leave him with your son but I would advise small children and dogs never be left alone anyway.

Its been less than 24 hours, I would hope he will settle down, but he already could have a fear of children.

You say he is 1.5 years old but the prior owner rehomed because of an allergy with the children? After 1.5 years? Are you sure that was the only owner, seems a very odd to me. Just a thought.

nah she had him for 4 days she got him off someone so he has had 3 home in like a week could that be a problem

they alll need reporting poor thing no wonder the poor thing is scared

Yes of course it can be. The dog has been pushed from pillar to post! Do you know any history at all?

I'm sorry to say this but I think you have been a little bit silly to have introduced a dog into a family with a small child when you have no history of the dog, for all you know the poor mite may have been passed over because of these traits.

Not saying you can't work with him because if you are dedidcated to his training then he may come good. Mine had 3 homes before me and I have never had an issue but It took time and training, one to one as I live alone.

Give it some time and be cautious for now

i am being coutious and i have no real history. it looks like he has had a hard time and maybe come from a rough background. but when we first met him he was lovly and got on with the previous owners kids. so maybe he just needs to get used to being around my child and around our home

make sure u walk him twice a day for a hour each time... unhappy dog are normaly ones who aren't gettign walked

My little boy is now in his 3 rd home and is still finding his feet and we have had him for 3/4 months for the first week he stayed in his cadge he was scared to go out for walks and everything scared him
Now a few months on he loves his cuddles and slowly walks out the door
Please be patient with him it sounds as if he has had a hard year but they can recover and be very loyal
How old is your son as if he's old enough you can start letting him give treats to build confidence that your son means good things but I does take time
There will be so many on here with good advice to help you

It might help if you get him a crate and make it his bed, that way he has his own personal space wher he can go to feel safe.

Make sure he has plenty of exercise and play time, some good chew toys such as a kong or stag bar.

Is he being fed on good quality food?


He will settle given time!

I think the last owner could of lied, but that said he's there with you now, apart from the walks id try and keep a nice calm atmospher at home. Let him build his trust, be slow and calm, no over excitment. I know i sound like a weirdo, but your not aware of his background, He needs to see he can relax. Walk him, love him

Hi & welcome to the forum.

joshie69 wrote:nah she had him for 4 days she got him off someone so he has had 3 home in like a week could that be a problem

Oh, yes, that could be a real problem! Poor dog is anxious & confused. He doesn't know what on earth is happening to him.

How old is your son? Is he old enough to understand that he must, for the time being, not approach your dog unless your dog makes the first move? If he is, just explain that the dog has been frightened by three homes in such a short time & he's going to take a while to settle in. Then give your son some treats to put in his pocket. If and when your dog approaches your son get him to just hold a treat in front of him and let the dog takes its time & decide when and how to take the treat. Then just leave him to back off if he wants.

I would say it's going to take a while for this poor dog to settle down and trust your family. At the moment he's in a strange environment with strange people & his whole world has been turned upside down. He needs to have his own space (a crate or a corner where he can be totally left alone if he wants) and his own time to get used to being with you.

As Steve & Karen say, exercise is important and so is regular tasty food! So two long walks a day (at least) and two meals at regular times will do him the world of good!

my son is only 2 and he dont fully understand everything i say. but i will talk to him in the morning and try explaining to him. and tbh rizzle(the dogs name) has improved since being with me. he has already started to react to commands like sit paw etc...... but i do need food in my hand to do this atm. but ill try the bed thing and ill try talking to my little one and try him on nice tasty foods. many thnaks for your help. but keep coming with the suggestions

As your son is so young, I'd strictly supervise him when Rizzle is in the same room. That way you can step in quickly if you notice any unwanted behaviour (from Rizzle and your son! ). Although Rizzle is probably only acting through anxiety, you obviously can't allow him to growl or snap at your son. If he does, step in immediately and quietly but firmly tell him "no!" and then remove him from the area. Either put him on his bed or out of the room & leave him there for a couple of minutes.

Don't shout or flap at him as you'll make him more nervous.

You could also try some aromatherapy! Try rubbing a couple of small drops of lavender essential oil to your dog's head and chest (just two tiny drops on each) and put one or two drops on the edge of his bed. Lavender is known to calm anxiety in humans and animals.

i think dalily walks will help any dog... it's a great socializing tool

He will take some time to settle. He is likely very nervous with all the new homes and not having background information is hard. I would give him space in the house and let him iniate contact with you to be pet. Exercise is extremely important and a great bonding tool.

I'd also take him to a vet for a health check up to be safe because his behaviour could also be caused by an illness or injury.

Hi and welcome. Great advice from Caryll and J. The key is patience and consitency. He will settle although it may take a little time and effort.